"California Has A New Law To Prevent Big Grid Battery Fires"
"The state enhanced battery safety rules in response to the Moss Landing fire. The industry is on board, hoping better standards will reassure the public."
Source: Canary Media, 10/21/2025
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Calif. Suit Says Plastic Bag Makers Lied About Products Being Recyclable
"California ramped up its efforts to curb plastic pollution Friday — suing three plastic-bag makers, alleging the companies falsely claimed their products were recyclable."
Source: AP, 10/21/2025
Targets on Their Backs … and Ours? Reporting on Immigrant Farmworkers
For years, state-sponsored programs have helped California farmworkers get much-needed access to clean water. But many immigrants now shun these services, afraid of exposure to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. As Circle of Blue intern Anahita Banerjee dug into this story, she discovered that their fear extended to speaking with journalists — and that ICE activities threatened her own safety.
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SEJ Mourns Passing of Member/Volunteer Parimal Rohit
Members of the Society of Environmental Journalists were saddened to learn of the passing on Oct. 7, 2025, of veteran journalist and podcaster Parimal Rohit, a long-time member and volunteer. Parimal joined SEJ in 2017 and served on the Awards Committee, the Editorial Advisory Board, and as co-editor of SEJournal's Inside Story column.
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As Wolves Roam Calif., Livestock Losses Remain Low, Yet Ranchers Worry
"In California, as wolf numbers grow — a remarkable return after a century — livestock producers are increasingly worried as these predators occasionally take down cattle."
Source: Mongabay, 10/17/2025
"Calif.'s Incarcerated Firefighters Just Got A Nearly 700% Raise"
"More than 1,100 incarcerated firefighters were sent to Southern California in January to fight four different wildfires. As the Palisades Fire ran up a hillside, one strike team saved the life of a resident who was still at his home."
Source: SFGate, 10/16/2025
"Newsom Vetoes Bill Banning Forever Chemicals In Cookware"
"California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a bill that would have banned the use of “forever chemicals” in cookware and other products in California."
Source: The Hill, 10/16/2025
Elevated Levels Of Dangerous Chrome 6 Found Near Two L.A. County Factories
"Southern California air regulators issued violations to two foundries in southeast Los Angeles County after air sampling revealed elevated levels of a highly toxic metal near the facilities."
Source: LA Times, 10/15/2025
US Oversight Disappearing As Refineries Explode. Who’s In Charge Now?
"An El Segundo refinery fire has renewed questions about who is investigating the state’s oil industry after serious accidents. With the U.S. Chemical Safety Board defunded, California has yet to fill the gap."
Source: CalMatters, 10/10/2025
California Residents, Once Wary, Embrace ‘Controlled Burns’
"For most of her life, Thea Maria Carlson did not like fire. Even though she had studied earth systems at Stanford University and knew, intellectually, that burning had an environmental purpose in her home of California, she still wanted nothing to do with it."
Source: Christian Science Monitor, 10/07/2025
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