California

How Do Floating Wind Turbines Work?

COMMENTARY | With five companies winning the first U.S. leases to build wind farms off California’s coast, let’s take a look.

  • By Matthew Lackner, The Conversation

Water Thieves Abound in Dry California. Why Are They So Hard to Catch?

A short-staffed state agency struggles to catch rogue water users.

  • By Jake Bittle, Grist

Fight Over Health Care Minimum Wage Yields a Split Decision in Southern California

Voters in Inglewood were poised to approve a union-backed $25 minimum wage for workers at private hospitals and facilities, while nearby voters rejected it.

  • By Rachel Bluth, Kaiser Health News

Construction Underway on 10,000-mile Open Access Broadband Network in California

The “middle mile” network is expected to cost $3.8 billion and help connect the roughly one in five state residents who do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.

  • By Chris Teale

California Takes Leading Edge on Climate Laws. Others Could Follow.

The Golden State wants carbon neutrality by 2045.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

California Legalizes Human Composting

Starting in 2027, the state will allow human composting, a green-burial option that is also legal in Colorado, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

Worker Rights Are Getting a Major Shake Up

COMMENTARY | California’s Fast Recovery Act gives low-wage workers a seat at the table with franchisees, corporations and the government to help set industry-wide labor standards, creating a model for others to follow.

  • By David Madland

Parched California Prepares for First-Ever Colorado River Cuts

State officials are nearing an agreement that would leave 10% of California's allocation in reservoirs next year.

  • By Jake Bittle, Grist

California's Sweeping New Labor Law for the Fast-Food Industry

It creates a path to mandate wages up to $22 an hour, among other provisions. Advocates who backed the first-in-the-nation effort say they plan to push for similar legislation in other states.

  • By Daniela Altimari

$1K Monthly Payments Begin Under 3-Year Guaranteed Income Program

Los Angeles County says its 1,000-participant initiative will be among the nation’s longest-running.

  • By Molly Bolan

States Seek to Clarify If Forgiven Student Loans Will be Taxed

President Biden's loan forgiveness plan could result in additional tax liability in at least six states, according to a think tank. But officials in some places are taking steps to ensure the canceled debt doesn't count as income.

  • By Daniela Altimari

The Plan to Turn Blighted Houses into a New Source of Green Power for the Grid

A California nonprofit is retrofitting homes to make a "virtual power plant" — and fighting gentrification at the same time.

  • By Emily Pontecorvo, Grist
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States Post Yellow Alerts to Try to Nab Hit-and-Run Drivers

Hit-and-run crash fatalities in the United States jumped 26% from 2019 to 2020.

  • By Jenni Bergal, Stateline

California Passes Nation’s Toughest Plastic Reduction Bill

Experts say the bill could prevent 23 million tons of plastic pollution by 2032.

  • By Joseph Winters

Taco Bowls and Chicken Curry: Medi-Cal Delivers Ready Meals in Grand Health Care Experiment

In California's Inland Empire, where many residents have diabetes, a health plan is delivering healthy, prepared meals to those lucky enough to get them.

  • By Angela Hart and Heidi de Marco, Kaiser Health News

The Legal Clash Over a City’s Landmark Natural Gas Ban

Since Berkeley, California prohibited gas connections to most new buildings, dozens of cities have followed suit with similar policies. Now, a federal appeals court will decide whether the local statute is allowed under federal law.

  • By Ben Ikenson

Cities With the Worst Air Pollution in the US

More than 40% of people live in places with unhealthy air quality, according to a recent report.

  • By Andre Claudio

One State Lawmaker's Plan to Ramp Up the Battle Against Wild Hogs

California, like other states, is trying to manage the invasive animals, which cause billions in damage each year nationwide. A state senator wants to make it easier for people to hunt them.

  • By Andre Claudio

Homeowners Have 40% Lower Transportation Costs Living Near Mass Transit

But the cost savings are not so clear for renters living in the same areas because they pay housing premiums, according to a recent report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Top Cities for Gen Z Renters

Young adults moved more than any other age group of renters during the pandemic, and they chose places with a lot of jobs opportunities, a lively social scene, diversity and reliable connectivity, according to a new report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Nearly 500 US Cities Have Average Home Prices of $1M

Roughly 150 cities were added to a list of places where house prices topped $1 million in 2021, according to a new report.

  • By Andre Claudio