According to new numbers out, California's water usage jumped nearly 19% in March, despite pleas for conservation from the governor and local water agencies. Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles has announced new mandatory water restrictions. Starting June 1st, the city's four million residents will have to cut outdoor water use to two-days a week.

California has a whopping state budget surplus, an estimated $68 billion. But it’s doubtful any of that money will go to fixing the state agency in charge of investigating wage theft. It’s struggling with a backlog of more than 36, 000 cases that stretches back years.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice, in separate but related contests. He's running in one contest to finish out former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris' term, and also competing for a new 6-year term. 

 Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

California’s Fair Political Practices Commission could soon open the door for campaigns to accept cryptocurrency donations. California is currently one of nine states that bars campaign contributions in crypto because they’re so hard to regulate and trace. 

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED 

Equality isn’t perceived equally. According to a new study from UC Berkeley, historically privileged groups can see opening up pathways of opportunities for some less privileged people as harming their own access to resources.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

The opulent Hearst Castle atop a commanding hilltop on California’s Central Coast draws in about 750,000 visitors every year. But the popular tourist destination has been closed for more than two years because of the pandemic. It's finally reopening on Wednesday

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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