sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag
@sophiabollag.bsky.social
1.6K followers 530 following 78 posts
California politics reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 46m
The same day Democrats released proposed new congressional maps, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent Newsom and the head of the California National Guard a letter saying 300 troops would remain under federal control through Nov. 4. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom warns of possible Trump interference in California’s special election
As Election Day approaches, Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising concerns that the president may try to interfere in California’s special election to redraw congressional districts.
www.sfchronicle.com
sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 2h
NEW: California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California National Guard troops sent to Chicago to help train soldiers from other states
Attorney General Rob Bonta says President Trump’s decision to send California troops to other states undermines his original rationale for federalizing the National Guard.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
saralibby.bsky.social
Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · 4d
SCOOP from @sophiabollag.bsky.social: Donald Trump is sending California National Guard members to Portland. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he's weighing another lawsuit over it. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration may sue over the move, depending on what the soldiers are asked to do there.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 4d
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Exclusive: Trump is sending California National Guard troops to Portland, Newsom says
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his administration may sue over the move, depending on what the soldiers are asked to do there.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
saralibby.bsky.social
Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · 7d
A great dispatch from the mean streets of Portland from @joegarofoli.bsky.social, where Oregonians are not interested in taking Trump's bait. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
As Trump readies military troops, Portland isn’t taking the bait
Many people in Portland believe President Trump is trying to incite an aggressive response from residents to show that “blue cities” are out of control.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
akoseff.bsky.social
Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 8d
Both Newsom and Trump are calling for widespread homeless encampment sweeps and deploying law enforcement to local communities to crack down on crime, though neither man acknowledges the similarities, @sophiabollag.bsky.social writes
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom and Trump are closer on crime, homelessness than either might admit
The moves by President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom reflect a yearslong shift in California politics and across the country toward pro-law enforcement, punitive criminal justice policies.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 9d
Environmental justice advocates say California missed an opportunity to advance its clean air goals against a hostile Trump administration and resurgent oil industry, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom stakes claim as U.S. climate leader. Some back home no longer buy it
Environmental justice advocates say California missed an opportunity to advance its clean air goals against a hostile Trump administration and resurgent oil industry.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 11d
In the battle over redistricting in California, supporters led by Gov. Gavin Newsom have amassed a huge network of more than 65,000 individual donors, campaign finance filings released Friday show, compared with about 130 donors reported by opponents. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
This side of the Prop 50 fight has 500 times more donors than the other, new numbers show
Both campaigns have spent tens of millions of dollars to flood California with advertisements.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 13d
This morning, @governor.ca.gov Gavin Newsom announced another international climate agreement, this time with Kenya. More on Newsom's international climate strategy in this story we published yesterday - www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
Gavin Newsom has long used climate issues as a springboard for his own visibility, but the events in New York have put the strategy — and his vastly different approach from Trump — on full...
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 14d
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In New York, Newsom tries ‘filling the void’ left by Trump on climate leadership
Newsom has long used climate issues as a springboard for his own visibility, but the events in New York have put the strategy — and his vastly different approach from Trump — on full display.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
saralibby.bsky.social
Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · 20d
California Republicans have rejected 10 bills to create independent redistricting commissions over the last two decades. Now that Prop 50 is going before voters, they've changed their tune. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 20d
In the last 16 years, votes on all 10 measures to transfer redistricting power from politicians to independent commissions have gone the same way in the California Legislature: Republicans voted no while Democrats voted yes. With Prop 50, that dynamic flipped.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Republicans hated independent redistricting commissions — until Prop 50
Both parties’ positions on Prop 50 illustrate how party politics always shape redistricting fights, even when the fights are over efforts to hand map-drawing power to independent groups.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 23d
@joegarofoli.bsky.social explains why one major Democratic group is prioritizing candidates who have struggled financially: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/joe...
A major Democratic group says 2026 candidates should have this one quality
One clear message Democrats have heard since November’s electoral debacle is that voters want candidates who are fighters. But leaders at Emily’s List said there’s another big factor voters...
