California

"An outbreak of algae-produced biotoxins that attack animals' brains also poses a grave risk to humans"

"In a sharp rebuke of state plans for a massive water tunnel system in Northern California, federal environmental officials say that the project would violate pollution standards and could worsen conditions for imperiled fish species."

"Signifiers of the good life, local bivalves may be harbingers of another phenomenon: species extinction."

"The debate began as the largest blaze ever seen in the Sierra still burned: Should officials cut down the thousands of "ghost" trees left behind by last summer's Rim fire, or leave nature alone?"

"Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said the recent earthquake in Northern California shows the need for an earthquake early warning system."
 

"The 6.1-magnitude earthquake that shook Napa Valley early Sunday morning could total more than $1 billion in losses. As many as 100 homes were left in unlivable condition, and it’s likely most residents will be paying out-of-pocket for repairs."

"A federal nuclear inspector urged U.S. regulators to shut down a California nuclear power plant until tests showed its reactors could withstand shocks from nearby earthquake faults, according to the Associated Press and an environmental group."

"NAPA -- Many people awakened by Sunday's earthquake described it as long, rolling, almost gentle. Near the quake's epicenter in the North Bay, however, it was anything but soothing."

"Eric Knapp breaks apart a burned pine cone, looking for seeds — in his line of work this is considered a clue."