Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
Phil Willon is the California politics editor based in the Sacramento bureau of the Los Angeles Times and oversees coverage of state politics and the state capital.
Melody Gutierrez is an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she covered state government and politics for The Times, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Sacramento Bee. Gutierrez has written award-winning government accountability stories on wasteful spending, pension spiking, rape kit backlogs and failures in the foster care system.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
A series of small-town dog killings was a prelude to the violence committed by one of California’s deadliest serial killers.
The stories behind the most compelling cases from the people who know them best.
German broadcaster DW explores the idea of 15-minute cities — and why the climate-friendly concept is drawing backlash.