How California quietly adds hundreds in hidden fees to drive up traffic tickets
CBS News California investigates why lawmakers are ignoring a state audit that urged them to reduce fees and revise the entire program - nearly a decade ago.
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CBS News California investigates why lawmakers are ignoring a state audit that urged them to reduce fees and revise the entire program - nearly a decade ago.
Julie Watts interviewed every candidate for California governor ahead of next year's election.
A CBS News Confirmed analysis of a dozen skincare influencers' accounts found that many featured ingredients not suitable for kids and were undisclosed brand partnerships or sponsored posts.
CBS News California's Julie Watts and her daughter's fifth-grade class go undercover shopping and head to the State Capitol to investigate what lawmakers are doing about the skincare industry making billions by marketing potentially harmful products to tweens.
Get-ready-with-me videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare routines where popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products. The skincare industry is cashing in on so-called "Sephora kids," fueled by Gen Alpha (kids under 12). But dermatologists warn that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients that can harm young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart. A California lawmaker wants to restrict the sale of some anti-aging products for kids under 18. Critics say that's misguided. So, CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks and the proposed solutions. WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders help investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/skincare-industry-products-tweens-harm-young-skin/
Just how much power will the next governor have to repeal controversial California laws?
The leading candidates for California governor weigh in on the state's transgender student sports law: whether to keep it, overturn it, or let voters decide
The leading candidates for governor share their views on complex and often misunderstood aspects of California's sanctuary state law and healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Glocks are among the most popular handguns sold in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans Californians from buying new Glock guns in the state.
Believe it or not, an 8-month-old's sleep schedule is what led to a face-off between California lawmakers and the entertainment industry over loud commercials on streaming services.
In this ongoing series, CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts presses candidates in the 2026 California governor's race on top issues including redistricting, immigration and homelessness.
The leading candidates for governor share their views on California's controversial redistricting measure, respond to critics and address the ethical dilemma behind the partisan measure.
CBS News California examined why and how a recent alleged kidnapping might have been avoided if the laws were working the way they were supposed to.
Never-before-released interrogations of Matthew Muller, the serial predator who kidnapped Denise Huskins in 2015, show his confessions to decades of other home invasions and sexual assaults.
Once thought of as a small, rarely-used backstop, the FAIR Plan is now one of the largest insurers in the state, and people without FAIR Plan insurance are the ones on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt. Yet the FAIR Plan is still cloaked in secrecy.
Skincare brands are making billions of dollars a year selling products to tweens: kids under 12. Dermatologists warn that some of those products can be harmful to young skin. So, a California lawmaker wants to require an ID to buy some of those products. CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks of the "Sephora Kids" trend and the proposed solution to help protect children. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
If you have a tween in your life, get-ready-with-me videos may be familiar to you. These videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare and routines. Popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products and social media content, and the skincare industry is cashing in, turning many in Generation Alpha into so-called "Sephora kids." The problem is that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acid, which, unbeknownst to many of these kids, can harm their young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart. So CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and CBS News Confirmed to examine the risks and what is being done to protect children. WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
Skincare brands make billions of dollars annually selling stuff to children 12 and under, even though dermatologists caution against minors using some of these products that are meant for adults. The CBS News Confirmed team analyzed top kidfluencers with more than 42 million followers combined and found that 94% of their recent skincare posts did not let kids know they were getting free products or commissions from the brands they promote. That social media marketing is turning many in this generation into so-called "Sephora kids," but they often don't realize that some viral products can harm young skin. Check out what happened when CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts sent her 11-year-old daughter undercover shopping with her friends. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
FAIR plan problems are nothing new, but suddenly, everyone is paying attention to California's insurance crisis. Are we any closer to a fix? CBS News California investigates the flood of insurance-related bills in the aftermath of the L.A. fires and why it's taken so long for lawmakers to take action. WATCH OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
As more people in California lose private insurance, the state's FAIR plan is filling up with homes in places the industry itself has classified as low-risk for wildfire.
