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Ian James

@ianjames.bsky.social
11K followers 1.1K following 1.6K posts

Reporter focusing on water and climate change, Los Angeles Times. ian.james@latimes.com Signal: ianjames.77

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Reposted by Ian James
The Marshall Project @themarshallproject.org · 9h
So far in Trump’s second term, ICE has arrested more than 8,500 children. Many of those children have been detained in locations where lawyers and family members couldn’t find them. This article was published in partnership with @us.theguardian.com www.themarshallproject.org/2026/10/08/i...
themarshallproject.org
ICE Has Arrested Twice As Many Children This Year
In total, more than 8,500 kids have been arrested by ICE in Trump’s second term.
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Reposted by Ian James
Deb Krol @debkrol.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
www.azcentral.com/story/news/t... by @abecenti.bsky.social
azcentral.com
Trump wall tramples Tohono O'odham religious freedoms, leaders say
Tohono O'odham officials and religious leaders gather in prayer to protest work on a second Trump border wall.
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Reposted by Ian James
Col. Gustavo Arellano @gustavoarellano.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
MY LATEST @latimes.com COLUMNA: What Steve Hilton doesn’t get about Xavier Becerra’s parents. Share, porfas!
latimes.com
Commentary: What Steve Hilton doesn't get about Xavier Becerra's parents
What more proof do California voters need that Hilton is laughably out of touch with how we live? Many Mexican Americans consider family members raised in Mexico to be immigrants, even if they were bo...
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Reposted by Ian James
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Alright folks, I wrote about Tom Cruise's new climate movie, DIGGER. It's not exactly terribly, but mostly I'm annoyed that it's yet another disaster flick with zero interest in climate solutions. www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/digger-cli...
climatecoloredgoggles.com
Tom Cruise skewers the oil industry
I went to see “Digger.” It was weird!
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Reposted by Ian James
Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Just did some number crunching using latest (Oct 1) ECMWF seasonal data, and I must say that I've never seen such high predictive confidence in a very wet California winter. This is a truly extraordinary forecast amid a record-strength El Niño event. [Thread: please read to end.]
Model-relative sea surface temperature anomalies for November 2026–January 2027. The supplied grid is displayed without added smoothing or coastal filling. Beige marks land and gray marks missing ocean values. The main colour scale spans -2 to +10°F, with white at zero. Hot pink marks anomalies above +10°F. This map does not establish an operational ENSO category.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Supreme Court justices sounded wary of state lawsuits that could impose huge damage verdicts on oil and gas companies. Several justices suggested that local and state claims against oil companies may be blocked by the federal Clean Air Act. www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
latimes.com
Supreme Court sounds wary of state-based climate change suits against oil producers
Oil and gas producers hope the Supreme Court will shut down scores of lawsuits over the impact of climate change.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Today the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a major climate case. A group of Colorado ranchers who are struggling with severe drought and heat say big oil companies should be held accountable for their role in causing climate change. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Global warming is ruining their way of life. These Colorado ranchers demand accountability
Colorado ranchers struggling with severe drought and heat have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a climate case that soon will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
“The ocean is transforming before our eyes.” The world’s oceans have absorbed about one-third of the carbon dioxide that humanity has spewed and much of the heat from accumulating greenhouse gases. @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
World’s oceans absorbed record heat equal to 40 times annual global energy use
The injection of thermal energy comes amid an increasing rise in sea levels and continuing acidification
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Thank you for reading and sharing.
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Reposted by Ian James
Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have given Native tribes greater say on California water policy decisions. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Native tribes denied greater say in water decisions with Newsom veto
Newsom vetoed a bill that would have given Native tribes greater say on decisions about water. One tribal leader said it shows he "doesn't care about tribes."
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
In Las Vegas, businesses and homeowners associations face fines if they keep watering “nonfunctional” grass, @alanhalaly.bsky.social reports: www.reviewjournal.com/news/environ...
reviewjournal.com
Las Vegas HOAs, businesses soon to be fined if they water ‘nonfunctional’ grass
Las Vegas Valley businesses and HOAs could face fines in 2027 for using Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional or decorative grass under Nevada’s turf removal law.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have given Native tribes greater say on California water policy decisions. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Native tribes denied greater say in water decisions with Newsom veto
Newsom vetoed a bill that would have given Native tribes greater say on decisions about water. One tribal leader said it shows he "doesn't care about tribes."
