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PolitiFact California

62 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratings

PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols discusses his latest fact-checks. PolitiFact California examines claims by elected officials, candidates, groups and individuals who speak on matters of public importance.

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Episodes

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

October 15, 2021 00:43 - 5.12 MB

By Randol White The overwhelming evidence, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, both for adults and children 12 and up. Also, the FDA is expected to authorize a COVID-19 vaccine for younger children in the coming weeks. But false claims are circulating on social media saying the COVID-19 vaccines are harmful to children and caused the death of a Sonoma County teenager.   CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter...

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

September 30, 2021 00:22 - 2.95 MB

By Sasha Hupka If Your Time Is Short: In recent weeks, several California school districts have announced that students over the age of 12 will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend school in person. Some districts, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, will only accept medical exemptions to the shot, while others, like the Oakland Unified School District, will also offer personal belief exemptions. California for decades has required schoolchildren receive vac...

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

September 23, 2021 20:03 - 5.36 MB

By Chris Nichols Updated at 10:54 a.m. on September 24, 2021 Reports about vaccinated Americans catching COVID-19 are energizing vaccine skeptics and leading to more misinformation about efficacy and breakthrough cases. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols examined the facts about breakthrough infections in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth. Nichols sat down and spoke with CapRadio’s afternoon anchor Randol White and broke everything down. This interview has been ...

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

July 15, 2021 16:25 - 9.25 MB

By Steven Rascón False information about COVID-19 vaccines continues to spread on social media, and comes as cases are on the rise across the United States. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols and contributor Steven Rascon fact-checked several claims in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.  They spoke with CapRadio anchor Randol White. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On a false Instagram post that makes a question...

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

July 09, 2021 07:00 - 5.09 MB

By Chris Nichols Misinformation played a crucial role in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which took place six months ago this week. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols breaks down the extent to which false claims influenced those who took part in the riot. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On what PolitiFact journalists in Washington, D.C. uncovered about the insurrection In a recent investigation, PolitiFact...

Can Californians Charge Electric Cars During Summer Heat?

July 03, 2021 17:22 - 1.64 MB

By Sasha Hupka If your time is short: The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the operations of the state’s power grid, issued a Flex Alert last week amid the first heat wave of the summer. The alert asked Californians to conserve electricity when possible. It included several tips, including a suggestion to avoid charging electric cars during peak power usage hours. Most electric car drivers top off their battery regularly rather than charging it from empty to full. T...

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

June 24, 2021 22:31 - 5.32 MB

By Sasha Hupka A TV ad supporting Gov. Gavin Newsom in the recall election claims the governor is “getting 65,000 homeless Californians into housing.” CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols fact-checked that claim in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. Meanwhile, PolitiFact California contributor Sasha Hupka fact-checked a claim about Newsom’s power to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency. Nichols and Hupka joined CapRadio’s afternoon anchor Randol White to ...

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

June 11, 2021 19:45 - 6.79 MB

By Chris Nichols Some emails that Dr. Anthony Fauci sent during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic have been released, leading to a new round of misleading posts on social media. PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols joins CapRadio Anchor Randol White on this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On how these emails came to light  Fauci, who is the longtime director of the National Institute...

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

June 03, 2021 18:03 - 3.48 MB

By Chris Nichols Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris recently claimed one-third of all small businesses have closed during the pandemic. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols fact-checked that and other statements in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On when Harris made this claim and if it’s correct She made it during a TV interview that aired this week on ...

Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About COVID-19 Vaccines On Social Media

May 14, 2021 23:29 - 3.56 MB

By Chris Nichols Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine continues to spread on social media, with widely-shared and misleading posts saying it’s ineffective or even harmful.  CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with anchor Randol White for this week’s Can You Handle The Truth fact check segment.  Interview Highlights  On a false claim on Instagram about new COVID-19 cases This started with a Yale University professor who appeared on Steve Bannon’s podcast in...

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

May 06, 2021 18:49 - 3.28 MB

By Chris Nichols Republican recall election candidate John Cox claimed this week Gov. Gavin Newsom has “just let tens of thousands of inmates out of jail.” CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with anchor Randol White about that and other claims in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview highlights On who John Cox is and his claim Cox is a San Diego County businessman. He ran and lost to New...

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

April 30, 2021 00:26 - 3.34 MB

By Chris Nichols San Francisco’s early response to the coronavirus was considered a model for fighting the pandemic. But a California state lawmaker claimed this week the city experienced a drug overdose crisis that dwarfed its COVID-19 death count last year.  CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with anchor Mike Hagerty about that claim in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.  Interview Highlights On the facts of the claim Republican state Assemblyman ...

