Imperial County

Two big rivers, the Klamath and the Colorado, are being resuscitated after becoming dangerously unhealthy. In both cases, taxpayers are footing the hefty costs rather than those who profit off the rivers.

As Colorado River flows decline, California's share of its water, and particularly that of the Imperial Irrigation District, face potential cutbacks by the federal Bureau of Reclamation.

The water crisis in the West and the decline of the Colorado River are going to require painful changes for Southern California farms, and a lot less water.

Remote, low-income and hit hard by COVID-19, the Imperial Valley has emerged as an unexpected success story — 86% of eligible residents are vaccinated. The county relied on its trusted networks of clinics, hospitals and farm employers.

Whites make up a little more than a third of California’s population but nearly two-thirds of its Superior Court judges. Advocates are devising ways to get more people of color into law and onto the bench.

As the governor and lawmakers wrangle over the budget, local public health departments are underfunded and overwhelmed. Outdated equipment and insufficient staff hamper handling of everything from asthma to syphilis.

With counties moving to less-restrictive tiers and the state loosening visitation restrictions, hospitals are gradually allowing more visitors for non-COVID-19 patients. Some are moving immediately on new state recommendations, while others are weighing the risks.

On the edge of the Salton Sea, state officials and investors are seeking to turn brine into ‘white gold’ that can power electric cars. But will this help solve the Imperial Valley’s troubles — or add to them?

Although data is incomplete, in nearly all counties, white people received the largest percentage of vaccine doses — even in counties with large Latino populations. Latinos are the biggest group vaccinated in Los Angeles and two other counties.

Imperial County’s 68 percent registered voter turnout in November hid a surprising fact: the highest number of people voted in the history of the county. Here’s a look behind the numbers.