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Reposted by Ian James
Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Scott River provides vital habitat for salmon. But this year, portions of the river have been transformed into stretches of dry sand and gravel. Environmental advocates are accusing state regulators of failing to do enough to prevent the river from running dry. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
A California river has dried up. Critics say the state should do more to protect its salmon
Portions of Northern California's Scott River have dried up. Critics say state regulators should do more to keep the river flowing for salmon.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Public concern has been mounting since @rosannaxia.bsky.social first exposed the little-known history of DDT dumping off the California coast. Now, new legislation in Congress lays out a long-awaited proposal on how to reckon with the legacy of toxic dumping. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
New bill in Congress seeks to investigate toxic dump off California coast
The bill was prompted by Los Angeles Times reporting that revealed as many as half a million barrels of toxic waste had been dumped into the ocean off the coast of Southern California.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Scott River provides vital habitat for salmon. But this year, portions of the river have been transformed into stretches of dry sand and gravel. Environmental advocates are accusing state regulators of failing to do enough to prevent the river from running dry. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
A California river has dried up. Critics say the state should do more to protect its salmon
Portions of Northern California's Scott River have dried up. Critics say state regulators should do more to keep the river flowing for salmon.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
@landdesk.bsky.social digs into the data on how much of the hay that’s grown in western states is being shipped overseas. The biggest hay exporter is California, followed by Arizona and Utah. www.landdesk.org/p/data-dump-...
landdesk.org
Data Dump: Western Hay and Alfalfa Exports
☘️ ANNALS OF ALFALFA 🍀
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Reposted by Ian James
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
BREAKING: Newsom signed a bunch of clean energy bills! Californians can now install balcony solar. Plus big wins for virtual power plants, reining in utility profits and converting farmland to solar. One loser: community solar. Really stings. Details: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/newsom-cle...
climatecoloredgoggles.com
Breaking: Newsom green-lights balcony solar
The governor finished strong on clean energy — with one big exception.
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Reposted by Ian James
KQED News @kqednews.kqed.org · 23/09/2026
ww2.kqed.org
Introducing ‘The Speaker’: A New Limited-Run Podcast from KQED
To some, she’s an out-of-touch elitist, to others, a champion for democracy.
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Reposted by Ian James
Scott Shafer @scottshafer.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
www.kqed.org/news/12098628
kqed.org
The Ultimate Insider | KQED
Nancy Pelosi worked behind the scenes in politics for years until a special election changed everything
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Reposted by Ian James
KQED News @kqednews.kqed.org · 30/09/2026
ww2.kqed.org
Why One of the Last Stone Fruit Growers in the Valley of Heart’s Delight Is Downsizing
Warming winters, an old soil fungus and the relentless suburban spread of Silicon Valley have finally caught up with one of the last fruit farmers in the Valley of Heart's Delight.
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Reposted by Ian James
Kate Linthicum @kate-linthicum.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Migrants were shot at close range by pepper balls, strapped to stretchers and forced on a plane heading to Africa. My story on ICE's violent deportation flights, and a group of Nicaraguan, Cuban, Afghan and Iranian asylum-seekers now living in Bangui. www.latimes.com/world-nation...
latimes.com
‘I’d rather die here than in Africa’: Migrants describe violent deportation flight
More than 25,000 people have been expelled to 'third countries' under Trump, including to dangerous and conflict-ridden nations such as the Central Africa Republic.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A @nytimes.com investigation traced Venezuelan gold arriving in the United States to miners who pay protection money to gangs. "We also found no sign that residents in Venezuela’s mining region are benefiting meaningfully from President Trump’s gold rush." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/w...
nytimes.com
What We Saw in One Venezuelan Gold Town
With U.S. support, traders arrived and cut deals. That investment has so far failed to improve the bleak conditions in the mining industry.
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Reposted by Ian James
Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
With a strong El Niño increasing the odds of big storms this fall and winter, California is on alert for possible flooding. But if El Niño delivers a wet punch, it will also bring an upside: a bonanza of water. How prepared is California to capitalize on it? www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Will El Niño have an upside? California tries to capitalize on big storms
El Niño could unleash major storms and flooding. It also could bring precious water to drought-afflicted California.
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Reposted by Ian James
Chelsea Harvey @chelseaeharvey.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
NEW - Conservative orgs are filing records requests by the dozens at public universities, demanding documents from climate researchers. @lesleyclark.bsky.social @corbinhiar.bsky.social & I have uncovered more than 100 requests, a campaign targets/allies say is an effort to derail climate litigation
politico.com
Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers
A POLITICO investigation reveals more than 100 open records requests demanding documents from climate scientists nationwide.
