Consumer Watchdog

Pasadena Star News – Wildfire Survivors To Newsom: No Backroom Deals With Utility Companies

By Anissa Rivera, PASADENA STAR NEWS https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2026/07/25/wildfire-survivors-to-newsom-no-backroom-deals-with-utility-companies The activists, civil rights advocates, consumer advocates, faith leaders, community organizations, and Eaton and Palisades…

KTVU FOX 2: Consumer watchdog group warns of possible utility bailout in wildfire compensation deal

By Allie Rasmus, KTVU FOX 2 https://www.ktvu.com/news/consumer-watchdog-group-warns-possible-utility-bailout-wildfire-compensation-deal Oakland, Calif. – Survivors of last year’s Southern California wildfires rallied Friday to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to…

The Center Square – Insurance companies might have to start warning homeowners about cancellation

By Madeline Shannon, THE CENTER SQUARE https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_5399fd8c-289a-4abd-aac5-8aae403468a1.html (The Center Square) – A new bill would require insurance companies to warn policy holders…

AltaDena Now – Eaton Fire Survivors to Launch Postcard Campaign Pressing Newsom on Wildfire Liability

By Eddie Rivera, PASADENA NOW https://www.altadena-now.com/main/town-life/eaton-fire-survivors-to-launch-postcard-campaign-pressing-newsom-on-wildfire-liability Organizers say a Friday press conference at an Altadena recovery hub will open DearNewsom.org and push…

CBS – California utility companies criticized for ad campaign aimed at protecting wildfire victims

By Tom Wait, CBS https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/wildfire-victims-first-socal-edison-pge-sdge A new ad campaign from an organization funded by California’s largest private utility companies has drawn sharp criticism…

Consumer Alert: Utilities’ Fire Victim Scam

Los Angeles Times – Wildfire survivors angered as utility-funded group claims to represent them

By Melody Peterson, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-07-21/wildfire-survivors-angered-as-utility-funded-group-claims-to-represent-them A group claiming to represent California fire survivors began sending mailers and paying for social…

Los Angeles Times – Drivers sharing habits may cut bills; State proposal would tie motorists’ data to premiums. Consumer advocates aren’t sold.

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-07-20/new-bill-would-allow-insurers-to-track-your-driving-habits-poten After experiencing the loss of three friends in auto accidents, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor decided she needed…

San Francisco Chronicle – Car insurers can set higher rates for drivers who are unmarried, court rules

By Bob Egelko, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/unmarried-higher-car-insurance-22348775.php Auto insurance companies in California can continue to charge higher rates for unmarried drivers than…

Bloomberg – California Rivals Have Starkly Different Plans to Remake Home Insurance

Ben Allen and Jane Kim are running to be the state’s next insurance commissioner. Both promise change, but not along the same…

Cal Matters – Kaiser nurses say technology is making their jobs — and patient care — worse

By Khari Johnson, CALMATTERS https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2026/07/kaiser-nurses-workplace-surveillance-ai Kaiser Permanente nurses who answer advice and triage calls say their duty of care for patients is…

Mercury News – Gas prices across California can vary from one station to another — and the differences are stark

Rob Nikolewski, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/12/gas-prices-in-san-diego-and-rest-of-california-vary-from-one-station-to-another-and-the-differences-are-stark/amp A recent committee hearing in Sacramento about gasoline prices offered more specifics about something many San Diego…

The American Prospect – The Threat of Big Insurance

By David Dayen, THE AMERICAN PROSPECT https://prospect.org/2026/06/11/threat-of-big-insurance-lobbying-congress-donations Earlier this month, the California-based organization Consumer Watchdog uncovered an incredible scandal (opens in new tab) involving rideshare…

The Lever – Congress Just Snuck In Uber Immunity

A provision tucked into a must-pass transportation bill could shield Uber and Lyft from lawsuits — as the companies battle thousands of…

Sacramento Bee – Uber liability fight spreads to new front: A critical federal transit bill

By Andrew Graham, SACRAMENTO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article316051979.html?giftCode=00306ca27b86ff67e3802cd24f468c60dbe47239298ccbd8cdb89dc9872bc362 Ride-hailing company Uber found a new front in its campaign to reduce its liability to lawsuits.…

The Lever – Uber’s Secret Hawaiian Slush Fund

A new report alleges Uber has parked $12.5 billion in a Hawaiian shell company that could help finance robotaxis, sidestep taxes, and…

Chicago Tribune – 1 plastic surgeon, 8 women dead

By Christy Gutowski, CHICAGO TRIBUNE https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/07/plastic-surgery-ayoub-sayeg-deaths Dr. Ayoub Sayeg’s ads have an appealing ring to budget-minded consumers: “Most Affordable Plastic Surgery Center…

Daily Kos – CA oil permits skyrocket in 2026’s first quarter; majority are for Chevron wells

By Dan Bacher, DAILY KOS https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/5/27/800046217/community/ca-oil-permits-skyrocket-in-2026s-first-quarter-majority-are-for-chevron-wells/#dk-comments Los Angeles, CA – For those folks who still think California is the “green” and “progressive” leader…