window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"news_11955251": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11955251",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955251",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-1038x576.png",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-160x102.png",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 102
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-672x372.png",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM.png",
"width": 2942,
"height": 1874
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-2048x1305.png",
"width": 2048,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 1305
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-1020x650.png",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 650
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-1536x978.png",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 978
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-1920x1223.png",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 1223
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.09.13-PM-800x510.png",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 510
}
},
"publishDate": 1688778819,
"modified": 1689017508,
"caption": "In a screenshot from a National Park Service video, a crew is seen working on June 21, 2023, to clear Yosemite National Park's Tioga Road. After the previous winter's historic snowfall, the road is facing its latest opening date since at least 1938.",
"description": null,
"title": "tioga-pass",
"credit": "Courtesy of Yosemite National Park",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A worker in hardhat and backpack directs bulldozer operators working to clear piles of snow from mountain road.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11955986": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11955986",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955986",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-160x90.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 90
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-1020x574.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 574
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-1536x864.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 864
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/condor-800x450.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 450
}
},
"publishDate": 1689785334,
"modified": 1689886971,
"caption": "Image of a California condor captured by a wildfire camera on Kern County's Blue Mountain, July 18, 2023. The camera depicted as many as 10 condors visiting the site. The species was declared endangered in 1967 and was near extinction in the 1980s when the handful of remaining wild birds were captured for a captive breeding program. About 350 free-flying California condors are in flocks in California, Utah, Arizona and northern Mexico.",
"description": null,
"title": "California Condor on wildfire camera",
"credit": "Courtesy ALERTCalifornia/UC San Diego",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A roosting California condor spreads its wings with mountain scenery in the background.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11955605": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11955605",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955605",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11955604,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b-160x120.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 120
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b.jpg",
"width": 1480,
"height": 1110
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b-1020x765.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 765
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8878-179b05bfdf1b0aa6579866e8f9e2136b149e274b-800x600.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 600
}
},
"publishDate": 1689271930,
"modified": 1689272535,
"caption": "A southern otter in Santa Cruz catches a wave after stealing a surfer's board.",
"description": null,
"title": "A southern otter in Santa Cruz, Calif., catches a wave after stealing a surfer's board.",
"credit": "Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Bright blue surfboard slides along a small wave while a dark brown sea otter sits in the middle, facing away from the camera",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953851": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953851",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953851",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1687537810,
"modified": 1688696809,
"caption": "José Federico Sierra herds pregnant cows toward a trailer at the farm where he works in Gustine, on June 21, 2023.",
"description": null,
"title": "RS66528_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-55-BL-KQED",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A man in a red hat with arms outstretched stands among rows of cows in pens seemingly ushering them forward towards the camera.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11954600": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11954600",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954600",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11954531,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/sandhill-crane-ap-062923-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1688068551,
"modified": 1688073905,
"caption": "Sandhill cranes fly over the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Cranes are among the so-called 'fully protected' species that would lose some protection under the California infrastructure deal. ",
"description": null,
"title": "sandhill-crane-ap-062923",
"credit": "Jeff Barnard/AP",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A group of birds flying in the sky.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11954241": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11954241",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954241",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11954239,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-scaled.jpg",
"width": 2560,
"height": 1707
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-2048x1365.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1365
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/AP23177646988222-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1687899100,
"modified": 1687913546,
"caption": "US Forest Service crew members put tree branches into a wood chipper as they prepare the area for a prescribed burn in the Tahoe National Forest, on June 6, 2023, near Downieville, Sierra County.",
"description": null,
"title": "Wildfires Communities",
"credit": "Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A Forest Service crew feeds foliage into a wood chipper in the woods.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953895": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953895",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953895",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11953890,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/1990s-now-1YT-160x90.png",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 90
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/1990s-now-1YT-672x372.png",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/png",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/1990s-now-1YT.png",
"width": 682,
"height": 384
}
},
"publishDate": 1687545230,
"modified": 1687545230,
"caption": null,
"description": null,
"title": "1990s-now (1)YT",
"credit": null,
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": null,
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953815": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953815",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953815",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230622-ORCAS-KILLER-WHALES-GETTY-FG-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1687477094,
"modified": 1687542812,
"caption": "A pod of transient killer whales in Monterey Bay.",
"description": null,
"title": "Killer Whales - DZ 538",
"credit": "Francois Gohier/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Photo shows four killer whales swimming together in the ocean.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953471": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953471",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953471",
"found": true
},
"parent": 0,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/230620-EL-SOBRANTE-SEWAGE-KQED-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1687295785,
"modified": 1687304618,
"caption": "The San Pablo Creek in El Sobrante. More than 500,000 gallons of raw sewage leaked from a maintenance hole in El Sobrante, affecting nearby San Pablo Creek.",
"description": null,
"title": "230620-EL SOBRANTE SEWAGE-KQED",
"credit": "Courtesy West County Wastewater",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A wooded ravine is seen from across a traffic median. Two a-frame signs, one in the foreground and one set in the ravine, read \"Danger/Peligro.\" Sitting inconspicuously beneath the closer a-frame and the median divider is a manhole cover.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953366": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953366",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953366",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11953365,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044-1024x576.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"height": 683
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258830044-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 534
}
},
"publishDate": 1687208212,
"modified": 1687221553,
"caption": "President Joe Biden is greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom upon arrival at Moffett Federal airfield in Mountain View on June 19, 2023, for a three-day trip to California.",
"description": null,
"title": "US-POLITICS-BIDEN",
"credit": "Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "Two white men in blue suits greet and joke on an airfield with an airplane and a car in the backdrop.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11953264": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11953264",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953264",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11953252,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1280
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01-copy-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1686954767,
"modified": 1686954881,
"caption": "A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise on Nov. 8, 2018.",
"description": null,
"title": "110818-Paradise-Fire-AP-CM-01 copy",
"credit": "Noah Berger/The Associated Press",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "A burning structure with a firefighter in the foreground.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11952522": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11952522",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11952522",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11952517,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-160x97.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 97
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1164
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-1020x618.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 618
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-1536x931.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 931
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66128_GettyImages-1321831966-qut-800x485.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 485
}
},
"publishDate": 1686180596,
"modified": 1686181154,
"caption": "After PBF Energy's Martinez refinery released 24 tons of potentially hazardous material into the surrounding community last November, residents said their neighborhoods were coated in a substance resembling ash.",
"description": null,
"title": "The Shell refinery in seen on Tuesday Jan. 24, 2017, in Martinez, Ca.",
"credit": "Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "The silver smoke stacks of a large oil refinery loom above a city street where vehicles and a stoplight appear in the foreground",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_news_11955604": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_11955604",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_11955604",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/people/963390115/dustin-jones\">Dustin Jones\u003c/a>",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_11954531": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_11954531",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_11954531",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/rachel-becker/\">Rachel Becker\u003c/a>",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_11954239": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_11954239",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_11954239",
"name": "Matthew Brown, Terry Chea, Caleb Diehl and Camille Fassett\u003cbr>The Associated Press",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_11953365": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_11953365",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_11953365",
"name": "Josh Boak and Zeke Miller\u003cbr>The Associated Press",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_11953252": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_11953252",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_11953252",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/grace-gedye/\">Grace Gedye\u003c/a>",
"isLoading": false
},
"danbrekke": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "222",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "222",
"found": true
},
"name": "Dan Brekke",
"firstName": "Dan",
"lastName": "Brekke",
"slug": "danbrekke",
"email": "dbrekke@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news",
"science"
],
"title": "KQED Editor and Reporter",
"bio": "Dan Brekke is a reporter and editor for KQED News, responsible for coverage of topics ranging from California water issues to the Bay Area's transportation challenges. In a newsroom career that began in Chicago in 1972, Dan has worked for \u003cem>The San Francisco Examiner,\u003c/em> Wired and TechTV and has been published in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Business 2.0, Salon and elsewhere.\r\n\r\nSince joining KQED in 2007, Dan has reported, edited and produced both radio and online features and breaking news pieces. He has shared as both editor and reporter in four Society of Professional Journalists Norcal Excellence in Journalism awards and one Edward R. Murrow regional award. He was chosen for a spring 2017 residency at the Mesa Refuge to advance his research on California salmon.\r\n\r\nEmail Dan at: \u003ca href=\"mailto:dbrekke@kqed.org\">dbrekke@kqed.org\u003c/a>\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong>Twitter:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">twitter.com/danbrekke\u003c/a>\r\n\u003cstrong>Facebook:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.facebook.com/danbrekke\u003c/a>\r\n\u003cstrong>LinkedIn:\u003c/strong> \u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke\u003c/a>",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twitter": "danbrekke",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "https://www.instagram.com/dan.brekke/",
"linkedin": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbrekke/",
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"administrator",
"create_posts"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "quest",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Dan Brekke | KQED",
"description": "KQED Editor and Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c8126230345efca3f7aa89b1a402be45?s=600&d=mm&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/danbrekke"
},
"kqed": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "236",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "236",
"found": true
},
"name": "KQED News Staff",
"firstName": "KQED News Staff",
"lastName": null,
"slug": "kqed",
"email": "faq@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": null,
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ef0e801a68c4c54afa9180db14084167?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "futureofyou",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "KQED News Staff | KQED",
"description": null,
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ef0e801a68c4c54afa9180db14084167?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ef0e801a68c4c54afa9180db14084167?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kqed"
},
"tgoldberg": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "258",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "258",
"found": true
},
"name": "Ted Goldberg",
"firstName": "Ted",
"lastName": "Goldberg",
"slug": "tgoldberg",
"email": "tgoldberg@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Managing Editor, News and Newscasts",
"bio": "Ted Goldberg is Managing Editor of News and Newscasts at KQED. His main reporting beat is the Bay Area's oil refining industry.\r\n\r\nPrior to joining KQED in 2014, Ted worked at CBS News and WCBS AM in New York and Bay City News and KCBS Radio in San Francisco. He graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio in 1998.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/30ce2e4fe89135e104f89be2394d16225b9d36c121b5b3cb7651ce642978b96f?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "TedrickG",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Ted Goldberg | KQED",
"description": "KQED Managing Editor, News and Newscasts",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/30ce2e4fe89135e104f89be2394d16225b9d36c121b5b3cb7651ce642978b96f?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/30ce2e4fe89135e104f89be2394d16225b9d36c121b5b3cb7651ce642978b96f?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/tgoldberg"
},
"tychehendricks": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "259",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "259",
"found": true
},
"name": "Tyche Hendricks",
"firstName": "Tyche",
"lastName": "Hendricks",
"slug": "tychehendricks",
"email": "thendricks@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Senior Editor, Immigration",
"bio": "\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyche Hendricks is KQED’s senior editor for immigration, leading coverage of the policy and politics that affect California’s immigrant communities. Her work for KQED’s radio and online audiences is also carried on NPR and other national outlets. She has been recognized with awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association, the Society for Professional Journalists; the Education Writers Association; the Best of the West and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. Before joining KQED in 2010, Tyche spent more than a dozen years as a newspaper reporter, notably at the \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At different times she has covered criminal justice, government and politics and urban planning. Tyche has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at the University of San Francisco and at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she was co-director of a national immigration symposium for professional journalists. She is the author of \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Wind Doesn't Need a Passport: Stories from the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (University of California Press). \u003c/span>",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b8ee458e2731c2d43df86882ce17267e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "tychehendricks",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Tyche Hendricks | KQED",
"description": "KQED Senior Editor, Immigration",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b8ee458e2731c2d43df86882ce17267e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b8ee458e2731c2d43df86882ce17267e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/tychehendricks"
},
"kdomara": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "1459",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "1459",
"found": true
},
"name": "Kelly O'Mara",
"firstName": "Kelly",
"lastName": "O'Mara",
"slug": "kdomara",
"email": "komara@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Kelly O'Mara is a writer and reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes about food, health, sports, travel, business and California news. Her work has appeared on KQED, online for Outside Magazine, epsnW, VICE and in Competitor Magazine, among others. Follow Kelly on Twitter \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/kellydomara\">@kellydomara\u003c/a>.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "checkplease",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": []
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Kelly O'Mara | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/768fec7412028b72f13bdd0f5f9d8186?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kdomara"
},
"dcronin": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11362",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11362",
"found": true
},
"name": "Dana Cronin",
"firstName": "Dana",
"lastName": "Cronin",
"slug": "dcronin",
"email": "dcronin@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Dana Cronin is a reporter for KQED News. She loves writing stories about climate change, environmental issues, food and agriculture. She's reported across the country, from Colorado to Washington D.C. to Illinois, and has won numerous awards for her coverage. Her work is regularly featured on national broadcasts, including NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, PBS Newshour and Science Friday. She lives in Oakland and has an avocado tree in her back yard.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bcf89e3455ff7235f96ab6fa7258dd95?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "DanaHCronin",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Dana Cronin | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bcf89e3455ff7235f96ab6fa7258dd95?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bcf89e3455ff7235f96ab6fa7258dd95?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/dcronin"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"news_category_environment": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19906",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19906",