Fact-Checking Claims About COVID-19 Testing For Migrants At The Southern Border

April 15, 2021 22:01 - 3.7 MB

By Chris Nichols Republican lawmakers are claiming a large percentage of migrants at crowded southern border facilities are testing positive for COVID-19. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with afternoon anchor Mike Hagerty about that and other claims in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On what is happening at the southern border In recent months, there’s been a really b...

Fact-Checking California Sen. Alex Padilla's Claim About Guns And Voting

April 01, 2021 21:43 - 3.47 MB

By Chris Nichols New California Sen. Alex Padilla recently claimed that Americans can obtain a rifle quicker and easier in a majority of states than they can cast a ballot. CapRadio's PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols spoke with afternoon anchor Mike Hagerty about that claim in this week's Can You Handle the Truth? segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On where Padilla gave his statement, and the context of it It's important to ...

Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About Nation’s Rising Gas Prices

March 25, 2021 17:58 - 3.86 MB

By Chris Nichols Some popular Facebook posts are blaming President Joe Biden for the nation’s spike in gas prices, tying it to decisions on canceling the Keystone XL pipeline and the oil and gas leasing moratorium at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. But energy experts say the increase in gas prices is primarily due to supply and demand and is a sign the economy is slowly rebounding. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with anchor Mike Hagerty about t...

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

February 25, 2021 17:11 - 8.96 MB

By Chris Nichols For years, California state lawmakers have pushed ideas that would allow developers to build small apartment buildings, duplexes and triplexes in neighborhoods zoned almost exclusively for single family homes. These bills, meant to address the state’s severe housing shortage and create more inclusive communities, have gained some traction. But following strong opposition, they ultimately failed at the state Capitol. Just blocks away, a local proposal is moving forward th...

Yes, California Requires Signature Verification For Mail-In Ballots And Newsom Recall Petitions

February 17, 2021 01:16 - 1.01 MB

By Bill McCarthy and Chris Nichols IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT California verified signatures for mail-in ballots cast in the 2020 election. Officials in the state’s 58 counties were required by law to check the signature on each voter’s ballot envelope against the signature from that person’s voter registration. 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. After Republicans ...

GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy Distorts Job Loss Estimates For $15 Minimum Wage Hike

February 11, 2021 21:02 - 2.81 MB

By Chris Nichols Would raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour “destroy up to 3.7 million jobs” in the United States? That’s what GOP House Minority Leader and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy claimed in the headline of a press release on Tuesday as Democrats in Congress began debating the move. On Twitter the same day, McCarthy wrote the wage hike “could put nearly 4 million Americans out of work.” This is a screen shot of the headline from McCarthy’s press release. The Biden Adm...

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

February 04, 2021 16:45 - 3.36 MB

By Chris Nichols The campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom this week shared the false claim that Facebook tried to “shut down” the recall effort. PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with CapRadio anchor Mike Hagerty about it in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview highlights On what the recall campaign said about Facebook’s actions The recall campaign spread some false information through its Instag...

Can You Handle The Truth?: Fact-Checking Claims About Hank Aaron And COVID-19 Vaccines

January 29, 2021 01:36 - 3.3 MB

By Chris Nichols Social media users this week falsely suggested baseball legend Hank Aaron’s death was caused by a COVID-19 vaccine. CapRadio anchor Steve Milne spoke with PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols about that and other examples of vaccine misinformation in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.  Interview Highlights On what the posts allege  They are strongly and falsely implying that Aaron died from the COVID-19 vaccine that he received in early January. Polit...

Yes, Government Shutdowns Help Slow COVID-19 When Combined With Additional Measures, Experts Say

December 17, 2020 00:14 - 8.71 MB

If Your Time Is Short: California state Asm. James Gallagher claimed “Government imposed lockdowns do NOT reduce [COVID-19] cases or stop spikes.”  But infectious disease experts say government shutdowns do work by reducing social interaction which, when maintained, cuts down on the spread of COVID-19.  Several studies, including from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show government-imposed closures, when combined with mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene,...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California Examines School Safety Research Amid COVID-19

December 10, 2020 21:22 - 7.14 MB

By Chris Nichols California’s new regional stay-at-home order allows for schools that had already opened their campuses to keep them open — but how safe is in-person learning? CapRadio PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joins CapRadio’s Mike Hagerty to discuss school safety during the pandemic. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On school safety research amid the COVID-19 pandemic Public health experts told PolitiFact that the best evi...

