Ambiente

A long line of coiled razor wire runs along a fence through a grassy field, stretching toward rolling brown hills and mountains beneath a clear blue sky.

Ambiente

San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land

San Diego is suing the federal government for allegedly trespassing on city land near the Mexican border to build razor wire fencing that the city says illegally damaged protected habitat and endangered species areas without notice or approval.

Por

Deborah Brennan

• enero 28, 2026

A semi-truck drives toward a Waste Management facility entrance marked by a large sign, with rolling green hills in the background under a clear sky.

Ambiente

Residents of a polluted California town pinned hopes on new state rules. They’re still waiting

A 2015 law required the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to overhaul its permitting process to consider how multiple sources of pollution impacts health. Advocates now say the overdue rules aren’t protective enough.

Por

Alejandra Reyes Velarde

• enero 27, 2026

A person plugs a charging cable into an electric car at a public charging station, smiling while standing beside the vehicle as tall buildings and a brick structure rise in the background.

Cambio climático

Newsom wants $200M for EV rebates. Experts say it’s not enough to fix California’s slump

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $200 million proposal to revive the state’s EV market would reach only a fraction of buyers, raising fresh questions about who should benefit and whether limited incentives can meaningfully move a slowing market.

Por

alejandro lazo

• enero 23, 2026

Sprinklers spray water across long, evenly spaced rows of young crops in a farm field, with mist drifting through the air in soft light.

Política

How California lawmakers are trying to speed up spending on voter-approved climate projects

Assemblymember David Alvarez is pushing a proposal to get Prop. 4 dollars out the door faster more than a year after voters approved the state’s biggest climate bond to date.

Por

Nadia Lathan

• enero 23, 2026

A person stands on a cinderblock wall at dusk, pouring water downward as smoke or ash drifts through the air. Palm trees, rooftops, and silhouetted foliage are visible behind them, all bathed in an orange haze from the smoky sky.

Ambiente

L.A. wildfires: With no clear cleanup standards, how to test for toxic soil

Ash rained down and smoke blanketed Los Angeles during the 2025 wildfires, leaving behind a toxic legacy in soil and homes. Without a federal or California mandate, nonprofit, academic and local groups offer testing for homeowners.

Por

Personal de CalMatters

• enero 8, 2026

An over-the-shoulder view of a person looking at a cellphone on display with a row of iPhones on a store counter. In the background, there are two other people looking at phones on the other side of the counter, while another person walks into frame nearby in the store.

Ambiente

New California fee targets batteries in PlayStations, power tools and singing cards

Consumers will have to pay a 1.5% fee on all products with an embedded battery as the result of a new law aiming to curb risk of battery fires.

Por

Alejandra Reyes Velarde

• enero 2, 2026

Firefighters use a hose to put out a fire near the structural remains of a building along the coast. Giant smoke clouds rise from the rubble near the edge of the street.

Ambiente

2025 in review: Devastating fires, federal pushback, and contentious climate compromises

In 2025, devastating California wildfires in LA became the state's most destructive. Climate goals faced federal opposition as Trump blocked clean-car mandates. Refineries closed, water conflicts intensified, and legislators passed compromises.

Por

Alejandra Reyes Velarde

• diciembre 30, 2025

Yellow and red cables are plugged into large black shelfs of computer machinery as a person works in the background.

Ambiente

Big Tech blocks California data center rules, leaving only a study requirement

A new law orders regulators to study the cost impacts of fast-growing, energy-hungry AI data centers. Lawmakers are expected to revisit tougher rules as utilities, advocates and tech groups battle over who pays for the grid upgrades.

Por

alejandro lazo

• diciembre 29, 2025

People with shovels use them to clear mud from a street and driveway after a mudslide. On the road is a bulldozer used to help clean up the road. The road goes down a hill with trees on either side of the street.

Ambiente

‘A flood on steroids’: Atmospheric river storms Southern California, threatens debris flow

Atmospheric river threatens to unleash deadly debris flows through LA's wildfire scars. Officials warn: "Get out of the way." Evacuations are underway.

Por

raquel becker

• diciembre 23, 2025

A resident shovels mud deposited by flooding from his driveway in Cutler on March 12, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Ambiente

Trump move to break up atmospheric research center threatens wildfire, storm predictions

‘This is only going to hurt Americans.’ Scientists, California state officials say the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle a key climate science hub will put public safety at risk.

Por

raquel becker

• diciembre 20, 2025