<!-- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ --></p> <p>from <a href=""https://calmatters.org/author/visuals-team/"" title=""Posts" by="" calmatters="" visuals="" team="" class=""author" url="" fn="" rel=""author"">CalMatters visual team</a>CalMatters</p> <figure> <img decoding="async" width=""1200"" height=""800"" src=""https://i0.wp.com/calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/020325_Day-Without-Immigrants_JWH_07.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1"" class=""attachment-post-thumbnail" size-post-thumbnail="" wp-post-image="" alt=""A" person="" in="" a="" green="" tracksuit="" holding="" up="" sign="" saying="" uilt="" this="" nation="" while="" next="" to="" guard="" railing="" over="" highway="" downtown="" los="" angeles.="" the="" background="" cars="" can="" be="" seen="" driving="" on="" road="" crowds="" of="" protesters="" hold="" signs="" and="" flags="" both="" sides="" highway.="" decoding=""async"" srcset=""https://i0.wp.com/calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/020325_Day-Without-Immigrants_JWH_07.jpg?w=2000&ssl=1" https:="" sizes=""(max-width:"/><figcaption>Protesters gather over the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles in support of the Day Without Immigrants march in February. Photo by JW Hendricks for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <p>This story was originally published by <a href=""https://calmatters.org/"">CalMatters</a>. <a href=""https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/"">Sign up</a> for their newsletters.</p> <p>Each year is unique in the joy, wonder, and heartache it can bring. Every year is the same as our photographers and visual journalists spend it traveling the state to bring you these moments. </p> <p>We were on location in Los Angeles during the <a href=""https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/01/la-fires-photos/"">Palisades and Eaton Fires</a> and our reporters <a href=""https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/02/debris-flows-eaton-fire-la-montecito/"">warned of the ensuing mudslide</a> risks. We reported on <a href=""https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/06/la-immigration-protests-photo-essay/"">immigration actions in the Los Angeles area</a> and <a href=""https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/07/marijuana-immigration-raid/"">other parts of the state</a>as well as the implementation of <a href=""https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/06/national-guard-los-angeles/"">the National Guard and related protests</a>.</p> <p>We have illustrated complex problems such as the use of <a href=""https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/03/school-counselors-ai-chatbots/"">AI chatbots for counseling in schools</a>, <a href=""https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2025/03/mental-health-insurance-legislation/"">denials of insurance related to mental health</a> and <a href=""https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/07/life-without-parole/"">life without replacement</a>. We reported on the limits of <a href=""https://calmatters.org/health/2025/05/abortion-law-catholic-hospitals/"">state protection against abortion</a> and visited <a href=""https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/09/wildfire-california-schools/"">Paradise seven years after the fire to speak to young students</a>. </p> <p>We took you inside a <a href=""https://calmatters.org/education/2025/10/mi-escuelita-preschool-trauma/"">San Diego Therapeutic Preschool</a> serving children affected by domestic violence and in the Central Valley, where <a href=""https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/12/immigrant-farmworker-medical-clinic/"">migrants avoid health clinics</a> for fear of immigration raids. We traveled to <a href=""https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/redistricting-modoc-marin/"">Modoc County to hear from residents on Proposition 50</a> and trace the problem through <a href=""https://calmatters.org/tag/prop-50/"">statewide vote</a>.</p> <p>This year also marked CalMatters’ 10th anniversary as a non-partisan, nonprofit newsroom. Our visual essay reflects <a href=""https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/calmatters-visual-journalism-10-years/"">a decade of visual journalism</a> which helped tell California’s stories with depth and clarity.</p> <p>Whatever 2026 holds, we look forward to sharing it with you.</p> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/010725_PalisadesFire_TS_CM_020.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" stands="" on="" the="" side="" of="" a="" road="" silhouetted="" against="" fiery="" orange="" sky="" filled="" with="" thick="" smoke.="" overhead="" power="" lines="" stretch="" across="" utility="" poles="" and="" vegetation="" foreground.="" scene="" evokes="" sense="" isolation="" foreboding="" amidst="" wildfire.=""/><figcaption>A man is surrounded by wildfire smoke on the Pacific Coast Highway during the Palisades Fire in January. The fire devastated the coastal communities of Pacific Palisades and Malibu. Photo by Ted Socki for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/010925-PalisadesFire-After-TS-CM-43.jpg"" alt=""Firefighters" in="" bright="" yellow="" jackets="" sprays="" water="" onto="" smoldering="" debris="" at="" the="" site="" of="" a="" fire.