Category : California

California is famous for earthquakes, drought, and wildfire. Still, scientists have spent years warning about another disaster capable of producing even larger economic losses: a prolonged sequence of powerful winter storms that causes catastrophic flooding. The U.S. Geological Survey’s ARkStorm scenario shows what such an event could look like in

Empty homes and shuttered storefronts are fueling a new policy debate in Venice, where community leaders are considering whether property owners should pay a fee when residential or commercial space sits unused for much of the year. The Venice Neighborhood Council has been considering a proposal to study a localized

California’s Latino workforce has become essential to the state’s economy, but a new UCLA analysis shows that workers’ pay has not kept pace with their growing economic role. Latinos now make up 39% of California’s workforce, representing about 7.8 million workers. They are heavily represented in construction, agriculture, hospitality, retail,

California’s earthquake risk is back in the spotlight after geophysicist Stefan Burns warned that Southern California could face heightened seismic activity in the months ahead. His comments followed the devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10. Burns has described California as “super overdue” for a major

California is facing a new fight over proposed oil and gas development on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on a plan to offer 50 parcels totaling nearly 36,000 acres across Kern, Kings, Fresno, and San Luis Obispo counties. The proposal has drawn opposition from

Grocery shoppers in California are losing some of their lower-cost options as Grocery Outlet moves ahead with a plan to close underperforming stores. The discount chain announced in March that it planned to shut 36 locations nationwide as part of an effort to improve profitability and cash flow. The closures

California has opened its public roads to autonomous heavy-duty truck testing, marking a major change for a state that had previously kept large self-driving commercial vehicles out of its autonomous vehicle program. Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI became the first companies to report receiving California permits under the expanded rules.

San Diego County is cutting ties between local training facilities and federal immigration enforcement, but disagreement remains over how far that separation should go. Sheriff Kelly Martinez announced on August 18, 2026, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement would no longer be allowed to use sheriff-controlled facilities for firearms qualifications or

A proposed artificial intelligence data center in California’s Imperial Valley has opened a major legal fight over who should receive limited Colorado River water. Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing is suing the Imperial Irrigation District after the public utility rejected its request for water service. The company plans a nearly 1-million-square-foot

California residents and businesses could face higher costs in 2027 after Governor Gavin Newsom signed 2 major tax changes as part of the state budget. Senate Bill 125 redesigns a tax on managed health plans to preserve funding for Medi-Cal. Senate Bill 122 expands California’s sales and use tax to