"score": 12.134306
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19923,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "Environment",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "news",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 28
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/news?category=environment",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 28
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"news_11955249": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11955249",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955249",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1689807692000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1689807692,
"format": "standard",
"title": "Yosemite's Iconic Tioga Road Is Finally Opening After a Record-Long Closure",
"headTitle": "Yosemite’s Iconic Tioga Road Is Finally Opening After a Record-Long Closure | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 19:\u003c/strong> Yosemite National Park officials announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season this weekend. It’s a historically late opening — the latest since the park opened the route in July 1915 — after the snowiest winter on record. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite ranger Steve Lyon said in an email that, following recent custom, the road will be opened to bicycles on Friday. That affords cyclists an opportunity to explore the sometimes narrow high-elevation road without having to deal with motor vehicles, which will get access at 8 a.m. Saturday. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The winter’s heavy snow damaged the road in several places, and park officials are advising drivers to be ready for stretches of one-way traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the buildings along the Tioga corridor were wrecked or seriously damaged. While vault and portable toilets will be ready, the park says that there will be no stores open and no food, water or fuel available along the road. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/YosemiteNPS/status/1681742579917008896\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Before this year, the latest seasonal closure recorded on the Tioga Road was 1917, when the road opened on July 19. In several other years up through the late 1930s, the road opened as late as July 15. After 1938, the road never opened later than July 1. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Update, 5:20 p.m. Thursday, July 13:\u003c/b> Yosemite National Park’s Tioga Road remains closed, with crews working to repair high-country facilities that suffered massive damage during the historic snows last winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I wish I had something good to tell you, but it’s a mess up there,” Steve Lyon, a park ranger, told KQED Thursday. He said virtually all of the structures along the Tioga corridor were affected, with 62% being seriously damaged or destroyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A ranger station at Tuolumne Meadows is being torn down because it was wrecked by heavy snow loads. Staff housing and other structures in the area also need repairs. The lack of housing for rangers and other staff is adding to the long-delayed road opening, which is within a few days of being the latest since the route first opened to motor vehicles in 1915.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The road itself is OK,” Lyon said. “But we can’t open it until we can have rangers up there patrolling.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there is some good news for those who are seeking access to areas near Tioga Pass but outside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Thursday afternoon, Caltrans opened Highway 120 between the town of Lee Vining and the national park gate at the pass’s 9,945-foot summit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While travelers still won’t be able to enter the park, the 12-mile stretch of highway through Lee Vining Canyon will now provide access to campgrounds and trails that have remained inaccessible while Caltrans worked to removed snow and rocks and to repair damage along the route.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/Caltrans9/status/1679623086705111041\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original story, July 10:\u003c/strong> One of the rites of California’s late spring/early summer is the opening of the Tioga Road, the route across Yosemite’s high country and one treasured for its access to some of the national park’s best hiking and camping and its most memorable views.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, it’s a rite long delayed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last time the Tioga Road remained closed this late in the season was 1922, when the highway opened July 10. The only later openings occurred in 1917, on July 19, and in 1916 and 1921 — on July 15 both years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s long closure is the direct result of this winter’s historic snowfall, which not only buried the road in snow and ice but caused serious damage to parts of the 46-mile route and adjacent facilities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#tiogapassopen\">How to travel to Yosemite avoiding the Tioga Pass\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“Everyone’s been talking about what a crazy, epic winter we’ve had and just the monumental task of getting that road open,” said Steve Lyon, a Yosemite National Park ranger, earlier this week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That work has involved months of plowing with tracked vehicles, bulldozers, rotary plows and other heavy equipment. As it does every year, it has also involved trying to clear the more than two dozen segments of the road that are prone to avalanches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/blasting-winter-away-at-yosemites-high-country-tioga-road/\">The best known and perhaps most dangerous of those avalanche zones\u003c/a> is adjacent to Olmsted Point, a site famed for its spectacular views.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyon said crews have cleared that section of road but that avalanche damage to one lane there will require traffic control regulated by temporary stoplights when the road opens.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyon said part of the delay in lifting travel restrictions in the area is the need to assess and repair roadside restrooms, staff housing and other facilities damaged during the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a fair number of buildings up there,” Lyon said. “Almost all of them have taken some damage, and some of them are just completely destroyed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of all the assessment and repair work, the park says it still cannot say when the road will open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955250\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 3340px\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955250\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM.png\" alt=\"Bulldozers and snowplows clearing snow from mountain road.\" width=\"3340\" height=\"1874\" srcset=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM.png 3340w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-800x449.png 800w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1020x572.png 1020w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-160x90.png 160w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1536x862.png 1536w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-2048x1149.png 2048w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1920x1077.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3340px) 100vw, 3340px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">In a screenshot from a National Park Service video, a bulldozer and snowplow work to clear the Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park’s high-country route, on June 21, 2023. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Yosemite National Park)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Repair work is also continuing to the east of Tioga Pass along the road’s state-owned continuation, Highway 120. Caltrans crews finished clearing snow from that steep, winding section weeks ago and have been busy ever since removing boulders deposited on the roadway during the winter and restoring roadside berms that help contain rockfalls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Christopher Andriessen, spokesperson for Caltrans District 9, said in an email Friday that rock clearing continues in an area called Blue Slide, about midway along Highway 120 between the pass and the town of Lee Vining. Once that last piece of rock work is done, Andriessen said, crews will begin repairing and replacing guardrails damaged or destroyed over the winter. He said that job will take about five business days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although in the past Caltrans has worked with park officials to coordinate the opening of the road, so that the state and Yosemite sections all become accessible the same day, Andriessen said that won’t necessarily be the case this year.[pullquote align=\"right\" size=\"medium\" citation=\"Steve Lyon, Yosemite National Park ranger\"]‘Everyone’s been talking about what a crazy, epic winter we’ve had and just the monumental task of getting that road open.’[/pullquote]“We will open our gate once our preparations and repairs are complete, even if the park entrance remains closed,” he said. “This will give summer travelers access to campgrounds and lakes in the Inyo National Forest that are outside” the national park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of its elevation and the heavy snowfall along the route — generally, the higher you go in the Sierra, the more snow you get when storms blow in — the Tioga Road is often the first of California’s mountain highways closed every fall and the last to open once the mountains emerge from winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last fall, officials shut down the road on Halloween in anticipation of the season’s first major snowfall. The closure came a little earlier than it has in most recent years, according to records kept by Yosemite National Park and the Mono Lake Committee, but was far from unusual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then the winter came on in earnest, with two series of storms that were not only unusual but history-making, dropping record amounts of snow nearly the entire length of the Sierra. When the storms finally abated this spring, the country along the Tioga Road had received something like 240% of its average snowfall, leaving the route buried under a deeper layer of snow — and in some places ice, rocks and trees — than any living person has ever seen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The road was first developed in the early 1880s as a route for mining operations near Tioga Pass. It was acquired by the federal government in 1915 and opened to trans-Sierra travelers when it was little more than a one-lane dirt track.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tiogapassopen\">\u003c/a>If you’re going to Yosemite National Park …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>With the eastern entrance via the Tioga Road closed, the three routes into Yosemite National Park are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Highway 120/Big Oak Flat Road, via Manteca and Groveland: This is the most direct route from most of the Bay Area.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway 140, via Merced, Mariposa and El Portal.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway 41, via Fresno, Oakhurst and Wawona.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm\">Driving directions to Yosemite National Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Delays\u003c/strong>: Note that the park has experienced very heavy traffic in recent weeks, especially on weekends. Parking space in Yosemite Valley has been filling up early (often by 8:30 a.m.). Beginning later in the morning, waits of an hour or more have been typical at park entrances. At times, the eastern end of the valley has been closed to incoming traffic. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm\">Check the park’s Current Conditions\u003c/a> page for more information.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mobile alerts\u003c/strong>: Yosemite National Park is piloting a mobile alert service on parking and traffic conditions in the valley using Nixle. Text YNPTraffic to 333111 for updates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on July 8.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1580,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 36
},
"modified": 1689809303,
"excerpt": "The opening is the latest since the national park first welcomed travelers to the high-country route in 1915.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "The opening is the latest since the national park first welcomed travelers to the high-country route in 1915.",
"title": "Yosemite's Iconic Tioga Road Is Finally Opening After a Record-Long Closure | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Yosemite's Iconic Tioga Road Is Finally Opening After a Record-Long Closure",
"datePublished": "2023-07-19T16:01:32-07:00",
"dateModified": "2023-07-19T16:28:23-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "yosemites-iconic-tioga-road-remains-closed-and-its-still-not-clear-when-it-might-open",
"status": "publish",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11955249/yosemites-iconic-tioga-road-remains-closed-and-its-still-not-clear-when-it-might-open",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Update, 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 19:\u003c/strong> Yosemite National Park officials announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season this weekend. It’s a historically late opening — the latest since the park opened the route in July 1915 — after the snowiest winter on record. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yosemite ranger Steve Lyon said in an email that, following recent custom, the road will be opened to bicycles on Friday. That affords cyclists an opportunity to explore the sometimes narrow high-elevation road without having to deal with motor vehicles, which will get access at 8 a.m. Saturday. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The winter’s heavy snow damaged the road in several places, and park officials are advising drivers to be ready for stretches of one-way traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the buildings along the Tioga corridor were wrecked or seriously damaged. While vault and portable toilets will be ready, the park says that there will be no stores open and no food, water or fuel available along the road. \u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1681742579917008896"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Before this year, the latest seasonal closure recorded on the Tioga Road was 1917, when the road opened on July 19. In several other years up through the late 1930s, the road opened as late as July 15. After 1938, the road never opened later than July 1. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Update, 5:20 p.m. Thursday, July 13:\u003c/b> Yosemite National Park’s Tioga Road remains closed, with crews working to repair high-country facilities that suffered massive damage during the historic snows last winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I wish I had something good to tell you, but it’s a mess up there,” Steve Lyon, a park ranger, told KQED Thursday. He said virtually all of the structures along the Tioga corridor were affected, with 62% being seriously damaged or destroyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A ranger station at Tuolumne Meadows is being torn down because it was wrecked by heavy snow loads. Staff housing and other structures in the area also need repairs. The lack of housing for rangers and other staff is adding to the long-delayed road opening, which is within a few days of being the latest since the route first opened to motor vehicles in 1915.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The road itself is OK,” Lyon said. “But we can’t open it until we can have rangers up there patrolling.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there is some good news for those who are seeking access to areas near Tioga Pass but outside the park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Thursday afternoon, Caltrans opened Highway 120 between the town of Lee Vining and the national park gate at the pass’s 9,945-foot summit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While travelers still won’t be able to enter the park, the 12-mile stretch of highway through Lee Vining Canyon will now provide access to campgrounds and trails that have remained inaccessible while Caltrans worked to removed snow and rocks and to repair damage along the route.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1679623086705111041"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Original story, July 10:\u003c/strong> One of the rites of California’s late spring/early summer is the opening of the Tioga Road, the route across Yosemite’s high country and one treasured for its access to some of the national park’s best hiking and camping and its most memorable views.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, it’s a rite long delayed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last time the Tioga Road remained closed this late in the season was 1922, when the highway opened July 10. The only later openings occurred in 1917, on July 19, and in 1916 and 1921 — on July 15 both years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year’s long closure is the direct result of this winter’s historic snowfall, which not only buried the road in snow and ice but caused serious damage to parts of the 46-mile route and adjacent facilities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#tiogapassopen\">How to travel to Yosemite avoiding the Tioga Pass\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“Everyone’s been talking about what a crazy, epic winter we’ve had and just the monumental task of getting that road open,” said Steve Lyon, a Yosemite National Park ranger, earlier this week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That work has involved months of plowing with tracked vehicles, bulldozers, rotary plows and other heavy equipment. As it does every year, it has also involved trying to clear the more than two dozen segments of the road that are prone to avalanches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/blasting-winter-away-at-yosemites-high-country-tioga-road/\">The best known and perhaps most dangerous of those avalanche zones\u003c/a> is adjacent to Olmsted Point, a site famed for its spectacular views.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyon said crews have cleared that section of road but that avalanche damage to one lane there will require traffic control regulated by temporary stoplights when the road opens.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lyon said part of the delay in lifting travel restrictions in the area is the need to assess and repair roadside restrooms, staff housing and other facilities damaged during the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a fair number of buildings up there,” Lyon said. “Almost all of them have taken some damage, and some of them are just completely destroyed.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of all the assessment and repair work, the park says it still cannot say when the road will open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955250\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 3340px\">\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955250\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM.png\" alt=\"Bulldozers and snowplows clearing snow from mountain road.\" width=\"3340\" height=\"1874\" srcset=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM.png 3340w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-800x449.png 800w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1020x572.png 1020w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-160x90.png 160w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1536x862.png 1536w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-2048x1149.png 2048w, https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-6.10.34-PM-1920x1077.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3340px) 100vw, 3340px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">In a screenshot from a National Park Service video, a bulldozer and snowplow work to clear the Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park’s high-country route, on June 21, 2023. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Yosemite National Park)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Repair work is also continuing to the east of Tioga Pass along the road’s state-owned continuation, Highway 120. Caltrans crews finished clearing snow from that steep, winding section weeks ago and have been busy ever since removing boulders deposited on the roadway during the winter and restoring roadside berms that help contain rockfalls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Christopher Andriessen, spokesperson for Caltrans District 9, said in an email Friday that rock clearing continues in an area called Blue Slide, about midway along Highway 120 between the pass and the town of Lee Vining. Once that last piece of rock work is done, Andriessen said, crews will begin repairing and replacing guardrails damaged or destroyed over the winter. He said that job will take about five business days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although in the past Caltrans has worked with park officials to coordinate the opening of the road, so that the state and Yosemite sections all become accessible the same day, Andriessen said that won’t necessarily be the case this year.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘Everyone’s been talking about what a crazy, epic winter we’ve had and just the monumental task of getting that road open.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"align": "right",