Can You Handle The Truth: PolitiFact California Explores Whether President Trump Can Pardon Himself

December 03, 2020 23:29 - 4.03 MB

By Chris Nichols Legal scholars have said that there’s nothing in the Constitution that explicitly prohibits presidents from pardoning themselves, but there are some legal arguments against it. So, could President Donald Trump pardon himself? To learn more, CapRadio’s Mike Hagerty spoke with PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols to explore that question. Interview Highlights On the Justice Department’s possible secret bribe for pardon scheme and whether Trump can pardon himself T...

Can You Handle The Truth: PolitiFact California Fact-Checks More False Allegations About Voter Fraud

November 19, 2020 17:12 - 6.2 MB

By Chris Nichols False allegations of voter fraud continue to spread weeks after the presidential election. PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with CapRadio’s Mike Hagerty debunking these claims. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Interview Highlights On misleading allegations about voter fraud in Georgia Election officials found more than 2,600 uncounted votes in a county north of Atlanta. Most of those votes favored President Donald Trump, but that ...

Can You Handle The Truth: PolitiFact California Debunks Misleading Video Shared By President Trump

November 12, 2020 19:07 - 5.31 MB

By Chris Nichols Election misinformation continues to spread a week after Americans cast their ballots. This includes some false claims about California’s election. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols sets the record straight in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment. Interview Highlights On President Donald Trump sharing a misleading Twitter video on Wednesday that called into question ballot collection in Los Angeles This video shows LA County election work...

Can You Handle The Truth? PolitiFact California Fact Checks Election Misinformation

November 06, 2020 02:08 - 3.94 MB

False and misleading statements about the election are spreading across social media. For this week's 'Can You Handle The Truth' segment, CapRadio's PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols helped separate fact from fiction. There are a lot of unfounded claims that say votes for Joe Biden are appearing out of nowhere, especially in some of the contested Midwestern states. What has PolitiFact learned about those?  One prominent example is in Michigan, where early results showed Preside...

What To Know Before Voting In-Person In California

October 30, 2020 20:02 - 9.5 MB

By Chris Nichols Millions of Californians have already cast their ballot by mail, but millions more are expected to show up to the polls for early voting this weekend and on Election Day. They’ll do this amid concerns about voter intimidation, social unrest and a statewide spike in coronavirus cases. To answer questions about how to vote this year, including how to stay safe while voting in-person and what you can and can’t do at the polls, PolitiFact California spoke with election offici...

Can You Handle The Truth? PolitiFact California Fact Checks Mail-In Ballots

October 22, 2020 16:44 - 4.1 MB

By Chris Nichols Californians are returning mail-in ballots at a record pace, with more than 5 million already returned as of Thursday. To make sure each ballot counts, officials are urging voters to take some key steps. CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joins us for this week’s ‘Can You Handle The Truth’ segment to sort through the facts. On what officials are reminding voters to do Even though there’s almost two weeks left until Election Day, they’re reminding vot...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California Fact Checks Claims About Kamala Harris And Planned Parenthood

October 15, 2020 13:44 - 4.1 MB

By Steve Milne Popular social media posts this week made questionable claims about Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Planned Parenthood. To sort through the facts, CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joins us for this week’s ‘Can You Handle The Truth’ segment. On the serious allegations of these social media posts They claimed that when Harris was California's attorney general, she failed to prosecute Planned Parenthood for "selling baby parts" ...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California Fact Checks The Vice Presidential Debate

October 08, 2020 18:34 - 3.85 MB

By Chris Nichols The wild claims and questionable statements weren't the only things flying in the room last night when California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence faced off in the campaign's only vice presidential debate. There was even an actual fly which made an extended cameo on Pence's hair. For this week's 'Can You Handle The Truth' segment, CapRadio's PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols helped separate fact from fiction. On Harris and her statements about ...

What’s Allowed And What’s Not At Voting Sites In California

October 03, 2020 01:29 - 1.49 MB

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short: In California, anyone can observe election proceedings as long as they do not interfere with the process or intimidate voters. Observers can ask questions of poll workers, but they cannot harass, attempt to coerce or ask personal questions of voters. Any campaigning must take place at least 100 feet from the entrance to a polling place or vote center. President Donald Trump this week called on his supporters to monitor voting locations during the ...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California Fact Checks Social Media Posts About Discarded Ballots

October 01, 2020 13:00 - 3.45 MB

By Chris Nichols Election and voting misinformation continues to spread online. Recently social media posts alleging that more than 1,000 California ballots were found in a dumpster spread rapidly last week. To get to the bottom of this, CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joined host Steve Milne for “Can You Handle The Truth?”, a weekly segment on misinformation and fact-checking. On the truth behind a photo depicting ballots in a Sonoma County dumpster These photos ...

