Which Power Plant Does My Electricity Come From?
(practical.engineering)
In June of 2000, the power shut off across much of the San Francisco Bay area.
In June of 2000, the power shut off across much of the San Francisco Bay area.
X sues to block California anti-deepfakes bill
(techcrunch.com)
X, Elon Musk’s social media company, has sued to block California law AB 2655, which requires large online platforms to remove or label AI deepfakes related to elections.
X, Elon Musk’s social media company, has sued to block California law AB 2655, which requires large online platforms to remove or label AI deepfakes related to elections.
California's gas prices to increase 65 cents per gallon with new fuel standards
(abc7news.com)
California's gas prices are on the verge of a 65-cent per gallon increase if the California Air Resources Board votes to change fuel standards.
California's gas prices are on the verge of a 65-cent per gallon increase if the California Air Resources Board votes to change fuel standards.
Feds spend $2.1M per homeowner in bailout of one of LA's richest burbs
(latimes.com)
The federal government plans to give Rancho Palos Verdes $42 million to finance buyouts for the homeowners hardest hit by the ongoing landslides in the Portuguese Bend area, with the properties eventually converted into lower-risk open space.
The federal government plans to give Rancho Palos Verdes $42 million to finance buyouts for the homeowners hardest hit by the ongoing landslides in the Portuguese Bend area, with the properties eventually converted into lower-risk open space.
Growing food instead of lawns in California front yards
(nytimes.com)
On a corner lot in Leimert Park in dusty South Los Angeles, not far from Obama and Crenshaw Boulevards, sits a curiosity that’s wildly different from all the neighboring grassy yards.
On a corner lot in Leimert Park in dusty South Los Angeles, not far from Obama and Crenshaw Boulevards, sits a curiosity that’s wildly different from all the neighboring grassy yards.
Sin taxes are suffering from a shortage of sinners
(economist.com)
Pity the California taxman. The state has a yawning budget deficit, which politicians are attempting to narrow. Local laws make it difficult to raise taxes, requiring a two-thirds majority. Worse, once-reliable sources of funds are running dry. Fuel-tax revenues are forecast to fall sharply as drivers switch to electric vehicles. Revenues from cigarette taxes have fallen by $500m, or 29%, since 2017; now those from alcohol taxes are dropping, too.
Pity the California taxman. The state has a yawning budget deficit, which politicians are attempting to narrow. Local laws make it difficult to raise taxes, requiring a two-thirds majority. Worse, once-reliable sources of funds are running dry. Fuel-tax revenues are forecast to fall sharply as drivers switch to electric vehicles. Revenues from cigarette taxes have fallen by $500m, or 29%, since 2017; now those from alcohol taxes are dropping, too.
Largest dam removal ever, driven by Tribes, kicks off Klamath River recovery
(mongabay.com)
KLAMATH, CALIFORNIA—Brook M. Thompson was just 7 years old when she witnessed an apocalypse.
KLAMATH, CALIFORNIA—Brook M. Thompson was just 7 years old when she witnessed an apocalypse.
Farm pesticides found floating in California air samples; officials say it's OK
(latimes.com)
From the sprawling vineyards of the Bay Area to the strawberry fields of the Central Coast and orchards of the Central Valley, California remains an agricultural juggernaut, producing more fruits, vegetables and nuts than any other state in the nation.
From the sprawling vineyards of the Bay Area to the strawberry fields of the Central Coast and orchards of the Central Valley, California remains an agricultural juggernaut, producing more fruits, vegetables and nuts than any other state in the nation.
USFS decision to halt prescribed burns in California is history repeating
(cepr.net)
Last week, the US Forest Service announced it would stop prescribed burning in California “for the foreseeable future,” stating that the decision was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the availability of staff and equipment in case of potential wildfires.
Last week, the US Forest Service announced it would stop prescribed burning in California “for the foreseeable future,” stating that the decision was made as a precautionary measure to ensure the availability of staff and equipment in case of potential wildfires.
After the Election, California Will Keep Moving the World Forward No Matter What
(wired.com)
The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example.
The state has been written off as a woke wasteland. But it’s still inventing the future on a bunch of frontiers nobody’s talking about. Even if Trump wins, it will remain a golden, global example.
California is torn between clashing Anglo traditions?
(unherd.com)
The more time you spend in California, the less sense its politics make. It’s progressive, of course. But the style of progressivism in the West Coast is distinct from that in the East, in roughly the same way that Silicon Valley-style capitalism differs from the Wall Street variety. The West Coast species is the cowboy version: more rebellious, less civilised, and also completely incoherent.
The more time you spend in California, the less sense its politics make. It’s progressive, of course. But the style of progressivism in the West Coast is distinct from that in the East, in roughly the same way that Silicon Valley-style capitalism differs from the Wall Street variety. The West Coast species is the cowboy version: more rebellious, less civilised, and also completely incoherent.
H5N1 Outbreak in Central Valley, California: dead cows piled by roadsides
(latimes.com)
There’s a sickness hovering over Tulare County‘s dairy industry.
There’s a sickness hovering over Tulare County‘s dairy industry.
Looking at California's $20 minimum wage impact 6 months later
(nbcbayarea.com)
It’s been six months since minimum wage for workers at large fast food chains in California went from $16 to $20 an hour.
It’s been six months since minimum wage for workers at large fast food chains in California went from $16 to $20 an hour.
Tesla spills chemicals into Palo Alto creek
(paloaltoonline.com)
Tesla Motors last week dumped more than 500 gallons of water-treatment chemicals that it uses to cool its supercomputer into a storm drain near Matadero Creek, prompting a cleanup effort at the creek and in the nearby Ventura neighborhood, according to local and state officials.
