EnvironmentWildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S.April 18, 2024Two new studies show the unseen toll smoke is taking on people across the country. Climate change is likely to make the problem even bigger.
State GovernmentThe most detailed look yet at the 'exodus' of local voting officialsApril 9, 2024A new report finds more election officials are leaving their jobs now than at any point in the past two decades. But the report also adds new context to the phenomenon.
State GovernmentBlack market cannabis thrives in California despite legalizationApril 8, 2024Marijuana legalization was expected to bring the industry out of the shadows. But in some states, the black market is alive and well.
EnvironmentWatching a solar eclipse without the right filters can cause eye damage. Here's whyApril 4, 2024When the April 8 solar eclipse draws eyes upward, having proper solar filters and solar eclipse glasses is essential to avoid potentially permanent eye damage, doctors say.
State GovernmentHalf a million California workers will get $20 minimum wage, starting this weekApril 2, 2024It's a big win for cooks, cashiers and other fast-food employees, among the least paid in the workforce. Restaurant owners and franchisees warn of higher prices and cuts to workers' hours.
EnvironmentChevron owns this Northern California city's news site. Many stories aren't toldMarch 28, 2024Chevron operates a major refinery in Richmond, Calif. It also owns the city's dominant news site, putting its own spin on events, and runs similar sites in Texas and Ecuador.
Health CareSupreme Court seems doubtful of challenge to abortion pillMarch 27, 2024At issue in the case is more than abortion rights. It's the entire structure of the FDA's regulatory power to approve drugs and continually evaluate their safety.
EnvironmentOn eclipse day, hundreds of students will send up balloons for scienceMarch 26, 2024The NASA-backed Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project puts students in charge of a bold scientific endeavor to study the April 8 total solar eclipse.
Health CareWhat's at stake in the Supreme Court mifepristone caseMarch 25, 2024The case could affect not just abortion access but oversight of the drug industry and the authority of federal agencies. The court hears arguments Tuesday.
State GovernmentCalifornia wants to protect indoor workers from heat. That goal is now in limboMarch 25, 2024The state was on the cusp of making new rules to protect people who work in places like warehouses from dangerous heat. A last-minute shake-up leaves workers wondering if they'll be safe come summer.