Manola Secaira Former Environment Reporter

Manola Secaira

Former Environment Reporter

Stories by Manola Secaira

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  Here’s what you need to know about death caps, the mushroom responsible for a recent rash of poisonings

  January 14, 2026

  California officials recently advised residents against foraging for wild mushrooms due to a rash of over 30 poisonings linked to its consumption. Consuming it can result in severe liver damage or even death.

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  SMUD cancels agreement to purchase power from Coyote Creek solar project

  January 7, 2026

  The project involves developing over a thousand acres in southeastern Sacramento County and was meant to help SMUD reach its clean energy goals. But environmental groups and locals protesting the project say it would destroy sensitive habitats.

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  Recent storms bring necessary snowpack to California, but levels are still below average

  December 30, 2025

  Statewide snowpack levels are currently at 71% of average.

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  California drivers may be seeing dense fog — but research says it’s becoming less common

  December 10, 2025

  This fog, sometimes called radiation fog, can happen when the ground is saturated from previous rainfall and current weather conditions are stagnant.

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  SMUD’s controversial Coyote Creek solar project moves forward

  November 19, 2025

  The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project at a packed Tuesday meeting, where over 150 people showed up to voice concerns or support.

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  How California’s new ultra-processed foods law will transform school lunches

  November 17, 2025

  The new law requires schools to phase out certain ultraprocessed foods by July 2029. It’s also the first in the country to give these foods a statutory definition.

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  Now’s the time to spot the Delta’s iconic sandhill crane

  November 12, 2025

  Local birders flock to wetland lookout points just around this time of year, when the bird makes its way to the California Delta region as part of its annual migration from Alaska.

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  With the rise of AI, California’s data centers require more water, energy. But by how much?

  November 6, 2025

  This year, California lawmakers considered bills to assess the impact generative AI will have on the state’s natural resources, as experts say it’s driving up energy and water demands at data centers.

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  What California ground squirrels can teach us about survival

  October 16, 2025

  While other California native species may struggle when living alongside humans, UC Davis behavioural ecologist Sonja Wild says the ground squirrel has found ways to adapt.

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  Nimbus Fish Hatchery to drastically reduce salmon releases

  October 8, 2025

  Nimbus Fish Hatchery releases around 4 to 4.5 million young salmon and 430,000 yearling steelhead into California waterways annually. This coming year those numbers will be halved.