The public is on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt, but we don't have access to the FAIR Plan's financials. Should that be legal? California's Insurance Commissioner says, "No." Now he's committing to fix it following a CBS News California Investigation. WATCH THE FULL INVESTIGATION HERE: California FAIR Plan secrets: Why the state's insurer of last resort is so secretive FOLLOW OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
In an exclusive interview, Huskins and Quinn take us through his interrogation, showing us step-by-step how old-school interrogation training led to their "American Nightmare."
CBS News Confirmed checked Gov. Newsom's "fact checks" on the L.A.-area fires and found that although many were correct, a few omitted crucial context. Here's what we know.
Two days after CBS News California Investigates initially aired this story, Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire re-appointed Democratic Sen. Susan Rubio, who served in the role for the last six years, to lead the committee.
An updated zero-dollar bail study out of the Yolo County DA's Office finds suspects who were released on $0 bail were twice as likely to be rearrested for felonies and three times as likely to be rearrested for violent crimes compared to those who had to post bail.
Mr. Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs against countries that do not support his plans to acquire the territory.
There is a new push by a coalition of regional stakeholders to revitalize shipbuilding in Solano County and the surrounding area, asking the federal government to designate the California Delta as a "maritime prosperity zone."
Sacramento County has more than 2,200 miles of roads, and one of the busiest just got a multi-million-dollar makeover.
The International Sportsmen's Expo is back at Cal Expo this weekend, giving outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore everything from fishing and hunting gear to boats, RVs, and adventure travel — all without leaving Sacramento.
Newly released video from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office shows the moments leading up to an officer-involved shooting that killed a former sheriff's deputy suspected of fatally stabbing his 11-year-old son.
A special election will be held in August to fill California's 1st Congressional District, left vacant following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
Del Monte Foods is shutting down its Modesto fruit cannery, bringing an end to operations at a facility that has long been part of the agricultural economy in California's Central Valley.
Mr. Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs against countries that do not support his plans to acquire the territory.
There are plans to build a new restaurant in North Natomas, but some city officials are trying to deny the project's approval permit.
There is a new push by a coalition of regional stakeholders to revitalize shipbuilding in Solano County and the surrounding area, asking the federal government to designate the California Delta as a "maritime prosperity zone."
The International Sportsmen's Expo is back at Cal Expo this weekend, giving outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore everything from fishing and hunting gear to boats, RVs, and adventure travel — all without leaving Sacramento.
Raising Cane's is raising controversy in Sacramento. There are plans to build a new restaurant in North Natomas, but some city officials are trying to deny the project's approval permit.
Work is continuing in Downtown Sacramento on building a new soccer stadium for the Republic FC, which is scheduled to open in 2027. But some people are protesting one of the ways that the new stadium is being funded.
It's been a grim start to the new year, with four more people dying over the weekend in car crashes on Sacramento streets. Traffic safety advocates say they happened on roads known for dangerous speeds and intersections.
There's another roadblock in seeking justice for a woman who was hit and nearly killed while riding her bike in Sacramento.
A special election will be held in August to fill California's 1st Congressional District, left vacant following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
President Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are both pitching plans to restrict corporations from buying single-family homes.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a lawsuit settlement over alleged patient data breaches involving Kaiser websites and mobile applications, with members eligible to receive a payment from a $46 million settlement fund, the health care giant announced.
Current drought maps are showing California is drought-free for the first time in 25 years.
A man convicted in a retail theft spree across 11 Northern California counties between 2023 and 2025 was sentenced to prison on Wednesday, authorities said.
Domantas Sabonis scored 13 points in his return from a knee injury, Russell Westbrook had 26 and the Sacramento Kings beat the Washington Wizards 128-115 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
The Athletics have hired former Colorado Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt as the club's special assistant to the scouting department.
Postal officials have unveiled a forever stamp honoring Muhammad Ali. It marked the ultimate reversal of the government's view of the late boxing legend.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold injured his left oblique during Thursday's practice and was listed as questionable for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the 49ers, but he said he's confident he'll play.
San Francisco's star linebacker Fred Warner is out for the 49ers' playoff game against Seattle.
Mr. Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs against countries that do not support his plans to acquire the territory.
