By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Report: Half of Black College Freshmen in California Don’t Make It to Graduation
A new report on college completion in California highlights persistent racial disparities in higher education outcomes, finding that only 50% of Black freshmen earn a bachelor’s degree within six years, significantly lower than graduation rates for Asian and White students.
According to the report compiled by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), overall, the state has made progress in improving college completion. Just over half of first-time freshmen — 51% — now graduate within four years, a notable increase from 39% a decade ago. Still, outcomes vary widely depending on the type of institution students attend and their socioeconomic background.
Graduation rates are highest within the University of California (UC) system, where 73% of first-year students graduate in four years and 86% finish within six years. At the California State University (CSU) system, however, completion rates remain lower: 36% of students graduate within four years and 62% within six years, according to the PPIC.
Private nonprofit universities report relatively strong outcomes, with 59% graduating in four years and 74% in six years. By contrast, most students who enroll at for-profit colleges — 76% — do not complete a degree within six years, underscoring concerns about affordability, academic preparation and institutional support.
Racial disparities remain pronounced across systems. While 83% of Asian students and 74% of White students graduate within six years, completion rates fall to 62% for Latino students and 50% for Black students. Women also outperform men, graduating at a rate of 72% compared to 68%. Students from low-income backgrounds face additional challenges: those receiving Pell Grants graduate at significantly lower rates — 62% compared to 76% among their peers.
The report also highlights the critical role of California’s community colleges as a pathway to four-year degrees. Although more than 60% of community college students say they intend to transfer, only 14% complete a bachelor’s degree at UC or CSU within eight years.
Researchers emphasize that improving graduation and transfer rates will be essential to meeting California’s goal of achieving 70% postsecondary attainment by 2030. Expanding direct admissions programs, strengthening transfer pathways and increasing access to four-year institutions are among the reforms experts say could help close completion gaps and improve economic mobility for students across the state.
Health Experts: Protect Yourself But No Need to Worry Yet About “Virus Without Vaccine” Spreading in California
Health officials say a respiratory virus spreading in parts of the United States is not new and most people should not panic, even as cases increase in California and other states.
Human metapneumovirus, known as HMPV, is circulating this season with rising cases reported in California and New Jersey. The virus has no vaccine and no specific antiviral treatment, but experts say most infections are mild and resolve on their own.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows HMPV has been increasing since November 2025. The virus accounted for more than 5% of positive respiratory virus tests during the week of Feb. 14 through Feb. 21, according to the agency’s respiratory surveillance dashboard.
The uptick is part of a broader seasonal pattern of respiratory illnesses that includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus, COVID-19 and seasonal flu.
Wastewater monitoring data also shows elevated levels of the virus in Northern California, including in Sacramento, San Francisco, Davis and Vallejo.
“HMPV causes symptoms very similar to RSV,” said Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Health. “This includes upper respiratory symptoms that sometimes progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis and wheezing.”
HMPV was first identified in 2001 and belongs to the same viral family as RSV. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, close personal contact, and touching contaminated surfaces before touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Common symptoms include cough, fever, nasal congestion and sore throat. Most cases last four to five days, though some patients can develop bronchitis or pneumonia.
Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of serious illness.
Health experts say prevention measures are similar to those used for other respiratory viruses. People should wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home when sick to limit the spread.
Powering the Polls: Black- and Latina-Led Firm Chosen to Administer Calif. Dem Party Voter Index in Gov’s Race
The California Democratic Party has selected EVITARUS Research, a Black- and Latina-led firm, to conduct a new statewide polling project tracking the governor’s race ahead of the primary election.
Party Chair Rusty Hicks said the California Voter Opinion, Trend and Engagement Research Index, or VOTER Index, will give voters, campaigns and the media a clearer view of the contest as eight Democratic candidates compete for support.
“If you do not have a viable path to make it to the general election, do not file to place your name on the ballot for the primary election,” Hicks wrote in an open letter to candidates. He also urged contenders to reconsider their campaigns if they fail to gain traction, advising those who file to “be prepared to suspend your campaign and endorse another candidate on or before April 15 if your campaign cannot show meaningful progress toward winning the primary election.”
The first survey will sample 2,000 likely voters statewide, with follow-up tracking surveys of 1,200 voters every seven to 10 days through early May.
