Julie Watts
Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California Investigates. Her investigations, Capitol accountability reports, and solutions-oriented journalism air weekly on CBS stations across California.
Watch CBS News
Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California Investigates. Her investigations, Capitol accountability reports, and solutions-oriented journalism air weekly on CBS stations across California.
Believe it or not, an 8-month-old's sleep schedule is what led to a face-off between California lawmakers and the entertainment industry over loud commercials on streaming services.
CBS News California examined why and how a recent alleged kidnapping might have been avoided if the laws were working the way they were supposed to.
Never-before-released interrogations of Matthew Muller, the serial predator who kidnapped Denise Huskins in 2015, show his confessions to decades of other home invasions and sexual assaults.
Once thought of as a small, rarely-used backstop, the FAIR Plan is now one of the largest insurers in the state, and people without FAIR Plan insurance are the ones on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt. Yet the FAIR Plan is still cloaked in secrecy.
CBS News California's Julie Watts and her daughter's fifth-grade class go undercover shopping and head to the State Capitol to investigate how the skincare industry makes billions by selling potentially harmful products to tweens.
FAIR plan problems are nothing new, but suddenly, everyone is paying attention to California's insurance crisis. Are we any closer to a fix? CBS News California investigates the flood of insurance-related bills in the aftermath of the L.A. fires and why it's taken so long for lawmakers to take action. WATCH OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
As more people in California lose private insurance, the state's FAIR plan is filling up with homes in places the industry itself has classified as low-risk for wildfire.
In an exclusive interview, Huskins and Quinn take us through his interrogation, showing us step-by-step how old-school interrogation training led to their "American Nightmare."
No one — not the Governor's Office, the CHP task force, nor the attorney general — can tell us how many of the people arrested by California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force were sentenced, let alone how many went to jail, received treatment, or re-offended.
CBS News California takes a closer look at the drug component of the high-profile Proposition 36 to fact-check claims about the ballot measure from supporters and opponents.
Amid concerns that some felony defendants could be misusing California's Mental Health Diversion Court to have their violent crimes dismissed, a CBS News California investigation found that there is no reliable data to indicate how successful the state program is.
In response to a CBS News California Investigation, California lawmakers are demanding answers from Caltrans and considering legislation to fix Caltrans' damage claim process.
A CBS News California investigation finds Caltrans only approved 1 out of every 25 damage claims from potholes and debris in the first half of 2023.
Caltrans is denying more freeway damage claims, approving fewer than 10% over the last five and a half years. How many have they approved in your county and which highways are the worst?
CBS News California has identified a spike in the number of "sexually violent predators" who are being granted conditional release by the Department of State Hospitals amid an ongoing struggle to find housing for the men. The reporting prompted several proposed changes to state law, but, one by one, the bills are dying inside California's capitol.
They fought for fentanyl legislation, but it was killed before lawmakers even got to vote. Four grieving moms wanted to know why. They're uncovering the truth using a new AI tool designed to help everyday Californians hold lawmakers accountable. They discovered powerful lawmakers killed the popular fentanyl bill by not voting.
The California State Capitol doesn't generally work the way people think it does. We're following bills prompted by our reporting, to show you how things really work inside California's Capitol.
California law says genetic testing companies have to get your permission before they store, use or sell your DNA, but the state itself doesn't have to get your permission and has been storing DNA samples from every baby born there since the '80s. Lawmakers want to change that, but face an uphill battle.
A bill introduced in the wake of our "Handcuffs in Hallways" investigation aims to reduce "unnecessary" calls for police at schools. But one California lawmaker could kill it without a vote.
Fentanyl test strips used to be illegal in California. Now, state law requires them on community and state college campuses. We put fentanyl test strips to the test, and what we found could save someone you know.
We tried to work with law enforcement for nearly a year to avoid this lawsuit, but one local agency is simply refusing to release video that the public has a right to see. Its legal argument could impact law-enforcement policies across the state if allowed to stand.
Are prison reform laws leading to more rehabilitation and fewer felons reoffending after release? CDCR can't (or won't) say. The agency's recidivism report is dated and incomplete. Now, CBS Sacramento is getting answers to a growing list of questions.
The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system will generate periods of "moderate to heavy rain this evening through Saturday, and possibly into early next week."
Archer Aviation will use eVTOLs to take people to venues across LA during the 2028 Olympic Games.
Sophomore Lauren Turner collided with a box truck while riding an electric scooter more than a month ago.
The family's attorney said Nina Nguyen, 67, was crushed to death when the driver of a 22-ton truck failed to use the parking brakes.
Rifle fire interrupted a Friday night softball game at a Riverside park last week.
The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system will generate periods of "moderate to heavy rain this evening through Saturday, and possibly into early next week."
Archer Aviation will use eVTOLs to take people to venues across LA during the 2028 Olympic Games.
Sophomore Lauren Turner collided with a box truck while riding an electric scooter more than a month ago.
The family's attorney said Nina Nguyen, 67, was crushed to death when the driver of a 22-ton truck failed to use the parking brakes.
Rifle fire interrupted a Friday night softball game at a Riverside park last week.
The National Weather Service said the low-pressure system will generate periods of "moderate to heavy rain this evening through Saturday, and possibly into early next week."
Archer Aviation will use eVTOLs to take people to venues across LA during the 2028 Olympic Games.
The family's attorney said Nina Nguyen, 67, was crushed to death when the driver of a 22-ton truck failed to use the parking brakes.
LA County prosecutors charged a 38-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a child at a Hollywood restaurant.
A 29-year-old Simi Valley resident who was residing in the sober living home where the van was stolen from faces felony unlawful taking of a vehicle and felony evading of a peace officer with reckless disregard for public safety.
Sophomore Lauren Turner collided with a box truck while riding an electric scooter more than a month ago.