The Trump administration is delaying its plans to withhold pay from student loan borrowers who default on their payments, backing off a measure that threatened to deliver a financial blow to millions of Americans.
A special election will be held in August to fill California's 1st Congressional District, left vacant following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to placate President Trump and build a strong relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.
The number of ICE detainees exceeded 70,000 for the first time in the deportation agency's 23-year history, according to internal DHS data obtained by CBS News.
The Harmony Health Street Medicine team spends their days visiting encampments and connecting with vulnerable people, meeting them where they are and offering care outside of a clinic and without barriers.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a lawsuit settlement over alleged patient data breaches involving Kaiser websites and mobile applications, with members eligible to receive a payment from a $46 million settlement fund, the health care giant announced.
After the ACA tax credit lapsed in December, enrollees are opting for less robust health plans or dropping coverage altogether.
Officials said there were 35 cases of wild mushroom poisoning across California between Nov. 18 and Jan. 4. In an average year, fewer than five cases of wild mushroom poisoning occur statewide, according to Sonoma County health officials.
This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new vaccination guidelines and now, some western states are telling people they're too dangerous to follow.
Finding the perfect dress isn't easy, but now, selling them could become a lot more challenging.
This weekend, Placer County is hosting its annual Sip Into Spring event, offering free or discounted tastings at more than 20 wineries along what's known as the Placer Wine Trail.
From fruits and veggies to car parts, economists project that businesses will pass along the cost of the tariffs to customers.
An economic blackout was underway Friday as activists nationwide encouraged people not to spend their money at large corporations, retailers and fast-food chains for 24 hours.
San Joaquin County's retail theft reporting app has only been around for six months and is already bringing a sense of calmness to local business owners.
President Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom have made several different claims about California gas prices. Here's what we found.
This year-long investigation provides an unprecedented look at California's one-party supermajority legislature through the eyes of grieving parents who discover how California lawmakers kill popular bills by not voting.
This year-long investigation by CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts examines the many components of California's new tougher-on-crime law.
A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
The California Highway Patrol captain accused of workers' compensation fraud was the commander in charge of the fatal Mahaney Park shootout in Roseville, three officers who worked under him at the time of the shootout said.
CBS13 and the Call Kurtis consumer investigative team devised an idea on how to lower what consumers owe on their credit cards -- and it begins with a simple phone call.
No one wants to think about death. However, it's important to plan on what happens to your digital assets after you die.
After spending $18,000 on waterproof laminate floors, a Natomas couple spotted damage after the first cleaning.
More than a year after Hai Pham canceled the trial membership, he kept getting charged every month for it.
A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
San Joaquin County secured a grant aimed at helping to build a wildfire protection plan for the entire county.
More than two dozen structures were destroyed in a wildfire in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Clean-up has started in Chinese Camp after the TCU September Lightning Complex Fire ripped through the Gold Rush town earlier this month.
The fires burning in Calaveras and Tuolumne County caused air quality officials to issue a smoke advisory, warning people that the air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The TCU Lightning Complex fires have burned nearly 14,000 acres in Central California, but in a Saturday update, Cal Fire said containment was at 42%.
A Sacramento County dog picked up thousands of miles from home after he went missing five years ago was reunited with his family on Wednesday.
What started as a suspicious circumstances call for Rancho Cordova police ended with a newborn surprise.
A once-empty lot behind Church of the Cross in north Modesto now hosts a thriving community garden with more than 140 plots and growers from across the globe.
A Sacramento-area middle school history and English teacher is in the running to win big as America's Favorite Teacher, a title her students think she is more than worthy of being awarded.
Junior Romello Bruhn of Woodland Christian High School is closer than ever to scoring 3,000 career points, something only 13 high school athletes have accomplished in California state history.
Ashley Sharp reports.
Sacramento County has more than 2,200 miles of roads, and one of the busiest just got a multi-million-dollar makeover.
The International Sportsmen's Expo is back at Cal Expo this weekend, giving outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore everything from fishing and hunting gear to boats, RVs, and adventure travel — all without leaving Sacramento.
Nina Burns reports.
Traffic was blocked on I-5 near State Route 120.