Enikia Ford Morthel, the superintendent of Berkeley Unified School District, will testify in May in front of a congressional committee on charges of antisemitism in her schools.| Los Angeles Times
Shortly after taking office in 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions and ordered death row dismantled. Years later, inmates say they have a bittersweet new lease on life.| Los Angeles Times
The last of the 'do not drink' notices in areas hit by the Eaton and Palisades fires were lifted Friday by state water officials.| Los Angeles Times
The House on Tuesday night narrowly approved a budget resolution that paves the way for trillions of dollars in tax and spending cuts key to the Trump agenda.| Los Angeles Times
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that it will sample the nation's milk supply to test for the H5N1 bird flu virus.| Los Angeles Times
H5N1 bird flu has been discovered in a pig in Oregon, a development that has sparked new concerns among infectious disease experts.| Los Angeles Times
State officials say two dairy workers in the Central Valley have contracted H5N1 bird flu. They say the risk of infection remains low for the general population.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that expands a moratorium on all types of a blood-thinning rat poison that has unintentionally sickened other animals.| Los Angeles Times
The circumstances and positive testing of a raw milk sample in California don't make sense, say experts. Something is amiss.| Los Angeles Times
California health officials reported Tuesday that a child in Alameda County has been infected with bird flu; source unknown.| Los Angeles Times
Health officials have announced six more H5N1 bird flu infections in humans: five in California and the first known case in Oregon.| Los Angeles Times
Federal wildlife officials approved a plan to cull barred owls in order to protect northern spotted owls, but it could be upended by funding cuts and congressional opposition.| Los Angeles Times
Dairies say the USDA relief money helped them sustain operations as bird flu decimated milk production, but critics say the aid perpetuates industrial farming practices that make herds vulnerable to disease.| Los Angeles Times
Unprecedented numbers of gray whales are being spotted in San Francisco Bay, and nobody really knows why. Experts only have educated guesses about the prevalence of porpoises, dolphins and humpback whales too.| Los Angeles Times
Despite assurances from the federal government that bird flu will be eradicated from dairy cows, some experts worry the disease is here to stay.| Los Angeles Times
It's been a doozy of a year for marine mammals, who have been dying in record numbers along the California coast. Volunteer rescue crews are traumatized and fatigued, but refuse to give up.| Los Angeles Times
Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 47th president in a historic Inauguration Day.| Los Angeles Times
Trump promised 'all hell will break out' in the Middle East if Israeli hostages are not returned by the time he takes office.| Los Angeles Times
Protesters, advocates and attorneys say L.A law enforcement uses less-lethal weapons frequently and unnecessarily, causing lasting physical pain and psychological scars. From destroyed hands to shattered faces.| Los Angeles Times
Bass, after signing the city budget, said Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson made a commitment to find the funds to add another 240 LAPD officers over the next year.| Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles officials have hired a Northern California-based headhunting firm to identify and vet candidates to be the next chief of police.| Los Angeles Times
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez voiced alarm at the proposal, saying the council needs to look at cutting police staffing and overtime costs| Los Angeles Times
Deputy city attorney Ethan Weaver, one of Nithya Raman's opponents, said Thursday that he called her to congratulate her on her victory.| Los Angeles Times
Three members of the L.A. City Council voted against the agreement, arguing it is too expensive and will pull money away from critical city services.| Los Angeles Times
We are proud to present our 2024-2025 annual report, a testament to an extraordinary year of progress. Our research, policy initiatives, and collaborations continue to shape national and local conversations and practices in the criminal justice system.| Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
In a bid to stabilize struggling crude-oil refineries, state lawmakers on Saturday passed a last-minute bill that would allow the construction of 2,000 new oil wells annually in the San Joaquin Valley while further restricting drilling along California’s iconic coastline.| Los Angeles Times
Among the newest laws in California are efforts to limit planet-warming pollution, accelerate clean energy projects and advance the state's position as a climate leader.| Los Angeles Times
Newsom said the bills were a compromise, designed to push California toward a clean-energy future while still ensuring the state has enough affordable gasoline to meet drivers' needs.| Los Angeles Times
A year ago, the new Ford Mustang Mach-E GT had a sticker price around $55,000.| Los Angeles Times
As consumers rushed to buy electric vehicles while the federal EV tax credit was still available, Tesla saw deliveries increase 7% year over year.| Los Angeles Times
An L.A. nonprofit purchased the 1.86-acre lot on Jefferson Boulevard for nearly $10 million. It hopes to transform the parcel into affordable housing.| Los Angeles Times
At 60, Kamala Harris has a lot of opportunities ahead of her. Which will she pursue?| Los Angeles Times
After holding a three-point lead with 2:46 left, the second-seeded Bruins, who had 19 turnovers, were outscored, outfought and outclassed from there.| Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to increase oversight of data gathered by law enforcement devices known as automated license plate readers.| Los Angeles Times
