Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Some big water agencies in farming areas get water for free. Critics say that needs to end

 

at 12/13/25 4:00am

The federal government is providing water to some large agricultural districts for free. In a new study, researchers urge the Trump administration to start charging more for water.

— Federal government orders LADWP to inspect nearly 100 drinking water reservoirs, storage tanks

 

at 12/12/25 6:00am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power inspect nearly 100 drinking water reservoirs and storage tanks due to concerns over improper maintenance.

— California's last nuclear plant clears major hurdle to power on

 

at 12/11/25 7:35pm

A landmark deal with Pacific Gas & Electric will extend the life of the state's remaining nuclear power plant in exchange for thousands of acres of new conservation in San Luis Obispo County.

— L.A. County sues oil companies over unplugged oil wells near Baldwin Hills

 

at 12/11/25 4:51pm

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in L.A. County Superior Court charges four oil companies with failing to properly clean up at least 227 idle or exhausted wells in the Inglewood Oil Field.

— Southern California mountain lions recommended for threatened status

 

at 12/10/25 6:20pm

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is recommending listing mountain lions in Southern California and the Central Coast as threatened.

— Early adopters of 'zone zero' fared better in L.A. County fires, insurance-backed investigation finds

 

at 12/10/25 11:04am

A new study found that in the Eaton and Palisades fires, homes that had already adopted proposed regulations on creating vegetation-free buffers were less likely to burn.

— California wildlife officials quietly shift on killing a high-profile predator

 

at 12/10/25 4:00am

California wildlife officials are now allowing mountain lions to be killed to protect endangered bighorn sheep, changing a nearly decade-long practice of just moving them.

— L.A.'s Scouting troops lost their camp in the Palisades. Now they're working to heal the land

 

at 12/9/25 4:00am

Scouts recently returned to Camp Josepho for the first time since the fire. They came to clear overgrowth, clear mudflows and help restore the land.

— Federal judge strikes down Trump's order blocking development of wind energy

 

at 12/8/25 7:15pm

The challenge to President Trump's wind ban was brought by attorneys general in 17 states, including California, and Washington.

— The country's largest all-electric hospital is about to open in Orange County

 

at 12/8/25 2:54pm

More buildings are going all-electric, especially in states trying to address climate change. UCI Health–Irvine, the largest all-electric hospital in the country, is opening Wednesday.

— 4,000 gallons of oil, contaminated wastewater spill in Monterey County

 

at 12/5/25 7:27pm

Private cleanup crews were dispatched to the scene at the San Ardo Oil Field, which was 'contained to the immediate area,' according to reports from field operator Aera Energy.

— Contributor: The left's climate panic is finally calming down

 

at 12/5/25 6:24am

Millions of Americans may still believe warming exists, but far fewer view it as an imminent existential threat.

— 'A bit like poker': California's wet winter brings La Niña, El Niño confusion

 

at 12/5/25 4:00am

Everyone in Southern California knows La Niña winters are typically dry. Yet this year has seen an unusual, surprisingly wet start to the rainy season. What gives?

— Salvaged chimneys from the Palisades fire are a tangible memorial to L.A.'s unspeakable loss

 

at 12/5/25 4:00am

To help the public process the January wildfires, artist Evan Hall created a memorial made of salvaged chimneys from destroyed homes.

— Trump administration adopts plan to pump more water in California over state objections

 

at 12/4/25 5:39pm

The federal government plans to pump more water to Central Valley farmlands from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, possibly reducing available water for millions of people.

— Los Angeles says so long to coal

 

at 12/4/25 3:23pm

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has stopped receiving coal-powered electricity from its last remaining coal source, the Intermountain Power Project in Utah.

— Panda Express pays fine for failing to train employees on handling hazardous materials

 

at 12/3/25 1:01pm

Panda Express has agreed to pay $1 million for failing to train employees on how to safely handle carbon dioxide in soda machines.

— California strongly objects to Trump's plan to pump more Delta water south

 

at 12/3/25 4:00am

The Trump administration plans to send more water to Central Valley farmlands. California is objecting, saying that poses multiple threats.

— How one Angeleno built a health-conscious oasis in South L.A.'s food desert

 

at 12/2/25 4:00am

Olympia Auset's Süprmarkt centers nutrition and altruism in a South L.A. food desert.

— California's environmental board approved hazardous waste plan that critics say could weaken protections

 

at 12/2/25 4:00am

A California environmental board approved a state plan outlining strategies to safely reduce hazardous waste — despite sharp criticism from environmental groups who say several proposals could invite deregulation.

As of 12/14/25 3:55am. Last new 12/13/25 7:01am.