California’s minimum wage is adjusted every year for inflation. Some cities have a higher wage floor and unions are advocating bigger increases to meet rising housing costs.

A set of laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today extends California clean-energy programs while taking steps to shore up oil and gas production. It also opens the door to a Western energy grid.

California sent incarcerated firefighters to battle blazes in Los Angeles this year. It’s moving toward paying them minimum wage for their work in emergencies.

New California laws taking effect Jan. 1 aim to make it easier to prosecute people accused of retail theft. Separately, voters passed Prop.