Solar Industry, Tax Experts Reject Claim Prop. 15 Imposes ‘Massive Tax Increase’ On Solar In California

September 25, 2020 22:11 - 4.43 MB

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short: Opponents of Proposition 15 claimed it would “impose massive property tax increases” on solar in California if voters approve it in November.   The solar industry and independent tax experts say that’s wrong. That’s because a new state law protects commercial solar projects from property tax increases through 2024 should the measure win.  Residential solar is already exempt. While the solar industry and tax experts believe the state law is legall...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California Fact Checks Wildfire Misinformation

September 24, 2020 13:29 - 9.4 MB

By Chris Nichols Misinformation is continuing to spread on social media about the wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington.  To talk about that, CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joins us for “Can You Handle The Truth?” a weekly conversation about his latest fact checks. On false claims related to the start of West Coast wildfires PolitiFact is finding even more rumors about the start of these fires. Last week, we reported that the FBI in Portland had debunked...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California On Trump's California Visit, And A Postcard Confusing Voters

September 17, 2020 13:46 - 4.31 MB

By Chris Nichols Every Thursday CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols speaks with host Steve Milnes for “Can You Handle The Truth?” a weekly conversation about his latest fact checks and reporting on misinformation.  This week PolitiFact California looked at a confusing Postal Service postcard, wildfires and President Trump’s visit to California.  On a postcard that was mailed out nationwide by the Postal Service but led to some confusion for voters The card landed in m...

Climate Scientists Reject Trump’s Prediction “It’ll Start Getting Cooler” In California

September 15, 2020 00:39

By Chris Nichols Scientists, and many Californians enduring this summer’s smoky and sweltering heat, wish President Donald Trump’s latest prediction — that “it’ll start getting cooler, just watch” — would come true. The problem? There’s nothing to back it up.  “We have very clear evidence that California is warming,” Stanford University climate scientist Noah Diffenbaugh said Monday in response to Trump’s claim. “There is no scientific evidence that California is on the cusp of a long-ter...

US Postal Service Postcard Causes Confusion About Mail-In Voting In California

September 11, 2020 22:48

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short:  The U.S. Postal Service mailed out a postcard nationwide advising Americans to “plan ahead” if they want to vote by mail. The postcard urged voters to request their mail-in ballot 15 days before Election Day and add postage to the return envelope if needed.  This caused confusion among some voters in California where a new state law requires counties automatically send all active, registered voters a mail-in ballot, with prepaid postage.  A postc...

Can You Handle The Truth?: PolitiFact California On Voting Misinformation, Why You Can't Vote Twice

September 10, 2020 15:23 - 3.82 MB

By Steve Milne Every Wednesday afternoon CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols joins host Steve Milne for “Can You Handle The Truth?” a weekly conversation about his latest fact checks and reporting on misinformation. Click play above to hear the entire conversation, and see some highlights of their conversation below. Interview Highlights On misinformation around voting by mail Even with all the plans for mail-in voting, Californians can go to the polls in-person this...

Despite Trump’s Suggestion, Voting Twice In An Election Is Illegal Under California And Federal Law

September 03, 2020 22:32

By Chris Nichols If You’re Short On Time President Trump suggested this week that people should vote by mail and in-person during the fall election.  Voting twice in an election is illegal under California and federal law.  The crime is punishable by imprisonment of between 16 months and three years under California law and a maximum of five years under federal law.  Election experts say there are safeguards in place to prevent double voting.   President Donald Trump during a campaign...

Instagram Posts Make False Claim California Voters Will Be ‘Turned Away’ From Polls Due To Mail-In Voting

September 01, 2020 18:15

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short:  Posts on Instagram claimed California voters would be “turned away” from polling places unless they changed their voting preference to “No to mail in voting.”  Election officials rejected the claim, saying voters do not need to make any changes to their voting preference to vote in-person.  Californians will have several in-person and mail-in voting options this fall. Widely-shared posts on Instagram on Monday claimed California voters would be “...

Yes, Trump Said He Offered Russia Help With Wildfires. No, He Didn’t Deny California Fire Assistance.

August 28, 2020 18:16

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short: A widely-shared Facebook post claims President Trump denied fire aid to California but helped Russia fight wildfires in Siberia. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal wildfire assistance from California, including last week. But the White House approved assistance days later.  Last year, Trump said he offered Russia help with its fires in Siberia. We found no evidence he followed through. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to ...