"size": "medium",
"citation": "Steve Lyon, Yosemite National Park ranger",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“We will open our gate once our preparations and repairs are complete, even if the park entrance remains closed,” he said. “This will give summer travelers access to campgrounds and lakes in the Inyo National Forest that are outside” the national park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of its elevation and the heavy snowfall along the route — generally, the higher you go in the Sierra, the more snow you get when storms blow in — the Tioga Road is often the first of California’s mountain highways closed every fall and the last to open once the mountains emerge from winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last fall, officials shut down the road on Halloween in anticipation of the season’s first major snowfall. The closure came a little earlier than it has in most recent years, according to records kept by Yosemite National Park and the Mono Lake Committee, but was far from unusual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then the winter came on in earnest, with two series of storms that were not only unusual but history-making, dropping record amounts of snow nearly the entire length of the Sierra. When the storms finally abated this spring, the country along the Tioga Road had received something like 240% of its average snowfall, leaving the route buried under a deeper layer of snow — and in some places ice, rocks and trees — than any living person has ever seen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The road was first developed in the early 1880s as a route for mining operations near Tioga Pass. It was acquired by the federal government in 1915 and opened to trans-Sierra travelers when it was little more than a one-lane dirt track.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tiogapassopen\">\u003c/a>If you’re going to Yosemite National Park …\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>With the eastern entrance via the Tioga Road closed, the three routes into Yosemite National Park are:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Highway 120/Big Oak Flat Road, via Manteca and Groveland: This is the most direct route from most of the Bay Area.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway 140, via Merced, Mariposa and El Portal.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway 41, via Fresno, Oakhurst and Wawona.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/driving.htm\">Driving directions to Yosemite National Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Delays\u003c/strong>: Note that the park has experienced very heavy traffic in recent weeks, especially on weekends. Parking space in Yosemite Valley has been filling up early (often by 8:30 a.m.). Beginning later in the morning, waits of an hour or more have been typical at park entrances. At times, the eastern end of the valley has been closed to incoming traffic. \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm\">Check the park’s Current Conditions\u003c/a> page for more information.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mobile alerts\u003c/strong>: Yosemite National Park is piloting a mobile alert service on parking and traffic conditions in the valley using Nixle. Text YNPTraffic to 333111 for updates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on July 8.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11955249/yosemites-iconic-tioga-road-remains-closed-and-its-still-not-clear-when-it-might-open",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_4747",
"news_32896",
"news_6218",
"news_17603",
"news_4746"
],
"featImg": "news_11955251",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11956021": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11956021",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11956021",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1689805380000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "critically-endangered-but-not-shy-camera-spots-bunch-of-condors-just-hanging-out",
"title": "Critically Endangered, but Not Shy: Camera Spots Bunch of Condors Just Hanging Out",
"publishDate": 1689805380,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Critically Endangered, but Not Shy: Camera Spots Bunch of Condors Just Hanging Out | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 2 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]U[/dropcap]p in the higher reaches of the southern Sierra Nevada foothills, a cool piece of modern technology is giving a close-up look at an ancient marvel of California’s skies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/ALERTCalifornia/status/1681422597693771776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a wildfire camera\u003c/a> on a mountaintop 30 miles northeast of downtown Bakersfield captured a group of as many as 10 California condors roosting at a communications tower there. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One bird in particular, a 7-year-old female designated alternately as Condor 811 or “Lulutti,” put on a bit of a show. She stared straight into the camera at one point to show off her naked, wrinkled, pinkish-red head. Later, she displayed her impressive wingspan and jet-black plumage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another member of the flock, a 14-year-old male prosaically named Condor 509, eyeballed the camera as the sun rose over the Sierra Wednesday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955988\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11955988\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A large metal framed tower with several birds sitting on it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A wildfire camera captured several California condors on Blue Mountain in Kern County on July 19, 2023. \u003ccite>(ALERTCalifornia/UC San Diego)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Then he and others perching on steel towers festooned with cell transponders and other electronics glided off, presumably to look for a meal. Which, if you’re not familiar with condors’ gastronomic programming, consisted of dead meat. Later Wednesday, at least 14 of the birds had returned to the towers. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(How do we know anything about these wild birds’ biographies? Each of them has a color-coded, numbered tag that allows the casual web condor watcher — or anyone lucky enough to spot Gymnogyps californianus on the wing — to confirm a bird’s identity, life history and family ties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.condorspotter.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an online database\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/ALERTCalifornia/status/1681430243960299520\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency managing the long-running \u003ca href=\"https://www.fws.gov/program/california-condor-recovery\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">California Condor Recovery Program\u003c/a>, said the site is a known roosting spot for the birds. According to agency spokesperson Joanna Gilkeson, a condor hangout like the one on Blue Mountain “is not unusual. California condors are highly social birds and are known to congregate in this way.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he camera atop Kern County’s Blue Mountain, elevation 4,813 feet, is part of a network managed and put online by a UC San Diego project called \u003ca href=\"https://alertcalifornia.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ALERTCalifornia\u003c/a>. The instrument shows the birds with startling clarity. But it barely hints at what a wonder those winged creatures represent: an iconic raptor, one of the biggest birds anywhere on Earth, brought back from the edge of extinction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bird was once found from northwestern Mexico to British Columbia and across the country as far east as Florida. Like many other species, it did not mix well with the civilization that colonized and remade the continent. Hunting, lead poisoning and habitat destruction took a seemingly irreversible toll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, as the bird’s range shrank to a patch of wilderness in southern Central California, federal wildlife officials in 1967 declared it an endangered species. But the population continued to shrink, and by the early 1980s just over a dozen wild California condors remained. The Fish and Wildlife Service moved to take the few remaining wild birds into captivity — with the last captured in April 1987.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Working with the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos, the agency launched an effort to breed condors with the aim of restoring them to the wild. In 1992, the program released a pair of condors back into their native range in Ventura County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So where are we today?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of 2022, the Fish and Wildlife Service put \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/caco-world-2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the total population of California condors\u003c/a> — both free-flying and in captivity — at 561. The condors roosting on Kern County’s Blue Mountain this week — perhaps as many as 10 at a time — are among the 347 free-flying birds in the wild today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those include both captive-bred condors, like 811/Lulutti, and birds bred and reared entirely in the wild, like Condor 509. Free-flying flocks have been established in Southern and Central California, Arizona, Utah and northwestern Mexico. The newest wild releases are in Northern California, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a restoration effort involving the Yurok Tribe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the overall success of the program to date, it’s far too early to assume the California condor has been saved. In late 2020, the Fish and Wildlife Service reported that \u003ca href=\"https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2020-California-Condor-Population-Status.pdf\">309 free-flying condors had died since releases began in 1992 (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cause of death is listed for 213 of those birds, and it’s a catalog of all the many ways our world remains hostile to fragile life: 11 condors were shot, 19 more ran afoul of power lines, 9 died in a Monterey County wildfire. More than half, 107, died of lead poisoning, generally assumed to be the result of eating dead game contaminated by lead bullets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate change will also inevitably present challenging odds for condors’ long-term survival. And that’s not all: Federal officials are currently racing to test a vaccine against \u003ca href=\"https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2023/ca-condor-hpai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an unusually deadly strain of avian influenza\u003c/a> that has spread through both wild and domestic flocks of many species of birds in California over the past year or so. The virus has already killed more than a dozen California condors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the condor’s future? Yes, uncertain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Its present? We’re still checking on the view from Blue Mountain, and we’re still amazed at the enormous feathered apparitions that’ve shown up on camera.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "As many as 10 California condors made an appearance on an online wildfire camera positioned in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Bakersfield.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721112108,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 22,
"wordCount": 920
},
"headData": {
"title": "Critically Endangered, but Not Shy: Camera Spots Bunch of Condors Just Hanging Out | KQED",
"description": "As many as 10 California condors made an appearance on an online wildfire camera positioned in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Bakersfield.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Critically Endangered, but Not Shy: Camera Spots Bunch of Condors Just Hanging Out",
"datePublished": "2023-07-19T15:23:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-15T23:41:48-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11956021/critically-endangered-but-not-shy-camera-spots-bunch-of-condors-just-hanging-out",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 2 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">U\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>p in the higher reaches of the southern Sierra Nevada foothills, a cool piece of modern technology is giving a close-up look at an ancient marvel of California’s skies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/ALERTCalifornia/status/1681422597693771776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a wildfire camera\u003c/a> on a mountaintop 30 miles northeast of downtown Bakersfield captured a group of as many as 10 California condors roosting at a communications tower there. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One bird in particular, a 7-year-old female designated alternately as Condor 811 or “Lulutti,” put on a bit of a show. She stared straight into the camera at one point to show off her naked, wrinkled, pinkish-red head. Later, she displayed her impressive wingspan and jet-black plumage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another member of the flock, a 14-year-old male prosaically named Condor 509, eyeballed the camera as the sun rose over the Sierra Wednesday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955988\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11955988\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A large metal framed tower with several birds sitting on it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/230719-PGE-CONDORS-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A wildfire camera captured several California condors on Blue Mountain in Kern County on July 19, 2023. \u003ccite>(ALERTCalifornia/UC San Diego)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Then he and others perching on steel towers festooned with cell transponders and other electronics glided off, presumably to look for a meal. Which, if you’re not familiar with condors’ gastronomic programming, consisted of dead meat. Later Wednesday, at least 14 of the birds had returned to the towers. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(How do we know anything about these wild birds’ biographies? Each of them has a color-coded, numbered tag that allows the casual web condor watcher — or anyone lucky enough to spot Gymnogyps californianus on the wing — to confirm a bird’s identity, life history and family ties on \u003ca href=\"https://www.condorspotter.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an online database\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1681430243960299520"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency managing the long-running \u003ca href=\"https://www.fws.gov/program/california-condor-recovery\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">California Condor Recovery Program\u003c/a>, said the site is a known roosting spot for the birds. According to agency spokesperson Joanna Gilkeson, a condor hangout like the one on Blue Mountain “is not unusual. California condors are highly social birds and are known to congregate in this way.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class=\"utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__dropcapShortcode__dropcap\">T\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>he camera atop Kern County’s Blue Mountain, elevation 4,813 feet, is part of a network managed and put online by a UC San Diego project called \u003ca href=\"https://alertcalifornia.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ALERTCalifornia\u003c/a>. The instrument shows the birds with startling clarity. But it barely hints at what a wonder those winged creatures represent: an iconic raptor, one of the biggest birds anywhere on Earth, brought back from the edge of extinction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bird was once found from northwestern Mexico to British Columbia and across the country as far east as Florida. Like many other species, it did not mix well with the civilization that colonized and remade the continent. Hunting, lead poisoning and habitat destruction took a seemingly irreversible toll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then, as the bird’s range shrank to a patch of wilderness in southern Central California, federal wildlife officials in 1967 declared it an endangered species. But the population continued to shrink, and by the early 1980s just over a dozen wild California condors remained. The Fish and Wildlife Service moved to take the few remaining wild birds into captivity — with the last captured in April 1987.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Working with the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos, the agency launched an effort to breed condors with the aim of restoring them to the wild. In 1992, the program released a pair of condors back into their native range in Ventura County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So where are we today?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of 2022, the Fish and Wildlife Service put \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/caco-world-2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the total population of California condors\u003c/a> — both free-flying and in captivity — at 561. The condors roosting on Kern County’s Blue Mountain this week — perhaps as many as 10 at a time — are among the 347 free-flying birds in the wild today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those include both captive-bred condors, like 811/Lulutti, and birds bred and reared entirely in the wild, like Condor 509. Free-flying flocks have been established in Southern and Central California, Arizona, Utah and northwestern Mexico. The newest wild releases are in Northern California, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a restoration effort involving the Yurok Tribe\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the overall success of the program to date, it’s far too early to assume the California condor has been saved. In late 2020, the Fish and Wildlife Service reported that \u003ca href=\"https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2020-California-Condor-Population-Status.pdf\">309 free-flying condors had died since releases began in 1992 (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The cause of death is listed for 213 of those birds, and it’s a catalog of all the many ways our world remains hostile to fragile life: 11 condors were shot, 19 more ran afoul of power lines, 9 died in a Monterey County wildfire. More than half, 107, died of lead poisoning, generally assumed to be the result of eating dead game contaminated by lead bullets.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate change will also inevitably present challenging odds for condors’ long-term survival. And that’s not all: Federal officials are currently racing to test a vaccine against \u003ca href=\"https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2023/ca-condor-hpai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an unusually deadly strain of avian influenza\u003c/a> that has spread through both wild and domestic flocks of many species of birds in California over the past year or so. The virus has already killed more than a dozen California condors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the condor’s future? Yes, uncertain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Its present? We’re still checking on the view from Blue Mountain, and we’re still amazed at the enormous feathered apparitions that’ve shown up on camera.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11956021/critically-endangered-but-not-shy-camera-spots-bunch-of-condors-just-hanging-out",
"authors": [
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8",
"news_356"
],
"tags": [
"news_18132",
"news_2426",
"news_18245",
"news_27626"
],
"featImg": "news_11955986",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11955604": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11955604",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955604",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1689273288000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "this-otter-is-hassling-santa-cruz-surfers-and-stealing-their-boards",
"title": "This Otter Is Hassling Santa Cruz Surfers — and Stealing Their Boards",
