In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats in the state Legislature are under pressure to scale back the expansion of state-sponsored healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants with the cost of the program more the $3 billion over budget.

The news comes weeks after Newsom's administration officials told lawmakers they had underestimated the cost.

California is in need of a $3.44 billion loan to cover a shortfall in "Medi-Cal," which is the state's Medicaid program, according to reports.

Higher-than-expected costs for low-income health insurance are opening a debate about the extension of Medi-Cal to undocumented immigrants.

A major storm continued to wallop much of Southern California on Thursday morning, bringing evacuation warnings, fears of mudslides and heavy mountain snow.

California braced for the arrival of a massive storm on Wednesday, evacuating residents in areas at risk of mudslides and debris flows.

Investigators believe a report Wednesday evening of an armed man at a Loma Linda children’s hospital emergency department that prompted evacuations and a response of at least 100 officers from across the region was a hoax.

California hospital evacuated after reports of possible gunman inside Deputies in California are responding to reports of possible armed person in San Bernardino County. Watch more on Independent TV: The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand,

Deputies in California are responding to reports of a possibly armed person at a hospital in San Bernardino County.