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Hawaiian Electric Crews Intensify Efforts After Hurricane Lala

Hawaiian Electric Crews Intensify Efforts After Hurricane Lala

Hawaiian Electric has deployed additional crews to Hawaii Island to expedite power restoration following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Lala. Teams from Maui, Oahu, and Southern California Edison (SCE) are working in the hardest-hit areas, including Puna, Kona, and Kohala Mountain. As of August 24, 2026, approximately 6,390 customers remain without power. Restoration efforts are complicated by hidden damage to power lines and facilities, as well as lingering impacts from Tropical Storm Moke. Equipment, including bucket trucks and cable reel trailers, has been airlifted from California to support the recovery. Hawaiian Electric is coordinating with state and federal agencies to address the widespread outages and prepare for potential future storms.
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California DUI Reform Bill Gutted, Removing Mandatory Breathalyzers for First-Time Offenders

California DUI Reform Bill Gutted, Removing Mandatory Breathalyzers for First-Time Offenders

A significant DUI reform bill in California, which aimed to mandate in-car breathalyzers for all DUI convictions, has been substantially altered by a State Senate committee. The original bill sought to align California with most other states by requiring ignition interlock devices even for first-time offenders. However, an updated version of the legislation, emerging after amendments approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, has effectively removed this key provision. This change means that mandatory breathalyzers will no longer be required for thousands of first-time DUI offenders, a departure from the bill's initial intent. The amendments were made despite widespread support from other lawmakers and families of drunk driving victims, leading to questions and concerns among advocates.
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Newsom returns to a defining California fight: Who pays for wildfire damage?

Newsom returns to a defining California fight: Who pays for wildfire damage?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking state lawmakers to shield utilities from financial trouble if their equipment sparks a wildfire by limiting the amount they have to pay victims and attorneys
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Bakersfield Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Costco Development and Traffic Impact

Bakersfield Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Costco Development and Traffic Impact

Bakersfield Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Costco Development and Traffic Impact
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Monterey County Sheriff's Office Investigates Fatal Shooting in King City

Monterey County Sheriff's Office Investigates Fatal Shooting in King City

A homicide investigation is underway in King City, California, following a fatal shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on a recent Sunday morning. Deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and officers from the King City Police Department responded to reports of gunshots near North 2nd Street at Lynn, an area close to the King City Education Center run by Hartnell College. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials discovered a person suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead in this homicide investigation and is actively seeking information from the public, including any surveillance footage from local businesses or doorbell cameras, to identify the individual responsible for the shooting. The incident marks a significant criminal event in the community, prompting a call for public assistance in the ongoing investigatio...
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California parks expect Labor Day crowds. Here's when to go

California parks expect Labor Day crowds. Here's when to go

California's top parks are preparing for heavy Labor Day traffic, long lines and packed trails.
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French tourist dies on remote road of California national park

French tourist dies on remote road of California national park

A foreign parkgoer at Death Valley National Park in California died after his car got stuck in mud on a remote road.
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California Lawmakers Gut Major DUI Reform Bill Through 'Hostile Amendments'

California Lawmakers Gut Major DUI Reform Bill Through 'Hostile Amendments'

A significant DUI reform bill in California, which aimed to mandate in-car breathalyzers for all convicted DUI offenders, has been substantially altered by a California Senate committee. The changes, referred to as 'hostile amendments' because they were made without the bill author's involvement or support, effectively removed the key provision that would have required these devices for thousands of first-time offenders. Currently, California law only mandates ignition interlock devices for repeat offenses or crashes involving injuries. The bill had widespread support from other lawmakers and families of drunk driving victims. Senator Sabrina Cervantes, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated changes were coming, and an updated version of the legislation emerged this week reflecting these amendments. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, the bill's author, expressed her efforts to understand the reasons behind the amendments, stating she does not believe Cervantes' past DUI arrest played a r...
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California Introduces 'Zone Zero' Landscaping Rules to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

California Introduces 'Zone Zero' Landscaping Rules to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

California has approved new 'Zone Zero' landscaping rules aimed at reducing wildfire risks for homes in fire-prone areas. The regulations, developed by the state's Board of Forestry and Fire Protection after nearly six years of discussion, prohibit plants and flammable items within five feet of residences. CAL FIRE identifies this zone as the most vulnerable to ember ignition during wildfires. While tree removal is not mandated, homeowners must trim branches to maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from chimneys and 5 feet above roofs. Wooden outbuildings and fences attached to homes are also prohibited in this zone. The rules are effective immediately for new constructions, while existing properties in high-risk areas have up to five years to comply.
USA Today USA Today
Teen killed at California high school football game; suspect arrested

Teen killed at California high school football game; suspect arrested

Police arrested a 15-year-old after a 17-year-old was shot and killed during a football game at Independence High School in California.
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17-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot at Independence High School Football Game in Bakersfield

17-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot at Independence High School Football Game in Bakersfield

A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot at Independence High School in Bakersfield, California, on Friday night during the school's first high school football game of the season. The Bakersfield Police Department responded to reports of shots fired after 8 p.m. Officers found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds south of the football field, inside the gates of the stadium. The boy was transported to Kern Medical, where he was later pronounced dead. Bakersfield Police Sergeant Eric Celedon stated that preliminary investigations suggest the incident began as an isolated altercation between a group of individuals, which escalated into the shooting. Police have indicated there is no ongoing threat to the community. The Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern High School Police Department are collaborating to process the scene and identify the perpetrator. Limited suspect information is available at this time, and authorities have not verified videos circulating on a local Instagram page.
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California's Coast Faces Record Flooding and Erosion Risks This Winter

California's Coast Faces Record Flooding and Erosion Risks This Winter

California's coastline is bracing for a rare convergence of meteorological factors this winter, including a powerful El Niño, super king tides, and rising sea levels driven by climate change (Los Angeles Times, 2026). Experts warn that these conditions could lead to record-breaking coastal flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. El Niño is expected to elevate sea levels by up to a foot or more, exacerbating risks for low-lying areas and coastal structures. Historical data shows similar patterns during past strong El Niño events, such as those in 1982-83 and 1997-98, which caused significant damage to California's coastal regions.