California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero presented Norwalk High School with the state’s highest civic-learning honor Tuesday, recognizing it as the only California high school to receive a 2026 Civic Learning Award of Excellence. The award is co-sponsored by Guerrero and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and recognizes California schools for achievements in civic  education and student engagement.

California Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments on a key piece of the ongoing lawsuit over Kern River flows Oct. 7 at a special session of the court to be held in Redding.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he is directing state agencies to develop artificial intelligence safety recommendations, some of which were part of a bill he vetoed two years ago. His change of tune on those measures, including requiring AI developers to include a “kill switch” to shut off certain programs in emergencies, comes in response to growing public alarm over the fast-developing technology’s potential “catastrophic” harms such as AI creating a bioweapon or bringing down the power grid. 

(Subscription required) Appellate attorneys say Justice Jon B. Streeter's 49-page concurrence carries no precedential weight but could influence lawmakers considering whether to revisit the Racial Justice Act after People v. Hazlett.