Latest News
Hot Topics
SCOTUS appears poised to undo rulings that left cities in 'straitjacket' when addressing homeless encampments
Precise contours on the eventual ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court remain cloudy, but oral arguments revealed the court's conservative majority will most likely overturn rulings from the Ninth Circuit that critics said essentially created a constitutional right for the homeless to camp in parks and other public spaces
Hot Topics
Driven by rising costs of shelter and insurance, Los Angeles inflation tops national average in March
The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the Los Angeles area recorded a 0.7% increase in March 2024 and a 4.0% rise over the past year, predominantly due to escalating shelter costs. Nationwide increases were 0.4% in March 2024 and 3.5% over the last year.
Hot Topics
Recent MoneyGeek analysis shows cost of car insurance in California higher than national average
A MoneyGeek analysis of the costs of car insurance in California show an average cost of $1,343 annually, while nationwide average is $1,244.
Hot Topics
California nonprofit founder on rising car insurance costs: 'it's becoming impossible to live here'
Mark Horvath, the founder of Los Angeles-based nonprofit Invisible People, has expressed concern over the escalating car insurance costs in California. In an April 1 post on X, he said, "it’s becoming impossible to live" in the state due to these rising costs.
Hot Topics
Governor restricts legal challenges to L.A. development in push for more housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom is streamlining a major mixed-use development near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to speed the building of housing and urban infrastructure, using new state laws aimed at reducing environmental litigation.
Hot Topics
California Insurance Commissioner Lara: 'Climate-driven mega fires' responsible for 'supercharged' California insurance costs
California's leading insurance regulator has stated that the state's residents are experiencing increased insurance costs due to climate change-induced fires. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara made this announcement in a press release issued on March 14.
Hot Topics
Consumer Watchdog announced that it has saved California policyholders more than $800 million
Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, announced that it has saved California insurance policyholders more than $800 million by challenging proposed auto and home insurance rate increases from providers including Allstate and State Farm. Despite these savings, data indicates that Californians still bear some of the highest insurance costs in the nation.
Hot Topics
Lawsuit accuses San Diego of operating discriminatory anti-white homebuyer assistance program
The lawsuit seeks a court order blocking the city of San Diego from administering its first-time homebuyer assistance program which the lawsuit said intentionally excludes white applicants.
Hot Topics
Realtors to pay $418M to end home seller commission class action; Big changes coming to home sale process
Lawyers who brought the lawsuits could be in for a big payday, as well, potentially claiming $140 million from the deal, plus $69 million from earlier settlements with large real estate brokerages facing similar claims of alleged collusion to boost real estate agent commissions
Hot Topics
Car insurance costs soared over last year, hurting low-income Californians
The most recent summary of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals a significant increase in car insurance costs over the past year, exceeding overall inflation rates. This rise in car insurance prices is disproportionately affecting low-income drivers in California.
Hot Topics
Lawsuits cost U.S. consumers $500 billion per year, hurting low-income Americans most
David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), recently addressed the economic implications of mass tort litigation on Federal Newswire’s Business of America podcast. He argued that excessive lawsuits are a financial burden to taxpayers, with a significant portion of the funds being allocated to legal fees.
Hot Topics
Low-income drivers hurt by rising car insurance costs
In 2023, vehicle owners experienced a surge in their expenses due to escalating insurance costs. This price hike has been particularly burdensome for low-income drivers who are already grappling with the cost of basic necessities.
Hot Topics
AdvaMed CEO: Plaintiff attorneys ‘use misleading advertisements’ to generate business, make money at consumers’ expense
Scott Whitaker, the President and CEO of AdvaMed, a medical trade association, has voiced concerns about the impact of misleading advertisements on patients' health. In a commentary piece, he stated that trial attorneys are luring plaintiffs to join lawsuits through deceptive ads. Reports have found that this excessive litigation is imposing financial burdens on consumers, particularly affecting low-income Californians.
Hot Topics
Judge upholds Temecula Valley schools policies blocking classroom CRT, requiring parental notification for gender changes
A Riverside County judge sided with Temecula Valley Unified School District in a dispute with activists and the local teachers union over school board policies that block teachers from telling students that white people are inherently racist and require educators to notify parents if their children change gender ID
Hot Topics
California’s legal climate contributes to sky-high cost of living
California's cost of living surpasses the national average by 42%, with significant expenses in areas such as car insurance, housing, and utilities. Recent analyses point to the proliferation of tort lawsuits in the state as a contributing factor to this high cost of living.
Hot Topics
Biden administration, left-wing allies 'colluding' to shove court fight over immigration past November, judge says
A federal appeals court judge in San Francisco blasted the Biden administration and his fellow judges for allowing left-wing activists to help the president quietly tuck from public view a court fight over the politically fraught crisis at the southern border
Hot Topics
AG Rob Bonta: ‘The FTC and Congress must act to ensure fulsome regulation of PBMs nationwide’
State Attorney General Rob Bonta (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership this week saying Congress should “act to ensure fulsome regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Hot Topics
Lawsuit abuse drives inflation for Los Angeles consumers
The rise in the number of lawsuits filed in the Los Angeles area is contributing to heightened inflation and an increase in insurance costs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI), which was released on Feb. 13, prices in the Los Angeles area rose by 1% in January and 2.5% over the 12-month period ending in January 2024. A recent report identified a major contributor to California's CPI as the surge in tort filings and insurance-related lawsuits.
Hot Topics
California can't enforce minor gun ad ban law while court case plays out over speech restrictions
The full U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said it won't grant the Attorney General's request for a review of a three-judge panel's decision to slap an injunction on AB2571, which they said amounted to an unconstitutional 'muzzling of speech'
Hot Topics
Mass tort litigation is hurting Californians' wallets
Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), a nonprofit organization advocating for consumer interests, has declared that all Americans are shouldering the costs of mass tort litigation while attorneys reap the benefits. In California, millions of residents, particularly those in low-income households, are grappling with affording basic necessities.