Environment

The Spreckels Sugar factory towers over the roads south of Brawley, California in the Imperial Valley on August 5, 2025. The factory’s last season of processing sugar beets in the valley is underway as the facility’s owner, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, prepares to wind down operations.

Kori Suzuki for KPBS / California Local

As heat soars in the Inland Empire, a community group steps up to save lives

Deborah Brennan

GoFundMe.org has teamed with an Inland Empire non-profit to distribute air conditioners and air and water purifiers to those in need just as the temperatures are predicted to rise to near 115 degrees in the desert.

Science & Technology

Artificial light has essentially lengthened birds' day
Science & Technology

New study raises questions about effectiveness of wolf hunting as a tool to help ranchers
Environment

Heat wave continues to roast inland San Diego County

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Local

The Barrio Logan smell problem will linger for another six weeks

Erik Anderson

Air quality officials approved an agreement on a plan to contain the pungent smell coming from a Barrio Logan biofuels plant. Relief is scheduled for December.
Environment

Going electric: Opponents clash as California aims to force diesel trucks off the road

Nadia Lopez

Opponents clashed over a state proposal to ban gas-fueled truck sales and make large trucking firms convert to electric within two decades.
National

Saltwater is moving up the Mississippi River. Here's what's being done to stop it

Debbie Elliott

The saltwater is threatening drinking water supplies in the New Orleans metro area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built an underwater levee to stop the intrusion.
Local

Regulators propose $155M fine for PG&E for 2020 wildfire

The Associated Press

California regulators have proposed fining Pacific Gas & Electric more than $155 million for sparking a 2020 wildfire in Northern California.
National

Doctors say 'fossil fuel addiction' kills, starves millions

The Associated Press

A new report from doctors and other health experts says the world's fossil fuel addiction is making the world sicker and is killing people.
Local

Santa Ana winds gust through Southern California

The Associated Press

The first Santa Ana wind event of the season is bringing gusts to parts of Southern California, but forecasters say it will be quick and weak.
KPBS Midday Edition

Wildfire pollution to be tracked in California carbon emissions

Maureen Cavanaugh

Harrison Patiño

As part of new guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, California will now track carbon emissions from wildfires.
Local

Imperial Beach Mayor's two terms in office: A reflection

Erik Anderson

Two-term incumbent Serge Dedina is leaving Imperial Beach’s top political office to return to his environmental activism roots.
Environment

Western wildfires are making far away storms more dangerous

Lauren Sommer

Scientists are finding that Western wildfires can have far-reaching impacts. If they're burning while Central U.S. thunderstorms are forming, the rain and hail can be dramatically more destructive.
Environment

Drought, fire risk to stay high during third La Niña winter

The Associated Press

Federal weather officials say drought and wildfire risks will remain elevated in the western states while warmer than average temperatures will greet the Southwest, Gulf Coast and East Coast this winter.