Environment

An aerial view of the Colorado River as it winds through grass fields on farmland with clouds reflecting in the river from the sky. A mountain range is shown in the background, with rays of light hitting it at sunset.

Environment

California cities pay a lot for water; some agricultural districts get it for free

Even among experts the cost of water supplies is hard to pin down. A new study reveals huge differences in what water suppliers for cities and farms pay for water from rivers and reservoirs in California, Arizona and Nevada.

By

Rachel Becker

and

Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett

• December 11, 2025

A close-up view of teal and yellow electrical wries connect to a stack of servers.

Environment

Data centers for AI could nearly triple San Jose’s energy use. Who foots the bill?

Artificial intelligence and its growing demand for data centers are putting new pressure on California’s electric grid. In San Jose, supporters see jobs and investment, while a key ratepayer advocate worries customers could end up paying for upgrades.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 8, 2025

A person wearing a green sweater stands on the side of a road next to puddles of water and overlooking a muddy field.

Environment

Tijuana River sewage still pollutes the San Diego Coast. A surfer turned politician is fighting to clean it up

The Tijuana River’s sewage contamination continues to sicken communities in southern San Diego County. San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre has become a leading force in pushing for binational fixes and emergency funding to protect public health.

By

Deborah Brennan

• December 5, 2025

An aerial view of houses at the edge of a cliff overlooking a beach.

Politics

More housing on the California coast? Changes at this agency signal a pro-building shift

Three new pro-development appointees at the powerful Coastal Commission are trying to remedy its poor reputation among housing activists and Democratic leaders.

By

Nadia Lathan

• November 14, 2025

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

Environment

Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• November 14, 2025

Water

No deal on the Colorado River despite Trump administration deadline

The federal government has often set deadlines on the Colorado River, but in recent years has rarely enforced them. Negotiations among California and the six other basin states will now continue into next year, as Arizona ramps up its rhetoric and calls for a firmer hand from the Trump Administration in the talks.

By

Rachel Becker

• November 11, 2025

A close-up view of a white sign that reads, "COP30 Brasil Amazonia Belem 2025" set up against a brown fence structure.

Climate Change

Newsom brings California to the heart of the Amazon — and the U.N. climate conference

California state officials are in Brazil for the annual United Nations climate conference. The visit highlights California’s role as a climate leader and supports its environmental policies, especially since the U.S. has no official federal delegation. However, some critics question whether the trip is worthwhile because California lacks the power to make international agreements.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

and

Alejandro Lazo

• November 11, 2025

The All American Canal flows past the Imperial Sand Dunes near Felicity on Dec. 5, 2022.

Water

Colorado River talks hit crunch time. What’s at stake for California water?

Western states in the Colorado River basin are racing a federal deadline to hash out the beginnings of an agreement governing the overtapped river. As the clock ticks down, two questions loom large: Just how real is this deadline, and what does it mean for California?

By

Rachel Becker

• November 10, 2025

A close-up view of the dashboard of an electric vehicle truck that displays a 75 percent battery indicator in neon green letters.

Environment

If Trump’s EPA abandons climate policy, could California take over on greenhouse gases?

Legal experts, including a former federal official and UCLA professor, say California could go it alone if the federal government stops regulating greenhouse gases. One reason to try is to protect the state’s clean-car economy.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• November 7, 2025

Water

‘Emerging threat’: An invasive species is upending life in the Delta, with no help on the way

One year after the discovery that golden mussels had invaded the Delta, thick colonies coat boats and piers and threaten water supplies for cities and farms. Yet the state has no specific funding or plans to tackle harms in the heart of the invasion.

By

Rachel Becker

• November 4, 2025