"publishDate": 1689273288,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "This Otter Is Hassling Santa Cruz Surfers — and Stealing Their Boards | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>An aggressive sea otter in California is hassling locals by riding boards she stole from surfers in the lineup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Steamer Lane is a legendary point break nestled along the rocky shores of Santa Cruz, home to swaths of experienced surfers, as well as a 5-year-old female sea otter with a growing reputation for repeatedly confronting surfers and kayakers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CuiOma5rRWT/?hl=en\">Videos across social media\u003c/a> show the otter hoisting itself out of the ocean and onto boards while surfers sit back in awe. At times she’s chewed on the boards or forced surfers to surrender their boards altogether.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.instagram.com/p/CuiOma5rRWT\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Onlookers in the videos can be heard laughing in jest at surfers’ misfortune, but officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say the otter poses a public safety risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While there have been no confirmed reports of injury, due to the highly unusual behavior of this otter, kayakers, surfers, and others recreating in the area should not approach the otter or encourage the otter’s interactions,” the USFWS said in a statement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sixty-year-old Santa Cruz native and photographer Mark Woodward said he has photographed hundreds of otters over the years, but has never seen something like this. He’s witnessed the otter bully surfers three times in less than a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I saw the first incident on June 18 and I didn’t know what was happening,” Woodward told NPR. “… It was quite astounding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955606\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1464px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955606\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c.jpg\" alt=\"a large sea otter sits at one end of a blue surfboard while a surfer lays under the board with their feet up on either side\" width=\"1464\" height=\"1098\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c.jpg 1464w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1464px) 100vw, 1464px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An otter at a popular surf break in Santa Cruz has been confronting surfers, going as far as stealing their boards and riding waves. \u003ccite>(Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The USFWS said the otter’s behavior is “concerning and unusual,” and though the exact cause is unknown, officials said it could be associated with hormonal surges or being fed by humans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Southern sea otters are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are protected under the Marine Mammal Act as well as California law, the USFWS said. After being hunted to near extinction for their fur in the 1700s and 1800s, the population has rebounded since becoming a protected species and is a key predator in California’s coastal ecosystems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is looking for the otter to catch and rehome her. Unfortunately once the otter is caught, Monterey Bay Aquarium spokesperson Kevin Connor told NPR, she won’t be able to return to the wild.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The animal, officially known as otter 841, was born in captivity — because it’s mother had also been too friendly with humans — and then successfully released into the wild in June 2020, Connor told NPR. It wasn’t until September 2022 that she started exhibiting her bizarre behavior at Steamer Lane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the time, CDFW and aquarium staff were able to drive the animal out of the area, a process called \u003ca href=\"https://icwdm.org/hazing/\">hazing\u003c/a>, in hopes of deterring her from interacting with people. But her most recent interactions show she’s no longer afraid of humans, Connor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955607\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1223px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955607\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4.jpg\" alt=\"A surfer with a concerned look on their face holds their upside down surfboard in the water while a large otter swims towards them\" width=\"1223\" height=\"917\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4.jpg 1223w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1223px) 100vw, 1223px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The otter at Steamer Lane will live out the rest of its life in captivity once caught by the USFWS and aquarium staff. She’s no longer afraid of humans, and if the otter were to bite or harm a person, she would have to be euthanized. \u003ccite>(Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Trying to recapture the otter is an effort to avoid anything more drastic. If the otter were to harm or bite a person, the USFW, which is responsible for managing the population of these animals, would have to begin discussions of euthanizing the animal,” Connor said. “That’s the reality, and nobody wants to see that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once caught, she will be taken to the aquarium for an exam before being moved into her forever home at an USFWS-approved location. Like her mother before her, otter 841 has been deemed un-releasable, Connor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The southern sea otter was believed to be gone forever, until a family of 50 were found in Big Sur in 1938, Connor said. Today, they number approximately 3,000, a mere 30% of what scientists believe the original population was before their near brush with extinction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"fullattribution\">Copyright 2023 NPR.\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=An+otter+in+Santa+Cruz+is+hassling+surfers+%E2%80%94+and+stealing+their+boards&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxOTAwOTE4MDEyMTkxMDAzNjczZDljZA004)\">\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Videos across social media show the otter hoisting herself onto boards while surfers sit back in awe. At times, she's forced surfers to surrender their boards altogether.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721106047,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 17,
"wordCount": 732
},
"headData": {
"title": "This Otter Is Hassling Santa Cruz Surfers — and Stealing Their Boards | KQED",
"description": "Videos across social media show the otter hoisting herself onto boards while surfers sit back in awe. At times, she's forced surfers to surrender their boards altogether.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "This Otter Is Hassling Santa Cruz Surfers — and Stealing Their Boards",
"datePublished": "2023-07-13T11:34:48-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-15T22:00:47-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"source": "NPR",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.npr.org/",
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/people/963390115/dustin-jones\">Dustin Jones\u003c/a>",
"nprImageAgency": "Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz",
"nprStoryId": "1187295769",
"nprApiLink": "http://api.npr.org/query?id=1187295769&apiKey=MDAxOTAwOTE4MDEyMTkxMDAzNjczZDljZA004",
"nprHtmlLink": "https://www.npr.org/2023/07/13/1187295769/otter-santa-cruz-surfboard-surfers-california?ft=nprml&f=1187295769",
"nprRetrievedStory": "1",
"nprPubDate": "Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:04:00 -0400",
"nprStoryDate": "Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:04:23 -0400",
"nprLastModifiedDate": "Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:04:23 -0400",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11955604/this-otter-is-hassling-santa-cruz-surfers-and-stealing-their-boards",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>An aggressive sea otter in California is hassling locals by riding boards she stole from surfers in the lineup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Steamer Lane is a legendary point break nestled along the rocky shores of Santa Cruz, home to swaths of experienced surfers, as well as a 5-year-old female sea otter with a growing reputation for repeatedly confronting surfers and kayakers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/CuiOma5rRWT/?hl=en\">Videos across social media\u003c/a> show the otter hoisting itself out of the ocean and onto boards while surfers sit back in awe. At times she’s chewed on the boards or forced surfers to surrender their boards altogether.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "instagramLink",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"instagramUrl": "https://www.instagram.com/p/CuiOma5rRWT"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Onlookers in the videos can be heard laughing in jest at surfers’ misfortune, but officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say the otter poses a public safety risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While there have been no confirmed reports of injury, due to the highly unusual behavior of this otter, kayakers, surfers, and others recreating in the area should not approach the otter or encourage the otter’s interactions,” the USFWS said in a statement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sixty-year-old Santa Cruz native and photographer Mark Woodward said he has photographed hundreds of otters over the years, but has never seen something like this. He’s witnessed the otter bully surfers three times in less than a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I saw the first incident on June 18 and I didn’t know what was happening,” Woodward told NPR. “… It was quite astounding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955606\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1464px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955606\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c.jpg\" alt=\"a large sea otter sits at one end of a blue surfboard while a surfer lays under the board with their feet up on either side\" width=\"1464\" height=\"1098\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c.jpg 1464w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_8874-b39a539e52ced1b99245c7d9733c10d36381b32c-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1464px) 100vw, 1464px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">An otter at a popular surf break in Santa Cruz has been confronting surfers, going as far as stealing their boards and riding waves. \u003ccite>(Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The USFWS said the otter’s behavior is “concerning and unusual,” and though the exact cause is unknown, officials said it could be associated with hormonal surges or being fed by humans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Southern sea otters are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and are protected under the Marine Mammal Act as well as California law, the USFWS said. After being hunted to near extinction for their fur in the 1700s and 1800s, the population has rebounded since becoming a protected species and is a key predator in California’s coastal ecosystems.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is looking for the otter to catch and rehome her. Unfortunately once the otter is caught, Monterey Bay Aquarium spokesperson Kevin Connor told NPR, she won’t be able to return to the wild.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The animal, officially known as otter 841, was born in captivity — because it’s mother had also been too friendly with humans — and then successfully released into the wild in June 2020, Connor told NPR. It wasn’t until September 2022 that she started exhibiting her bizarre behavior at Steamer Lane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the time, CDFW and aquarium staff were able to drive the animal out of the area, a process called \u003ca href=\"https://icwdm.org/hazing/\">hazing\u003c/a>, in hopes of deterring her from interacting with people. But her most recent interactions show she’s no longer afraid of humans, Connor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11955607\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1223px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11955607\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4.jpg\" alt=\"A surfer with a concerned look on their face holds their upside down surfboard in the water while a large otter swims towards them\" width=\"1223\" height=\"917\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4.jpg 1223w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/dsc_9001-763dc99e7f319773a2605a89e6015a89cddc3dd4-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1223px) 100vw, 1223px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The otter at Steamer Lane will live out the rest of its life in captivity once caught by the USFWS and aquarium staff. She’s no longer afraid of humans, and if the otter were to bite or harm a person, she would have to be euthanized. \u003ccite>(Mark Woodward/@NativeSantaCruz)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Trying to recapture the otter is an effort to avoid anything more drastic. If the otter were to harm or bite a person, the USFW, which is responsible for managing the population of these animals, would have to begin discussions of euthanizing the animal,” Connor said. “That’s the reality, and nobody wants to see that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once caught, she will be taken to the aquarium for an exam before being moved into her forever home at an USFWS-approved location. Like her mother before her, otter 841 has been deemed un-releasable, Connor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The southern sea otter was believed to be gone forever, until a family of 50 were found in Big Sur in 1938, Connor said. Today, they number approximately 3,000, a mere 30% of what scientists believe the original population was before their near brush with extinction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv class=\"fullattribution\">Copyright 2023 NPR.\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=An+otter+in+Santa+Cruz+is+hassling+surfers+%E2%80%94+and+stealing+their+boards&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAxOTAwOTE4MDEyMTkxMDAzNjczZDljZA004)\">\u003c/div>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11955604/this-otter-is-hassling-santa-cruz-surfers-and-stealing-their-boards",
"authors": [
"byline_news_11955604"
],
"categories": [
"news_29992",
"news_223",
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_18132",
"news_721",
"news_1071",
"news_1421"
],
"featImg": "news_11955605",
"label": "source_news_11955604"
},
"news_11955083": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11955083",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11955083",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1688986824000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "californias-farmworkers-are-on-the-front-lines-of-climate-change",
"title": "California's Farmworkers Are on the Front Lines of Climate Change",
"publishDate": 1688986824,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "California’s Farmworkers Are on the Front Lines of Climate Change | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 72,
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José Federico Sierra remembers the summer when ash rained down like snow and clouds of wildfire smoke reddened the sky and choked his lungs. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That was three years ago, as the SCU Lightning Complex Fire raged across hundreds of thousands of acres just a few miles west of Gustine, the San Joaquin Valley town where Sierra works at a large dairy farm.[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Antonia Sierra Martínez, community health worker, Valley Onward\"]‘How is it possible that we’re living through such a drastic increase in heat?’[/pullquote]Fires were bad the next year, too. And no matter what, Sierra said, his job keeps him outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can’t change your work if you’re caring for livestock every day,” he said. “You just have to put on a mask and take care of yourself the best you can.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On a recent sunny day, Sierra was wrangling pregnant cows onto a livestock trailer to transport them to another part of the dairy, where they would give birth. But he hopped down from his pickup truck and greeted his sister Antonia Sierra Martínez, 45, a community health worker with a local nonprofit, Valley Onward.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953850\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11953850\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Cows stand in rows of outdoor pens, some shaded and others in the sun.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cows stand in a barn in Gustine on June 21, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Though California has been spared major fires so far this year, Sierra Martínez and another community advocate were out surveying farmworkers for a state public health study about the effects of wildfire smoke. Her brother agreed to be interviewed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California’s Central Valley, climate change is making conditions increasingly dangerous for the state’s farmworkers, whose jobs keep them outdoors all day. Even as summer temperatures hit triple digits and the threat of wildfires is ever present, some rural communities are still recovering from last winter’s catastrophic floods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953848\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953848 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Two women in black polo shirts smile together with a man and a teenager in front of a large white pick-up truck with a hitch attached to it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Antonia Sierra Martínez (center) and Maria Alapizco (right) speak with José Federico Sierra (far right) at the farm where he works in Gustine while his son, Axel, 12, listens. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Yes, my asthma — my breathing — was most affected,” said Sierra, recalling the fire in 2020. “It felt like I was gasping for air inside a plastic bag.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How did you track whether the air quality was getting better or worse?” Sierra Martínez asked. “For example, did you listen to the radio or use an app?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My symptoms told me,” said her brother. “I felt better when the air was cleaner — and when it was harder to breathe, I knew the air was more polluted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Rising temperatures, rising risks\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=\"news_11940316,news_11952059,news_11944295\" label=\"Related Posts\"]Sierra Martínez told me that she’d developed asthma, too, after moving to Gustine from Mexico to be with her farmworker husband.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even without wildfires, the San Joaquin Valley has \u003ca href=\"https://www.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Geography/Images/airpe.pdf\">some of the worst pollution in the nation (PDF)\u003c/a>. And as the weather heats up, the air quality gets worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate change from carbon emissions is \u003ca href=\"https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/CA4_CCA_SJ_Region_Eng_ada.pdf\">making the valley hotter (PDF)\u003c/a>. In 2021, Fresno had a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fresnobee.com/fresnoland/article264860474.html\">record-breaking\u003c/a> 69 days where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How is it possible that we’re living through such a drastic increase in heat?” asked Sierra Martínez. “It’s sad, because here in the valley, most of our people work outside in the fields. They’re exposed to these temperatures from sunup to sundown.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953844\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953844 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Two women walk down a sidewalk wearing black polo shirts and baseball caps in a residential neighborhood under bright sun.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Maria Alapizco (left) and Antonia Sierra Martínez walk to a home in Gustine to speak with a resident. They interview residents about working conditions and their health as it relates to pollution and toxins they are exposed to in their community and at work. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>California — unlike the federal government — does require employers to provide outdoor workers with \u003ca href=\"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.html\">shade, water and rest breaks\u003c/a>. The state also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/Worker-Protection-from-Wildfire-Smoke.html\">standards to protect workers from wildfire smoke\u003c/a>. But Sierra Martínez says some bosses are better than others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If your supervisor tells you to keep working when you know you need a break, don’t obey him. Just go! Get in the shade!” she tells field-workers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, \u003ca href=\"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/naws/pdfs/NAWS%20Research%20Report%2015.pdf\">90% of farmworkers are immigrants (PDF)\u003c/a>, most from Mexico. More than half are undocumented. Though most have worked in agriculture here for decades, their tenuous immigration status leaves many afraid to challenge their bosses, for fear they could be fired or deported, said Sierra Martínez.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Michael Méndez, a UC Irvine professor of environmental policy, has studied disaster response efforts and the marginalization of unauthorized immigrants, most of whom have no pathway to legal immigration status in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No other population has experienced this great California climate displacement more than undocumented immigrants, farmworkers and migrant communities,” he said. “From drought that spiraled into extreme wildfire events, to heat waves … to this hydroclimatic whiplash, where we’ve gone from too much dryness to too much wetness, and individuals are being inundated from these extreme storms and failure in our infrastructure and our levees.