EnvironmentCentral California Fire Burns Structures, Spurs EvacuationJune 24, 2016 | Ed JoyceUPDATE June 26: Fire managers says the Erskine Fire near Lake Isabella in Kern County has grown to 43,460 acres and is 40 percent contained. Two people have died, and more than 250 structures have been destroyed and an additional 75 damaged.
Environment'Dangerous' Wildfires And Weather Conditions In CaliforniaJune 24, 2016 | Ed JoyceFour consecutive years of drought, millions of dead trees and summer heat, are all factors as thousands of firefighters work to control wildfires in California.
State GovernmentUtilities Commission Approves PG&E Rate Hike For Pipeline SafetyJune 24, 2016 | Ben BradfordRates will rise for customers of California’s largest utility. Energy regulators have voted to allow PG&E to collect more money to store and transmit natural gas, including new tests and upgrades after the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion.
EnvironmentElevated Fire Danger In California As Drought PersistsJune 23, 2016 | Ed JoyceNot much change is expected in drought conditions in California during the summer "dry season" but wildfire danger is increasing, with 66 million dead trees in the Sierra Nevada adding potential fuel. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentDespite Recent Rains, California Faces Brutal Fire SeasonJune 23, 2016 | Ben AdlerAny hope of a wet winter dousing California’s fire season is quickly going up in flames. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentForest Service: 66 Million Dead Trees In Sierra NevadaJune 22, 2016 | Ed JoyceThe U.S. Forest Service says 66 million trees are dead in the Sierra Nevada after four consecutive years of drought in California and a bark beetle infestation. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentDA In Stanford Sex Assault Case Writes Harsher Sentence BillJune 22, 2016(AP) — The attorneys who prosecuted a former Stanford University student-athlete whose light sentence for sexual assault drew national criticism have written legislation that would mandate harsher sentences in such cases.
State GovernmentJudge Says Gun Rights Groups Can Use Legislature's VideoJune 22, 2016(AP) — A federal judge says supporters of gun-owners' rights are free to use video from the state Assembly for political ads despite a state law barring it.
State GovernmentJob-Protected Family Leave Bill Blocked In AssemblyJune 22, 2016 | Ben AdlerA push in the California Legislature to expand job-protected maternity and paternity leave has stalled in an Assembly committee after three Democrats withheld their votes.
EnvironmentCalifornia Snowpack Won't Recover From Drought For YearsJune 21, 2016 | Amy QuintonA new UCLA study shows that it will likely take until 2019 before California Sierra Nevada snowpack recovers from the drought. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.