environment

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Concern growing over LA wildfire contamination in some children’s play areas

  Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Concerned parents are pushing the authorities to help parks and daycares remove sand from sandboxes contaminated with ash after the Los Angeles fires last January. The City of Pasadena sent crews to remove the top two inches of sand from sandboxes in local parks. Los Angeles County recommended the […]
Monday, February 24, 2025

You can get the “wintertime blues” even in sunny SoCal

  Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Sunny California days in the winter are not unusual. They can lift your spirits, but that is not true for some. Studies show that about 40% of Americans report feeling the wintertime blues now and then.  While about 2% to 3% experience a more severe seasonal […]
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Conservation groups slam Trump’s executive order on CA water policy

  Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   President Donald Trump’s new executive order on California water policy is drawing criticism from many water conservation advocates. The order directs the feds to study ways to override state environmental protections and send more water from northern California down south. Water shortage not the problem Bruce Reznik, executive […]
Friday, January 24, 2025

CA gives major tax break to oil companies

  Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   A new report from the nonprofit The Climate Center has unearthed historical documents that show the big oil companies orchestrated a tax break that allows them to avoid paying an estimated $75 million to $146 million a year. The California Legislature adopted the so-called “Water’s Edge” tax […]
Friday, October 4, 2024

Entertainer Dolly Parton makes huge donation to victims of Hurricane Helene

  Entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton continues her well-known generosity by donating to the victims of Hurricane Helene. Today, Parton, a native of East Tennessee, announced she is donating $1 million of personal funds to the victims. Parton’s businesses and nonprofit, the Dollywood Foundation, will also match her donation of $1 million. The actress/singer/songwriter shared the big news at the […]
Thursday, August 15, 2024

Wildfires may spark “fire brain” issues

  Suzanne Potter, reporter/producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Mental health experts are sounding the alarm about “fire brain” – a condition caused by exposure to toxic wildfire smoke. One study found that wildfire smoke can cause brain inflammation that lasts for a month. Suzie Dukes, Chico LMFT and survivor of the Paradise Fire said the massive Park […]
Friday, July 19, 2024

CA workers encouraged to know their rights for hot days

  Suzanne Potter, reporter/producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.    California shattered heat records left and right this month and temperatures are forecast to be 10 degrees above normal for several days. Therefore,  the state wants to remind workers of their right to shade, free cold water, and rest breaks. Also, employers are required to train […]
Monday, April 22, 2024

On Earth Day, climate activists push for state bond measure

  By Suzanne Potter Reporter/Producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Today, in honor of Earth Day, climate advocates are asking California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to rally around a plan to put a $15 billion bond measure on the November ballot. If passed, the bond measure would fund a range of climate resiliency measures. Sam […]