Technology
Artificial intelligence is bringing nuclear power back from the dead — maybe even in California
Energy demands from big tech, including for AI, has elected officials giving an old power source a second look.
Environment
Molly Peterson
Environment and Health Editor
Rachel Becker
Water Reporter
Alejandro Lazo
Climate Reporter
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde
California Divide / Environmental Justice Reporter
Water
Another casualty of a bone-dry winter: LA won’t take less water from Mono Lake
LA had planned to take substantially less from the iconic Eastern Sierra lake this winter. The decision is a blow to conservationists who have been trying to restore the lake for decades.
Environment
Massive Salton Sea lithium project gets judge’s go-ahead, ending advocates’ lawsuit
Social and environmental groups sued last year saying the $1.8 billion Hell's Kitchen project could cause water and air problems not disclosed in its environmental impact report. A judge disagreed.
California Wildfires
The LA County fires devastated homes in the wildland urban interface. Here’s what that is
A CalMatters analysis has found that as of 2020, nearly 14 million Californians lived in the sprawling 7-million-acre zone that makes up the wildland urban interface. And when fires sweep through it, they often leave destruction.
K-12 Education
A beloved Altadena school, destroyed in the Eaton fire, looks to the future
School officials are scrambling to find an alternate site for its campus while trying to support families, nearly half of whom lost their homes in the fire.
Water
Trump orders more Central Valley water deliveries — falsely claiming it would help LA fires
Citing the LA fires, Trump directed federal agencies to "immediately take actions to override" water operations and environmental rules. But the water mostly serves Central Valley farms.
Environment
Trump’s order won’t halt California’s offshore wind leases. But will it derail the industry?
The president’s order has no immediate effect on offshore wind leases already authorized, including two large areas off California’s coast. But it sends a current of uncertainty through the fledgling renewable energy industry, which relies on federal and state support.
Digital Democracy
California rushes billions in aid for LA fire recovery: ‘The first of many steps’
California passed a set of bills to expedite LA wildfire recovery funds as part of an extended special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to Palisades and Eaton fires.
K-12 Education
Will new bond funds be enough to rebuild LA schools — and all of California’s other crumbling schools?
Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.
Water
Trump vows to overhaul Delta water deliveries to farms, cities. But his plan actually sent them less water than Biden plan
Trump apparently wants to override new Biden-Newsom rules that have widespread support among Southern California cities and some Central Valley farmers.