Proposed Development in Big Bear May Threaten Famous Eagles' Habitat

Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, July 23, 2026:

• For the last decade, a 24-7 livestream of an eagle’s nest in Big Bear has captivated people around the world, and made its occupants Jackie and Shadow internet celebrities. ⁠Eagle advocates worry⁠ that plans to develop the lakeshore and forest near the nest will harm Jackie and Shadow.
• In the year since large-scale ICE raids began in Los Angeles County, the fallout for families and people’s livelihoods has been profound. Now, a new study by UCLA finds that 95% of local Latino ⁠small business owners are struggling⁠ financially.
• In Los Angeles County, a ⁠new soil cleanup program⁠ is launching this year for residents impacted by the Eaton Fire.

Currently, an eagle believed to be Jackie is in the care of a wildlife rescue group for possible illness or injury after being discovered on the ground last Friday. But the long-term concern of conservation group, Friend of the Big Bear Valley, is to save the 63-acre patch of pine forest near her nest that includes the last undeveloped stretch of Big Bear Lake. The housing development project was recently approved by San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors.

Friends of Big Bear Valley says the housing and marina project will create stressful noise and boat traffic at the eagles’ only undisturbed fishing spot and mean trees they perch on while hunting are chopped down.

The developer and owner of the land, RCK Properties, has project plans that include protections for the eagles like a neighborhood eagle watch, limits on marina use and ongoing consultation with an arborist.

But several independent eagle experts say that it’s not clear that the development would negatively affect Jackie and Shadow. Bill Bowerman, a professor at the University of Maryland College Park, says measures like tree maintenance and closing the marina during the winter breeding season are what he’d do. He doesn’t worry about the boat activity disturbing the eagles much, but he and other experts are concerned about the impact this development could have on eagles who aren’t already established in this area.

Friends of Big Bear Valley is engaged in one last ditch effort to save the land, by purchasing it from RCK Properties for $10 million. So far, they’ve raised about $4.5 million. The deadline is July 31.

A new study by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) and Inclusive Action for the City finds that 95% of local Latino small business owners are struggling financially.

LPPI used cell phone data to look at foot traffic in nine neighborhoods where ICE conducted large public raids last year. Immediately after those raids, researchers estimate nearly a thousand businesses lost out on an estimated 3.1 million dollars in revenue.

Xitlali is a 21 year old college student who helps her parents at their downtown LA store, which sells religious items. She is only using her first name because her family has mix of immigration statuses. She says after a widely publicized raid nearby in June last year, business cratered downtown. More than a year later, Xitlali says they have good days and bad days at the store, but its clear that people are afraid to be out and about.

While her family’s store is now barely breaking even, the UCLA report found that more than half (52%) of Latino run small businesses in LA County are not.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the new remediation program for Altadena. The federal government previously collected hazardous fire debris and remediated soil at houses that were burned down.

A county spokesperson said this soil remediation will be for properties that are still-standing, because the ground around them could still be contaminated with lead.

The program is meant to help residents who are facing insurance obstacles get remediation done quickly, and is going to prioritize applications from households with pregnant women or children under 6 years old.

The terms are still being figured out, but it’s expected to launch this fall.