="" thick="" smoke="" rises="" into="" air="" partially="" obscuring="" charred="" remains="" building="" framework="" background.="" scene="" is="" surrounded="" by="" rubble="" and="" burned="" structures.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/012625_Eaton-Fire-Rain_JH_CM_47.jpg"" alt=""workers" in="" white="" protective="" suits="" and="" blue="" helmets="" place="" sandbags="" around="" a="" green="" hose="" along="" wet="" roadside="" with="" burned="" trees="" debris="" visible="" the="" background="" after="" severe="" weather="" fire="" damage.=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Firefighters work to put out a fire in the wreckage of a home that burned on the Pacific Highway near Malibu as a result of the Palisades fire in January. <strong>last: </strong>California Conservation Corps workers wear sandbags and compost filter socks as they work on various erosion, flood and debris control efforts to help mitigate flooding and debris flows ahead of forecast rain following the Eaton fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles in January. Photos by Ted Sokuy and Jules Hotz for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_36.jpg"" alt="""/"/><figcaption>A chinook helicopter drops water over the Palisades Fire as it burns in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles in January. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/012825_Dreamers-LA_AJ_CM_15.jpg"" alt=""A" portrait="" of="" a="" person="" wearing="" long="" sleeved="" pink="" shirt="" and="" blue="" jeans.="" the="" sits="" at="" edge="" white="" ceramic="" wall="" with="" patterned="" tiles.=""/><figcaption>Director of the D’Arcy Corwin Dream Resource Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills near Los Angeles in January. The Dream Resource Center supports undocumented students by providing resources such as free legal services, educational workshops, scholarship information and more throughout their academic journey at school. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/031825-MENTAL-HEALTH-BILLS-GH-CM.jpg"" alt=""Illustration" of="" a="" silhouette="" person="" in="" freefall="" set="" against="" background="" concentric="" circles="" composed="" insurance="" health="" claim="" forms="" bold="" orange="" and="" black=""/><figcaption>California lawmakers are considering several bills that would bring more oversight to denials of mental health insurance. Illustration by Gabriel Hongsdusit, CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/042625-EatonFireInsurance-JAJ-CM-12.jpg"" alt=""two" adults="" stand="" close="" together="" indoors="" looking="" out="" through="" partially="" opened="" window="" blinds="" with="" serious="" concerned="" expressions="" soft="" light="" falling="" across="" their="" faces.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/020825_Duran-Family_JAJ_CM_17.jpg"" alt=""Ann" individual="" wearing="" glasses="" and="" a="" headband="" embraces="" two="" children="" on="" the="" steps="" of="" home.="" one="" child="" dressed="" in="" gray="" shirt="" is="" held="" their="" arms="" while="" other="" leans="" for="" hug.="" sunlight="" highlights="" faces="" potted="" plants="" decorate="" background="" near="" entrance="" house.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/030625-License-Visalia-LV_CM_05.jpg"" alt=""A" man="" stands="" in="" a="" softly="" lit="" living="" room="" holding="" framed="" portrait="" of="" young="" woman="" dressed="" letterman="" jacket.="" his="" expression="" is="" somber="" and="" the="" mood="" scene="" reflective="" emotional.="" warm="" sunlight="" filtering="" through="" windows="" contrasts="" with="" subdued="" atmosphere="" inside.="" photo="" appears="" to="" hold="" personal="" significance="" suggesting="" story="" remembrance="" or="" loss.="" cozy="" neutral-toned="" thoughtful="" composition="" draw="" attention="" connection="" he="" holding.=""/><figcaption>J</figcaption></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Sam Strgacic, left, and his wife, Rossana Valverde, right, at their home in Pasadena in April. Valverde and Strgacich are working with their home insurance to reach an agreement to cover costs associated with smoke damage from the Eaton fire earlier this year. <strong>next: </strong>Loreal Duran with her children, ages one and seven, outside her apartment complex in Los Angeles in February. L’Oréal’s husband, Giovanni Duran, was born in El Salvador and was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as part of a nationwide operation in late January and is currently being held at the ICE Adelanto processing center. <strong>last:</strong> Jerod Tejeda holds a framed photo of his daughter Cassie Tejeda at his home in Visalia in March. Cassie was killed by a drunk driver with two prior DUIs in January 2022. Photos by Joel Angel Juarez and Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HIGH-RISK-AI_AH_CM_02.jpg"" alt=""A" digital="" collage="" that="" depicts="" a="" triangular="" caution="" sign="" made="" out="" of="" manila="" folder="" and="" includes="" black="" exclamation="" point="" in="" the="" middle.