Tesla Motors last week dumped more than 500 gallons of water-treatment chemicals that it uses to cool its supercomputer into a storm drain near Matadero Creek, prompting a cleanup effort at the creek and in the nearby Ventura neighborhood, according to local and state officials.
California Businesses Stop Hiring
(hoover.org)
Between January 2022 and June 2024, employment in US private businesses increased by about 7.32 million jobs. Of these 7.32 million jobs, about 5,400 were jobs created in California businesses—representing about .07 percent of the US figure.
Between January 2022 and June 2024, employment in US private businesses increased by about 7.32 million jobs. Of these 7.32 million jobs, about 5,400 were jobs created in California businesses—representing about .07 percent of the US figure.
Welcome to the Era of the $20k Family Car Insurance Bill
(nytimes.com)
If you’re 16 years old, live in California and just passed your driver’s license test, the first thing you should do is drive your family to In-N-Out Burger for a milkshake and some animal-style fries.
If you’re 16 years old, live in California and just passed your driver’s license test, the first thing you should do is drive your family to In-N-Out Burger for a milkshake and some animal-style fries.
Our Boundless Love for Big Sur May Be Killing It
(nytimes.com)
The 70 miles of California coastline that makes up the unincorporated area of Big Sur has a storied, almost mystical allure, largely thanks to its staggering beauty.
The 70 miles of California coastline that makes up the unincorporated area of Big Sur has a storied, almost mystical allure, largely thanks to its staggering beauty.
California Coolers
(restoringhistory.com)
If you’ve ever noticed two louvered vents stacked on the exterior of an old house, they were probably vents to a California cooler.
If you’ve ever noticed two louvered vents stacked on the exterior of an old house, they were probably vents to a California cooler.
California police aren't loving their Tesla cop cars
(techcrunch.com)
Elon Musk on Thursday night rolled out the latest tech from Tesla, saying of its sleek Cybercab robotaxis and a prototype of its new electric van that “the future should look like the future.”
Elon Musk on Thursday night rolled out the latest tech from Tesla, saying of its sleek Cybercab robotaxis and a prototype of its new electric van that “the future should look like the future.”
'Nearly unusable': Calif. police majorly push back on Tesla cop cars
(sfgate.com)
Are Teslas “the patrol cars of the future”? Northern California police say no.
Are Teslas “the patrol cars of the future”? Northern California police say no.
'Nearly unusable': Calif. police majorly push back on Tesla cop cars
(sfgate.com)
Are Teslas “the patrol cars of the future”? Northern California police say no.
Are Teslas “the patrol cars of the future”? Northern California police say no.
Geothermal Power in the North Bay
(jonudell.net)
I was aware of The Geysers, a geothermal field about 35 miles north of my home in Santa Rosa, but I never gave it much thought until my first bike ride through the area. Then I learned a number of interesting things.
I was aware of The Geysers, a geothermal field about 35 miles north of my home in Santa Rosa, but I never gave it much thought until my first bike ride through the area. Then I learned a number of interesting things.
The revival of the beach in twentieth-century Los Angeles
(bbc.com)
Today, Santa Monica Beach is one of the most iconic in the world, stretching more than three miles (4.8km) with 245 acres (1sq km) of sand. In 2023, 4.6 million people visited Santa Monica alone. But it wasn't always like that – those golden beaches were once a rocky, wild coastline, until city officials decided to take matters into their own hands.
Today, Santa Monica Beach is one of the most iconic in the world, stretching more than three miles (4.8km) with 245 acres (1sq km) of sand. In 2023, 4.6 million people visited Santa Monica alone. But it wasn't always like that – those golden beaches were once a rocky, wild coastline, until city officials decided to take matters into their own hands.
California first state to ban 'sell by' 'best before' label to reduce food waste
(fortune.com)
California wants to help end the everyday household debate over whether the food in the fridge is still good to eat.
California wants to help end the everyday household debate over whether the food in the fridge is still good to eat.
Study: CA Fast-Food Minimum Wage Hike Didn't Cut Jobs, Raise Prices Much
(irle.berkeley.edu)
On April 1, 2024, California implemented its first sectoral wage policy, setting a $20 floor on hourly pay for workers in the larger fast food restaurant chains and snack and nonalcoholic beverages chains.
On April 1, 2024, California implemented its first sectoral wage policy, setting a $20 floor on hourly pay for workers in the larger fast food restaurant chains and snack and nonalcoholic beverages chains.
California bans sell-by dates
(foodandwine.com)
On September 28, California became the first state to ban “sell-by” dates, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation aimed at combating food waste.
On September 28, California became the first state to ban “sell-by” dates, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation aimed at combating food waste.
Gavin Newsom Bans California from Requiring ID to Vote
(newsweek.com)
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that prevents local governments from requiring voters to present identification at the polls, a law aimed at curbing conservative efforts in cities like Huntington Beach.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that prevents local governments from requiring voters to present identification at the polls, a law aimed at curbing conservative efforts in cities like Huntington Beach.
Elon Musk claims victory after judge blocks Calif. deepfake law
(arstechnica.com)
Upholding the First Amendment, a senior US district judge has blocked California's deepfakes law, AB 2839, which was designed to stop deceptive AI-generated content from impacting election outcomes.
Upholding the First Amendment, a senior US district judge has blocked California's deepfakes law, AB 2839, which was designed to stop deceptive AI-generated content from impacting election outcomes.