Crooked Bough News Round-up

— For the first time in 25 years, California has a snowpack trifecta

 

at 4/2/25 4:00am

California's snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains measures 96% of average. It's the third straight year the state has had near-average or above-average amounts of snow.

— More water recycling could help fix Colorado River shortfall. California has a ways to go, report says

 

at 4/2/25 1:01am

UCLA researchers say California and other states aren't recycling enough water. They recommend reusing much more to ease water shortages along the Colorado River.

— 'I was so scared': Sea lion bites girl repeatedly during Junior Lifeguards tryout in Long Beach

 

at 4/1/25 4:22pm

A 15-year-old girl was attacked during her swim test in Long Beach by a sea lion sickened by a recent toxic algae bloom, according to the girl's family.

— A sea lion bites a 15-year-old girl swimming in Long Beach. Experts blame toxic algae

 

at 4/1/25 4:22pm

A 15-year-old girl was attacked during her swim test in Long Beach by a sea lion sickened by a recent toxic algae bloom, according to the girl's family.

— World's largest wildlife crossing reaches critical milestone. Now what?

 

at 4/1/25 4:00am

After three years of construction, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is finally getting soil, but it's still nearly two years away from welcoming wildlife.

— Trump's Department of Energy targets California and other blue states for budget cuts, according to internal documents

 

at 4/1/25 4:00am

A major national effort to develop clean hydrogen energy is facing funding cuts — but only in Democratic states.

— World's oldest trees threatened by Silver fire in Inyo County. Crews halt spread of blaze

 

at 3/31/25 1:02pm

The Silver fire in Inyo County was 47% contained Monday evening. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home of the world's oldest trees, is threatened by the blaze, authorities say.

— Chilly, rainy weather arrives in Southern California. Here's how long it should last

 

at 3/30/25 5:48pm

Weather forecasters expect a quarter- to a half-inch of precipitation Sunday and Monday, likely not enough to affect wildfire burn areas.

— Monday morning's rain won't last, forecasters say, but the chill will

 

at 3/30/25 5:48pm

Weather forecasters expect a quarter- to a half-inch of precipitation Sunday and Monday, likely not enough to affect wildfire burn areas.

— California suspends environmental laws to speed rebuilding of utilities after L.A. fires

 

at 3/29/25 4:00am

Gov. Newsom waived CEQA and the California Coastal Act for utilities working to rebuild, and move infrastructure underground, in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.

— 'Inbox from hell': Environmental groups outraged after EPA says polluters can email for exemptions

 

at 3/29/25 4:00am

Donald Trump's EPA says coal plants and other industrial polluters can ask to bypass provisions of the Clean Air Act by sending the agency an email.

— Sierra snowpack at 90% of normal, survey shows, with more snow still to come

 

at 3/28/25 2:42pm

Winter storms in the Sierra Nevada in March have increased the snowpack to 90% of normal, a good sign for California's water supply, state officials announced.

— L.A. fire contaminant levels could sicken the marine food chain, new tests show

 

at 3/28/25 9:58am

Levels of lead and other heavy metals spiked in L.A.'s coastal waters after the January fires, raising serious concerns for the long-term health of the marine food chain.

— The most important part of the ocean you've never heard of

 

at 3/28/25 4:00am

The Saya de Malha Bank is one of the world's largest seagrass fields and the planet's most important carbon sinks. It faces incalculable risks that threaten the future of humanity.

— Palisades and Eaton firefighters had elevated blood levels of mercury and lead, according to an early study

 

at 3/27/25 10:55am

Early findings from an ongoing study report that a group of 20 firefighters tested after the Palisades and Eaton fires had higher-than-expected levels of mercury and lead in their blood.

— Communities are rebuilding after L.A. fires despite lack of soil testing for toxic substances

 

at 3/27/25 4:00am

Rebuilding in Altadena and Pacific Palisades has begun, despite the lack of official requirements to test soil for heavy metals and other toxic substances.

— The EPA plans to cut hundreds of environmental grants. Democrats say it's illegal

 

at 3/27/25 4:00am

EPA documents released by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works include a list of 400 grants targeted for elimination, including 62 in California.

— CDC to slash infectious-disease funding for states; California impact uncertain

 

at 3/26/25 8:16pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has notified the California Department of Public Health it is suspending grants it had provided to support the state's infectious-disease response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— California now has more EV charging ports than gas nozzles

 

at 3/26/25 5:55pm

The huge growth in charging ports indicates the increasing number of zero-emission vehicles on California roads. But the milestone also comes as the Trump administration has moved to deprioritize shifting away from gasoline-powered cars.

— Trump administration cuts to NOAA threaten efforts to save sea lions from toxic plankton

 

at 3/26/25 4:00am

Domoic acid outbreak killing and sickening marine mammals and birds along Southern California coast.

— Swimming pools in Eaton fire burn area could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, officials warn

 

at 3/25/25 4:00am

Vector control officials are warning that swimming pools in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades could turn into breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

— New fire maps increase hazard zones in L.A. and Southern California by 3.5 million acres

 

at 3/24/25 5:03pm

Cal Fire's new maps for Southern California added 3.5 million acres into fire-hazard zones, increasing the acreage in the highest hazard zone by 26%.

— 'Feral, almost demonic': Surge in poisoned sea lions threatens SoCal beachgoers, burdens rescuers

 

at 3/24/25 10:48am

Domoic acid poisoning is stranding marine mammals as warnings are issued to beachgoers of the threat posed by animals that are transformed by their illness.

— California banned polystyrene. So why is it still on store shelves?

 

at 3/22/25 4:00am

Expanded polystyrene foam, the white fluffy plastic in styrofoam, was banned in food service ware on Jan. 1. But shoppers in CA say its still on the shelves.

As of 4/3/25 8:25pm. Last new 4/2/25 5:38am.