="" artwork="" is="" set="" against="" multi-colored="" glitchy="" background.=""/><figcaption>A state report provided to CalMatters says 200 agencies report a lack of automation around sensitive decisions. Some called the report confusing. Illustration by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters; iStock</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/021425_Abortion-Access_AH_CM_42-scaled.jpg"" alt="""/"/><figcaption>Anna Nuslock at home in Eureka in February. Providence St. Joseph Hospital denied Nuslock an emergency abortion after she miscarried at 15 weeks pregnant, despite the serious risks to her health. Photo by Alexandra Hutnik for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/061125_Mi-Escuelita_AH_CM_01.jpg"" alt=""A" child="" wearing="" a="" blue="" graduation="" gown="" smiles="" in="" excitement="" as="" an="" teacher="" adjusts="" matching="" cap="" on="" their="" head.=""/><figcaption>Students prepare for a graduation ceremony at Mi Escuelita, a therapeutic preschool in San Diego for children affected by domestic violence in June. The school offers on-site therapy and social-emotional learning to help students heal from trauma. Photo by Adriana Heldiz for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/COLLEGE-COUNSELOR-AI_AH_CM_01.jpg"" alt=""A" pixelated="" style="" illustration="" in="" purple="" pink="" and="" yellow="" tones="" that="" shows="" a="" student="" using="" laptop="" with="" several="" icons="" medical="" bag="" graduation="" cap="" an="" art="" color="" palette="" brush="" music="" notes="" science="" testing="" tubes="" book="" around="" her="" represent="" different="" careers.="" tex="" bubbles="" can="" also="" be="" seen="" throughout="" the="" illustration.="" faced="" shortage="" of="" counselors="" california="" schools="" are="" offering="" ai="" chatbots="" to="" more="" students.="" they="" advice="" on="" college="" career="" options.="" by="" adriana="" heldiz="" calmatters="" istock=""/><figcaption>Faced with a shortage of counselors, California schools are offering AI chatbots to more students. They offer college advice and career opportunities. Illustration by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters; iStock</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/060625_ICE-Raid-DTLA_JWBH_CM_13.jpg"" alt=""Strongly" armed="" officers="" in="" tactical="" gear="" and="" face="" coverings="" stand="" a="" line="" with="" clear="" riot="" shields="" as="" protesters="" confront="" them="" the="" street.="" several="" gesture="" record="" interaction="" their="" phones.="" scene="" unfolds="" front="" of="" building="" marked="" on="" bright="" day.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/060825-Natl-Guard-MDC-DTLA-TS-CM-04.jpg"" alt=""A" line="" of="" california="" national="" guard="" members="" in="" full="" riot="" gear="" stand="" shoulder="" to="" holding="" transparent="" shields="" labeled="" guard.="" they="" wear="" helmets="" with="" face="" and="" camouflage="" uniforms.="" the="" photo="" is="" taken="" at="" street="" level="" tall="" downtown="" buildings="" an="" american="" flag="" visible="" background="" on="" a="" sunny="" day.=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Federal immigration authorities confront protesters during an ICE raid at Ambiance Apparel in downtown Los Angeles in June. <strong>last:</strong> California National Guard soldiers stand with shields outside the Federal Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles in June. Photos by JW Hendricks and Ted Soqui for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/060825_Natl-Guard-MDC-DTLA_TS_CM_49.jpg"" alt=""A" canister="" laying="" in="" the="" middle="" of="" a="" freeway="" road="" releases="" fire="" and="" clouds="" smoke="" towards="" law="" enforcement="" officers="" dressed="" riot="" gear="" during="" protest.=""/><figcaption>California Highway Patrol tries to clear demonstrators from the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles in June. Photo by Ted Socki for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/070125_Farmworker-Harvest_LV_CM_29.jpg"" alt=""The" silouhette="" of="" a="" person="" illuminated="" by="" the="" soft="" light="" morning="" sunrise="" as="" they="" carry="" large="" bucket="" banana="" peppers="" that="" rests="" on="" their="" right="" shoulder="" for="" support.=""/><figcaption>A farm worker picks banana peppers at a farm near the town of Helm in July. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/091525_Mayra-Lara_ZS_CM_02.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" is="" seen="" through="" a="" window="" their="" face="" softly="" lit="" as="" reflections="" overlay="" the="" glass.="" they="" look="" directly="" ahead="" with="" calm="" introspective="" expression="" and="" blurred="" background="" creates="" layered="" contemplative="" mood.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/101625_Maximilian-Rose_ZS_CM_41.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" tilts="" their="" head="" up="" as="" pockets="" of="" lights="" illuminate="" parts="" face="" in="" between="" the="" shadows="" leaves="" from="" a="" nearby="" tree.