PolitiFact California

Episodes

1. 10

   Cooking with gas — or electricity? Californians wonder how electrification might impact the food we eat

   As part of its goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, California is working to cut emissions in all parts of life, including the kitchen.

   Mar 28, 2023
2. 9

   Can You Handle The Truth: Fact-checking false claims about COVID-19 vaccines and children

   The overwhelming evidence shows COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for adults children 12 and up, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention.

   Oct 15, 2021
3. 8

   Can California School Districts Independently Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines For Students?

   School districts from Los Angeles to Oakland have begun to require that eligible students get vaccinated against COVID-19 despite questions about whether the districts have the legal authority to do so.

   Sep 30, 2021
4. 7

   Can You Handle The Truth: Fact-Checking Claims About Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases

   Breakthrough cases are rare but are fueling misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines, which are safe and effective at preventing the disease.

   Sep 23, 2021
5. 6

   Can You Handle The Truth?: False Information On COVID-19 Vaccines Spreads As Cases Rise Across United States

   One popular Instagram post cherry-picked data from a scientific study to falsely claim COVID-19 vaccines lead to high rates of miscarriages. Early results have not found an increased risk of miscarriage tied to the vaccine.

   Jul 15, 2021
6. 5

   Can You Handle The Truth?: How Misinformation Fueled The January 6 Capitol Insurrection

   PolitiFact examined the court filings of 430 defendants arrested on charges tied to the riot. It found many individuals were driven by the lie that November’s election was stolen.

   Jul 9, 2021
7. 4

   Can Californians Charge Electric Cars During Summer Heat?

   Facebook posts stated on June 18, 2021: “California literally just told everyone to not charge their electric cars due to power shortage.”

   Jul 3, 2021
8. 3

   Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Plans On Homelessness And His Legal Authority

   A TV ad supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom in the recall election claims the governor is “getting 65,000 homeless Californians into housing.” PolitiFact California found that’s a long-term goal, not something Newsom has accomplished.

   Jun 24, 2021
9. 2

   Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About Anthony Fauci’s Emails

   News outlets published some of Fauci’s emails after the federal government released them through a Freedom of Information Act request.

   Jun 11, 2021
10. 1

    Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Vice President Kamala Harris’ Claim On Small Business Closures

    Harris said one-third of all small businesses have closed during the pandemic. A Harvard University economic tracker and related surveys support her claim.

    Jun 3, 2021
11. Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About COVID-19 Vaccines On Social Media

    A recent study by the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.

    May 14, 2021
12. Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims By Recall Election Candidate John Cox And Gov. Gavin Newsom

    PolitiFact California found Cox distorted plans for a good behavior plan for prison inmates, while Newsom’s claim the recall election could cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” is on the right track.

    May 6, 2021
13. Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking COVID-19 Deaths In San Francisco, Claims About Maxine Waters Comments On Derek Chauvin

    Data from the city’s public health department and medical examiner’s office support this claim. Health officials say the isolation caused by the pandemic led to an increase in fentanyl overdoses in San Francisco.

    Apr 30, 2021
14. Fact-Checking Claims About COVID-19 Testing For Migrants At The Southern Border

    Republican lawmakers have claimed a large percentage of migrants at crowded southern border facilities are testing positive for COVID-19. PolitiFact California examined that and other claims in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.

    Apr 15, 2021
15. Fact-Checking California Sen. Alex Padilla's Claim About Guns And Voting

    Padilla recently claimed that in a majority of states, Americans can obtain a rifle quicker and easier than they can cast a ballot. PolitiFact California fact-checked that claim in this week's Can You Handle the Truth? segment.

    Apr 1, 2021
16. Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About Nation’s Rising Gas Prices

    With gas prices climbing in California and across the nation, false and out-of-context claims are also on the rise about what’s causing the spike. PolitiFact California debunks these in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.

    Mar 25, 2021
17. Sacramento Could Be One Of First Cities To Reform Single-Family Home Zoning. Here’s How It Would Work.

    The Sacramento City Council recently voted to allow a greater variety of housing, from duplexes to fourplexes, in neighborhoods zoned almost exclusively for single family homes.

    Feb 25, 2021
18. Yes, California Requires Signature Verification For Mail-In Ballots And Newsom Recall Petitions

    Despite false claims on social media, the same law that requires signatures for vote-by-mail ballots also applies to recall petitions like the one circulating in an effort to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.

    Feb 17, 2021
19. GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy Distorts Job Loss Estimates For $15 Minimum Wage Hike

    GOP Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy claimed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour “would destroy up to 3.7 million jobs.” That estimate relies on the high-end of an old report.

    Feb 11, 2021
20. Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact Checking False Claims On Newsom Recall Campaign, Pelosi’s Tesla Stock Purchase

    The campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom shared a false claim this week that Facebook tried to ‘shut down’ the effort when it stopped running its ads on the platform. In reality, Facebook stopped accepting all political ads regardless of party.

    Feb 4, 2021