Climate & Environment

California chases the nation’s first-ever public catastrophe model for wildfires

A new bill would provide more transparency into how much wildfires will affect insurance rates.

Behind the West Coast’s most widely used early earthquake alert system

This is the story of ShakeAlert and how it works.

Paul Nelson, who runs Eagle Mining Co., inspects for structural damage inside a mine for tourists after an earthquake struck near Julian, California, on April 14, 2025. A shallow 5.2 magnitude quake hit southern California on Monday, US geologists said. The tremor was centered 2.5 miles (four kilometers) south of Julian, which is around 20 miles from the US border with Mexico, and was eight miles deep, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

Rancho Palos Verdes could lose out on federal funding to help stabilize landslide

FEMA announced the cancellation of a grant that helps communities prepare for natural disasters. Rancho Palos Verdes planned to use its share of the funds to address the Portuguese Bend landslide.

An overhead photo of a curving residential street with broken roads.

How Newsom is balancing fight against Trump with LA fire relief needs

Gov. Gavin Newsom reset his relationship with President Donald Trump after the Los Angeles fires, but he has yet to secure the disaster aid he wants.

A man wearing a grey sports stands in fromt of a microphone, speaking with his arms outsretched. A woman wearing a blue coat stands behind him as well as a man wearing a neon yellow safety vest, white helmet nd safety goggles. The group is standing in front of a chain link fence that separates them from the rubble of a burned out home.

Partly sunny but mild weather before potential weekend rain

After the fog and clouds burn off, expect a partly sunny and mild day in SoCal on Friday, with highs near 65.

A surfer is walking through small waves near a sandy beach. A pier rises behind them in the water with cloudy skies beyond.

LA Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed budget would ax a landmark climate action office

L.A.’s proposed budget cuts include eliminating the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office and staff tasked with monitoring pollution from oil wells.

Several vehicles are driving past a large electronic sign that reads "extreme heat save power 4-9 pm stay cool" above the lanes.

These communities are unaware they’ve lived near toxic gas for decades. Why has no action been taken?

The air agency doesn’t plan to monitor the air or take any immediate steps to protect schools and households from the gas, which can damage lungs and cause neurological effects.