California

"California lawmakers have rejected a bill seeking to ban plastic shopping bags, after a contentious debate over whether the state was going too far in trying to regulate personal choice."

"Five out of nine members of a scientific panel that advises [California] state on toxic chemicals have been fired in recent weeks, following disputes with the chemical industry and a conservative group that targets environmental laws."

"The monitoring is at its lowest level since becoming law more than a decade ago, putting swimmers, surfers and divers at greater risk of exposure to contaminated water, a Times investigation shows."

"Cruise ships and large commercial ships will be banned from dumping any kind of sewage -- even highly filtered wastewater -- along California's coast out to three miles from shore, under new rules from the Obama administration."

"Citing the Gulf oil spill, the senator says the Republican's stance could threaten the jobs of 400,000 workers. Analysts say oil drilling is one of her most effective wedge issues."

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac killed a solar panel and energy efficiency program Monterey County was launching with pride. Now California is fighting back.

"Two roaring wildfires in southern California prompted at least 2,300 evacuations and a state of emergency late Tuesday."

"It's shaping up to be an active season for West Nile virus in Santa Clara County. ... But plans for a Tuesday evening fogging have outraged many West San Jose residents, who fear the county's large-scale spraying does more harm than good."

"When a [California] bill to ban a common plastic additive in feeding products for young children passed the Assembly on July 1, it marked a milestone in state legislative efforts to regulate bisphenol A."