Kamala Harris Says She ‘Took On The Big Banks’ As California Attorney General. Did She Go Far Enough?

August 25, 2020 23:15 - 4.54 MB

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short Sen. Kamala Harris has repeatedly claimed she “took on the big banks” as California attorney general following the foreclosure crisis. We found she played a central role in reaching the $25 billion National Mortgage Settlement to provide relief to homeowners.  Harris also reached a separate $12 billion California agreement. Additionally, Harris pushed for the California Homeowner Bill of Rights in 2012, considered the nation’s strongest foreclosure...

Trump Claims California Lawmaker Pushed To ‘Abolish Single-Family Zoning.’ Is He Right?

August 18, 2020 00:20

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short: President Trump and Housing Secretary Ben Carson claimed a San Francisco lawmaker pushed “to abolish single-family zoning in California.” Housing experts say the claim is technically correct but leaves out key context. State Sen. Scott Wiener’s failed Senate Bill 50 would have eliminated zoning across much of the state that allows for only single-family home construction. SB 50 would not have abolished the construction of new single-family home ne...

What Kept Kamala Harris So ‘Cautious’ As California’s Attorney General?

August 13, 2020 21:26 - 1.84 MB

By Chris Nichols If Your Time Is Short As California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris was labeled “cautious” and “deliberate” on some criminal justice reform issues.  Some legal experts say Harris, in her role as AG, was legally and ethically constrained and could not set the state’s policy priorities. Others say Harris had the power to make more change but chose not to. California Sen. Kamala Harris is known for taking bold stands on criminal justice reform in Congress and has vowed t...

Kamala Harris Is Biden's VP Pick. Here's A Closer Look At Her Record In California.

August 12, 2020 00:22

By Chris Nichols California Sen. Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s pick for vice president, a move that catapults the state’s former top prosecutor back into the national spotlight and could elevate her to second-in-command at the White House.  Should the Biden-Harris Democratic ticket defeat President Donald Trump in November, Harris would be the first female vice president, the first vice president who is Black and the first of Indian descent. She is considered a more moderate and safe choice...

Is Mask Wearing Causing Fungal Lung Infections? No, This Is Another Bogus Claim On Facebook

July 07, 2020 00:31 - 2.57 MB

By Chris Nichols   If Your Time Is Short: A Facebook post claims people are checking into ERs due to fungal lung infections caused by wearing masks meant to prevent COVID-19. Regional, statewide and national emergency physician groups say they haven't seen any reports to support this.  Health experts say there’s no evidence that wearing standard masks, such as surgical masks or ones made of fabric, is harmful to the general public.  Experts recommend wearing face coverings to slow the ...

PolitiFact: Voter, Ballot & Election Misinformation

February 12, 2020 08:00 - 33.3 MB

Fact checking has become an important tool for citizens to determine if what they are reading and watching is true, false or somewhere in the middle. There is more than enough to fact check this election year. In this edition of PolitiFact on Insight, Chris Nichols looks at confusion and misinformation about California's Prop. 13. No, not Prop. 13, but that has contributed to the confusion. Daniel Burke, from the national arm of Politifact, looks at a range of fact checked stories, from ...

Fact Checking Claims About Prop. 13 And Bernie Sanders’ Ballot Placement

January 29, 2020 08:00 - 18.2 MB

As the 2020 election campaign continues to heat up, there are lots of claims about lots of things in lots of places, leading to lots of material for fact checkers. In this week’s fact check, Politifact California Reporter Chris Nichols looks at two recent issues. The first is information circulating on social media suggesting an upcoming ballot measure will alter or even repeal Prop 13. The second is some concern about why Bernie Sanders’ name is listed last on the California primary ballo...

PolitiFact California Rates Claims On Senate Bill 50

January 22, 2020 08:00 - 22.1 MB

Senate Bill 50 is one the most debated California housing bills in years. It resurfaced this month at the State Capitol and so did some exaggerated claims about how it would affect the state’s affordable housing crisis, including claims it could make the crisis worse.  PolitiFact California examined some of those arguments to determine what’s true and what’s not in this controversial bill. Guests PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols

PolitiFact California Checks Statement By Schwarzenegger And Looks Toward 2020

December 11, 2019 08:00 - 15.7 MB

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was on NBC’s Meet the Press earlier this month. He talked about climate change and promoted World War Zero, a bipartisan coalition he has joined to respond to the climate crisis. He made some claims about California's embrace of renewable and clean energy. PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols will fact check his statement.  On another of the Sunday morning talk shows, CBS’ Face the Nation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently claimed Pres...

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