=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Myra Lara, Southern California Director of Partnerships and Engagement for EdTrust-West, in Long Beach in September. <strong>last: </strong>Maximilian Rafael Rose in San Pedro in October. The 29-year-old struggles with loneliness, a feeling that many men across the country are increasingly experiencing. Rose recently joined a men’s walking group in hopes of building friendships. Photos by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters/Catchlight</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/092325_Deported_MO_CM_06.jpg"" alt="""/"/><figcaption>Mexico Oropeza, Mexico, in September. Photo by Christopher Rogel Blanket for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/081124_LaMalfa-TownHall_SO_24.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" wearing="" a="" beige="" blazer="" plaid="" red="" shirt="" and="" standing="" in="" front="" of="" huge="" american="" flag="" side-eyes="" crowd="" people="" as="" they="" hold="" up="" green="" pieces="" paper="" during="" town="" hall="" meeting.=""/><figcaption>U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa listens to a comment from an attendee during a town hall meeting at the Chico Elks Lodge in August. Photo by Salvador Ochoa for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Anti-Slavery-Measure_AH_CM_02.jpg"" alt=""A" collage-style="" illustration="" in="" maroon="" pink="" and="" beige="" tones="" that="" includes="" three="" cut-out="" images.="" the="" image="" on="" right="" shows="" a="" black="" man="" holding="" shovel="" while="" mining="" for="" gold.="" center="" back="" of="" an="" incarcerated="" person="" their="" hands="" are="" handcuffed.="" left="" two="" construction="" workers="" wearing="" hard="" hats="" jumpsuits="" with="" text="" prisoner="" back.="" cut-outs="" white="" barbed="" wire="" can="" be="" seen="" upper="" illustration.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/071125-LWOP-LEDE-GH-CM-scaled.jpg"" alt=""Illustration" of="" several="" panels="" the="" main="" panel="" is="" nathan="" gould="" a="" man="" in="" his="" fifties="" wearing="" light="" blue="" inmate="" uniform="" other="" show="" vertical="" prison="" window="" closeup="" an="" open="" bible="" sitting="" cross-legged="" while="" reading="" hand="" holding="" gavel="" and="" clouds="" sky=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Californians rejected the anti-slavery measure Proposition 6, which would have banned forced labor in prisons. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026. Illustration by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters; California State Library, California Prison Authority <strong>last: </strong>California has made it easier for young people convicted of serious crimes to get a second chance, except for those sentenced to life in prison without parole. New legislation could change that. Illustration by Gabriel Hongsdusit, CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/101625_Maximilian-Rose_ZS_CM_03.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" holds="" a="" purple="" flower="" from="" nearby="" bush.=""/><figcaption>Maximilian Rafael Rose grabs a flower during a walk around his neighborhood in San Pedro in October. The palm trees and flowers remind him of the beauty that still exists, he says. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters/Catchlight</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/090325-Redistricting-Modoc-County-MG-CM-28.jpg"" alt=""Close up" of="" a="" person="" wearing="" large="" ornate="" belt="" buckle="" engraved="" with="" rancher="" day="" and="" decorative="" scrollwork="" fastened="" to="" tooled="" leather="" belt.="" the="" hands="" rest="" on="" either="" side="" rings="" visible="" their="" fingers="" denim="" jeans="" are="" partly="" visible.=""/><figcaption>Emma Harris holds a belt buckle she received as a prize for winning a branding contest at the Brass Rail Bar & Grill in September. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/091125-Melon-Farm-and-Kerman-LV-30.jpg"" alt=""A" ground-level="" view="" of="" a="" man="" dressed="" in="" cowboy="" hat="" and="" button-down="" shirt="" standing="" watermelon="" field.="" the="" vines="" from="" field="" are="" visible="" lower="" portion="" frame="" with="" part="" mountain="" range="" peaking="" out="" background="" blue="" sky="" as="" backdrop.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/092525-Redistricting-Day-2-LV-31.jpg"" alt=""different" fairgoers="" walk="" through="" a="" fair="" group="" with="" giant="" ferris="" wheel="" in="" the="" background="" and="" multiple="multiple" booths="" selling="" food.="" photo="" depicts="" busy="" scene="" of="" enjoying="" various="" activities="" at="" fair.=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>Joe Del Bosque, owner of Del Bosque Farms, stands in one of his fields of melons as they are picked outside of Firebaugh in September. <strong>last: </strong>Fairgoers walk around the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield in September. Photos by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/10302025_LA-Food-Bank-SNAP_JWH_CM_24-683x1024.