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And, \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Méndez \u003c/span> says, that power imbalance is no accident. Political decisions have left many immigrants, especially unauthorized workers, out of the social safety net, even when they are growing the food that supports the state’s population. Undocumented immigrants don’t qualify for disaster assistance or most other forms of federal aid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These disparate, disproportionate impacts have been baked into our infrastructure, into our disaster policies that essentially have been withholding vital resources from these communities for decades, if not centuries,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Shut out from flood relief\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On the east side of Merced County, those impacts played out dramatically last January when a levee on an irrigation canal ruptured in a storm, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940221/undocumented-residents-in-planada-struggle-to-get-help-they-need-after-storms\">flooded hundreds of farmworker families\u003c/a> in the town of Planada. Residents say the canal was choked with trash and the levee had been neglected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One recent day, Miriam Herrera Ceja, 28, showed me the flood damage in her rented house, where the floors are buckling and the doors are stuck.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A mother of three and wife of a dairy worker, Herrera Ceja said the flood left her family with a mountain of unexpected expenses. Sewage-laced water ruined the car, as well as the fridge, the oven, the washer and dryer, the furniture and the children’s clothes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954665\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11954665 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a dark t-shirt holds a baby wearing a camouflage shirt while a small child wearing a grey shirt with blue jeans sits on a swing to the left holding food in their hand.\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1020x729.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1920x1372.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miriam Herrera Ceja, 28, holds her toddler, Adriel, while her son Axel, 8, plays on a swing at her home in Planada, on June 20, 2023. She and her farmworker husband have faced severe financial struggles since the January floods in Planada. \u003ccite>(Tyche Hendricks/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Miriam Herrera Ceja, Planada resident\"]‘I think everyone in the Planada community was set back. But we won’t let it break us.’[/pullquote]With her 1-year-old son, Adriel, on her hip, Herrera Ceja leafed through a stack of medical bills on the kitchen table, amounting to nearly $4,000 she owes for a hospital visit in January, when the baby got sick at the evacuation center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We all got sick from the dampness, but the little one had it the worst,” she said. “He couldn’t breathe, and the people at the shelter sent us straight to the hospital.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Herrera Ceja and her family had settled in Planada a year and a half before the storm hit. They were admitted to the U.S. to seek asylum after her husband was shot, and nearly killed, by members of a criminal organization in their home state of Michoacán, Mexico, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was so scared. And the government couldn’t protect us. We had to get out of there,” she said. “Here we were building a new life, starting over from zero. Now we’re left with nothing again.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Planada, Herrera Ceja says they feel safe from violence. And she and her husband had saved up a little money to hire an immigration attorney for their asylum case. But now, that money has been spent on a replacement car so he can get to work. And since they don’t have asylum yet, the family was turned down for \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status\">aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sitting on her front stoop as her oldest child, 8-year-old Axel, played on a swing in the front yard, Herrera Ceja said she knows her family is not the only one suffering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think everyone in the Planada community was set back,” she said. Then with a wry smile, she added, “But we won’t let it break us. We’ve got to keep moving forward.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954661\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11954661 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg\" alt=\"An older Latino man wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts stands in front of a house with a garden, pipe materials and a vehicle on the right.\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1020x729.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1920x1372.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anastacio Rosales, 70, stands outside his home in Planada, which flooded with 3 feet of water after a levee on an irrigation canal ruptured six months earlier on Jan. 9, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tyche Hendricks/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even Planada residents with more resources have struggled. Anastacio Rosales, 70, is a U.S. citizen and did get some help from FEMA. But though he’s a homeowner, he wasn’t carrying flood insurance. After water pooled 3 feet deep inside his house, he depended on volunteers to help tear out the sodden Sheetrock so he could rebuild the walls from the studs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Six months after the floodwaters receded, Rosales is still slowly salvaging and disinfecting his belongings, which are stacked shoulder-high under tarps on his back patio. And, Rosales said, the crop cycle has been thrown off. A semi-retired farmworker, he said he hasn’t been able to get work in the sweet potato fields this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There was so much water in the fields,” he said. “The planting happened really late. So now there’s very little work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And many of Rosales’ neighbors who are undocumented immigrants — and also lost jobs due to the storms — are not eligible for federal unemployment insurance. The state \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11946661/ive-been-contributing-undocumented-workers-are-key-to-californias-economy-a-new-bill-would-give-them-unemployment-benefits\">Legislature is considering a bill\u003c/a> to create a state safety net program for these workers, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar measure last year, citing fiscal concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A glimmer of hope\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Advocates say the flooding in Planada and elsewhere — including the Salinas Valley town of Pajaro, which was swamped after a levee break in March — was preventable, if infrastructure had been properly maintained.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954994\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11954994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Cars sit in floodwaters in a residential neighborhood.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars sit in floodwaters in Planada on Jan. 11, 2023. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It was just a nightmare this winter, watching this play out first in Planada and then in other communities,” said Madeline Harris of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, a Central Valley group that advocates for the rights of rural, lower-income communities. “It was a similar story every time, of a predominantly Latino, farmworker, disadvantaged community that flooded. If their communities had not been neglected for years, this never would have happened.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now there is a glimmer of hope for Planada residents like Rosales and Herrera Ceja.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, researchers from the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, partnering with community members and advocates from the Leadership Counsel and other nonprofits, \u003ca href=\"https://clc.ucmerced.edu/sites/clc.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/disaster_response_0.pdf\">conducted a survey (PDF)\u003c/a> to capture the scope of the losses in Planada. The figure they reached to restore the town: $20 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And some lawmakers were listening, including Planada’s state Senator Anna Caballero and Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953847\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953847 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Rows of trees in an orchard line the right hand side of a rural road as seen through the windshield of a car.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Antonia Sierra Martínez and Maria Alapizco drive to speak with a resident in Gustine on June 21, 2023. Valley Onward is a nonprofit centered on health equity and empowering women and people of color in Merced County. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Working with lawmakers from the Pajaro area, they were able to ensure that this year’s state budget includes \u003ca href=\"https://sd14.senate.ca.gov/news/press-release/central-valley-secures-120-million-vital-funding-flood-recovery-and-restoration\">$20 million for Planada,\u003c/a> plus another $20 million for Pajaro, to help residents — regardless of immigration status — recover. The funds were approved as part of a larger package to improve flood resilience statewide — in spite of a $31 billion budget gap that lawmakers had to close.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Placing a line item on the state budget … for the exact amount that we had estimated was needed. This is incredible,” said Edward Flores, co-director of the UC Merced labor center, who conducted the survey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Flores says the disaster in Planada — and the magnitude of climate-driven impacts hitting California farmworkers — raise a much bigger question.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So many workers are excluded from policies that are designed to protect people during times of need,” he said. “And if we’re facing increasing disasters and there’s a gap in our policy that’s not supporting those low-wage workers, then how do we need to change our policies in order to close that gap, to support those workers that are the most vulnerable during these times?”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Farmworkers in the Central Valley face excessive heat and the threat of wildfires, in jobs that keep them outdoors all day. And many are still recovering from last winter's flooding, with little federal aid to support them.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1726000666,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 45,
"wordCount": 2214
},
"headData": {
"title": "California's Farmworkers Are on the Front Lines of Climate Change | KQED",
"description": "Farmworkers in the Central Valley face excessive heat and the threat of wildfires, in jobs that keep them outdoors all day. And many are still recovering from last winter's flooding, with little federal aid to support them.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "California's Farmworkers Are on the Front Lines of Climate Change",
"datePublished": "2023-07-10T04:00:24-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-09-10T13:37:46-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/d2579070-8443-4aa0-8cc4-b036010eb766/audio.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11955083/californias-farmworkers-are-on-the-front-lines-of-climate-change",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">José Federico Sierra remembers the summer when ash rained down like snow and clouds of wildfire smoke reddened the sky and choked his lungs. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That was three years ago, as the SCU Lightning Complex Fire raged across hundreds of thousands of acres just a few miles west of Gustine, the San Joaquin Valley town where Sierra works at a large dairy farm.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘How is it possible that we’re living through such a drastic increase in heat?’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Antonia Sierra Martínez, community health worker, Valley Onward",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Fires were bad the next year, too. And no matter what, Sierra said, his job keeps him outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You can’t change your work if you’re caring for livestock every day,” he said. “You just have to put on a mask and take care of yourself the best you can.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On a recent sunny day, Sierra was wrangling pregnant cows onto a livestock trailer to transport them to another part of the dairy, where they would give birth. But he hopped down from his pickup truck and greeted his sister Antonia Sierra Martínez, 45, a community health worker with a local nonprofit, Valley Onward.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953850\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11953850\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Cows stand in rows of outdoor pens, some shaded and others in the sun.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66521_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-43-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cows stand in a barn in Gustine on June 21, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Though California has been spared major fires so far this year, Sierra Martínez and another community advocate were out surveying farmworkers for a state public health study about the effects of wildfire smoke. Her brother agreed to be interviewed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California’s Central Valley, climate change is making conditions increasingly dangerous for the state’s farmworkers, whose jobs keep them outdoors all day. Even as summer temperatures hit triple digits and the threat of wildfires is ever present, some rural communities are still recovering from last winter’s catastrophic floods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953848\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953848 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Two women in black polo shirts smile together with a man and a teenager in front of a large white pick-up truck with a hitch attached to it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66507_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Antonia Sierra Martínez (center) and Maria Alapizco (right) speak with José Federico Sierra (far right) at the farm where he works in Gustine while his son, Axel, 12, listens. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Yes, my asthma — my breathing — was most affected,” said Sierra, recalling the fire in 2020. “It felt like I was gasping for air inside a plastic bag.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How did you track whether the air quality was getting better or worse?” Sierra Martínez asked. “For example, did you listen to the radio or use an app?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My symptoms told me,” said her brother. “I felt better when the air was cleaner — and when it was harder to breathe, I knew the air was more polluted.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Rising temperatures, rising risks\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11940316,news_11952059,news_11944295",
"label": "Related Posts "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Sierra Martínez told me that she’d developed asthma, too, after moving to Gustine from Mexico to be with her farmworker husband.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even without wildfires, the San Joaquin Valley has \u003ca href=\"https://www.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/groups/Geography/Images/airpe.pdf\">some of the worst pollution in the nation (PDF)\u003c/a>. And as the weather heats up, the air quality gets worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Climate change from carbon emissions is \u003ca href=\"https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/CA4_CCA_SJ_Region_Eng_ada.pdf\">making the valley hotter (PDF)\u003c/a>. In 2021, Fresno had a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fresnobee.com/fresnoland/article264860474.html\">record-breaking\u003c/a> 69 days where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How is it possible that we’re living through such a drastic increase in heat?” asked Sierra Martínez. “It’s sad, because here in the valley, most of our people work outside in the fields. They’re exposed to these temperatures from sunup to sundown.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953844\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953844 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Two women walk down a sidewalk wearing black polo shirts and baseball caps in a residential neighborhood under bright sun.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66492_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-01-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Maria Alapizco (left) and Antonia Sierra Martínez walk to a home in Gustine to speak with a resident. They interview residents about working conditions and their health as it relates to pollution and toxins they are exposed to in their community and at work. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>California — unlike the federal government — does require employers to provide outdoor workers with \u003ca href=\"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.html\">shade, water and rest breaks\u003c/a>. The state also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/Worker-Protection-from-Wildfire-Smoke.html\">standards to protect workers from wildfire smoke\u003c/a>. But Sierra Martínez says some bosses are better than others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If your supervisor tells you to keep working when you know you need a break, don’t obey him. Just go! Get in the shade!” she tells field-workers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, \u003ca href=\"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/naws/pdfs/NAWS%20Research%20Report%2015.pdf\">90% of farmworkers are immigrants (PDF)\u003c/a>, most from Mexico. More than half are undocumented. Though most have worked in agriculture here for decades, their tenuous immigration status leaves many afraid to challenge their bosses, for fear they could be fired or deported, said Sierra Martínez.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Michael Méndez, a UC Irvine professor of environmental policy, has studied disaster response efforts and the marginalization of unauthorized immigrants, most of whom have no pathway to legal immigration status in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No other population has experienced this great California climate displacement more than undocumented immigrants, farmworkers and migrant communities,” he said. “From drought that spiraled into extreme wildfire events, to heat waves … to this hydroclimatic whiplash, where we’ve gone from too much dryness to too much wetness, and individuals are being inundated from these extreme storms and failure in our infrastructure and our levees.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And, \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Méndez \u003c/span> says, that power imbalance is no accident. Political decisions have left many immigrants, especially unauthorized workers, out of the social safety net, even when they are growing the food that supports the state’s population. Undocumented immigrants don’t qualify for disaster assistance or most other forms of federal aid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These disparate, disproportionate impacts have been baked into our infrastructure, into our disaster policies that essentially have been withholding vital resources from these communities for decades, if not centuries,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Shut out from flood relief\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>On the east side of Merced County, those impacts played out dramatically last January when a levee on an irrigation canal ruptured in a storm, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11940221/undocumented-residents-in-planada-struggle-to-get-help-they-need-after-storms\">flooded hundreds of farmworker families\u003c/a> in the town of Planada. Residents say the canal was choked with trash and the levee had been neglected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One recent day, Miriam Herrera Ceja, 28, showed me the flood damage in her rented house, where the floors are buckling and the doors are stuck.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A mother of three and wife of a dairy worker, Herrera Ceja said the flood left her family with a mountain of unexpected expenses. Sewage-laced water ruined the car, as well as the fridge, the oven, the washer and dryer, the furniture and the children’s clothes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954665\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11954665 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg\" alt=\"A woman wearing a dark t-shirt holds a baby wearing a camouflage shirt while a small child wearing a grey shirt with blue jeans sits on a swing to the left holding food in their hand.\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1020x729.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED-1920x1372.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66656_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-012-TH-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miriam Herrera Ceja, 28, holds her toddler, Adriel, while her son Axel, 8, plays on a swing at her home in Planada, on June 20, 2023. She and her farmworker husband have faced severe financial struggles since the January floods in Planada. \u003ccite>(Tyche Hendricks/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘I think everyone in the Planada community was set back. But we won’t let it break us.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Miriam Herrera Ceja, Planada resident",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>With her 1-year-old son, Adriel, on her hip, Herrera Ceja leafed through a stack of medical bills on the kitchen table, amounting to nearly $4,000 she owes for a hospital visit in January, when the baby got sick at the evacuation center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We all got sick from the dampness, but the little one had it the worst,” she said. “He couldn’t breathe, and the people at the shelter sent us straight to the hospital.