Climate & Environment

France’s new high-speed train design has Americans asking: Why can’t we have that?

Here's why the U.S. is behind on building high-speed rail — and what could create momentum to catch up.

Illustration of high-speed train zooming through a grassy landscape

Can NASA help predict wildflower super blooms?

Scientists at NASA are mapping flower blooms to better understand our ever-changing planet.

Some shadows cover green and yellow hillsides. Large mountains are under shade in the background.

Hikers, beware: Eaton Fire brings out whimsically named poodle-dog bush

The poodle-dog bush, with its lavender, bell-shaped flowers, can produce a painful rash for people who come in contact with it.

An image of a large, prickly bush with long stems covered at the bottom with green, prickly stems and topped with lavender flowers. The leaves are said to droop an coil like poodle fur.

Wildlife is returning to the Altadena foothills after the Eaton Fire. Yes, that's a mountain lion

Scientists plan to study the Chaney Trail Corridor to better understand how nature recovers after fire.

A black and white image of a mountain lion standing in an open field.

The fix for parched western states: Recycled toilet water

If it’s perfectly safe to drink purified wastewater (and it is), why aren’t drought-plagued including California states drinking more of it?

State fines oil company $18 million over 2015 Santa Barbara spill

The pipeline caused a major oil spill a decade ago, fouling the ocean off Santa Barbara County. The new owners say they don’t need new permits for repairs.

A crew of people in white hasmat suits and hard hats use shovels to transfer oil-tainted sand into clear plastic bags on a beach.

Elevated levels of lead found downwind from Eaton Fire burn area

L.A. County Department of Public Health officials announced the preliminary findings Friday.

A man and a woman hold hands while wearing masks and walking down a street surrounded by burn damage and fires.

Springtime heat brings more summer temps to SoCal

Expect temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees above average for inland areas today.

A view of someone walking outside using an umbrella to block the sun.

LA County supervisors want to speed up process for rebuilding permits in Altadena

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has voted to create a "Unified Permitting Authority" aimed at cutting red tape for wildfire survivors who want to rebuild their homes.