Imperial County

Economy

Colorado River talks hit crunch time. What’s at stake for California water?

Rachel Becker

The clock is ticking down to a federal deadline Tuesday for California and six other Western states to reach the broad strokes of a deal portioning out supplies from the parched Colorado River.
Border & Immigration

Imperial County detention center seeks doctor after detainee dies in custody

Kori Suzuki

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is hiring more health workers across the country amid growing outcry over in-custody deaths.
Environment

Trump administration cancels funding for upgrades to Imperial County’s storm-battered power grid

Kori Suzuki

This month, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it was slashing $18 million for the Imperial Irrigation District as it moves to revoke funding for clean energy projects nationwide.
Racial Justice and Social Equity

Tribes launch commission to safeguard Chuckwalla National Monument

Kori Suzuki

The vast desert landscape near the Salton Sea faces an uncertain future as the Trump administration weighs rolling back its new environmental protections.
Military

Camp Pendleton Marine killed in helicopter crash identified

Andrew Dyer

Maj. Tyler Braconi, 35, was flying an AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter that crashed in eastern Imperial County last week.
Racial Justice and Social Equity

New California law requires Imperial County governments to publish agendas in Spanish

Kori Suzuki

The lack of consistent Spanish translation at local government meetings has locked many residents out of the democratic process.
Border & Immigration

Another immigrant dies in ICE custody in California, this time in the Imperial Valley

Kori Suzuki

Imperial County immigrants’ rights groups are calling for an investigation into the death of Huabing Xie, an immigrant from China.
Environment

Experts call for immediate cuts to water use from the Colorado River

Kori Suzuki

Around two-thirds of San Diego County’s water — and all of Imperial County’s water — comes from the Colorado River.
Environment

The race to understand the Salton Sea’s dust storms

Kori Suzuki

Many Imperial Valley residents have grown weary of repeated public health studies around the Salton Sea. One group of scientists is trying to focus on solutions instead.
Environment

When lithium mining starts, who benefits, and who’s at risk? Inside this Salton Sea case

Deborah Brennan

Two nonprofits filed arguments with the Fourth District Court of Appeal last week, asking the court to reconsider a claim they filed in 2024 that the environmental impact report for the Hell’s Kitchen lithium mine near the Salton Sea neglects potential problems with air quality, water use, hazardous materials and tribal cultural resources.