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" wearing="" a="" glove="" reaches="" into="" large="" pile="" of="" red="" bell="" peppers="" with="" bright="" mesh="" produce="" bags="" scattered="" among="" the="" vegetables.=""/><figcaption>National Guard troops sort fresh produce at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in preparation for the end of SNAP benefits in Los Angeles in October. Photo by JW Hendricks for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/080425-TWO-CALIFORNIAS-GH-CM.jpg"" alt=""Illustration" of="" side-by-side="" posters="" contrasting="" california="" culture="" on="" the="" left="" is="" a="" red-toned="" collage="" campaign="" stickers="" for="" ronald="" reagan="" gubernatorial="" run="" right="" blue-toned="" psychedelic="" concert="" poster="" grateful="" dead="" at="" avalon="" ballroom=""/><figcaption>Illustration by Gabriel Hongsdusit, CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/112125_Paloma-Aguirre_AH_CM_15-scaled.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" wearing="" a="" pink="" respiratory="" filter="" mask="" and="" with="" their="" arms="" crossed="" stands="" near="" flooded="" area.=""/><figcaption>San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre wears a respirator filter mask as she stands near a stretch of the Tijuana River in San Diego in November. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/101725_Jodeah-Wilson_FU_CM_01.jpg"" alt=""The" light="" from="" a="" laptop="" illuminates="" the="" face="" of="" person="" wearing="" lavender="" sweater="" and="" sitting="" on="" couch="" during="" an="" evening.=""/><figcaption>Jodha Wilson, 22, on her laptop in her off-campus apartment near Sacramento State in October. Wilson, a former student at Sacramento State, dropped out this semester after he couldn’t afford tuition. Photo by Felix Uribe for CalMatters/Catchlight</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/111225-Dana-Williamson-MG-CM-01.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" wearing="" sunglasses="" and="" a="" light="" shawl="" walks="" beside="" another="" in="" suit="" outside="" courthouse="" surrounded="" by="" reporters="" tv="" crews="" holding="" microphones="" cameras.=""/><figcaption>Former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Dana Williamson, leaves the Robert T. Matsui Federal Courthouse in Sacramento following his November arraignment. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/110725_Teacher-H1B-Visa_MO_22.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" wearing="" a="" sweatsuit="" and="" sneakers="" is="" sitting="" on="" set="" of="" bleachers="" in="" dark="" gym="" with="" light="" coming="" from="" one="" side="" the="" room="" creating="" silhouette="" darkening="" their="" face="" to="" protect="" identity.=""/></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/110425_Newsom-Election_JK_05.jpg"" alt=""A" side="" view="" of="" a="" person="" wearing="" blue="" suit="" speaks="" while="" standing="" in="" front="" microphone.="" another="" on="" the="" right="" and="" purple="" blazer="" looks="" up="" towards="" an="" american="" flag="" can="" be="" seen="" nearby.=""/></figure><figcaption><strong>First: </strong>HR, a high school physical education teacher in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, in November. An HR who immigrated to the US two years ago may have to return to his home country due to a new H-1B visa fee introduced by the Trump administration. <strong>left: </strong>Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to the press after Proposition 50 was passed by California voters at the California Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento in November. Photos by Manuel Orbegozo and Jungho Kim for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120125_CARECourt_FM_CM_08.jpg"" alt=""A" blurred="" view="" of="" a="" person="" silhouette="" as="" they="" look="" out="" window.=""/><figcaption>CM, who prefers not to use her full name, sits in her bedroom in a transitional home provided by CARE Court after receiving treatment for schizophrenia in Oakland in December. She now lives in a single room and is preparing to start classes at Chabot College in January. Photo by Florence Middleton for CalMatters/Catchlight</figcaption></figure> <figure><img decoding="async" src=""https://calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/120425_Trinity-Guns_SO_20.jpg"" alt=""A" person="" in="" glasses="" holds="" a="" wooden-framed="" black-and-white="" photograph="" to="" her="" chest="" while="" standing="" by="" window="" dark="" room.="" the="" woman="" is="" looking="" outside="" of="" she="" and="" picture="" are="" reflected="" on="" glass="" window.=""/><figcaption>Kelly Frost holds a photo of her father, Jeffrey Butler, in Douglas City in December. Photo by Salvador Ochoa for CalMatters</figcaption></figure> <p>This article was <a href=""https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/12/2025-in-california-photos/"">originally published on CalMatters</a> and is republished under <a href=""https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives</a> license.</p> <p> Copy the HTML
