EnvironmentWith more rain and fewer fires, California forests saw more prescribed burns this yearNovember 8, 2023 | Manola SecairaThis technique, which involves the intentional and controlled burning of fuels on the forest floor, is a necessary tool to reduce fire risks in California.
EnvironmentExtreme weather has triggered over $3 billion in insurance payouts to California farmers since 2001November 3, 2023 | Manola SecairaThe Federal Crop Insurance Program, funded in large part by taxpayer money, pays farmers when their crop yields decline in an effort to keep the agricultural sector economically stable.
EnvironmentCalifornia wants swimming pools to be more energy efficient to boost grid reliabilityOctober 30, 2023 | Manola SecairaThere are more than a million swimming pools in California. Officials say more energy-efficient pool technology could be equivalent to getting 85,000 gas-powered cars off the road.
EnvironmentWestern States’ planned water cuts are enough to avert a Colorado River crisis, for nowOctober 26, 2023Wet weather and planned cuts by California, Arizona and Nevada averted declines that could have threatened water deliveries and power production — but long-term threats to the Colorado River remain.
EnvironmentHow to get a permit to cut down a Christmas tree in Northern CaliforniaOctober 25, 2023 | Manola SecairaInterested Californians should be ready to purchase permits to cut down their own Christmas trees within the next couple weeks. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentWith wildfires growing, California writes new rules on where to plant shrubsOctober 20, 2023The plants and mulch within five feet of a home pose a major risk for spreading wildfire. California now has the tricky task of convincing homeowners to get rid of the greenery.
EnvironmentHow many mountain lions live in California? New research offers an answer.October 19, 2023 | Manola SecairaThe last time researchers guessed at the state's mountain lion population was in the 1980s. Now, decades later, new research says there are about 4,500 mountain lions in California. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentA 4.2 earthquake hit about 30 miles from Sacramento, but no reports of injuriesOctober 18, 2023 | Chris Hagan | Manola SecairaThe quake, a 4.2 magnitude shaker centered near Isleton along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, comes one day before California is scheduled to test its earthquake preparedness.
EnvironmentAs US wildfires pollute the skies, a loophole is obscuring the impact. Can it be fixed?October 18, 2023Everyone agrees it’s time to change the Clean Air Act's exceptional events rule, but has different solutions. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentIn Detroit, a ‘magic wand’ makes dirty air look clean - and lets polluters off the hookOctober 17, 2023Across the US, local governments, lobbyists and industry have spent millions to get wildfire pollution excluded from the record. People like Robert Shobe pay the price.
