Health CareCalifornia mental health agency director to resign following conflict of interest allegationsOctober 29, 2024Toby Ewing, executive director of California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, is resigning amid an investigation into his conduct and revelations that he traveled to the U.K
EnvironmentIt's almost Halloween. That means it's time for a bat beauty contestOctober 28, 2024A special kind of beauty contest featuring bats kicked off in the lead-up to Halloween: The Bureau of Land Management is hosting its “Bat Beauty Contest” to raise awareness about the animal's ecological importance.
State GovernmentIn nationwide first, California plans to rev up sales of electric motorcyclesOctober 28, 2024Bikers — many of whom love their noisy combustion engines — say zero-emission motorcycles aren’t ready for long-distance rides. Motorcycles emit an “outsized portion” of smog-causing pollutants.
EnvironmentCalifornia’s commercial Dungeness crab season delayed again to protect whalesOctober 28, 2024The start of the commercial Dungeness crab season in California has been delayed for the seventh straight year to protect humpback whales from becoming entangled in trap and buoy lines.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s plan to overhaul a key climate program — raising the cost of gas — ignites debateOctober 25, 2024The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.
EducationCalifornia public school students will be required to learn about menstruationOctober 25, 2024 | Srishti PrabhaStarting next school year, students in grades 7 to 12 will learn about menstruation, pre-menstruation and related disorders in sexual health classes.
EnvironmentNevada lithium mine wins final approval despite potential harm to endangered wildflowerOctober 25, 2024For the first time under President Joe Biden, a federal permit for a new lithium mine in the U.S. has been approved. The project appears destined for a legal battle with conservationists who say it will drive an endangered wildflower to extinction.
State GovernmentCalifornia voters show strong support for bonds, less for housing measuresOctober 24, 2024 | Megan MyscofskiA new survey from PPIC says voters likely have concerns about the economy, but still support two $10 billion dollar bond measures.
Health CareA California official helped save a mental health company’s contract. It flew him to London.October 24, 2024This summer, the director of California’s mental health commission traveled to London courtesy of Kooth, a digital mental health company. Weeks earlier, he pressed key legislative staff to restore a proposed cut to Kooth's funding.
EnvironmentWalmart agrees to pay $7.5 million to settle California lawsuit over disposal of hazardous wasteOctober 23, 2024Walmart has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by California officials that alleged the retail giant illegally dumped hazardous waste.
