Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters, Author at Times of San Diego

Aerial view of an industrial district with large white buildings, railroad tracks, parked recreational vehicles, power towers, and hazy hills under an overcast sky.

Newsom sides with industry, vetoes bill on factories near homes and schools

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters Sept. 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m.Sept. 22, 2026, 5:15 p.m.

Newsom vetoed a bill requiring review for polluting facilities near homes, schools.

Garfield Elementary School - North Park

California pulled the plug on new school air conditioners, leaving $200 million unspent

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters July 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m.July 26, 2026, 5:39 p.m.

Two large white cylindrical tanks surrounded by mist and enclosed in a metal framework.

An explosion scare, then a warehouse fire: Californians want answers about hazardous chemicals

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters July 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m.July 2, 2026, 9:30 a.m.

Two large white cylindrical tanks surrounded by mist and enclosed in a metal framework.

The chemical that caused the Garden Grove evacuations is stored all over California

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters June 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.June 15, 2026, 8:32 a.m.

Mirna Hernandez shops at Superior Groceries in Victorville on Aug. 16, 2024. (Photo by Ted Soqui/CalMatters)

California’s new plastic recycling rules spark fights from all sides

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters May 16, 2026, 1:00 p.m.May 14, 2026, 2:11 p.m.

Mirna Hernandez shops at Superior Groceries in Victorville on Aug. 16, 2024. (Photo by Ted Soqui/CalMatters)

Nuevas normas de reciclaje de plástico de California provocan enfrentamientos por todas partes

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters May 14, 2026, 3:20 p.m.May 14, 2026, 3:20 p.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom

California blew a hole in environmental planning law — now, lawmakers are trying to fix it

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters April 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m.April 9, 2026, 1:22 p.m.

California is spending hundreds of millions on heat; will it ever be a public health priority?

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters and Ana B. Ibarra • CalMatters March 25, 2026, 9:00 a.m.March 24, 2026, 2:22 p.m.

Tech

California charging new fees on non-removable batteries

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters Jan. 4, 2026, 9:41 a.m.Jan. 4, 2026, 9:41 a.m.

Children went back to the classroom in San Diego Unified School District as part of Phase One to help special needs students. The girl is returning to Lafayette Elementary School in Clairemont.

Vomiting, Cramps, Lethargy: As Global Temperatures Rise, California Students Swelter in Classrooms

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters Oct. 2, 2024, 8:31 a.m.Oct. 2, 2024, 8:40 a.m.

Salton Sea shore

Coachella Valley Residents Struggle to Breathe as Polluting Dust Increases

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters Aug. 4, 2024, 11:15 p.m.Aug. 5, 2024, 6:49 a.m.

Restaurant workers

Report: California’s Minimum Wage Isn’t Enough to Keep Up with Workers Living Costs

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • CalMatters March 16, 2024, 11:55 p.m.March 17, 2024, 7:25 a.m.