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Reposted by Ian James
SEJ — Society of Environmental Journalists @sejorg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Calling all SEJ members for #SEJ2027 conference session and tour proposals! Have an idea? Submit by Nov. 13. www.sejhalifax.org/call-for-ses... Not yet a member? Join us: www.sej.org/join
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The proposed desalination project calls for Arizona to build a plant in Mexico to supply drinking water there. In exchange, Arizona would get some of Mexico’s Colorado River water. But the project faces considerable challenges, @bobbymagill.bsky.social reports: news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
news.bloomberglaw.com
Drying Colorado River Seen as Risky Bet for Mexico Water Swap
A proposal to find new water for the Southwest by using desalinated ocean water from Mexico faces difficult odds as what remains of the waning Colorado River is legally contested by its surrounding st...
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Thank you for reading and sharing, @hydrology.nl
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Reposted by Ian James
Alex Wigglesworth @alex-wigglesworth.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Joshua trees are dying. Replanting efforts have seen low success rates. Some scientists think the clues to addressing the crisis may lie deep underground.
latimes.com
Humans are killing California Joshua trees. Can fungi save them?
The Joshua tree has been featured in poetry and music and represented a burning bush in the latest episode of
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Reposted by Ian James
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The bright side of El Niño? California will hopefully capture a lot of groundwater (and reservoir water) to sustain the state through dry times: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @ianjames.bsky.social
latimes.com
Will El Niño have an upside? California tries to capitalize on big storms
El Niño could unleash major storms and flooding. It also could bring precious water to drought-afflicted California.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
With a strong El Niño increasing the odds of big storms this fall and winter, California is on alert for possible flooding. But if El Niño delivers a wet punch, it will also bring an upside: a bonanza of water. How prepared is California to capitalize on it? www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Will El Niño have an upside? California tries to capitalize on big storms
El Niño could unleash major storms and flooding. It also could bring precious water to drought-afflicted California.
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Reposted by Ian James
Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Will El Niño have an upside? California tries to capitalize on big storms With increasing odds of big storms, the state is on alert for possible flooding. But if it delivers a wet punch, it will also bring an upside: a bonanza of water. @ianjames.bsky.social www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Will El Niño have an upside? California tries to capitalize on big storms
El Niño could unleash major storms and flooding. It also could bring precious water to drought-afflicted California.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The number of people getting infected with valley fever is rising. New research has found the fungus thriving in rodent burrows in urban areas. Other studies have found links to living near construction sites or oil wells. @susrust.bsky.social www.latimes.com/science/stor...
latimes.com
This deadly fungus isn’t just a rural threat anymore. New studies point to cities and oil wells
Researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered valley fever spores in cities in the Central Valley and linked nearby oil drilling to an uptick in infection risk — challenging the long-held belief that the...
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Interesting! Thank you for sharing the photos.
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Reposted by Ian James
Christina Toms @christinatoms.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A coastal ecologist friend took these photographs of sea turtle tracks on Alder Creek Beach near Manchester (Mendocino County) back in April. El Niño is bringing some unusual wildlife with it to California!
sea turtle tracks on Alder Creek Beach a close-up of sea turtle tracks with a ruler for scale
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Update: Biologists moved the turtles' eggs today to protect them from hurricane-driven waves. They will be kept at the Aquarium of the Pacific, which has experience rehabilitating sea turtles. www.latimes.com/science/stor...
latimes.com
Biologists move unprecedented Orange County sea turtle eggs to protect them from hurricane-driven waves
The olive ridley sea turtle eggs will incubate at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
As the oceans get warmer, many species are shifting habitats. The latest example: olive ridley sea turtles, which have started laying eggs on California beaches. Prevously, they only nested in Baja California. @corinnepurtill.bsky.social www.latimes.com/science/stor...
latimes.com
Sea turtles laying eggs at Huntington Beach and Seal Beach are first known cases of nesting on West Coast
Two olive ridley sea turtles have laid eggs on the sand on Southern California beaches.
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Reposted by Ian James
Dr. Robert D. Bullard @drrobertbullard.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
At the UN, Panama Champions a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature - Inside Climate News insideclimatenews.org/news/2409202...
insideclimatenews.org
At the UN, Panama Champions a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature - Inside Climate News
Panama’s center-right president called on world leaders to adopt a new non-binding treaty, building on his nation’s own national rights of nature laws.
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Reposted by Ian James
Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This California river has gotten too warm for its salmon. Environmental advocates blame the Trump administration. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
This major California river has gotten too warm for its salmon
The Sacramento River has gotten too warm for salmon eggs. Environmental advocates blame the Trump administration for taking too much water out of Shasta Lake.
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Reposted by Ian James
Capital & Main @capitalandmain.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
NEWS: In interviews, dozens of farmworkers reported suffering from nausea, burning eyes or irritated throats due to chemical-laced fields. Most said they didn’t report the problems because they feared retaliation or lacked confidence in the regulatory system.
capitalandmain.com
Haphazard Pesticide Enforcement puts Farmworkers in California at risk
Serious health and safety violations are penalized differently across counties, and regulatory actions are enforced inconsistently.
