Profile
Tani Cantil-Sakauye: The good fight
The former chief justice reflects on a lifetime of pursuing justice and defending Californians
Features
Research
Justice on Fire
Survey: Trump’s attacks on democracy go beyond elections, threaten rule of law
Table Talk
Erwin Chemerinsky: The shaky foundations of American democracy
UC Berkeley Law School Dean and author discusses the flaws that compromised American democracy from the start
Research
Special Report: A closer look at county government
The remaking of L.A. County government and what it means for the region
Research
Special Report: ‘Hey, AI, write us a story…’
AI imagines the end of the world — brought about by AI
Table Talk
Gavin Newsom: California’s governor on the state of the state
Newsom defends California’s work on homelessness, immigration and guns — and his power to effect change
Research
Special Report: Abortion in California
Without Roe, some states move to restrict abortion. California chooses the opposite course, offering services and protection
Research
Special Report: Critical Race Theory and UCLA
Critics bent on squelching conversations about race have assailed the idea, usually without bothering to study it
Research
L.A. Housing: Racism, skyrocketing prices and now a homeless crisis
How housing has shaped the landscape of Los Angeles. And vice versa
Research
The power of work: Labor in L.A.
Organized labor is redefining California’s culture and politics
Research
Fake ID: Racists Confront Reality
White supremacists confront evidence that they are not only wrong — they are not even White
Table Talk
Mike Dukakis: The State of Politics
Gov. Mike Dukakis and journalist Bill Boyarsky reflect on crisis and recovery — and retirement
Profile
Barbara Lee: A Life of Service and Action
From her childhood in El Paso to representing California’s East Bay: unyielding dedication to progress
Research
Wedge Issues: The Right to Vote
The fight for the right to vote is hard won, and never finished
Research
Biden Wins. Now What?
Joe Biden is the 46th president of the United States. What awaits him and the country?
Research
The dangerous myth of whiteness
Aaron Panofsky and colleagues examine the history and growth of white supremacy and its relationship to terrorism
Research
Voting in a Pandemic
The pandemic has scrambled political assumptions. The 25th District in California supplied a case study
Research
Special Report: The League of Women Voters
At age 100, the League combines a history of protest with a commitment to fairness and civility
Research
Closing Note: Hope in the Ruins
This year of crisis has upended politics, public health and policing, among many other walks of life. It now moves to an election.
Research
Vaccines Are Safe and Effective. Full Stop.
The naysayers are dangerous. Saving lives through vaccines and public health
Table Talk
James Fallows: America Up Close
James and Deborah Fallows traveled America to examine the strength of its towns and cities. They report back.
Research
Trump in the Media: Authentic, Messy and Oddly Effective
Donald Trump knows how to grab the limelight. Then what?
Research
Reconsidering the Single-Family Home
Has the single-family home outlived its usefulness? A UCLA professor dares to question
Profile
Boyarsky on Dukakis: Political Veterans Reflect
Veteran journalist Bill Boyarsky confers with veteran politician Mike Dukakis.
Research
Obamacare’s Survival May Depend on States
As Trump attempts to dismantle Obamacare, California leads the fight to preserve it.
Sketches
Takeaway
Closing Note: Democracy bends. Will it break?
The defense of democracy is difficult, global and very close to home
Landscape
“A Lighter Look” – On Popeye
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: The Supreme Court on spinach
Landscape
“A Lighter Look” — Official Humor
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: White House clowns
Landscape
“A Lighter Look” — In memory of Edwin Edwards
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: An appreciation
Landscape
The Long Road to Irrelevance
California’s GOP once contributed to the good of the state. Now, it’s mostly a foil.
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Back Off, Mogul
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Presidents’ Day.
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Happy New Year
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Happy New Year!
Takeaway
Closing Note: Of Urgency and Action
Quick solutions are impossible, but there is reason to persevere
Landscape
Los Scandalous City Hall
As scandals ripple through Los Angeles City Hall, a look back at misdeeds for the ages
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Apologies, Shakespeare
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Apologies, Shakespeare
Takeaway
Closing Note: A Time to Act
Artificial intelligence may do great things or great harm, depending on whether Congress gets it
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Wit and Wisdom for the 4th
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: “Wit and wisdom!”
Landscape
The Costs of War
A new book explores the ways public opinion shapes war and research informs opinion
Landscape
“A Lighter Look” — Ease Up
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: A Bit of Blarney
Landscape
The Passing of Lions
The passage of time: Jerry Brown in retirement, Dianne Feinstein preparing to leave
First Person
The Struggles of Family
Zachary Slobig on the combined effects within his family of COVID-19 and national policing protests
Takeaway
Closing Note: Acting on Fear
Not all fear is bad, but it often distorts choices. Learning to manage it is the challenge
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — A Biden New Year’s Resolution: Be Funnier
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: “Be Funny”
Landscape
“A Lighter Look” – A Community of One
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Solitaire
Editor's Note
Editor’s Note
California is big, diverse and complicated. The challenge of governing this state is huge.
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Job Posting
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Job Posting
First Person
San Francisco Recall: A Parent’s View
While pundits looked for trends, parents thought about their kids
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Reflections on Art Buchwald
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: “Buchshots.”
Exclusively Online
A Lighter Look — “Believe It Or Not”
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: Believe It or Not
Editor's Note
Closing Note: Governing Through Change
California’s problems are monumental, but history gives room for hope
Exclusively Online
Of “bad apples” and police culture
Some see policing problems as the work of a few bad officers. Others see cultures of racism and brutality. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Exclusively Online
The Electoral College and Democracy
Online Table Talk: Martin Gilens on the Electoral College
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look”
Rick Meyer begins a new column in this issue of Blueprint. “A Lighter Look” presents some of Meyer’s less-serious observations on American government and politics.
Landscape
Public opinion and the editorial page
The Los Angeles Times editorial page editor considers editorials and their place in contemporary political life.
First Person
What do voters care about?
Our correspondent-turned-canvasser brings home notes from the field.
Takeaway
The Other Side of Discord
Is there a solution to discord? It’s not just about being polite.
Landscape
40 Years Later: How Has Proposition 13 Fared?
California’s historic initiative protected homes, hurt services and schools
Landscape
Time Running on California’s Water Future
As time runs out on his governorship, Jerry Brown tries to complete a long effort to re-do California’s water system.
Editor's Note
Land of Immigrants
There are few issues in America more combustible than immigration. This issue of Blueprint examines it from many angles.