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 25d
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill, @katewolffe.bsky.social reports
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill
“This was a very disappointing but quite obvious capitulation to highly paid big tech lobbyists,” said one former supporter.
www.sacbee.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · 26d
As California lawmakers finish their work for the year, the threat of possible vetoes looms especially large as federal cuts and budget pressures intensify demand for limited state funding. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California lawmakers pass a final flurry of bills, these are Newsom’s potential veto targets
Bills at particular risk for a veto include ones with high price tags, which Gov. Gavin Newsom frequently targets. That’s especially true in a tough budget year for California.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Sep 4
Several high-profile voices on elections and democracy have softened or changed their position on Newsom’s redistricting campaign. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
3 key voices have changed their tune on Newsom’s redistricting plan
Several high-profile figures on elections and democracy have softened or changed their position on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign for California.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 27
Newsom has touted AI’s lofty potential. Now he’s using it to post a stream of Trump memes
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom has touted AI’s lofty potential. Now he’s using it to post a stream of Trump memes
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has endorsed a very targeted approach to regulating AI, but his most public use of the technology has been images meant to mock President Trump.
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 21
California lawmakers this morning are poised to pass several bills that would facilitate a November special election to approve new congressional maps, putting the Golden State at the forefront of a nationwide redistricting fight.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Democrats poised to call special election to approve new congressional maps
California lawmakers plan to vote Thursday to authorize a special election to redraw congressional districts that benefit Democrats, putting it at the forefront of a nationwide redistricting fight.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
freedom.press
Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · Aug 20
Here’s the student paper’s story.

They had to delay until one, the principal lifted an illegal censorship order, and two, a judge reminded the school it can’t fire an adviser for letting students report news.

Help these young journalists make up for lost time — spread the story far and wide.
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 20
Newsom is the face of California’s redistricting push. That could help him — and hurt the plan
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom is the face of California’s redistricting push. That could help him — and hurt the plan
The campaign is undeniably helping California’s governor introduce himself to voters outside the Golden State who may not be familiar with him.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
saralibby.bsky.social
Sara Libby @saralibby.bsky.social · Aug 14
California schools are facing such an onslaught from sexual abuse lawsuits that many are looking to insurance companies in Bermuda or the UK for coverage. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
As lawsuit costs spiral, California schools are forced to seek insurance overseas
A state law that made it easier to sue over child sexual assault is driving up litigation costs so dramatically that schools and local governments have been forced to seek insurance coverage...
www.sfchronicle.com
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 12
California law enforcement agencies have been increasingly hiring officers who were previously fired or dismissed from other departments, @meganrcassidy.bsky.social, Nami Sumida and @jennifergollan.bsky.social report www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
More and more California police officers share a common quality — they were previously fired
This story, based on an exclusive dataset, shows that California police are hiring previously fired officers to meet demand. And the number is growing.
www.sfchronicle.com
sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 11
Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Donald Trump this morning offering to stop California’s redistricting push if the president calls off similar efforts in red states. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom says in letter to Trump California will back off redistricting — if red states do
President Donald Trump has called for Texas to redraw its maps to benefit Republicans in the midterm elections. Gov. Gavin Newsom has responded about California’s plans.
www.sfchronicle.com
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Reposted by Sophia Bollag
sfchronicle.com
San Francisco Chronicle @sfchronicle.com · Aug 9
This development marks a rapid progression for a statewide ballot measure, which are often years in the making.
California Democrats say new redistricting maps will be unveiled next week
This development marks a rapid progression for a statewide ballot measure, which are often years in the making.
bit.ly
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sophiabollag.bsky.social
Sophia Bollag @sophiabollag.bsky.social · Aug 8
California Democrats say new redistricting maps will be unveiled next week www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Democrats say new redistricting maps will be unveiled next week
The development marks a rapid progression for a statewide ballot measure, which are often years in the making.
www.sfchronicle.com
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