Crooked Bough News Round-up

— A UC Riverside scientist skied deep into the Sierra to track microplastics in snow

 

at 11/7/26 4:00am

Storm events spread microplastics across the environment, even to places that are nearly unreachable. A UC Riverside scientist skied into wilderness far off the beaten path, and found the polluting particles everywhere she looked.

— California says 6,500 homes near shuttered Exide plant are 'clean.' But soil samples raise questions

 

at 11/6/26 4:04pm

The former Exide facility in Vernon spewed toxic dust for decades as it melted down lead-acid car batteries for recycling. Its operations released lead dust across Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Commerce and Maywood while the state allowed the plant to operate for decades with a temporary permit.

— A second coyote spotted on the wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway. 'Word gets out in the animal world'

 

at 11/5/26 5:35pm

The world's largest wildlife crossing doesn't open until Dec. 2, but the word may already be out in the animal kingdom. A coyote just became the first mammal spotted on the 101 Freeway overpass, days after one was spotted nearby.

— Near 90 in November as Santa Anas bring fire risk plus heat, especially along the coast

 

at 11/5/26 4:35pm

A weekend heat wave and Santa Ana winds will bring red flag warnings to mountainous areas of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

— Amid controversy, California greenlights the state's first large reservoir in decades

 

at 11/4/26 7:43pm

California water regulators have approved a permit for the planned Sites Reservoir northwest of Sacramento, clearing the way for construction of the state's first major reservoir in decades.

— This iconic L.A. mammal is the first to venture onto the wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway

 

at 11/4/26 4:15pm

A coyote became the first large mammal documented exploring the massive Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway, which doesn't officially open until next month. Some see it as an early, hopeful sign that the structure is working.

— California's plastic law will cut far less single-use plastic than expected

 

at 11/4/26 4:00am

CalRecycle issued its final baseline number for plastic reduction in the state. It's even lower than the lowball the industry suggested this summer: 1/3 of the state's preliminary estimate.

— Waymo expands to Torrance, Manhattan Beach and other corners of L.A. County

 

at 11/3/26 10:00am

The robotaxi company Waymo is expanding its Los Angeles service area into South Bay and adding popular destinations such as Universal Studios.

— Utilities lobby for shield from wildfire costs

 

at 11/3/26 4:00am

As a criminal investigation into Southern California Edison actions before last year's deadly Eaton fire continues, the state's for-profit utilities are lobbying for legislation that would protect their shareholders from paying for future catastrophic fires they cause.

— A tribe returns, joyful, to 51 acres in the San Gabriel foothills

 

at 10/31/26 4:00am

A couple with a plot of land above Santa Clarita marketed their land as a potential glamping site. They decided to sell it to the local tribe instead.

— Rivian rallies on strong EV sales

 

at 10/30/26 3:32pm

Irvine-based electric vehicle maker Rivian surpassed expectations with its third quarter earnings, reporting a 38% year over year increase in revenue.

— As toxic chemical fire burns, L.A. County officials ghost Chiquita Canyon Landfill hearing

 

at 10/30/26 12:10pm

Health officials cited ongoing litigation against Chiquita Canyon as the reason for not participating. Lawmakers called it 'unfortunate and disappointing.'

— California's first sea turtle eggs could hatch any day now. Biologists prepare for the 'frenzy'

 

at 10/30/26 10:42am

Federal biologists made a last-minute decision to relocate the eggs after forecasters predicted high tides would swamp their nests on Orange County beaches.

— 'They come in droves': How robotaxis hog EV chargers in one corner of Southern California

 

at 10/30/26 7:02am

Drivers say the robotaxis are taking up charging spots at public stations, as San Diego officials push for more control over autonomous vehicles.

— Cal Fire has a new app. It looks a lot like Watch Duty

 

at 10/30/26 4:00am

Cal Fire does not credit Watch Duty as the inspiration for the AwareCA app. But it does address the uneasiness of many fire officials that residents are getting life-and-death information from a nonofficial source.

— Fierce debate as California changes course in central water hub

 

at 10/30/26 1:26am

California regulators adopted a controversial plan changing how the state governs the pumping of water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It gives water agencies more leeway in how they comply with the rules.

— California county abandons repair plans for crumbling coastal road ahead of El Niño-fueled winter

 

at 10/29/26 3:23pm

Humboldt County officials say planned repairs to fast-eroding coastal road might be too late to save it.

— As Californian ports push truckers to go green, the struggling industry asks for more subsidies

 

at 10/29/26 4:00am

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are considering a joint incentive program that would provide $60 in funding for electric cargo trucks per one-way trip.

— Castaic's Chiquita Canyon landfill blamed for headaches, dizziness and wheezing, state lawsuit says

 

at 10/28/26 7:10pm

California Atty. General Rob Bonta announced Tuesday that his office is seeking civil penalties and equitable relief against the operators of Castaic's Chiquita Canyon Landfill for allegedly mismanaging the operation, lawsuit says.

— Los Angeles approves ban on oil production after years-long fight

 

at 10/28/26 2:31pm

The City Council ordinance will halt new oil and gas drilling in L.A. and phase out production on existing oil wells over the next 20 years. It applies to some 600 active and 1,200 idle wells within city limits.

— Countries take first step toward global crackdown on environmental crime

 

at 10/28/26 10:47am

The U.S. was among countries voting against new international negotiations on rules for prosecuting environmental crime. The talks are set to take place anyway.

As of 11/8/26 1:49am. Last new 11/7/26 5:50am.