Nominations are invited for the 27th annual Michelson Postdoctoral Prize Lectureship to be held Spring 2026 in the Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University. The prize is awarded annually to a postdoctoral scholar active in any field of physics. The winner will spend one week in residence at CWRU and deliver 2 technical lectures and a colloquium. The lectureship carries an honorarium of $3,000 plus all travel expenses. The deadline for nomination is December 1, 2025. More details...| Physics
Meet a researcher developing new approaches to examining materials| Physics
An independent panel is urging California lawmakers to create a new authority to oversee rebuilding after the firestorms in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.| Los Angeles Times
California is closer to meeting its goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030, according to a report. But federal threats could roll back progress, officials said.| Los Angeles Times
Trump officials say presidents can abolish monuments created by predecessors, and California's newest ones — Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands — are vulnerable.| Los Angeles Times
Legislation would expand the Santa Monica Mountains recreation area by roughly 118,000 acres, but the effort comes as the Trump administration seeks to slash funding for the National Park Service.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his staff has been working with Democrats in the Legislature on the state's healthcare minimum wage law in light of budget concerns.| Los Angeles Times
California healthcare workers will see at least $25 an hour starting in 2026 after Gov. Newsom signed a bill mandating an industry minimum wage.| Los Angeles Times
The spending plan reflects resistance to making sweeping cuts to reduce a $12-billion budget deficit expected in the year ahead, with Democratic lawmakers citing uncertainty about the scope of California's financial problems.| Los Angeles Times
Bass is trying to close a nearly $1 billion shortfall and avoid laying off city workers.| Los Angeles Times
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a budget that pares back a number of progressive priorities to close a $12-billion deficit.| Los Angeles Times
California's truth in labeling law reserves the recycling sign only for products and packaging that can truly be recycled. Yet CalRecycle greenlit the label for milk and juice cartons which are tough to recycle.| Los Angeles Times
The Dodgers declined to offer Cody Bellinger arbitration for the 2023 season. He starred for the Cubs and now will stay with them on a deal with opt-outs.| Los Angeles Times
Former City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who now works for Mayor Karen Bass, identified at least five Olympic venues that could become the subject of a citywide election.| Los Angeles Times
Mayor Karen Bass reduced the hours that a nightly curfew in downtown Los Angeles is in effect on Monday, allowing struggling businesses to remain open later into the evening.| Los Angeles Times
Mayor Karen Bass and chief recovery officer Steve Soboroff said the city would soon hire an outside firm to represent the city's interests in wildfire relief efforts.| Los Angeles Times
Less than 48 hours before the planned reopening, the state said it remains "in the dark" regarding the city of Los Angeles' plans for providing security to the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers on Friday announced a deal with Uber and Lyft on a bill that would allow hundreds of thousands of rideshare drivers to form unions and bargain collectively while still being classified as independent contractors.| Los Angeles Times
The judge's decision brings to a close a criminal case for excessive force that top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli sought to have overturned despite a conviction by a jury.| Los Angeles Times
Over the course of six weeks, 82 first-year students participated in credit-bearing courses, enrichment workshops, and leadership development activities designed to ease their transition into college life.| La Salle University
Physics’ Robert Brown joins panel discussion hosted by the American Association of Physics Teachers| Physics
Eight pending California clean air rules were expected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over three decades.| Los Angeles Times
'Star Trek' icon George Takei discusses his graphic memoir 'It Rhymes With Takei,' coming out at age 68 and the importance of participating in democracy.| Los Angeles Times
As rescue crews recovered victims of Israel’s strike on Beirut, Israeli warplanes launched a withering attack on Lebanon’s south amid fears of wider war.| Los Angeles Times
'Our human ask is that people give a damn when we die,' said one rabbi. Amid the Israel-Hamas war, many U.S. Jews feel betrayed by people they thought were allies.| Los Angeles Times
Protestors railed on Tuesday against an Orange County congresswoman who could be a critical vote on President Trump’s proposal to cut more than $1 trillion in federal dollars that helped pay for healthcare for those in need.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced a lawsuit alleging that President Trump lacks the authority to enact the international tariffs without the support of Congress.| Los Angeles Times
The economic whiplash over President Trump's tariffs underscores the challenge before lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to fund schools, healthcare, roadways and other essential services.| Los Angeles Times
The last time Donald Trump was president, California led the liberal resistance to his agenda. Now it is poised to reprise the role.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom tied the state budget to the passage of policy to lessen environmental review standards to speed up the construction of housing in California.| Los Angeles Times
In a lawsuit filed Friday, Newsom alleges that Fox manipulated a video to give the appearance that he lied about a phone call with Trump.| Los Angeles Times
Trump bought his cliffside golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes after the 18th hole fell into the ocean. Now, the scenic city is a disaster zone.| Los Angeles Times
The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law School has released a new public dashboard offering unprecedented access to data on driver’s license suspensions across North Carolina related to unpaid court fines and missed court appearances. The dashboard is an interactive tool designed to help researchers, policymakers, and advocates understand how court debt contributes to long-term license suspensions in the state. | Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
