California Schools Continue to Struggle With Test Scores in Reading and Math

CalMatters: One of California’s starkest — and most important — letdowns is the consistent failure to help elementary and middle school students achieve higher national test scores in basic educational skills, such as reading and math. Moreover, California schools have not yet recovered from the educational losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feb 6, 2025 Dan Walters, CalMatters

Artificial Intelligence Is Bringing Nuclear Power Back From the Dead — Maybe Even in California

CalMatters: Artificial intelligence uses so much energy that its rapid spread could endanger California’s goal of eliminating all carbon emissions by 2045 — even as AI companies may be flooding the state treasury with tax revenue. The conundrum has legislators considering what was once unthinkable: Bringing back nuclear power as a driver of innovation and economic growth, sort of like it was the 1960s all over again.

Jan 31, 2025 Alex Shultz, CalMatters

Our Wondrous, but Fleeting, Time With Our Children

This past summer, my daughter graduated from UC Berkeley and my son from high school. Before she entered the job market and he went off to university, I decided to take them on one more epic adventure.

Jan 28, 2025 Sasha Abramsky

Still Foxy: Historic Fox Theaters in the Capital Region Find New Life

Remnants of the ‘movie palace’ era can be found around the region

There were once dozens of theaters across the United States affiliated with Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios), in an era when moviemakers set up their own chains of theaters and sometimes commissioned grand film palaces. Some have long since been demolished, but others have shown what can happen after a successful push for preservation.

Jan 22, 2025 Graham Womack

Predicting the Economy With Steven Yoder

PODCAST EPISODE: Predicting the future is hard, but we still like to try. Comstock’s contributor Steven Yoder breaks down his cover story “New Year, New Administration. What Can We Expect?” in which economists offer their insight on the next few years in the Capital Region. Which areas will see the most growth? Is it time to make the big moves or to play it safe? Find out in our latest episode. 

Jan 22, 2025 Steven Yoder