California

Environment

Fed panel approves salmon fishing ban for much of West Coast

Julie Watson and Lisa Baumann

Biologists say the chinook salmon population has declined dramatically after years of drought. Some hope unusually wet weather will bring relief with rivers rising, but too much could wash away salmon eggs.
Politics

China sanctions Reagan Library, others over Taiwan president's US trip

Huizhong Wu

The Reagan Library in California was the site of the rare high-level, bipartisan meeting Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hosted Wednesday for talks with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
Environment

Dramatic photos show how storms filled California reservoirs

Terry Chea, Noah Berger and Josh Edelsoon

Twelve of California’s 17 major reservoirs are now above their historical averages following three years of drought that drained them to dangerously low levels.
Politics

US House leader and Taiwan president meet as China protests

Michael Blood, Lisa Mascaro and Ellen Knickmeyer

The meeting Wednesday underscored strong support among U.S. lawmakers for the self-ruled island as tensions rise with rival China.
Quality of Life

California child welfare agencies under fire for pocketing foster kids’ Social Security money

Jeanne Kuang

A California grandmother fights to retrieve $30,000 taken by San Diego County from her grandchildren’s survivor benefits. Counties take millions of dollars in federal benefits from foster children, says a lawmaker trying to stop it.
Local

California high schools are adding hundreds of ethnic studies classes. Are teachers prepared?

Megan Tagami

Some advocates for ethnic studies curricula say allowing just any social science teacher to instruct the subject could lead to watered-down and ineffective courses — but officials from school districts say flexibility is important if they’re going to fill the roles.
Environment

California cuts short commercial Dungeness crab season to protect whales

The Associated Press

Commercial fishing will end on April 15 from the Mendocino county line to the Mexican border. It will still be allowed in the waters off Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Environment

EPA approves California rules phasing out diesel trucks

Sophie Austin

The rules are part of California's plan to cut planet-warming carbon emissions and improve air quality in heavy-traffic areas.
Politics

Gov. Gavin Newsom starts tour to boost red-state Democrats

Adam Beam

Newsom has said he is not interested in running for president. But he has continued to use campaign funds to expand his national profile.
Education

‘Super disappointed’: Lawmakers want UC to enroll more Californians sooner

Mikhail Zinshteyn

Enrollment is down at the University of California and California State University, which has frustrated lawmakers who gave both systems more money to increase their number of students.