News Archive

In a worldwide first, California’s air board unanimously moves to end diesel’s decades-long stranglehold on the economy. Truckers predict chaos, while communities near ports, freeways celebrate cleaner air.

Environment

Governor, First Partner Newsom visit Rancho Cordova farm for Earth Day

April 25, 2023 | Steve Milne

On Saturday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and their four children visited Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova to highlight the state’s farm-to-school program.

Environment

Storms cost Sacramento millions. Here’s why atmospheric rivers may become more expensive

April 25, 2023 | Manola Secaira | Kristin Lam

City officials say the period of winter storms in January 2023 was one of the more expensive the city has recorded in the past few decades.

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Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Environment

After the deluge: Floods may taint more drinking water in California

April 20, 2023

Nitrate contamination of well water has been a decades-long problem in the San Joaquin and Salinas valleys — and now stormwater has flushed more fertilizer and manure into aquifers.

Environment

Advocates urge action to address Sacramento’s worsening air quality

April 19, 2023 | Kate Wolffe

In the American Lung Association’s new air quality report, Sacramento had its worst levels of particulate matter. While air quality is improving in eastern states, climate change has made fighting bad air harder in the West.

Environment

Sacramento could see more mosquitoes this spring after onslaught of wet weather

April 19, 2023 | Vicki Gonzalez

After an especially wet winter, Sacramentans may see more mosquito activity this year. Here’s what we know about the mosquito forecast and how you can help curb an influx of the insects.

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Environment

Proposed California bill aims to boost air monitoring near petroleum refineries

April 18, 2023 | Manola Secaira

Advocates of the bill say current monitoring is inconsistent and data collected isn’t always easily accessible to the public.

Environment

California’s farmers reeling as flooding wreaks havoc on dairy industry

April 18, 2023

After weeks of rain, the long-dry Tulare Lake is rising from the San Joaquin Valley floor, endangering farms, towns, livelihoods. Now record snow on the Sierra Nevada is melting. Will the Central Valley be ready?

Environment

Lake Tahoe reaches clarity not seen since the 1980s

April 13, 2023 | Mike Hagerty

A rise in zooplankton, which eat algae and other sediment, led to a 10-foot increase in clarity over the past year. But researchers say it's unlikely to last.

Environment

US unveils options for cutting California’s Colorado River water

April 13, 2023

One of the options would override California’s water rights and split the cuts evenly between California, Nevada and Arizona — which would be a big blow to Imperial Valley farmers.

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