Author: Arlene Martinez, USA TODAY

President Trump declares a national emergency as thousands of schools close across California and the country. And a new USA Today analysis shows no state is prepared for what could be six needy patients for every one hospital bed. That’s under the bes…

Disneyland, March Madness, NHL, NBA: canceled. And Gov. Gavin Newsom follows up a public health directive that events over 250 people should be canceled or postponed with an executive order that allows the state to take over private assets for coronavi…

The coronavirus is officially a pandemic as the U.S. death toll rises to 31 — four of them in California. And early morning DEA raids across the country lead to the arrest of 250 people, including one in Los Angeles, believed to be linked to a powerful…

A Californian sends a dispatch from a cruise ship set to return on Friday. But will she be allowed off? And amid coronavirus concerns, Coachella and Stagecoach are canceled – find out about getting a refund. Plus, residents sue the DMV for censoring th…

21 people on a Princess Cruise ship test positive for coronavirus. Plus, state lawmakers want big bucks to fight homelessness. And go with me to a lighter place, where succulents thrive but not because they’re watered.

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The state’s first coronavirus death and growing number of diagnoses prompts Newsom to declare a state of emergency. And a $15 billion bond measure appears headed for failure — its author blames the title. Plus, will a 13,000-home East Bay development s…

An owl flies off into the world, recovered from injuries sustained in a fire. Also, six months after deadly boat fire — what caused it? Plus: I talk with Robert Fellner, the executive director of Transparent California, which has gathered millions of r…

The feds want a reservoir near San Jose drained by Oct. 1 over earthquake fears. The court tells Kern County one permit cannot cover 72,000 new oil wells. Plus, Vice President Mike Pence takes the reins on coronavirus in the U.S. as agencies across the…

The world says goodbye to Kobe Bryant. Travelers exposed to coronavirus head to quarantine sites across the state, including one in Ventura County, as the Dow drops 1,000 points following the jump in cases. And Prop. 13 offers multi-unit developers a s…

Also, the state is again suing the Trump administration after the president signs new regulations to get more water to farmers (it had been going to fish). And learn about the role two Berkeley economists are playing in the fight over taxing the wealth…