Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Celebrate California Wildlife Day in honor of iconic Big Bear bald eagle Jackie

 

at 9/4/26 10:29am

Admirers of Jackie the bald eagle, who became an internet sensation from her perch overlooking Big Bear Lake, will have yet another chance to celebrate the bird's legacy.

— As world braces for 'super' El Niño, research suggests global warming has increased its punch

 

at 9/4/26 4:00am

New research suggests that human activity is making El Niño even more extreme and globally disruptive.

— Trump is trying to terminate EVs in California. Is that even possible?

 

at 9/4/26 4:00am

The Trump administration's efforts to erode California's emissions authority are slowing the state's EV transition, but not stopping it.

— Bass, Raman tout their environmental bona fides at L.A. forum

 

at 9/4/26 4:00am

In a forum at L.A. Trade-Tech, the two mayoral candidates differed sharply over the city's environmental performance under Bass's leadership

— From $300,000 EVs to dancing bots: The El Segundo firm sliding into Tesla's slipstream

 

at 9/3/26 4:00am

Faraday Future, a high-end electric vehicle company, is moving its focus to AI and humanoid robots that could aid in education, housework and companionship.

— Tribes could co-manage ancestral forests under bill heading to Newsom's desk

 

at 9/2/26 11:28am

Assembly Bill 2494 aims to pivot state demonstration forests away from commercial logging toward ecotourism and Indigenous stewardship. It now heads to Newsom's desk.

— Killing of Catalina Island deer will go forward despite last-minute appeals

 

at 9/2/26 10:53am

A judge tentatively rejected a request for a temporary halt to the eradication of all mule deer on Catalina Island. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles County supervisor has asked the governor to step in.

— One fewer barrier for farmers who want to cover fields with solar panels

 

at 9/2/26 7:00am

Converting farmland to solar farms would become easier under a California bill awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature.

— One less barrier for farmers who want to cover fields with solar panels

 

at 9/2/26 7:00am

Converting farmland to solar farms would become easier under a California bill awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature.

— Sweeping climate and energy legislation goes to Newsom's desk

 

at 9/2/26 6:00am

New laws aim to rework California's climate spending, close an environmental review loophole and rein in electricity rates, among other measures.

— Contributor: Let livestock clear hard-to-reach shrubs and grasses before the next wildfire

 

at 9/2/26 4:01am

Using targeted grazing at the scale needed to address widespread wildfire risk across federal lands would be difficult, but it should be part of the solution.

— California lawmakers kill wildfire bill after utility complaints

 

at 9/1/26 3:59pm

Legislation that would have helped wildfire victims receive compensation more quickly, but that utilities said didn't do enough to reduce their financial risks, died in Sacramento after the Assembly declined to vote on it.

— Contributor: To stop Trump's pillaging, 'vote the ocean' this fall

 

at 9/1/26 4:02am

Research which lawmakers have been consistent ocean and climate champions and which candidates plausibly promise better policies for our public seas.

— Could a hurricane send floods to Southern California for Labor Day weekend?

 

at 9/1/26 4:00am

Could Southern California be at risk of flooding from the remnants of a hurricane this Labor Day weekend?

— L.A. County sues State Farm over its handling of wildfire claims

 

at 8/31/26 6:15pm

L.A. County announced Monday that it had filed a lawsuit against State Farm General after hundreds of victims of last year's devastating wildfires complained that their policy claims had been delayed, denied or underpaid.

— Flash flood in Grand Canyon left two dead. Extreme weather fueled the deluge

 

at 8/31/26 5:05pm

A catastrophic flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Canyon, killing at least two, leaving more than a dozen missing and wrecking trails and bridges.

— Solar power for renters would get easier with two bills now on the governor's desk

 

at 8/31/26 10:48am

Renters could get access to solar panels if the governor signs two bills just passed by the Legislature.

— Bear family rescued from large water tank in La Verne during heat wave

 

at 8/30/26 12:53pm

Officials speculated that the bear and her cubs may have entered the tank because they were thirsty. The high temperature in La Verne Saturday was 98 degrees.

— 'Measured in weeks, not days': Plaskett and Timber fires near Big Sur scorch 33,000 acres

 

at 8/30/26 11:01am

Crews are continuing to battle two wildfires in Monterey County that have collectively burned more than 33,000 acres and forced more than 600 people to evacuate.

— California lawmakers reach deal in high-stakes fight over regulating data centers

 

at 8/29/26 3:25pm

After weeks of intense negotiation, state lawmakers on Friday reached a compromise on legislation to regulate energy use by California's growing data center industry, action triggered by community anger over the facilities and fears of high utility bills in some communities.

— Lopez: Gov. Newsom backs off from shameful gambit, and it's a victory for California coast

 

at 8/29/26 3:11pm

As legislative session closed, Newsom pushed environmental break for donor.

As of 9/4/26 2:28pm. Last new 9/4/26 12:35pm.