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Herrera Ceja and her family had settled in Planada a year and a half before the storm hit. They were admitted to the U.S. to seek asylum after her husband was shot, and nearly killed, by members of a criminal organization in their home state of Michoacán, Mexico, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was so scared. And the government couldn’t protect us. We had to get out of there,” she said. “Here we were building a new life, starting over from zero. Now we’re left with nothing again.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Planada, Herrera Ceja says they feel safe from violence. And she and her husband had saved up a little money to hire an immigration attorney for their asylum case. But now, that money has been spent on a replacement car so he can get to work. And since they don’t have asylum yet, the family was turned down for \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status\">aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sitting on her front stoop as her oldest child, 8-year-old Axel, played on a swing in the front yard, Herrera Ceja said she knows her family is not the only one suffering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think everyone in the Planada community was set back,” she said. Then with a wry smile, she added, “But we won’t let it break us. We’ve got to keep moving forward.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954661\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11954661 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg\" alt=\"An older Latino man wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts stands in front of a house with a garden, pipe materials and a vehicle on the right.\" width=\"800\" height=\"572\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-800x572.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1020x729.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-160x114.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED-1920x1372.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66646_20230621-PlanadaFlooding-005-TH-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anastacio Rosales, 70, stands outside his home in Planada, which flooded with 3 feet of water after a levee on an irrigation canal ruptured six months earlier on Jan. 9, 2023. \u003ccite>(Tyche Hendricks/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even Planada residents with more resources have struggled. Anastacio Rosales, 70, is a U.S. citizen and did get some help from FEMA. But though he’s a homeowner, he wasn’t carrying flood insurance. After water pooled 3 feet deep inside his house, he depended on volunteers to help tear out the sodden Sheetrock so he could rebuild the walls from the studs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Six months after the floodwaters receded, Rosales is still slowly salvaging and disinfecting his belongings, which are stacked shoulder-high under tarps on his back patio. And, Rosales said, the crop cycle has been thrown off. A semi-retired farmworker, he said he hasn’t been able to get work in the sweet potato fields this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There was so much water in the fields,” he said. “The planting happened really late. So now there’s very little work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And many of Rosales’ neighbors who are undocumented immigrants — and also lost jobs due to the storms — are not eligible for federal unemployment insurance. The state \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11946661/ive-been-contributing-undocumented-workers-are-key-to-californias-economy-a-new-bill-would-give-them-unemployment-benefits\">Legislature is considering a bill\u003c/a> to create a state safety net program for these workers, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar measure last year, citing fiscal concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A glimmer of hope\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Advocates say the flooding in Planada and elsewhere — including the Salinas Valley town of Pajaro, which was swamped after a levee break in March — was preventable, if infrastructure had been properly maintained.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954994\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11954994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Cars sit in floodwaters in a residential neighborhood.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/070523-PLANADA-FLOODING-GettyImages-JS-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars sit in floodwaters in Planada on Jan. 11, 2023. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It was just a nightmare this winter, watching this play out first in Planada and then in other communities,” said Madeline Harris of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, a Central Valley group that advocates for the rights of rural, lower-income communities. “It was a similar story every time, of a predominantly Latino, farmworker, disadvantaged community that flooded. If their communities had not been neglected for years, this never would have happened.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But now there is a glimmer of hope for Planada residents like Rosales and Herrera Ceja.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This spring, researchers from the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, partnering with community members and advocates from the Leadership Counsel and other nonprofits, \u003ca href=\"https://clc.ucmerced.edu/sites/clc.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/disaster_response_0.pdf\">conducted a survey (PDF)\u003c/a> to capture the scope of the losses in Planada. The figure they reached to restore the town: $20 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And some lawmakers were listening, including Planada’s state Senator Anna Caballero and Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953847\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003ca href=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11953847 size-medium\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Rows of trees in an orchard line the right hand side of a rural road as seen through the windshield of a car.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/RS66505_230621-CentralValleyClimateChange-18-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Valley Onward employees Antonia Sierra Martínez and Maria Alapizco drive to speak with a resident in Gustine on June 21, 2023. Valley Onward is a nonprofit centered on health equity and empowering women and people of color in Merced County. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Working with lawmakers from the Pajaro area, they were able to ensure that this year’s state budget includes \u003ca href=\"https://sd14.senate.ca.gov/news/press-release/central-valley-secures-120-million-vital-funding-flood-recovery-and-restoration\">$20 million for Planada,\u003c/a> plus another $20 million for Pajaro, to help residents — regardless of immigration status — recover. The funds were approved as part of a larger package to improve flood resilience statewide — in spite of a $31 billion budget gap that lawmakers had to close.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Placing a line item on the state budget … for the exact amount that we had estimated was needed. This is incredible,” said Edward Flores, co-director of the UC Merced labor center, who conducted the survey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Flores says the disaster in Planada — and the magnitude of climate-driven impacts hitting California farmworkers — raise a much bigger question.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So many workers are excluded from policies that are designed to protect people during times of need,” he said. “And if we’re facing increasing disasters and there’s a gap in our policy that’s not supporting those low-wage workers, then how do we need to change our policies in order to close that gap, to support those workers that are the most vulnerable during these times?”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11955083/californias-farmworkers-are-on-the-front-lines-of-climate-change",
"authors": [
"259"
],
"programs": [
"news_72"
],
"categories": [
"news_34165",
"news_19906",
"news_457",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_255",
"news_18269",
"news_27626",
"news_3431",
"news_5525",
"news_32889",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_11953851",
"label": "news_72"
},
"news_11954531": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11954531",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954531",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1688076718000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "will-californias-infrastructure-deal-speed-up-water-clean-energy-projects",
"title": "Will California's Infrastructure Deal Speed Up Water, Clean Energy Projects?",
"publishDate": 1688076718,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Will California’s Infrastructure Deal Speed Up Water, Clean Energy Projects? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom are poised to enact a package of bills that aim to speed up lawsuits that entangle large projects, such as solar farms and reservoirs, and relax protection of about three dozen wildlife species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom and Senate and Assembly leaders \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/content/analyses\">unveiled the five bills\u003c/a> earlier this week as they negotiated the \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/06/california-budget-deal-what-you-need-to-know/\">state’s $310 billion 2023-24 budget\u003c/a>. The deal ended a standoff over the governor’s infrastructure package, which \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">he unveiled last month\u003c/a> in an effort to streamline renewable energy facilities, water reservoirs, bridges, railways and similar projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The package of bills will make its way through the Legislature on an accelerated schedule. The bills include an urgency clause — meaning they would take effect immediately when Newsom signs but they also will require a two-thirds vote to pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hearings have been scheduled for committees in both houses today. Debate may largely end up being a formality as the package \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">has already been negotiated\u003c/a> by Newsom and lawmakers behind closed doors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The debate and negotiations focused on how California can speed up major projects that benefit the public while ensuring the environment is protected. The wide-ranging collection of bills take aim at broad swaths of state environmental policies shaping how state agencies approve large projects. For instance, the plan to build the \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/02/california-sites-reservoir/\">Sites reservoir\u003c/a> to add dams and store more Sacramento River water has been stalled for years as it undergoes environmental reviews and engineering planning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the bills \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_149_ceqa_judicial_streamlining_final.pdf\">sets a time limit (PDF)\u003c/a> for legal challenges for specified water, transportation and energy projects under the landmark California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which can entangle projects in court for years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another gives the state Department of Fish and Wildlife new authority to issue permits \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_147_fps_final.pdf\">allowing species that are designated “fully protected,” (PDF)\u003c/a> such as the greater sandhill crane and golden eagle, to be harmed by similar types of projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The compromise that Newsom and lawmakers reached seems to have accomplished what compromises rarely do: Environmentalists \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">who initially criticized Newsom’s package\u003c/a> say they are satisfied with the changes, and businesses and water agencies, which \u003ca href=\"https://antr.assembly.ca.gov/sites/antr.assembly.ca.gov/files/June%207%2C%202022%20Info%20Hearing%20Documents.pdf\">have backed the package from the beginning (PDF)\u003c/a>, support the changes, too.[pullquote size='medium' align='left' citation=\"Victoria Rome, director of California government affairs, Natural Resource Defense Council\"]‘It’s good that it’s resolved, and that it’s better than it was and that the budget was able to move forward. But I would say to accelerate clean energy infrastructure, we have a lot more to do as a state.’[/pullquote]The proposals “are really going to help move the needle on water infrastructure projects that are needed to address the impacts of climate change,” said Adam Quinonez, director of state legislative and regulatory relations at the Association of California Water Agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/california-legislature-strengthens-infrastructure-trailer-bill-package-protect\">changes won over the Natural Resources Defense Council\u003c/a>, which had pages of concerns about the potential environmental harms caused by Newsom’s original proposals, such as \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">provisions that might have expedited the deeply divisive Delta tunnel.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s good that it’s resolved, and that it’s better than it was and that the budget was able to move forward,” said Victoria Rome, the Natural Resource Defense Council’s director of California government affairs. “But I would say to accelerate clean energy infrastructure, we have a lot more to do as a state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the wildlife bill would ease some existing protections, \u003ca href=\"https://ca.audubon.org/contact/mike-lynes\">Mike Lynes\u003c/a>, Audubon California’s director of public policy, hopes that in practice it would actually increase enforcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ultimately, it really will fall on the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make sure that these are good permits, and that the law is enforced,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So what’s in these bills? And what impact will they have on infrastructure projects and the environment?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s happening with CEQA?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>One of the bills, \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB149\">SB 149,\u003c/a> takes aim at the often lengthy lawsuits brought under CEQA, which tasks public agencies with assessing possible harms of proposed development. Lawsuits by the public and advocacy groups can entangle projects like housing developments, highway interchanges, and solar farms for years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill would set a 270-day limit for wrapping up these environmental challenges for water, energy, transportation and semiconductor projects. The projects must be \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_149_ceqa_judicial_streamlining_final.pdf\">certified by the governor by 2033 (PDF)\u003c/a> and meet certain criteria. These could potentially include water recycling plants, aqueduct repair, bikeways and railways, wildlife crossings, solar and wind farms, zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, among others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a nod to concerns that \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">this would expedite the Delta tunnel\u003c/a>, there’s now an explicit carveout saying that particular water project no longer qualifies for the faster timeline. [aside label=\"More Coverage\" tag=\"california-energy\"]There’s a big caveat, though: The 270-day limit only applies “to the extent feasible” — a decision that judges would make.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So will the time limit actually speed up cases? That remains to be seen, said \u003ca href=\"https://www.nrdc.org/bio/david-pettit\">David Pettit\u003c/a>, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “I think it sends a signal to the judiciary that the Legislature wants these cases hustled up,” Pettit said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in practice, he said, there are other major time sinks for the legal process beyond the length of litigation, such as preparing the paperwork behind an agency’s environmental assessment to create what’s called the administrative record. This is critical ammunition in legal challenges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s original version of the bill sparked a battle over which emails should be disclosed in the administrative record by excluding any internal communications that didn’t make it to the final decision makers. Assembly consultants warned this could allow state agencies to pick and choose which documents to disclose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, under the latest iteration, all emails related to the project must continue to be revealed in the administrative record, and only emails over minutia like scheduling can be excluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bottom line is most emails that are actually pertinent to the project — not like, ‘How about those Dodgers?’ — they will go into the record,” Pettit said. “That is important, because sometimes people will talk candidly over email in a way that others might not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the effects on wildlife?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB147\">SB 147\u003c/a> would allow projects to \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/infrastructure-streamlining-and-workforce-equity\">receive permits to kill certain wildlife species\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fully-Protected\">that are classified as “fully protected.”\u003c/a> Thirty-seven species — including the golden eagle, greater sandhill crane, bighorn sheep, several coastal marsh birds, 10 fish and several reptiles and amphibians — are listed as fully protected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the bill, only certain types of projects that are considered beneficial to the public could get the new permits, including repairing aqueducts and other water infrastructure, building wind and solar installations, and transportation projects, including wildlife crossings, that don’t increase traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State and federal Endangered Species Acts would still protect rare wildlife and be unaffected by the bill. But it would alter another, stronger protection under state law: “Fully protected” species \u003ca href=\"https://environs.law.ucdavis.edu/volumes/44/2/Biber.pdf\">began in the 1960s (PDF)\u003c/a> as part of an early effort to protect California’s animals, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fully-Protected\">California condor and southern sea otter.\u003c/a> Of those, all but 10 are also listed under the California Endangered Species Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954599\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11954599\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923.jpg\" alt=\"A falcon flies in the sky with the Bay Bridge in the background.\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A peregrine falcon flies over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. The falcons would no longer be classified as a ‘fully protected species’ under the infrastructure bills. \u003ccite>(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike the endangered species acts, which allow wildlife agencies to grant permission to “take” or harm a species, so-called “fully protected” species cannot be killed except in rare cases, such as scientific research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To obtain the new permits, developers and other applicants would need to show that their plans to compensate for the harm to these species actually improves conservation — a more stringent standard than required by the California Endangered Species Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This addresses an enforcement gap: Regulators have little authority to make developers work with them to ensure projects take steps to reduce their impacts on those species. “There’s no hook for the regulatory agencies to demand avoidance and mitigation measures, because they’re unwilling to enforce the laws as written,” Audubon’s Lynes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham told a Senate committee that without a permit process to allow harm to fully protected species, project developers are left with little recourse if their projects could disrupt these animals. As a result, “every project proponent faces an unnecessary risk for project planning, financing and construction.” [pullquote size='medium' align='left' citation=\"Mike Lynes, director of public policy, Audubon California\"]‘We certainly don’t want to be reducing protections for pelicans and peregrine falcons, but it’s also understandable to be looking to transition them off the list.’[/pullquote]Three species would also lose their status as fully protected: the American peregrine falcon, brown pelican and a fish called the thicktail chub. The falcon and pelican had been listed as endangered species but are now considered recovered, largely due to the 1972 ban on the pesticide DDT; \u003ca href=\"http://www.nativefishlab.net/library/textpdf/18493.pdf\">the chub is considered extinct (PDF).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We certainly don’t want to be reducing protections for pelicans and peregrine falcons, but it’s also understandable to be looking to transition them off the list,” Lynes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest version overhauls Newsom’s original proposal to scrap the “fully protected” designation entirely, which environmentalists worried would significantly weaken protections for these species. Delta communities were especially concerned, seeing it as one of several moves to push the Delta tunnel project forward by targeting the greater sandhill crane, which winters in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new version of the bill explicitly says that a Delta tunnel project would not qualify for permits to take the crane or any other fully protected species.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Will this actually streamline projects?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The multibillion-dollar question is whether these regulations will \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">actually help California build big things faster\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Newsom administration said they are critical to bolster California’s chances when competing against other states for $28 billion in discretionary funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be extremely difficult if not impossible to draw a straight line that if you pass judicial streamlining, we get the federal dollars here in California,” said Adam Regele, a vice president at the California Chamber of Commerce. “But what it does do is it makes us more competitive.”[pullquote size='medium' align='right' citation=\"David Pettit, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council.\"]‘How do we know that this package will actually speed things up? Because I’m not seeing it.’[/pullquote]The Natural Resources Defense Council’s Pettit is skeptical that this will in fact streamline lengthy and litigious approvals under CEQA. He pointed to the loophole establishing a nine-month time limit for court challenges only “to the extent feasible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How do we know that this package will actually speed things up? Because I’m not seeing it,” Pettit said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s deputy communications director, Alex Stack, said he couldn’t name any specific projects that would benefit or ones that had been specifically denied federal funding because of California’s existing laws.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he said he expects the bills to cut the timeline for major builds in California by up to almost a third. That includes for transit projects, wind and solar installations, semiconductor plants and water storage projects like Sites reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s climate denial to preserve the status quo — to delay these projects is to delay climate action, clean energy, safe drinking water, and put millions more Californians at risk of devastating climate impacts,” Stack told CalMatters last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "In a rare feat, the compromise reached by Newsom and lawmakers seems to satisfy environmentalists, water agencies and businesses. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721753396,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 40,
