Subject
California
MediaBias News has published 23 stories involving California, from August 2026 to October 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
Politics · United StatesCalifornia bans child marriage, setting minimum age at 18
California has officially banned child marriage, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing legislation that sets the minimum age for marriage at 18. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027, making California the 18th US state to enact such a ban. Child marriage remains legal in 32 states.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 41
Politics · United StatesCalifornia Governor Newsom Signs Laws Protecting Workers From AI
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new laws aimed at protecting workers from artificial intelligence risks. The legislation bans the use of AI to predict a worker's emotional state using biometric data and requires employers to notify staff about AI-driven mass layoffs.
United States3 min readTrust 80 · Craft 95 · Hype 10- Politics · United States
Three States Sue Over Abortion Shield Laws
Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas are suing New York, California, and Massachusetts, alleging their abortion shield laws unconstitutionally facilitate the distribution of abortion drugs. A separate suit targets individuals and groups for shipping these drugs.
United States3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 20 
Politics · United StatesCalifornia bans police use of shock gloves
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law prohibiting law enforcement officers from using shock gloves. The ban is set to take effect next year and will remain in place until 2030, following a period where ICE awarded a contract for such devices.
United States3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 95 · Hype 12- Politics · United States
New York, California Sue Over Offshore Wind Lease Settlements
New York and New Jersey have joined a coalition of eight states suing the federal government over settlements that redirected over $1.4 billion from offshore wind development to fossil fuel projects. The lawsuits challenge the legality of these deals, arguing they are an improper use of taxpayer money.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 20 
Politics · United StatesNewsom signs 13 bills to protect California elections
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 election-protection bills on Saturday. The legislation aims to prevent interference in the state's midterm elections by creating new felony offenses for actions such as seizing ballots or directing interference with mail-in vote delivery.
United States3 min readTrust 86 · Craft 95 · Hype 15
Politics · United StatesNewsom signs order for AI safety recommendations
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order mandating state agencies to develop recommendations for strengthening AI safety laws. The order calls for a team of experts to propose new regulations within two months, potentially including a 'kill switch' for AI programs.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Politics · United StatesParamount threatens California exit amid merger lawsuit
Paramount has threatened to leave California since July, when the state sued to block its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is taking the threat seriously, while California's Attorney General Rob Bonta calls it blackmail.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Politics · United StatesNewsom blames Trump for housing costs; chart shows rise under Biden
California Governor Gavin Newsom shared a chart on X blaming former President Donald Trump for high housing costs. However, critics pointed out that the most significant increase on the chart occurred during the Biden administration.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 68
Politics · United StatesCalifornia Governor Signs Laws to Protect Children from Social Media and AI
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed 13 new laws designed to shield minors from the potential harms of social media and AI chatbots. The legislation includes penalties for companies found negligent and restrictions on addictive online content.
United States4 min readTrust 76 · Craft 95 · Hype 18- Business & Economy · United States
Iran War Costs Americans $100 Billion in Extra Energy Expenses
The war in Iran has cost American consumers an estimated $100 billion in additional energy expenses, according to Brown University. The figure continues to increase, adding approximately $1 million every two minutes.
United States4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 59 · Hype 41 
Politics · United StatesInvestigative journalist sues California over new law
Investigative journalist Nick Shirley has filed a lawsuit against California, challenging Assembly Bill 2624. Critics have nicknamed the law the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act.' Shirley contends the legislation infringes upon his First Amendment rights and could impede his work reporting on immigration-service organizations.
United States3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Politics · United StatesGill Bill Aims to End SNAP Restaurant Meals Program
Representative Brandon Gill has introduced a bill to eliminate the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. The program allows eligible recipients to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants, a practice Gill argues is a loophole for fast food purchases.
United States3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 45 · Hype 20
Politics · United StatesJudge Dismisses DOJ Lawsuit Against California Transgender Sports Policy
A federal judge dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit challenging California's policies on transgender athletes. The judge ruled the DOJ did not give California adequate prior notice before threatening to withhold $44 billion in education funds. The DOJ is reviewing an appeal.
United States3 min readTrust 78 · Craft 65 · Hype 35
Conflict & Security · United StatesUS arrests 95 undocumented truck drivers with commercial licences in Arizona
A multi-agency operation in Arizona arrested 95 undocumented truck drivers holding state-issued commercial licences, most from California. The broader operation detained 143 people from 18 countries and seized methamphetamine and marijuana. The US Department of Transportation finalised a rule to block unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licences.
United States4 min readTrust 78 · Craft 65 · Hype 35
Politics · United StatesHonduran National Charged with Voter Registration Fraud in California
A Honduran national, Darwin Jonathan Rivera Flores, has been arrested and federally charged with two felonies in California for allegedly registering to vote while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Prosecutors state this is the first arrest in a broader election fraud crackdown.
United States3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 60
Politics · United StatesNewsom signs bill to shield immigration non-profit workers
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2624, expanding California's Safe at Home program to include immigration non-profit providers. The bill, nicknamed the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' by opponents, aims to protect these workers from doxxing and harassment.
United States2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 20
Politics · United StatesAppeals court dismisses ghost gun rule lawsuit
A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by California and the Giffords advocacy group challenging a Biden administration rule on ghost guns. The court ruled that the plaintiffs did not sufficiently demonstrate harm from the regulation, deeming alleged damages speculative.
United States2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Business & Economy · United StatesParamount seeks $1.88bn bond from state AGs to cover Warner Bros merger delay costs
Paramount Skydance asked a U.S. judge to require 12 state attorneys general to post a $1.88 billion bond to cover costs of delaying its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery. The states sued in July 2026, alleging antitrust violations, and a trial is set for March 2027.
United States5 min readTrust 78 · Craft 65 · Hype 15
Politics · United StatesUS advocates seek Republican support to end child marriage
Organisations advocating to end child marriage in the United States are targeting Republican lawmakers at state and federal levels, framing it as a nonpartisan issue affecting children. Some states are advancing laws to set the minimum marriage age at 18, while California legislators face lobbying to remove exceptions.
United States3 min readTrust 27 · Craft 62 · Hype 15- Politics · United States
California proposes fines for influencers who hide paid political posts
California is considering legislation to fine influencers and political campaigns up to $5,000 if they fail to disclose paid political content. The move follows concerns over transparency as campaigns increasingly use social media creators to reach voters, with some cases already under investigation.
United States5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 95 · Hype 15 - Business & Economy · United States
RWE relinquishes US offshore wind leases in $1.22bn Trump administration deal
RWE U.S. Offshore agreed to abandon offshore wind projects off New York, California and Louisiana for $1.22bn, the latest in a series of federal buybacks totalling $3.9bn. The company will invest $1.2bn in Louisiana LNG and natural gas projects, while states plan legal challenges.
United States5 min readTrust 76 · Craft 95 · Hype 15 
Politics · United StatesCalifornia bill would ban advertising chatbots as therapy
California lawmakers are advancing legislation to regulate AI chatbots marketed as therapy, following concerns over unchecked use in mental healthcare. The bill, authored by Sen. Steve Padilla, would ban companies from advertising chatbots as therapy and require licensed professional review for therapeutic decisions.
United States5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 79 · Hype 15
