Crooked Bough News Round-up

— 'It's a huge loss': Trump administration dismisses scientists preparing climate report

 

at 4/29/25 5:03pm

More than 400 experts were starting to prepare the latest national climate assessment report. They all received an email from the Trump administration dismissing them.

— Edison told the government that Calderon was an 'executive.' Now it claims she wasn't. 

 

at 4/29/25 4:00am

Edison says Assemblywoman Calderon wasn't an executive when she worked for the utility — but that's exactly how the company identified her in federal campaign finance filings.

— After the Eaton fire, Altadena dirt was sent to Tujunga. Then came the backlash

 

at 4/28/25 4:00am

Tujunga residents are outraged over a hauling operation in their neighborhood. L.A. County officials contend the soil is safe and say more storm debris will be trucked in.

— A rare glimpse inside the mountain tunnel that carries water to Southern California

 

at 4/27/25 4:00am

In the 1930s, workers bored a 13-mile tunnel beneath Mt. San Jacinto. Here's a look inside the engineering feat that carries Colorado River water to Southern California.

— Mudslide shuts down Pacific Coast Highway section as rain expected in L.A. through Sunday

 

at 4/26/25 10:07am

Los Angeles has received much less rain than it does in an average year — and Saturday's storm will not be nearly enough to make up the difference.

— This California town has a breathtaking waterfall — and no legal way for the public to get there

 

at 4/26/25 4:00am

Just outside Dunsmuir, Mossbrae Falls cascades down mossy cliffs in ethereal curtains of mist, a natural wonder that should be a major tourist draw. But the city has struggled to get the rights to build a trail for safe public access.

— California reports sharp rise in valley fever cases for first three months of 2025

 

at 4/25/25 12:38pm

Weather patterns, construction activity and wildfires can all play a role in outbreaks of valley fever, caused by inhaling a fungus.

— Our friendly neighborhood fence lizard: Why Californians love this reptile

 

at 4/25/25 4:00am

According to one app for nature observers, it's the most commonly seen creature in California: the western fence lizard. Why? The answer reflects how humans have invaded its space and how it has adapted to ours.

— April showers in Southern California? Here's the latest forecast

 

at 4/25/25 4:00am

A cool, wet weather pattern will probably bring some April showers to Southern California. Areas of Los Angeles could see up to a half-inch of rain Saturday.

— Fight intensifies over bill by former Edison executive to gut rooftop solar credits

 

at 4/23/25 7:21pm

A bill by Assemblywoman Calderon, a former Edison executive, to slash compensation for homeowners with rooftop solar panels drew protests Wednesday at her district office in the City of Industry.

— Los Angeles remains nation's smoggiest city for 25th time in 26 years, despite progress

 

at 4/23/25 4:00am

An annual report from the American Lung Assn. showed that Los Angeles has improved its air quality but still deserves its reputation for unhealthy air.

— EPA chief urges Mexico to help deliver '100% solution' to clean up polluted Tijuana River

 

at 4/22/25 6:31pm

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin visited the polluted Tijuana River on the U.S.-Mexico border, calling for a '100% solution' to clean up raw sewage that has fouled the waterway for years.

— Interior secretary gives DOGE member with oil-industry ties power to remake department

 

at 4/22/25 6:27pm

Tyler Hassen, a member of Elon Musk's DOGE team with ties to the oil industry, was recently named assistant secretary in the Department of Interior, with the power to make vast changes to the agency in charge of more than 500 million acres of federal land.

— Commentary: Pope Francis was a climate hero. Trump's reign gives his words extra meaning

 

at 4/22/25 1:45pm

The late pope's climate change encyclical, 'Laudato Si,' is more relevant than ever.

— Steelhead trout rescued from Palisades fire spawn in their new Santa Barbara County home

 

at 4/22/25 12:32pm

After a stressful journey out of the burn zone in Malibu, the endangered trout have spawned in their adopted stream in Santa Barbara County.

— We used to agree on Earth Day. Political division has changed environmental priorities

 

at 4/22/25 4:00am

The Trump administration is rolling back landmark environmental legislation that dates back to the Nixon era, including key protections for clean air and water.

— Sea lions, dolphins, now a whale: Ocean giant is latest victim of SoCal's toxic algal bloom

 

at 4/21/25 6:22pm

A minke whale that was swimming in Long Beach Harbor earlier this month died from domoic acid poisoning, according to officials.

— Beautiful, deadly: Wolves stalk rural California

 

at 4/21/25 4:00am

California wolves are on the comeback. And no matter how hard wildlife officials try to direct them toward their natural prey, the wolves seem to find the domesticated cattle wandering through open pastures a lot more appealing.

— Former Edison executive Calderon, now a lawmaker, seeks to cut rooftop solar credits

 

at 4/21/25 4:00am

Nearly 2 million California rooftop solar owners would see their energy credits slashed under legislation by Assemblywoman Calderon.

— Vandals chainsaw dozens of trees across downtown L.A.

 

at 4/20/25 2:20pm

Dozens of shade trees were hacked down throughout downtown L.A. this weekend.

— Contributor: Inspiration from the species that can live 1,000 years and put down a new set of roots anytime

 

at 4/20/25 4:00am

Sometimes we get sidetracked with bunnies and baskets at this time of year. But we can get beyond those to see the beauty and bounty in our everyday biological world.

As of 4/30/25 5:02am. Last new 4/29/25 8:09pm.