Very glad I do not have to figure out California's budget. But cutting $50 million for dam repairs seems like the kind of thing we could regret very much down the road. calmatters.org/environment/wa… via @RA_Becks

Die-offs from algae blooms in San Francisco and Delta water diversions have left a giant, shark-like, prehistoric creature at risk. State wildlife officials approved white sturgeon as a candidate for listing, which triggers protection. cal.news/4ewkpan 📝 @RA_Becks

Wrote about my two primary interests (Jack Nicholson and California) for The Atlantic theatlantic.com/culture/archiv…

Dozens of dams in CA could store up to 107 billion more gallons of water if they underwent repairs to fix safety problems. But facing a staggering state deficit, #CAleg and Gov. Newsom have slashed funding for dam repair in half this year. cal.news/4eoX1vi 📝 @RA_Becks

Our director Greg Pierce comments on new Drinking Water Needs Assessment in story by @RA_Becks: “The subtext of this report is pretty clear... The state needs to put its money where its mouth is.”  calmatters.org/environment/20…

In March I traveled to Argentina on assignment for High Country News to report on the Wilson’s phalarope, the only bird that migrates the entire Western hemisphere vía salt lakes—and for which there is also a new Endangered Species Act petition: hcn.org/issues/56-7/wi…

Breaking: Despite California’s perpetual struggles with water shortages, state regulators today adopted mandatory, long-term conservation measures that are substantially weaker and save less water than they originally planned. calmatters.org/environment/wa…

Breaking: A Kings County judge today issued a temporary restraining order against the state that pauses its unprecedented move to crack down on groundwater depletion in California’s agricultural heartland. cal.news/3W5pr5u 📝 @ra_becks

California needs a million EV charging stations — but that’s ‘unlikely’ and ‘unrealistic’ — important piece by Alejandro Lazo calmatters.org/environment/cl…

Hot, inland California cities face the steepest water cuts with new conservation mandate -- find out how much your region and supplier may have to reduce water use with a fantastic tool by the great Erica Yee calmatters.org/environment/wa…

Toilet paper and flat tires — the strange ways that Californians ignite wildfires, by the amazing julie cart calmatters.org/environment/wi…

Park Fire jeopardizing one of California’s most iconic species: 'This species could blink out’ calmatters.org/environment/wa…

Dangerous herbicide used on California crops banned calmatters.org/environment/20…

Breaking: A dangerous herbicide banned immediately by the US U.S. EPA has been sprayed on crops in many California counties and has contaminated groundwater in low concentrations in the Salinas Valley and Santa Barbara County. cal.news/3LZ2coM 📝 @ra_becks 📸 Manuel Orbegozo

Officials have finally admitted COVID can surge the year, but have not updated their vaccine strategy yet. One annual COVID vaccine in fall is not enough. We need an updated COVID vaccine to be accessible to everyone in spring too. wired.com/story/covid-su…

With the peak of the heat wave coming, there is also a high fire danger. We have a history of large fires with similar weather conditions. Use extreme caution with anything that can cause a fire. If you live in a high fire risk area, review your plans on if you have to evacuate.

The effort to save Hakai Magazine.com is fully underway. So far, we've lined up commitments worth about half of what we need to keep publishing. Ideally, we want one or two more large foundations or donations to give us a solid floor before we throw the doors to reader donations.