Sophomore Lauren Turner collided with a box truck while riding an electric scooter more than a month ago.
The rain will hit all parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
The crash left a 71-year-old man from La Verne dead on Friday afternoon.
Mission Viejo animal control used a drone to reunite a lost dog with its owner.
Rifle fire interrupted a Friday night softball game at a Riverside park last week.
An Inland Empire nonprofit organization is looking for help as the large number of wild donkeys that they house continues to grow, as the creatures' natural habitat continues to be reduced by housing developments.
San Bernardino County firefighters said that the victim plunged "hundreds of feet" over a mountainside early Tuesday morning.
The parents of two teens killed in a DUI crash are hoping their "wind phone" will help others stay connected with deceased loved ones.
San Bernardino County deputies are asking for help from the public as they search for the parents of an approximately 6-year-old boy who was found in Victorville on Tuesday.
Waymo has begun offering autonomous robotaxi service using freeways for the first time in select cities in California and Arizona, the company announced.
The three emails appear to be exchanges between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the author Michael Wolff and Epstein.
Sally Kirkland was best known for sharing the screen with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in "The Sting" and her Oscar-nominated title role in the 1987 movie "Anna."
The Senate-passed bill to end the record-long government shutdown moved to the full House for a final vote after a key House panel advanced it early Wednesday.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston reported more traffic fatalities than homicides last year.
Dana Williamson, an ex-aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was indicted on federal charges alleging she was involved in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
The three emails appear to be exchanges between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the author Michael Wolff and Epstein.
The Senate-passed bill to end the record-long government shutdown moved to the full House for a final vote after a key House panel advanced it early Wednesday.
The decision by eight Democratic senators to embrace a deal to end the government shutdown has infuriated many members of the party.
The Senate deal to end the government shutdown would extend funding through January and promise Democrats a vote on health care.
A bill that would reverse a 25% tax increase on California's legal cannabis industry is heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, after being approved by the legislature.
Meal kit delivery firm HelloFresh will pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.
With the help of her daughter and her 5th-grade class, CBS News California (KCAL) Investigative reporter Julie Watts investigates "Sephora Kids" concerns.
A Southern California man has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that stole more than $2 million from San Francisco-based food delivery company DoorDash, federal prosecutors said.
Lawmakers in California are expected to consider a bill that would allow cities to designate so-called "hospitality zones" where bars and restaurants can serve alcohol until 4 a.m.
In an interview with CBS News, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary explains what went into the decision to drop the most serious warnings on hormone therapy for menopause.
At least 11 people have contracted Salmonella linked to powder supplements sold at Sam's Club stores nationwide, health authorities said.
Supervisors will vote on the ordinance again in two weeks, after a review period. If approved, it would bar the sale of kratom derivatives to people under 21 in Riverside County.
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers across California are hitting the picket line Tuesday, as a five-day strike begins.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed a series of bills aimed at expanding access to reproductive health care and strengthening privacy protections for patients and providers in California.
Waymo has begun offering autonomous robotaxi service using freeways for the first time in select cities in California and Arizona, the company announced.
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers across California are hitting the picket line Tuesday, as a five-day strike begins.
A charity that accepted donations of vehicles that would pay for breast cancer screenings for low-income patients agreed Thursday to pay a $3.8 million fine and to restrictions on future fundraising activities in 19 U.S. states, including Colorado.
A bill that would reverse a 25% tax increase on California's legal cannabis industry is heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, after being approved by the legislature.
Target CEO Brian Cornell, who helped reenergize the company but has struggled to turn around weak sales in a more competitive retail landscape since the COVID pandemic, plans to step down Feb. 1.
The Games will begin with track & field events, and culminate in swimming.
Gabriel Landeskog scored his first goal of the season, Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 in a matchup of the Western Conference's points leaders.
Joel Edmundson and Quinton Byfield each had a goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings scored three quick goals in the second period to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-1.
Gianna Kneepkens scored 20 points, and No. 3 UCLA used a big third quarter to pull away from sixth-ranked Oklahoma for a 73-59 victory in an early matchup of power programs.
Vit Krejci scored a career-high 28 points off the bench, Kristaps Porzingis added 20 and the Atlanta Hawks opened a four-game road trip with a 105-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Sally Kirkland was best known for sharing the screen with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in "The Sting" and her Oscar-nominated title role in the 1987 movie "Anna."
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class included Warren Zevon, Bad Company, Salt-N-Pepa, Outkast, Soundgarden, Cyndi Lauper and The White Stripes.
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny are among the artists with the most Grammy nominations this year.
Diane Ladd, the actor known for her Oscar-nominated roles in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild at Heart," and "Rambling Rose" has died.
June Lockhart, the actor best known for her role as the matriarch in the TV series "Lassie", has died, her family spokesperson said Saturday.
A cold and wet storm is expected to arrive in Southern California by Thursday night and remain int the weekend. Local officials have begun taking precautions to minimize flooding and destruction.
A bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash with a motorcyclist in South Los Angeles.
While traffic is always at the top of minds for commuters in Southern California, gridlock concerns have grown with major events like the Olympics coming to Los Angeles. Gio Insignares, Mike Rogers and Desmond Shaw report.
Sophomore Lauren Turner collided with a box truck while riding an electric scooter more than a month ago. Nicole Comstock reports.
California state officials cited two senior living facilities for leaving people behind during the Eaton Fire.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Franklin Fire in Malibu quickly grew overnight and threatened several homes. Evacuation orders were issued and Pepperdine University instructed students to shelter in place.
Several people have been injured and multiple homes burned after the Mountain Fire broke out Wednesday morning in Ventura County, burning over 10,000 acres within hours.
KCAL News Anchor and three-time Emmy award-winning journalist Chauncy Glover has died.