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Reposted by Ian James
Mark Z. Barabak @markzbarabak.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
California farmworkers face health hazards amid inconsistent pesticide enforcement Robert J Lopez www.latimes.com/california/s...
latimes.com
California farmworkers face health hazards amid inconsistent pesticide enforcement
An analysis of 40,000 state records shows that health and safety violations are penalized inconsistently, and regulatory action rarely results in fines.
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Reposted by Ian James
Barry Yeoman @barryyeoman.com · 24/09/2026
MY LATEST: Today @theguardian.com published our investigation of 7-Eleven and Circle K. Both chains routinely overcharge customers for food, toiletries, tobacco, and medicine, and yet elude government scrutiny. With @jocelynzuck.bsky.social, @byardduncan.bsky.social, @sophiemsullivan.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Amid soaring living costs, America’s biggest convenience-store chains quietly overcharge consumers
Guardian investigation: 7-Eleven and Circle K stores often fail to honor advertised prices – charging more at pump and register for gas, snacks, and other items
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Reposted by Ian James
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Eaton fire could create funding problems for a crucial NASA satellite mission that helps scientists study Earth's shrinking water supplies: www.latimes.com/science/stor... via @nohaggerty.bsky.social @ianjames.bsky.social
latimes.com
This JPL satellite mission is burning through its funding. One reason: the Eaton fire
The mission is the newest generation of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, or GRACE. The satellites measure water mass across the planet.
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Reposted by Ian James
Kevin Rector @kevrector.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
California Atty. Gen. Bonta’s deal to allow Paramount-Warner Bros. merger was struck amid political pressure from state leaders and concern from other Dem attys general that studio concessions fell short, per multiple sources (w/ @megjames.bsky.social & TarynLuna): www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
latimes.com
California deal on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger spurs frustration, questions about political pressure
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s agreement clearing the $111-billion merger followed intense pressure from state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and dissent among fellow Democratic state attorneys general.
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Jason Dove Mark @jasondovemark.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
WOW. Many thanks to @rosannaxia.bsky.social for including The Earth Said Remember Me in this roundup of #climate books. "It is beautiful, it is contemplative, and it is practical in the way [it] inspires us to stay present to the changing world around us." www.altaonline.com/books/g73776...
altaonline.com
5 Essential Books About Climate Change
Rosanna Xia recommends five essential books about climate change, from the roots of the crisis to conservation, solutions, and our future.
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Reposted by Ian James
Joshua Benton @joshuabenton.com · 21/09/2026
New by me —> David Ellison is gonna have control of CNN, and don't pretend any "independent editorial board" will mean otherwise. (With an extended tour of the Rupert Murdoch Cinematic Universe) www.niemanlab.org/2026/09/davi...
niemanlab.org
David Ellison will get control of CNN after all (and don’t pretend an “independent editorial board” will mean otherwise)
In exchange for dropping their lawsuit against Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, state AGs have negotiated "independent" oversight of CNN. You shouldn't expect much oversight.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This California river has gotten too warm for its salmon. Environmental advocates blame the Trump administration. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
This major California river has gotten too warm for its salmon
The Sacramento River has gotten too warm for salmon eggs. Environmental advocates blame the Trump administration for taking too much water out of Shasta Lake.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
California will increase oversight of data centers. Gov. Newsom signed bills to regulate the industry’s electricity costs and track water consumption. www.latimes.com/california/s...
latimes.com
Newsom signs bills to regulate data center industry, criticizes Trump for inaction
California’s growing data center industry will have more oversight after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed seven bills to regulate the industry’s electricity costs and track water consumption.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Thanks very much @hydrology.nl
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Lawrence Culver @lawrencecphd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“LA County has one of the nation’s largest urban flood control systems—14 dams, about 180 debris-catching basins, nearly 500 miles of channels, plus an astonishing 3,330 miles of underground storm drains.” Yet in a truly historic flood event, it may not be enough. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Clearing out the mountain basins in case El Niño brings flooding rain
L.A. County is preparing for storms and possible floods during El Niño. Crews are digging massive amounts of accumulated sediment out of the county's dams.
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Reposted by Ian James
Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"A red flag for the future." New research based on satellite data reveals California needs years of heavy snow to recoup groundwater. Scientists say it suggests recharging depleted aquifers will become more difficult as global warming brings more rain and less snow. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
For the first time, scientists link heavy snow to groundwater in California
Scientists are finding that snowfall is more connected to water underground than we knew. Using satellite data, they found groundwater levels actually rise during big snow years, in contrast to most y...
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