California

Vira Ustyanska, a 34-year-old artist, fled her home in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, soon after the war started. She now lives in San Diego, California, with a host family waiting for the war to end.

Finding home in California after fleeing war in Ukraine

Amid war and displacement, Ukrainian artist Vira Ustyanska and her daughter find home in San Diego, California, as they wait for the war to end.

Finding home in California after fleeing war in Ukraine
A school campus with small blue buildings

Newcomer students face daunting obstacles to graduate. This California high school makes it possible.

Newcomer students face daunting obstacles to graduate. This California high school makes it possible.
Woman in church holding book and singing

American evangelicals are more diverse than ever. But some don't want to be part of the 'evangelical movement.'

American evangelicals are more diverse than ever. But some don't want to be part of the 'evangelical movement.'
Black and white photo of woman at tabel, facing away from camera, bending over recording device

In the 1930s, an ethnomusicologist tried to preserve the history of immigration in California — and combat anti-immigrant feelings — with song

In the 1930s, an ethnomusicologist tried to preserve the history of immigration in California — and combat anti-immigrant feelings — with song
Man at microphone speaking with hands up

It’s Trump versus California, but immigrants and employers already feel the fallout

It’s Trump versus California, but immigrants and employers already feel the fallout
Woman putting bills in public bus machine, with windshield behind her

She escaped violence in El Salvador, but there’s little time or resources to heal while seeking asylum in the US

The Trump administration wants immigrants to stop using public benefits, but many immigrants are already severely restricted from receiving assistance with food, health and child care. Even when they are at their most vulnerable.

She escaped violence in El Salvador, but there’s little time or resources to heal while seeking asylum in the US
Omar Naré singing and playing guitar

Nuevo mariachi is telling the story of one man's California experience

For Omar Naré, nuevo mariachi is about telling the story of his Californian experience. But doing that means breaking the rules. Which raises the question: Is what Omar is doing still mariachi?

Nuevo mariachi is telling the story of one man's California experience
San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi wearing a suit and tie leads Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, wearing prison orange, into court.

Immigration wasn’t part of the San Francisco trial for the death of Kathryn Steinle — but here’s why it became part of the story

For immigration hardliners, the shooting death of Kathryn Steinle was an example of failed immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies. For those who study both immigration and the criminal justice system, it’s a distraction from a real conversation about immigration reform.

Immigration wasn’t part of the San Francisco trial for the death of Kathryn Steinle — but here’s why it became part of the story
A man is standing in front of an audience pointing at something. A woman stands next to the man.

After the California wildfires, community leaders are trying to rebuild homes — and trust in government agencies

The October wildfires in Northern California are out, but immigrant families are still weary of seeking help from the government.

After the California wildfires, community leaders are trying to rebuild homes — and trust in government agencies
CA wildfire

After wildfires, health risks linger

After wildfires in California, the cleanup process poses another health hazard.

After wildfires, health risks linger
Boy on horse in carousel, looking at camera. Old, scanned photo

On being Korean in America in the time of the ‘Axis of Evil’ and ‘Rocket Man’

This is how Ju-Hyun Park learned to distance himself from being Korean in America.

On being Korean in America in the time of the ‘Axis of Evil’ and ‘Rocket Man’
Large photo installed on one side of metal fencing looks out over Border Patrol SUV

Mexicans and Americans bond over a giant baby and a border wall

French artist JR announced this new installation in Tecate, California, the day the Trump administration announced the end of the DACA program, which protects some undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation.

Mexicans and Americans bond over a giant baby and a border wall
Oroville Dam

Does a ‘green spot’ signal trouble for California’s massive Oroville Dam?

The California Department of Water Resources insists the dam is stable. But a lush, damp area on the dam’s face has nearby communities — and some engineers — concerned.

Does a ‘green spot’ signal trouble for California’s massive Oroville Dam?
Erick Silva Palacios

Young, undocumented and trying to 'keep my sanity'

"You don’t feel safe anymore. It always feels like we’re tiptoeing our way to 2020, we’re tiptoeing our way to, hopefully, a new president.”

Young, undocumented and trying to 'keep my sanity'
Solar panels

California’s electrical grid can’t handle all the solar energy the state is producing

As the Los Angeles Times journalist Ivan Penn explains, California has actually paid neighboring states to take its surplus renewable energy — dozens of times this year.

California’s electrical grid can’t handle all the solar energy the state is producing