Environment

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trump apparently wants to override new Biden-Newsom rules that have widespread support among Southern California cities and some Central Valley farmers.

California sued Donald Trump 123 times during his first presidency. Trump lost about two-thirds of cases filed against his administration, but that doesn't guarantee the same results this time around.