The California Public Utilities Commission will consider on May 9 a new proposal that would change how Californians pay for electricity.
CalMatters
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California sets nation’s first water standard for cancer-causing contaminant
Water suppliers say the costs of the State Water Resources Control Board approving a standard for hexavalent chromium will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California acts to halt Kings County’s groundwater overpumping
State officials, for the first time, put a local groundwater basin on probation to stop overuse. The order triggers hefty fees for Kings County growers and mandatory reporting of well use.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Democrats again kill California homeless camp ban
A bill to ban homeless encampments statewide near parks, schools and transit hubs failed to get out of the same California State Senate legislative committee as last year.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California farmers depleted groundwater in this county. Now a state crackdown could rein them in
Kings County agencies and growers could face probation and millions of dollars in fines — which could be the first step toward the state wresting control of groundwater.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Why tortillas sold in California could be forced to add a new ingredient
Folic acid reduces the risk of birth defects and the FDA requires that bakers include it in enriched bread. California could extend the mandate to tortillas and foods made with corn masa flour.
Posted inLatest News
California requires new homes to have solar panels. Should wildfire victims get a break?
A California Republican’s bill would exempt low- and middle-income wildfire victims from solar panel requirements on rebuilt homes that didn’t have them when they burned down.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Californians get hacked all the time. The state’s top cybersecurity job is vacant
After the previous head of California’s Cybersecurity Integration Center left in 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to appoint a commander who is tasked with informing businesses and governments of cybersecurity threats.
Posted inLatest News
California insurance chief, Farmers CEO ‘look outside’ for answers to insurance crisis
Government officials, insurance industry representatives, nonprofits and academics from around the nation and world gathered in Los Angeles for a summit this week — in a state where residents are dealing with higher premiums for homeowners and auto insurance, with some of them finding it tough to get insured at all. That includes nearly 4,300 Santa Cruz County residents who learned recently that State Farm was not renewing their home insurance policies.
Posted inLatest News
California salmon fishing banned for second year in row
Federal officials moved Wednesday to cancel commercial and recreational salmon fishing off California as the fish still aren’t thriving. It’s another blow to the commercial fishing industry, which is still awaiting disaster aid from the canceled 2023 season.