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Hedgerow Farms Pioneers Native Plant Restoration in California

Hedgerow Farms Pioneers Native Plant Restoration in California

Hedgerow Farms Pioneers Native Plant Restoration in California
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EPA Faces Pressure to Include Microplastics in Water Safety Testing

EPA Faces Pressure to Include Microplastics in Water Safety Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is under pressure from over 200 organizations and health professionals to include microplastics in its proposed new standards for monitoring drinking water. Despite the growing concern over microplastics as a public health issue, the EPA has not yet validated a method for testing these particles in water. California has taken the lead by implementing a state law requiring certain water providers to test for microplastics, setting a precedent for potential federal action.
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Climate Change Contributes to Sleep Loss Across U.S. Cities

Climate Change Contributes to Sleep Loss Across U.S. Cities

A recent analysis by Climate Central reveals that climate change is causing significant sleep loss due to rising nighttime temperatures. Between 2020 and 2025, people in 253 U.S. cities lost an average of 36 hours of sleep annually, with about 13% of this loss attributed to human-caused climate change. The most affected states include Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada. The study highlights the growing impact of climate change on sleep quality, as warmer nights disrupt the body's cooling process, leading to shorter sleep duration and reduced quality.
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Climate Change Impacting Sleep Patterns in U.S. Cities Due to Rising Nighttime Temperatures

Climate Change Impacting Sleep Patterns in U.S. Cities Due to Rising Nighttime Temperatures

A recent analysis by Climate Central reveals that climate change is significantly affecting sleep patterns in U.S. cities due to rising nighttime temperatures. The study, which examined data from 253 U.S. cities between 2020 and 2025, found that residents lost an average of 36 hours of sleep annually due to higher nighttime temperatures. Of this, approximately four hours, or 13%, were attributed to human-induced climate change. The cities most affected include those in Arizona, California, Florida, and Nevada, where residents experienced between seven and nine hours of sleep loss per year linked to climate change. The analysis utilized Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index to estimate the influence of climate change on daily temperatures, highlighting a growing trend of sleep disruption due to warmer nights.
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Lakes Powell and Mead Reach Record Low Levels Amid Colorado River Crisis

Lakes Powell and Mead Reach Record Low Levels Amid Colorado River Crisis

Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs in the United States, have reached their lowest combined level on record, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Colorado River water supply crisis. As of July 12, the combined live storage in these reservoirs dropped to 12,675,509 acre-feet, breaking the previous record low set in March 2023. This decline is attributed to accelerated storage losses throughout 2026, with daily depletion rates reaching up to 16,661 acre-feet. The Colorado River is a crucial water source for millions of people and vast agricultural economies across several U.S. states and Mexico. The current situation has raised concerns about the river's ability to continue supporting water deliveries and hydropower generation.
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Green Diamond Resource Company Seeks Habitat Conservation Plan for Marbled Murrelets, Raising Environmental Concerns

Green Diamond Resource Company Seeks Habitat Conservation Plan for Marbled Murrelets, Raising Environmental Concerns

Green Diamond Resource Company, a major timber company in California, has applied for a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under the Endangered Species Act for the marbled murrelet, a seabird that nests in old-growth forests. This plan would allow the company to engage in more aggressive logging activities while retaining certain murrelet habitats. The HCP aims to balance logging with conservation efforts, but critics argue it undermines murrelet conservation by permitting logging too close to their habitats. The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) has expressed skepticism about the plan, citing concerns that selective logging could inadvertently harm murrelet habitats by creating conditions favorable to predators like Stellar’s jays.
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Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Scientists Plant 30 Million Oysters to Improve Water Quality

Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Scientists Plant 30 Million Oysters to Improve Water Quality

In a significant environmental restoration effort, scientists are planting 30 million oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. This initiative, led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Severn River Association, aims to restore water quality and marine life in one of the United States' most vital estuaries. The project involves placing juvenile oysters, known as spat, onto sanctuary reefs where they can mature and reproduce. As natural filter feeders, oysters play a crucial role in removing algae, sediment, and excess nutrients from the water, thereby improving conditions for other marine life. The project, which has already planted 19 million oysters, is expected to reach its goal by the end of 2026.
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Rep. Pat Harrigan Co-Sponsors BESS Act to Enhance Battery Storage Safety

Rep. Pat Harrigan Co-Sponsors BESS Act to Enhance Battery Storage Safety

Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) has co-sponsored the bipartisan Better Energy Storage and Safety Act (BESS Act), introduced by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). The legislation aims to improve the safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by expanding federal research and regulation. This initiative follows a significant fire at the Vistra energy storage facility in California, which highlighted the potential dangers of BESS technology. The BESS Act seeks to address these safety concerns by mandating rigorous testing and establishing standardized protocols for first responders. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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California diners tip less than most Americans, report finds

California diners tip less than most Americans, report finds

California diners tipped less than most Americans in early 2026, with the nation's lowest overall tip rate at 17.3%, a new report found.
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FTC and States Sue Hims Hers for Deceptive Privacy Practices

FTC and States Sue Hims Hers for Deceptive Privacy Practices

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the states of Utah and California, has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, a telehealth provider, for allegedly deceptive and unlawful privacy practices. The complaint accuses the company of misleading consumers about its billing and cancellation processes and sharing sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms like Meta and Snap. The FTC claims that Hims & Hers charged consumers for prescriptions without proper consultation and made it difficult for them to cancel subscriptions. The lawsuit also alleges that the company violated the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, as well as state consumer protection laws.
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Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation at TikTok Headquarters in Culver City

Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation at TikTok Headquarters in Culver City

An electrical fire at TikTok's headquarters in Culver City, California, prompted the evacuation of the seven-story office building on Wednesday. The fire, which originated on the first floor, was accompanied by loud bangs and power outages, trapping some employees in elevators. Culver City police and fire personnel responded promptly, evacuating the building and extinguishing the fire. No injuries were reported, and there are no indications of arson. The building, which houses TikTok's U.S. operations, spans 120,000 square feet and can accommodate around 1,000 workers.
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Yurok Tribe Reclaims Ancestral Land, Enhancing Cultural Heritage

Yurok Tribe Reclaims Ancestral Land, Enhancing Cultural Heritage

The Yurok Tribe has regained control of a 125-acre property known as 'O Rew Redwoods Gateway, marking a significant step in their efforts to reclaim ancestral lands. The land, previously used for logging, has been restored to a diverse riparian habitat and will serve as a public gateway to Redwood National and State Parks. This transfer is part of a broader initiative by the Yurok Tribe to reclaim their homelands, having already regained 60,000 acres of their 500,000-acre ancestral territory. The project, supported by Save the Redwoods League and other partners, aims to restore ecological balance and promote cultural heritage.