"wordCount": 2059
},
"headData": {
"title": "Will California's Infrastructure Deal Speed Up Water, Clean Energy Projects? | KQED",
"description": "In a rare feat, the compromise reached by Newsom and lawmakers seems to satisfy environmentalists, water agencies and businesses. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Will California's Infrastructure Deal Speed Up Water, Clean Energy Projects?",
"datePublished": "2023-06-29T15:11:58-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-23T09:49:56-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"source": "CalMatters",
"sourceUrl": "https://calmatters.org/",
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/rachel-becker/\">Rachel Becker\u003c/a>",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11954531/will-californias-infrastructure-deal-speed-up-water-clean-energy-projects",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom are poised to enact a package of bills that aim to speed up lawsuits that entangle large projects, such as solar farms and reservoirs, and relax protection of about three dozen wildlife species.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom and Senate and Assembly leaders \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/content/analyses\">unveiled the five bills\u003c/a> earlier this week as they negotiated the \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/06/california-budget-deal-what-you-need-to-know/\">state’s $310 billion 2023-24 budget\u003c/a>. The deal ended a standoff over the governor’s infrastructure package, which \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">he unveiled last month\u003c/a> in an effort to streamline renewable energy facilities, water reservoirs, bridges, railways and similar projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The package of bills will make its way through the Legislature on an accelerated schedule. The bills include an urgency clause — meaning they would take effect immediately when Newsom signs but they also will require a two-thirds vote to pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hearings have been scheduled for committees in both houses today. Debate may largely end up being a formality as the package \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">has already been negotiated\u003c/a> by Newsom and lawmakers behind closed doors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The debate and negotiations focused on how California can speed up major projects that benefit the public while ensuring the environment is protected. The wide-ranging collection of bills take aim at broad swaths of state environmental policies shaping how state agencies approve large projects. For instance, the plan to build the \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/02/california-sites-reservoir/\">Sites reservoir\u003c/a> to add dams and store more Sacramento River water has been stalled for years as it undergoes environmental reviews and engineering planning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of the bills \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_149_ceqa_judicial_streamlining_final.pdf\">sets a time limit (PDF)\u003c/a> for legal challenges for specified water, transportation and energy projects under the landmark California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which can entangle projects in court for years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another gives the state Department of Fish and Wildlife new authority to issue permits \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_147_fps_final.pdf\">allowing species that are designated “fully protected,” (PDF)\u003c/a> such as the greater sandhill crane and golden eagle, to be harmed by similar types of projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The compromise that Newsom and lawmakers reached seems to have accomplished what compromises rarely do: Environmentalists \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">who initially criticized Newsom’s package\u003c/a> say they are satisfied with the changes, and businesses and water agencies, which \u003ca href=\"https://antr.assembly.ca.gov/sites/antr.assembly.ca.gov/files/June%207%2C%202022%20Info%20Hearing%20Documents.pdf\">have backed the package from the beginning (PDF)\u003c/a>, support the changes, too.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘It’s good that it’s resolved, and that it’s better than it was and that the budget was able to move forward. But I would say to accelerate clean energy infrastructure, we have a lot more to do as a state.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "left",
"citation": "Victoria Rome, director of California government affairs, Natural Resource Defense Council",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The proposals “are really going to help move the needle on water infrastructure projects that are needed to address the impacts of climate change,” said Adam Quinonez, director of state legislative and regulatory relations at the Association of California Water Agencies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/california-legislature-strengthens-infrastructure-trailer-bill-package-protect\">changes won over the Natural Resources Defense Council\u003c/a>, which had pages of concerns about the potential environmental harms caused by Newsom’s original proposals, such as \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">provisions that might have expedited the deeply divisive Delta tunnel.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s good that it’s resolved, and that it’s better than it was and that the budget was able to move forward,” said Victoria Rome, the Natural Resource Defense Council’s director of California government affairs. “But I would say to accelerate clean energy infrastructure, we have a lot more to do as a state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the wildlife bill would ease some existing protections, \u003ca href=\"https://ca.audubon.org/contact/mike-lynes\">Mike Lynes\u003c/a>, Audubon California’s director of public policy, hopes that in practice it would actually increase enforcement.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ultimately, it really will fall on the Department of Fish and Wildlife to make sure that these are good permits, and that the law is enforced,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So what’s in these bills? And what impact will they have on infrastructure projects and the environment?\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s happening with CEQA?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>One of the bills, \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB149\">SB 149,\u003c/a> takes aim at the often lengthy lawsuits brought under CEQA, which tasks public agencies with assessing possible harms of proposed development. Lawsuits by the public and advocacy groups can entangle projects like housing developments, highway interchanges, and solar farms for years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The bill would set a 270-day limit for wrapping up these environmental challenges for water, energy, transportation and semiconductor projects. The projects must be \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/senate_select_committee_on_infrastructure_streamlining_and_workforce_equity_-_sb_149_ceqa_judicial_streamlining_final.pdf\">certified by the governor by 2033 (PDF)\u003c/a> and meet certain criteria. These could potentially include water recycling plants, aqueduct repair, bikeways and railways, wildlife crossings, solar and wind farms, zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, among others.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a nod to concerns that \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/06/california-water-lawmakers-newsom-delta/\">this would expedite the Delta tunnel\u003c/a>, there’s now an explicit carveout saying that particular water project no longer qualifies for the faster timeline. \u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "More Coverage ",
"tag": "california-energy"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>There’s a big caveat, though: The 270-day limit only applies “to the extent feasible” — a decision that judges would make.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So will the time limit actually speed up cases? That remains to be seen, said \u003ca href=\"https://www.nrdc.org/bio/david-pettit\">David Pettit\u003c/a>, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “I think it sends a signal to the judiciary that the Legislature wants these cases hustled up,” Pettit said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But in practice, he said, there are other major time sinks for the legal process beyond the length of litigation, such as preparing the paperwork behind an agency’s environmental assessment to create what’s called the administrative record. This is critical ammunition in legal challenges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s original version of the bill sparked a battle over which emails should be disclosed in the administrative record by excluding any internal communications that didn’t make it to the final decision makers. Assembly consultants warned this could allow state agencies to pick and choose which documents to disclose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, under the latest iteration, all emails related to the project must continue to be revealed in the administrative record, and only emails over minutia like scheduling can be excluded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The bottom line is most emails that are actually pertinent to the project — not like, ‘How about those Dodgers?’ — they will go into the record,” Pettit said. “That is important, because sometimes people will talk candidly over email in a way that others might not.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What are the effects on wildlife?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB147\">SB 147\u003c/a> would allow projects to \u003ca href=\"https://www.senate.ca.gov/infrastructure-streamlining-and-workforce-equity\">receive permits to kill certain wildlife species\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fully-Protected\">that are classified as “fully protected.”\u003c/a> Thirty-seven species — including the golden eagle, greater sandhill crane, bighorn sheep, several coastal marsh birds, 10 fish and several reptiles and amphibians — are listed as fully protected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the bill, only certain types of projects that are considered beneficial to the public could get the new permits, including repairing aqueducts and other water infrastructure, building wind and solar installations, and transportation projects, including wildlife crossings, that don’t increase traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State and federal Endangered Species Acts would still protect rare wildlife and be unaffected by the bill. But it would alter another, stronger protection under state law: “Fully protected” species \u003ca href=\"https://environs.law.ucdavis.edu/volumes/44/2/Biber.pdf\">began in the 1960s (PDF)\u003c/a> as part of an early effort to protect California’s animals, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Fully-Protected\">California condor and southern sea otter.\u003c/a> Of those, all but 10 are also listed under the California Endangered Species Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11954599\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11954599\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923.jpg\" alt=\"A falcon flies in the sky with the Bay Bridge in the background.\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/peregrine-falcon-ap-062923-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A peregrine falcon flies over the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. The falcons would no longer be classified as a ‘fully protected species’ under the infrastructure bills. \u003ccite>(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike the endangered species acts, which allow wildlife agencies to grant permission to “take” or harm a species, so-called “fully protected” species cannot be killed except in rare cases, such as scientific research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To obtain the new permits, developers and other applicants would need to show that their plans to compensate for the harm to these species actually improves conservation — a more stringent standard than required by the California Endangered Species Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This addresses an enforcement gap: Regulators have little authority to make developers work with them to ensure projects take steps to reduce their impacts on those species. “There’s no hook for the regulatory agencies to demand avoidance and mitigation measures, because they’re unwilling to enforce the laws as written,” Audubon’s Lynes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham told a Senate committee that without a permit process to allow harm to fully protected species, project developers are left with little recourse if their projects could disrupt these animals. As a result, “every project proponent faces an unnecessary risk for project planning, financing and construction.” \u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘We certainly don’t want to be reducing protections for pelicans and peregrine falcons, but it’s also understandable to be looking to transition them off the list.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "left",
"citation": "Mike Lynes, director of public policy, Audubon California",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Three species would also lose their status as fully protected: the American peregrine falcon, brown pelican and a fish called the thicktail chub. The falcon and pelican had been listed as endangered species but are now considered recovered, largely due to the 1972 ban on the pesticide DDT; \u003ca href=\"http://www.nativefishlab.net/library/textpdf/18493.pdf\">the chub is considered extinct (PDF).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We certainly don’t want to be reducing protections for pelicans and peregrine falcons, but it’s also understandable to be looking to transition them off the list,” Lynes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest version overhauls Newsom’s original proposal to scrap the “fully protected” designation entirely, which environmentalists worried would significantly weaken protections for these species. Delta communities were especially concerned, seeing it as one of several moves to push the Delta tunnel project forward by targeting the greater sandhill crane, which winters in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new version of the bill explicitly says that a Delta tunnel project would not qualify for permits to take the crane or any other fully protected species.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Will this actually streamline projects?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The multibillion-dollar question is whether these regulations will \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/05/gavin-newsom-ceqa-reform/\">actually help California build big things faster\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Newsom administration said they are critical to bolster California’s chances when competing against other states for $28 billion in discretionary funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be extremely difficult if not impossible to draw a straight line that if you pass judicial streamlining, we get the federal dollars here in California,” said Adam Regele, a vice president at the California Chamber of Commerce. “But what it does do is it makes us more competitive.”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘How do we know that this package will actually speed things up? Because I’m not seeing it.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "David Pettit, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council.",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The Natural Resources Defense Council’s Pettit is skeptical that this will in fact streamline lengthy and litigious approvals under CEQA. He pointed to the loophole establishing a nine-month time limit for court challenges only “to the extent feasible.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“How do we know that this package will actually speed things up? Because I’m not seeing it,” Pettit said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s deputy communications director, Alex Stack, said he couldn’t name any specific projects that would benefit or ones that had been specifically denied federal funding because of California’s existing laws.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he said he expects the bills to cut the timeline for major builds in California by up to almost a third. That includes for transit projects, wind and solar installations, semiconductor plants and water storage projects like Sites reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s climate denial to preserve the status quo — to delay these projects is to delay climate action, clean energy, safe drinking water, and put millions more Californians at risk of devastating climate impacts,” Stack told CalMatters last week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11954531/will-californias-infrastructure-deal-speed-up-water-clean-energy-projects",
"authors": [
"byline_news_11954531"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_20447",
"news_4248",
"news_21349",
"news_21863",
"news_21973",
"news_16",
"news_1730",
"news_30285",
"news_1307",
"news_464"
],
"affiliates": [
"news_18481"
],
"featImg": "news_11954600",
"label": "source_news_11954531"
},
"news_11954239": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11954239",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11954239",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687957204000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1687957204,
"format": "standard",
"title": "A Multibillion-Dollar Forest Sweep Could Help Stem Western Wildfires. Will It Be Enough?",