California, Arizona and Nevada are urging the Trump administration to change course on the Colorado River. The states are calling for fixing infrastructure problems at Glen Canyon Dam.| Los Angeles Times
The Trump administration is firing employees at the Bureau of Reclamation, drawing concerns from California water agencies that depend on it to deliver supplies.| Los Angeles Times
California’s snowpack is now 85% of average, with more snow in the northern Sierra and less in the south. Amid warming winters, the state is seeing less snow at lower elevations.| Los Angeles Times
California announced that the State Water Project will deliver 50% of full water allotments this year, up from 40% last month. Runoff from ample snowpack is boosting reservoirs.| Los Angeles Times
The federal government and California water agencies announced an agreement to raise a dam and expand San Luis Reservoir, increasing its water-storing capacity.| Los Angeles Times
California water managers decided to curtail extra water flows intended to support endangered delta smelt. The change has sparked debate over protections for fish.| Los Angeles Times
A court has rejected environmental groups' challenge of the Sites Reservoir project. California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state urgently needs to store more water.| Los Angeles Times
Officials have decided to ban salmon fishing on the California coast for a second year. Salmon populations have dropped after the state's last drought.| Los Angeles Times
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just opened up two California dams. A spokesperson says the flows are 'controlled' and being coordinated with local officials.| Los Angeles Times
Trump's pledge to pump more water in California came after a reduction in pumping at a federal facility due to maintenance. Federal data show pumping has since resumed at normal levels.| Los Angeles Times
California's snowpack stands at 65% of average for this time of year. After a dry January, major storms are forecast to bring more rain and snow.| Los Angeles Times
Ten years ago, California adopted a law to curb chronic overpumping of groundwater. Significant challenges remain, even as the state works toward its goals.| Los Angeles Times
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) announced late Saturday that he was pulling a plan to sell up to more than 1 million acres of federal land from the Trump-backed 'One Big Beautiful Bill.'| Los Angeles Times
With little public debate, state lawmakers passed a complex energy bill that upended how most Californians are billed for electricity.| Los Angeles Times
By Elliot Witscher, (B.S. – Geological Science | 2024)| Physics
Porter focused on protecting Californians from President Trump's policies, a theme that is expected to be a throughline in next year's gubernatorial contest.| Los Angeles Times
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday she is not running for governor of California in 2026, keeping the door open for a 2028 presidential run.| Los Angeles Times
Former President Biden’s secretary of Health and Human Services is strongly considering running for governor of California, according to allies.| Los Angeles Times
California's Department of Water Resources set its initial water allocation for the State Water Project at 5% — a level that could change in the coming months depending on the weather.| Los Angeles Times
L.A. City Council members have called on the Department of Water and Power to examine why fire hydrants lost water pressure in last week's epic firefight, and why a reservoir was offline.| Los Angeles Times
Could balloon-like water tanks help California prepare for fires? Some call an energy company’s “Water Trees” a game-changing solution to store water where needed to fight fires.| Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom orders independent investigation into how the loss of water pressure left fire hydrants dry, hindering firefighting efforts in Los Angeles.| Los Angeles Times
Here are the landfills that could take toxic waste from the L.A. wildfires in the coming weeks — many have not accepted hazardous materials in the past.| Los Angeles Times
New initiative expands opportunities for students to engage in data-driven research, legal, and policy work aimed at improving our criminal justice system for all The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law has received a generous gift from Duke University alumnus David McAtee (A.B. ‘91) to establish the McAtee JustScience Lab, a visionary […]| Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law
The January firestorms damaged water systems in large areas of Altadena and Pacific Palisades. In a new report, UCLA researchers examine the toll on 11 community water systems.| Los Angeles Times
Assessing the January fires' environmental toll is tough on land. It's even harder in the sea.| Los Angeles Times
The team of scientists found only one water sample with benzene, suggesting that the water is generally safe to drink across Altadena and the Pacific Palisades.| Los Angeles Times
A CDC study has found H5N1 bird flu antibodies in veterinarians who had no symptoms and no knowledge they had been working with infected livestock.| Los Angeles Times
New research and discussions with dairy farmers in the Central Valley suggests H5N1 bird flu is more widespread among people than the reported numbers indicate.| Los Angeles Times
As officials attempt to determine the extent of bird flu outbreaks among dairy herds, some experts are urging that wastewater surveillance begin immediately.| Los Angeles Times
Although California dairy farmers anticipated a bird flu mortality rate of less than 2%, some say between 10% and 15% of infected cattle are dying.| Los Angeles Times
California officials have announced another batch of raw milk from Raw Farm is contaminated with bird flu.| Los Angeles Times
Bird flu virus was detected in a retail sample of raw milk from Fresno-based dairy Raw Farm, California health officials said.| Los Angeles Times
