First Severe Human Case of Bird Flu in the US Sparks Pandemic Fears
US health officials confirmed the first severe human case of avian influenza in Louisiana on Wednesday, marking a major escalation in the 2024 outbreak. With 61 reported infections across the country, experts are increasingly worried about the growing risk of a bird flu pandemic. The Louisiana patient, an elderly individual with underlying health conditions, is […]
California Says Goodbye to the Winnebago and Hello to More Expensive Gasoline
California has adopted the most aggressive climate change policies in the country, including a pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Many of these policies are made by California’s Air Resources Board (CARB), which consists of 16 political appointees. CARB’s mission is to protect public health by effectively reducing air pollution while considering the […]
California Takes New Homelessness Approach After High Court Ruling
By Angelina Bagdasaryan A U.S. Supreme Court decision in June makes it easier for communities across the nation to fine and arrest people living and sleeping in public spaces. That has left many of America’s hundreds of thousands of homeless people in a difficult situation. Angelina Bagdasaryan looks at what California is doing to address […]
In California, There has Been a Substantial Increase in Gasoline Prices in Recent Years
By Lee Ohanian So Why Won’t Newsom Put His Foot on the Brakes? In 2012, the price of regular-grade gasoline in California was about 30 cents per gallon higher than the national average. This price differential has increased substantially in recent years. Last week, the price of regular gas was nearly $5 per gallon—about $1.50 […]
California Loses Fast Food Jobs After Minimum Wage Increase
Estimated loss of 9,500 jobs this fall after a $20 increase in the minimum wage, representing a 1.3 percent change from September 2023. By Lee Ohanian Last September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 1287 into law, which includes a $20 per hour minimum wage for fast-food workers and a fast-food regulatory council which […]
Heat Wave in Central, Northeastern US States Sets Record Temperatures
By VOA News A heat wave spanning from the Midwest to the Northeast is breaking records in the United States, and officials warn that the high temperatures could prove deadly. About 80 million people from Indiana to New England are facing a heat advisory or an excessive heat warning. Exposure to high temperatures can cause […]
That Rainwater Thing
By Allen L Phillips We’ve always noticed the effect of rainwater on our gardens over the years. There’s just something about it that plants love. So it was with some anticipation that we set out the last week of April to visit Pat’s step-daughter in San Jose, and my daughter in San Francisco. We picked […]
Missed the Original Gold Rush? Here’s Another Chance for You
None of us were alive for the original California gold rush; however, another time has come for you to try your luck. Winter has been hard on California residents, especially in the Sierra Nevada. Storms have been blasting through the counties, causing varying degrees of devastation. However, the storms left more impact than ruined buildings. […]
California’s New Coronavirus Dip Does not Match Wastewater Surveillance Data
There is no doubt that coronavirus mutates and creates new variants quickly. Subvariants of the now-dominant omicron have reached stage BA.5 in the state of California. Subvariant BA.1 was seen in March. April saw BA.2. Covid cases dropped slightly in California, by around 6%, in the second week of June, according to Los Angeles Times. […]