Ian James is a reporter who focuses on water and climate change in California and the West. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2021, he was an environment reporter at the Arizona Republic and the Desert Sun. He previously worked for the Associated Press as a correspondent in the Caribbean and as bureau chief in Venezuela. Follow him on Bluesky @ianjames.bsky.social and on X @ByIanJames.
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The L.A. Department of Water and Power says the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which was empty at the time of the Palisades fire, is now back online after lengthy repairs to its floating cover.
California’s aquifers gained an estimated 2.2 million acre-feet of water during the last water year. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has been promoting efforts to replenish groundwater.
An independent panel is urging California lawmakers to create a new authority to oversee rebuilding after the firestorms in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Dust rising from the dry bottom of Owens Lake is a longstanding problem. Now, scientists have found that lands surrounding the lake are a bigger source of dust pollution.
Mayors of Western cities are urging the Trump administration to take steps to help address water scarcity as climate change depletes the Colorado River.
An effort to return 73 square miles of forests to California’s Yurok Tribe has been completed. Organizers say the deal will help restore and protect vital habitat for salmon in Blue Creek.
Emissions of hydrogen sulfide raise health concerns in communities near California’s largest lake, researchers say.
The Trump administration is sending 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles after two days of isolated clashes between federal immigration agents and protesters.
President Trump is sending the National Guard to Los Angeles over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom by invoking rarely used federal powers.
Charter fishing crews in California harbors are preparing for recreational salmon fishing to reopen after a two-year shutdown. The fishing season this year is subject to strict limits.