Polling will be led by Shakari Byerly, EVITARUS Research director of polling and research, with Angela X. Ocampo, senior vice president at the polling firm.
EVITARUS, based in Los Angeles, describes itself as California’s only full-service public opinion firm led by Black and Latina executives. Party officials said survey results will be published shortly after completion, providing regular insight into voter attitudes as the primary approaches.
California Rolls Out $1.18 Billion for Behavioral Health — Who Benefits?
California is expanding mental health and substance use disorder treatment statewide with a new $1.18 billion funding round, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced March 12.
The investment supports 66 new projects across 130 behavioral health facilities, including rural and tribal communities, and creates additional residential and crisis treatment centers.
“It’s a big win,” said Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, whose Hollywood Cares Foundation was conditionally awarded a $12.4 million grant that it plans to use to build a mental health center and respite center.
Thank you, Governor Gavin Newsom,” continued Lee. “Thank you to everyone who worked really hard to make sure that Stockton kids, Stockton residents, Stockton parents and everybody has a place for these kids to get care services — but also to be able to get that light in them that I got in me years ago to be able to transform their lives.”
According to the Governor’s office, the funding, part of the Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (Bond BHCIP) under Proposition 1, brings statewide behavioral health investments to more than $4 billion. The program has already delivered 6,919 residential treatment beds and 27,561 outpatient slots, exceeding its statewide goals in just two years. In total, Proposition 1 now supports 177 projects across 333 facilities.
“Proposition 1 is doing exactly what we promised it would do: transforming California’s behavioral health system,” Newsom said. “In just two years, we didn’t just meet our goal of creating 6,800 treatment beds; we exceeded it. That means we’re finally closing the gap that’s left too many communities without the care they need. With this final round of awards, we’re not slowing down. We’re building a behavioral health system that actually meets the scale of the crisis — one that delivers treatment, support, and real stability for people who’ve been left behind for far too long.”
The program aims to help Californians suffering from mental illness and addiction, including those experiencing homelessness. It builds on the state’s first statewide drop in unsheltered homelessness in 15 years, which saw a 9% decline, according to Newsom’s office.
Officials said the new funding will allow local communities to expand residential and outpatient capacity, create crisis treatment centers and provide comprehensive support for those struggling with behavioral health challenges. The investment is expected to benefit millions of Californians who previously faced barriers to care, particularly in underserved areas.
After Deep Federal Cuts, California Lawmakers Push for Full Restoration of Medi-Cal Benefits
California’s public health programs could lose billions of dollars due to recent federal budget cuts, state health officials told lawmakers during a joint committee hearing on March 10.
The hearing, held at the State Capitol, focused on the impacts of reductions to programs such as Medi-Cal, the Affordable Care Act and Covered California. Officials said regulatory changes and funding rollbacks could reduce the quality and availability of health coverage for many Californians.
“The rollback of federal policies risks reversing hard-won progress,” said Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland).
“For many Californians, accessibility and affordability were already in question,” Bonta continued. “More than half of Californians are worried about out-of-pocket expenses, long-term care and monthly premiums, concerns that now surpass anxiety about housing, groceries, transportation and utilities.”
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) expressed frustration over the potential impact on vulnerable populations.
“When I see some of the people who come into our offices, our elderly, our disabled, primary care doctors, we’re all very, very concerned,” she said. “This is not affordable. It’s not taking care of our most vulnerable. I’m just very frustrated.”
Dawn Joyce presented research showing that Medi-Cal alone faces $30 billion in annual cuts. California’s Health and Human Services Agency estimates that federal reductions could result in 2 million residents losing Medi-Cal coverage, costing the state between $2.3 billion and $5.1 billion each year. In fiscal year 2024-25, the federal government paid for 62% of Medi-Cal’s budget, with 22% from the California general fund and 16% from other state and local sources.
“There’s just a broader effort currently to dismantle, remove federal funding that we’ve relied on, and it will lead to vast coverage losses,” Joyce testified.
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) also highlighted the human impact of the cuts on social media, writing on Facebook: “Most Medi-Cal recipients already work. More than 1 million Black Californians rely on Medi-Cal and could lose coverage under these harmful federal cuts. Working families should not pay the price when too many communities have already suffered lost lives, lost health, and years of disinvestment.”