Chris Nichols
CapRadio’s PolitiFact California ReporterSince 2015, Chris Nichols has worked as CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter where he fact-checks politicians in the Golden State both on-air and online. His work includes debunking social media misinformation and explaining complex statewide topics from California’s affordable housing and homelessness crises to election issues.
Previously, Chris spent a dozen years writing about government and politics at newspapers across California, including covering the Capitol for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Before that, he worked as a news reporter at the North County Times in Escondido; the Lodi News-Sentinel and the Sonora Union-Democrat.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, Chris left California to earn his master’s degree from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in 2004.
He is cautiously optimistic that his hometown San Diego Padres will someday be World Champions, but he’s not holding his breath.
-
California lawmakers passed more than 1,000 bills this past year, many of which become new California laws in 2024. Here’s a closer look at a few you might notice. -
Assembly member Kevin McCarty of Sacramento says he paused the funds after a September audit found numerous instances of financial mismanagement at CapRadio. -
The report comes one month after CapRadio laid off 12% of its staff amid ongoing financial problems. Sacramento State, which holds the organization’s license, says it will supervise “operational management” of the NPR member station -
From housing affordability to fentanyl to mental health and more, California lawmakers debated hundreds of bills this Legislative session. Here’s a breakdown of what made it to the Governor’s desk — and what didn’t. -
Though the budget deficit has grown to nearly $32 billion, Newsom said he does not plan to dip into the state’s rainy day fund, instead proposing a mix of funding delays, cuts and renewing a tax on health insurers. -
It may be days — or weeks — before we know final results for many races in this year’s election. Mailed ballots, which every registered voter in the state of California received as early as mid-October, take longer to arrive and process. -
Supporters say the plan could help fix California’s broken mental health system, while opponents say compelling treatment violates civil rights and will put too much of a burden on counties. -
Counties are expected to release election results in three separate waves starting shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. on June 7. The first wave will consist of results from the early-arriving vote-by-mail ballots. -
In the first contest, Padilla is seeking to complete former Senator Kamala Harris’ term which ends in January 2023. In the second, he is seeking his own full six-year U.S. Senate term. -
Advocates have praised the governor for making homelessness a state priority. But the data show the problem continues to grow.
