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California diesel tops $8 a gallon as fuel costs keep climbing

California diesel tops $8 a gallon as fuel costs keep climbing

California diesel prices have topped $8 a gallon, setting a new cost burden for drivers and businesses.
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471 Goats Deployed to Prevent Wildfires in California

471 Goats Deployed to Prevent Wildfires in California

A herd of 471 goats has been deployed at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego, California, to reduce wildfire risks by clearing dry brush. This initiative, led by Shepherdess Land and Livestock, aims to create environmentally friendly fire breaks in areas that are difficult and hazardous for human crews to access. The goats, primarily Spanish Boer, are trained to target vegetation that contributes to fire hazards. They are expected to clear 3-5 acres of land daily, reducing 'ladder fuels' that allow flames to climb into taller vegetation. This is the first time a U.S. military installation has implemented such a program, and it is being closely monitored for its effectiveness in wildfire prevention.
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California extends mortgage relief for wildfire victims

California extends mortgage relief for wildfire victims

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation to extend mortgage relief for victims of the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires. The bills, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, provide up to 24 months of mortgage forbearance for affected homeowners in L.A. County and establish a statewide program offering 12 months of relief for homes in federally declared disaster zones. These measures aim to address financial hardships caused by wildfires and ensure clearer repayment terms for borrowers. The legislation also prohibits lenders from requiring lump-sum repayments and strengthens deferral options for homeowners exiting the program. The new laws take effect immediately, offering critical support to those still recovering from the devastating fires. [Source time: 2026-09-15T20:59:35Z]
AP NewsAP News
Redistricting moved 1 in 10 Americans into a new House district, report finds

Redistricting moved 1 in 10 Americans into a new House district, report finds

A new report reveals that mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans
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What Californians should know about ballot security ahead of November

What Californians should know about ballot security ahead of November

Here's how California secures ballots, verifies voter signatures and audits results as millions prepare to vote this fall.
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GoFundMe Launched for Family of Hooters Calendar Girl Killed in James Wehr Crash

GoFundMe Launched for Family of Hooters Calendar Girl Killed in James Wehr Crash

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the family of Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, a Hooters calendar girl who died in a fiery car crash alongside car influencer James Wehr. The accident occurred on Sunday in Irvine, California, when Wehr, 27, was driving a 2019 McLaren that crashed into a tree. Irvine Police Department spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp confirmed that a female was in the passenger seat just before the collision. The McLaren had been pulled over by the Newport Beach Police Department approximately five hours prior to the fatal crash for a loud exhaust, resulting in a warning issued to Wehr. Kramer's family aims to raise funds for funeral costs, expenses to transport her body from California to Florida, and other unexpected costs. The fundraiser, titled "Celebrating Lexi's Life and Passions," had amassed $10,700 towards its $18,000 goal at the time of publication.
USA TodayUSA Today
California Teacher Associates sues the state over $3.9B it owes

California Teacher Associates sues the state over $3.9B it owes

The California Teachers Association filed a lawsuit on Sept. 15 against California over its decision to withhold billions in funding for schools.
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El Niño May Bring Wetter Winter to U.S. Southeast, California

El Niño May Bring Wetter Winter to U.S. Southeast, California

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been notably quiet, with only five named storms and no hurricanes reported so far, according to the National Hurricane Center. Experts attribute this to the strengthening El Niño conditions, which have a 90% chance of becoming a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter, per the Climate Prediction Center. El Niño, the warm phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity while increasing storm activity in the eastern and central Pacific. Meteorologists predict that El Niño could lead to wetter-than-average conditions in California and the U.S. Southeast this winter, potentially alleviating drought conditions in these regions. Additionally, El Niño years are often associated with higher global temperatures, and 2027 could potentially become the warmest year on record due to residual heat energy from the current El Niño phase.
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California Governor Newsom Signs 'Jay Leno's Law' to Ease Smog Checks for Classic Cars

California Governor Newsom Signs 'Jay Leno's Law' to Ease Smog Checks for Classic Cars

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1392, widely known as 'Jay Leno's Law,' which will exempt certain classic cars from smog check requirements. This new legislation applies to collector vehicles from the 1976 through 1985 model years that are either insured as collector vehicles or driven less than 1,000 miles annually. The bill was jointly authored by state Senators Dave Cortese, a Democrat from San Jose, and Shannon Grove, a Republican from Bakersfield. Jay Leno, the former host of 'The Tonight Show' and a prominent classic car enthusiast, expressed gratitude for the Governor's commitment to preserving California's classic car heritage. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2028. In addition to this, Governor Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 2541, which creates a specialty license plate to honor California's lowrider heritage, further supporting the state's diverse car culture.
ReutersReuters
In Silicon Valley, AI data center boom meets local resistance

In Silicon Valley, AI data center boom meets local resistance

By Elizabeth Mendez and Nichola Groom SAN JOSE, California, Sept 17 (Reuters) - In Silicon Valley's biggest city, residents and environmental groups are organizing against a wave of proposed data center projects that officials have courted in a bid to position the city as a hub for AI infrastructure
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Bone found on California beach ID'd as fisherman who vanished in 1999

Bone found on California beach ID'd as fisherman who vanished in 1999

DNA testing helped identify a bone found on a California beach as belonging to a fisherman who vanished at the mouth of Humboldt Bay in 1999.
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Floriston Fire Smoke Worsens Reno Air Quality

Floriston Fire Smoke Worsens Reno Air Quality

An air quality advisory has been issued for the Reno-Sparks area due to smoke from the Floriston Fire in California and the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park. Northern Nevada Public Health warns that air quality could range from 'moderate' to 'unhealthy' depending on proximity to the fires and prevailing winds. Areas west and north of Reno, including Verdi and the North Valleys, are expected to experience the worst conditions, with air quality potentially reaching 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' to 'unhealthy' levels. Eastern Sparks and Spanish Springs may see 'moderate' to 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' air quality. The Floriston Fire, described as a 'major forest fire,' has grown to 298 acres and prompted evacuation warnings near Floriston, California, along Interstate 80. Residents are advised to monitor air quality closely as conditions can change rapidly.