Huge fire at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles seen for miles

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

The world’s most iconic composers are getting their own music festival next month in Los Angeles

When I attended Coachella in 2017, I met the inclusion of Hans Zimmer with some skepticism. Not because I wasn’t excited to see such a bold choice on the lineup – but because I was worried it wouldn’t work with that sort of festival crowd. That...

Port of Los Angeles Seeks Proposal for Potential New Container Terminal

The Port of Los Angeles has started the first public steps in what could be a decade’s decade-long effort to develop its next container terminal. The port published a Request for Proposal from interested parties to participate in the...

School consolidations in San Francisco while another school opens

SFUSD said it is responding to shifting demographics and student needs SAN FRANCISCO - In San Francisco, one school is closing, while another is set to welcome students for the first time. San Francisco Unified Schools said it is shifting to...

California Braces for Extreme Weather Amid Water Management Challenges

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As California enters a new water year, officials are warning of potential extreme weather events ahead, compounded by ongoing challenges in water management. Recent models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...

Climate California begins its weekly run!

Tuesdays at 9pm, beginning October 7 on KRCB Wednesdays at 7pm, beginning October 8 on KPJK This Emmy-winning Norcal Public Media series explores new solutions to climate change while celebrating the world's beauty and our power to make a...

Can hybrid grapes solve the climate change dilemma for winemakers?

It’s a fringe movement so far, but hybrids have proven they can make good wine and may be better able to withstand climate change and disease. Matt Niess is trying to do something different. Unlike almost every other grower and winemaker in...

People Moves: California Commissioner Makes COIN Advisory Board, Curriculum Board Appointments

Ricardo Lara California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara appointed Veronica Saldaña as the newest member of the California Organized Investment Network advisory board and Jason Meyerson to the curriculum board of the California Department of...

Pope Leo labelled ‘woke’ by MAGA supporters as he calls for ‘courage’ on climate change from leaders

The American pontiff asked world leaders to “act with courage” to fight climate change, embracing his predecessor’s environmental legacy. The Pope spoke to 1,000 representatives at the 10th anniversary celebration of the late Pope Francis’s...

California FAIR Plan asks state for major increase for home insurance coverage

The California FAIR Plan, the state’s backup insurance provider, is asking to raise its coverage rates by an average of 35.8%. That’s according to a recent filing with the Department of Insurance by the state-created, but privately funded, plan....

10 Art Shows to See in Los Angeles This October

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Federal judge finds feds illegally capped sustainable energy funding in Oregon, 18 other states

The U.S. Department of Energy broke the law last month when officials attempted to cap the amount of federal funding states could receive to cover the staff and administrative costs of sustainable energy and energy efficiency projects, a federal...

Fueled By Water: Climate Change Isn’t Slowing Down South Florida’s Waterfront Real Estate Boom Anytime Soon

It’s 4:30 pm on a slow, molten Friday afternoon along Las Olas Boulevard, and the closing bell on Wall Street South rumbles out over the canals linking the upscale finger island neighborhood of Seven Isles to the Atlantic Ocean. At the newly...

America’s Schools Weren’t Built For the Climate Era. Now, Some Are Adapting

It’s been 10 days since the official start of fall in North America, and a month since the school year began. It’s a time that conjures cozy sweaters and crisp, sunny days. But that’s not been the case in recent years. As the number of extreme...

AI investment craze faces sustainability test amid soaring costs

SAN FRANCISCO: The artificial intelligence investment frenzy continues with staggering sums despite uncertain returns on these enormous commitments. Nvidia recently announced a $100 billion investment to help OpenAI build data centers as part of...

Are You on This List? Cali Lists Cos. Likely Subject to Climate Disclosure Laws

[co-author: Sarah Elena De Los Santos Samaniego]* Summary The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently released a draft list of 4,159 public and private companies that do business in the state and that it believes must comply with...

Preparedness is key: Stay connected during wildfires, earthquakes, other natural disasters

Overview: Cox Communications understands the critical importance of reliable connectivity before, during and after an emergency. Whether it’s keeping families and neighbors in touch, powering remote work and school or ensuring hospitals and first...

Expanded Streamlining Opportunities for Developers of California Starter Home Projects

Though highly touted recent legislative enactments addressing California's housing crisis have focused on streamlining high-density, multifamily infill development (see Holland & Knight's previous alert, "California's 2025 Housing Laws: What You...

AI at the Frontier: What California’s SB-53 Means for Large AI Model Developers

On September 29, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 53, the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (“the Act”) into law, establishing a regulatory framework for developers of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The law...

California high school forfeits volleyball match against team with ‘transgender’ male

News Eight schools have forfeited games against Jurupa Valley High School over its gender-confused male player ‘AB Hernandez.’ (LifeSiteNews) — Patriot High School in southern California has become the eighth school to forfeit a match against...