Stories by K. R. Nelson on Northern California Record

As auto insurance premiums climb in California, small business owners are voicing concerns over a legal environment they say is driving up costs and threatening their livelihoods.

California has made a strong showing in workplace flexibility rankings, landing in the top 10 list of most flexible states, with two of its cities also recognized in the top 10 most flexible metros. San Jose ranks first and San Francisco second, highlighting the state's commitment to flexible work environments, despite Riverside's position on the least flexible metros list.

The cost of motor vehicle insurance rose 22.6% over the last year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In comparison, the overall rate of inflation for the last year was 3.4%.