State wildlife officials are flying the California coast this week, counting humpback and blue whales to determine whether the commercial Dungeness crab season can safely open on Jan. 1 or should be delayed to protect whales.
Environment
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s last nuclear power plant faces renewed scrutiny as it gains latest permit
The California Coastal Commission is requiring the state’s last nuclear power plant – Diablo Canyon, near San Luis Obispo – to conserve 4,000 acres of surrounding land to keep operating until 2030.
Posted inLatest News
PG&E drones deploy across Central Coast to identify power line problems ahead of winter storms
Pacific Gas & Electric is deploying drones to remote areas of Santa Cruz County to monitor power lines and identify problems ahead of winter storms.
Posted inLatest News
Ask Lookout: Why has Santa Cruz’s water demand dropped?
Santa Cruz’s water usage remains at its lowest since the 1960s, despite population growth in the past few decades. Officials say cultural shifts, shrinking lawns and efficient appliances have helped keep demand low.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
State health agency warns of poisoning linked to foraged death cap mushrooms
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued an urgent advisory following a recent outbreak of amatoxin poisoning linked to the consumption of wild, foraged death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides).
Posted inLatest News
Forecast is for triple threat this week: King tides, big waves and wind
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for coastal flooding, high surf and powerful offshore winds affecting Santa Cruz County this week.
Posted inLatest News
Independent study reveals heavy metals near Elkhorn Slough after Moss Landing fire
A study from researchers at San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories estimates that nearly 55,000 pounds of heavy metals were dumped into soil near Elkhorn Slough following January’s Moss Landing battery fire. It’s the first independent study of the fire’s impacts published in a scientific journal.
Posted inLatest News
State Parks burning brush piles in mountain parks until April to reduce fire risk
About 400 piles are scheduled to be burned throughout Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, including the Fall Creek Unit, between now and April.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
California’s coastal ‘Blue Wall’ must rise again to stop new offshore drilling
Updating and expanding laws blocking offshore oil drilling and seabed mining is the most powerful tool communities have to protect California’s coast in the face of the federal government’s new drilling plans. Katie Thompson and Dan Haifley urge the public to get involved.
Posted inLatest News
Entangled pelican rescued by high school surfer off Cowell Beach
A pelican trapped in fishing line was rescued after a woman spotted it off Santa Cruz’s Cowell Beach and two Santa Cruz High School surfers helped cut the bird free. Two other entangled birds died.