"headTitle": "A Multibillion-Dollar Forest Sweep Could Help Stem Western Wildfires. Will It Be Enough? | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the West through a \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-science-politics-health-oregon-fd0b4b56e97fca9a6e083096f2bc97f4\">multibillion-dollar cleanup\u003c/a> of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet one year into what’s envisioned as \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-climate-science-health-business-8176e045e74d61736e4657073bcb1951\">a decade-long effort\u003c/a>, federal land managers are scrambling to catch up after falling behind on several of their priority forests for thinning even as they exceeded goals elsewhere. And they’ve skipped over some highly at-risk communities to work in less threatened areas, according to data obtained by The Associated Press, public records and congressional testimony.[aside label=\"more on wildfire prevention\" tag=\"wildfires\"]With climate change making the situation \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-climate-environment-and-nature-forests-business-0cc8e3391c93a3ad8e77346f0610c4f0\">increasingly dire\u003c/a>, mixed early results from the administration’s initiative underscore the challenge of reversing \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-science-politics-health-oregon-fd0b4b56e97fca9a6e083096f2bc97f4\">decades of lax forest management\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-health-coronavirus-pandemic-2f9e12d65a8fdc558bf24bfccaef3647\">aggressive fire suppression\u003c/a> that allowed many woodlands to become tinderboxes. The ambitious effort comes amid \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-crisis-climate-prescribed-burn-08891c5888c3835fc348f9f5b6d28100\">pushback from lawmakers\u003c/a> dissatisfied with progress to date and criticism from some environmentalists for cutting too many trees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Administration officials in interviews and during testimony maintained that the thinning work is making a difference. Work announced to date, they said, will help lessen wildfire dangers faced by more than 500 communities in 10 states. But they also acknowledged finishing the task will require far more resources than what’s already dedicated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As much money as we’re receiving, it’s not enough to take care of the problems that we are seeing, particularly across the West,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This is an emergency situation in many places, and we are acting with a sense of urgency.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Big money for a big problem\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Congress in the last two years approved more than $4 billion in additional funding to prevent repeats of destructive infernos that have torched communities including in \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-environment-and-nature-california-13faa6976260a4a9e10906c70b4ed2d0\">California\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/marshall-fire-colorado-cause-91aad87da67fd883b9294df1ff386865\">Colorado\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-business-fires-montana-great-falls-59e86452223ba1760f048de2a13e6331\">Montana\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The enormity of the task is evident in an aerial view of California’s Tahoe National Forest, where mountainsides are colored brown and gray with the vast number of trees killed by insects and drought. After work on the Tahoe was delayed last year, Forest Service crews and contractors recently started taking down trees across thousands of acres.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The forests as we know them in California and across the West, they’re dying. They’re being destroyed through fire. They’re dying from drought, disease and insects,” said forest Supervisor Eli Ilano. “They’re dying at a pace that we’re having trouble keeping up with.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The scale of spending is unprecedented, said Courtney Schultz with Colorado State University. The forest policy expert said millions of acres have been through environmental review and are ready for work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If we really want to go big across the landscape — to reduce fuels enough to affect fire behavior and have some impact on communities — we need to be planning large projects,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Key to that strategy is addressing forest patches where computer simulations show wildfire could easily spread to inhabited areas. Some areas have yet to get the extra funding for thinning despite facing high risk, including portions of California’s Sierra Nevada range, Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and around Mescalero Apache lands in southern New Mexico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/--_a7EOc1p4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Only about a third of the land the U.S. Forest Service treated last year was designated with high wildfire hazard potential, agency documents show. About half the forest was in the southeastern U.S., where wildfires are less severe but weather conditions make it easier to use intentional burns, the documents show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The infrastructure bill passed two years ago with bipartisan support included a requirement for the administration to treat forests across 10 million acres — 15,625 square miles — by 2027. Less than 10% of that was addressed in the first year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Forest Service is obligating hundreds of millions of dollars, but not in the areas required by law,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forest Service spokesman Wade Muehlhof said the agency was confident in the administration’s strategy, but declined to say if it would meet the acreage mandates.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Mixed first-year results\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>An AP analysis of federal data reveals the scale of the challenge: Hundreds of communities are threatened by the potential for fires to ignite on federal forests and spread to populated areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, thinning zones announced to date address the risk to only about one-in-five houses and other buildings potentially exposed to fires on federal lands, the analysis shows. In Nevada and Oregon, it’s about half of exposed structures, and in Montana it’s one-in 25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most areas identified as hot spots where forest fires have high potential to burn into populated areas won’t be addressed for at least the next several years, according to government planning documents. And computer models project up to 20% of areas that need thinning will be hit by fires before that work occurs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Architects of the Forest Service’s strategy based it on tens of millions of computer wildfire simulations being used to predict areas that pose the greatest risk. Those scenarios showed that fires on only 10% to 20% of the land would account for 80% of exposure to communities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a mapped plan through time, where we can laser-focus on one highly important issue: the problem of communities being destroyed by wildfires started on public lands,” said Forest Service fire scientist Alan Ager.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Falling short in a risky area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2022, the Forest Service missed its treatment goals in four of 10 areas targeted as priorities. One was the Tahoe National Forest’s North Yuba region, where the agency addressed only 6% of the acreage planned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Small towns tucked into the forest’s canyons escaped disaster two years ago when the Dixie fire raged just to the north, destroying several communities and burning about 1,500 square miles in the Sierra Nevada range. Those communities also escaped another fire to the south that burned more than 1,000 homes and structures. The previous year, yet another fire killed 15 people and torched more than 2,000 homes and structures in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same conditions that whipped those fires into infernos exist on the Tahoe forest — densely-packed trees and underbrush primed to burn following years of drought. And government computer modeling suggests it’s among the U.S. communities most exposed to wildfires on federal lands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Five million trees died on the Tahoe last year alone, said Ilano, the forest supervisor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What we’re realizing is we’re not moving fast enough, that the fires are burning bigger and more intense, more quickly than we anticipated,” Ilano said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Earlier this month, tracked vehicles including one known as a “harvester” worked through dense stands on the North Yuba, clipping large trees at their base and stripping them bare of branches in just seconds, then piling the trunks to be burned later. Elsewhere, work crews walked slowly behind a wood chipper as it was pulled along a forest road, stuffing the machine with small trees and branches cut to clear the understory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increased logging needed to reach the government’s lofty goals has gained acceptance as the growing toll from wildfires softens longstanding opposition from some environmental groups and ecologists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Gone are the days when things were black and white and either good or bad,” said Melinda Booth, former director of the South Yuba River Citizens League. “We need targeted treatment, targeted thinning, which does include logging.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Others think officials are going too far. Sue Britting with Sierra Forest Legacy says the North Yuba plan includes about nine square miles of older trees and stands along waterways that should be preserved. Yet for most of the work, Britting said it’s time to “move forward” on a thinning project years in the making.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Big obstacles\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Hindering the Forest Service nationwide is a shortage of workers to cut and remove trees on the scale demanded, government officials and forestry experts say. Litigation ties up many projects, with environmental reviews taking three years on average before work begins, according to the Property and Environment Research Center, a Bozeman, Montana think tank.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another problem: Thinning operations aren’t allowed in federally designated wilderness areas. That puts off limits about a third of National Forest areas that expose communities to high wildfire risk and means some thinning work must be carried out in a patchwork fashion.[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keeping track of progress presents its own challenges. Acres that get worked on are often counted twice or more — first when the trees are cut down, again when leftover piles of woody material on the same site are removed, and yet again when that landscape is later subjected to prescribed fire, said Schultz of Colorado State University.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even where thinning is allowed, officials face other potential constraints, such as protecting older groves important for wildlife habitat. A Biden inventory of public lands in April identified more than 175,000 square miles of old growth and mature forests on U.S. government land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The inventory will be used to craft new rules to better protect those woodlands from fires, insects and other side effects of climate change. But there’s overlap between older forests and many areas slated for thinning. That includes more than half of the treatment area at North Yuba, according to an AP analysis of mature forest data compiled by the conservation group Wild Heritage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What’s driving all of this is insect infestation, drought stress, and all of that is related to the climate,” said Wild Heritage chief scientist Dominick DellaSalla. “I don’t think you can get out of it by thinning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": true,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 1725,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 38
},
"modified": 1687984994,
"excerpt": "The Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the West through a multibillion-dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "The Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the West through a multibillion-dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.",
"title": "A Multibillion-Dollar Forest Sweep Could Help Stem Western Wildfires. Will It Be Enough? | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "A Multibillion-Dollar Forest Sweep Could Help Stem Western Wildfires. Will It Be Enough?",
"datePublished": "2023-06-28T06:00:04-07:00",
"dateModified": "2023-06-28T13:43:14-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "a-multibillion-dollar-forest-sweep-could-help-stem-western-wildfires-will-it-be-enough",
"status": "publish",
"nprByline": "Matthew Brown, Terry Chea, Caleb Diehl and Camille Fassett\u003cbr>The Associated Press",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11954239/a-multibillion-dollar-forest-sweep-could-help-stem-western-wildfires-will-it-be-enough",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the West through a \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-science-politics-health-oregon-fd0b4b56e97fca9a6e083096f2bc97f4\">multibillion-dollar cleanup\u003c/a> of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet one year into what’s envisioned as \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-climate-science-health-business-8176e045e74d61736e4657073bcb1951\">a decade-long effort\u003c/a>, federal land managers are scrambling to catch up after falling behind on several of their priority forests for thinning even as they exceeded goals elsewhere. And they’ve skipped over some highly at-risk communities to work in less threatened areas, according to data obtained by The Associated Press, public records and congressional testimony.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "more on wildfire prevention ",
"tag": "wildfires"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>With climate change making the situation \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-climate-environment-and-nature-forests-business-0cc8e3391c93a3ad8e77346f0610c4f0\">increasingly dire\u003c/a>, mixed early results from the administration’s initiative underscore the challenge of reversing \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-science-politics-health-oregon-fd0b4b56e97fca9a6e083096f2bc97f4\">decades of lax forest management\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-health-coronavirus-pandemic-2f9e12d65a8fdc558bf24bfccaef3647\">aggressive fire suppression\u003c/a> that allowed many woodlands to become tinderboxes. The ambitious effort comes amid \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-crisis-climate-prescribed-burn-08891c5888c3835fc348f9f5b6d28100\">pushback from lawmakers\u003c/a> dissatisfied with progress to date and criticism from some environmentalists for cutting too many trees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Administration officials in interviews and during testimony maintained that the thinning work is making a difference. Work announced to date, they said, will help lessen wildfire dangers faced by more than 500 communities in 10 states. But they also acknowledged finishing the task will require far more resources than what’s already dedicated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As much money as we’re receiving, it’s not enough to take care of the problems that we are seeing, particularly across the West,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This is an emergency situation in many places, and we are acting with a sense of urgency.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Big money for a big problem\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Congress in the last two years approved more than $4 billion in additional funding to prevent repeats of destructive infernos that have torched communities including in \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/fires-environment-and-nature-california-13faa6976260a4a9e10906c70b4ed2d0\">California\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/marshall-fire-colorado-cause-91aad87da67fd883b9294df1ff386865\">Colorado\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-business-fires-montana-great-falls-59e86452223ba1760f048de2a13e6331\">Montana\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The enormity of the task is evident in an aerial view of California’s Tahoe National Forest, where mountainsides are colored brown and gray with the vast number of trees killed by insects and drought. After work on the Tahoe was delayed last year, Forest Service crews and contractors recently started taking down trees across thousands of acres.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The forests as we know them in California and across the West, they’re dying. They’re being destroyed through fire. They’re dying from drought, disease and insects,” said forest Supervisor Eli Ilano. “They’re dying at a pace that we’re having trouble keeping up with.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The scale of spending is unprecedented, said Courtney Schultz with Colorado State University. The forest policy expert said millions of acres have been through environmental review and are ready for work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If we really want to go big across the landscape — to reduce fuels enough to affect fire behavior and have some impact on communities — we need to be planning large projects,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Key to that strategy is addressing forest patches where computer simulations show wildfire could easily spread to inhabited areas. Some areas have yet to get the extra funding for thinning despite facing high risk, including portions of California’s Sierra Nevada range, Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and around Mescalero Apache lands in southern New Mexico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/--_a7EOc1p4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Only about a third of the land the U.S. Forest Service treated last year was designated with high wildfire hazard potential, agency documents show. About half the forest was in the southeastern U.S., where wildfires are less severe but weather conditions make it easier to use intentional burns, the documents show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The infrastructure bill passed two years ago with bipartisan support included a requirement for the administration to treat forests across 10 million acres — 15,625 square miles — by 2027. Less than 10% of that was addressed in the first year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Forest Service is obligating hundreds of millions of dollars, but not in the areas required by law,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Forest Service spokesman Wade Muehlhof said the agency was confident in the administration’s strategy, but declined to say if it would meet the acreage mandates.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Mixed first-year results\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>An AP analysis of federal data reveals the scale of the challenge: Hundreds of communities are threatened by the potential for fires to ignite on federal forests and spread to populated areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In California, thinning zones announced to date address the risk to only about one-in-five houses and other buildings potentially exposed to fires on federal lands, the analysis shows. In Nevada and Oregon, it’s about half of exposed structures, and in Montana it’s one-in 25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most areas identified as hot spots where forest fires have high potential to burn into populated areas won’t be addressed for at least the next several years, according to government planning documents. And computer models project up to 20% of areas that need thinning will be hit by fires before that work occurs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Architects of the Forest Service’s strategy based it on tens of millions of computer wildfire simulations being used to predict areas that pose the greatest risk. Those scenarios showed that fires on only 10% to 20% of the land would account for 80% of exposure to communities.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is a mapped plan through time, where we can laser-focus on one highly important issue: the problem of communities being destroyed by wildfires started on public lands,” said Forest Service fire scientist Alan Ager.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Falling short in a risky area\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2022, the Forest Service missed its treatment goals in four of 10 areas targeted as priorities. One was the Tahoe National Forest’s North Yuba region, where the agency addressed only 6% of the acreage planned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Small towns tucked into the forest’s canyons escaped disaster two years ago when the Dixie fire raged just to the north, destroying several communities and burning about 1,500 square miles in the Sierra Nevada range. Those communities also escaped another fire to the south that burned more than 1,000 homes and structures. The previous year, yet another fire killed 15 people and torched more than 2,000 homes and structures in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same conditions that whipped those fires into infernos exist on the Tahoe forest — densely-packed trees and underbrush primed to burn following years of drought. And government computer modeling suggests it’s among the U.S. communities most exposed to wildfires on federal lands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Five million trees died on the Tahoe last year alone, said Ilano, the forest supervisor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What we’re realizing is we’re not moving fast enough, that the fires are burning bigger and more intense, more quickly than we anticipated,” Ilano said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Earlier this month, tracked vehicles including one known as a “harvester” worked through dense stands on the North Yuba, clipping large trees at their base and stripping them bare of branches in just seconds, then piling the trunks to be burned later. Elsewhere, work crews walked slowly behind a wood chipper as it was pulled along a forest road, stuffing the machine with small trees and branches cut to clear the understory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The increased logging needed to reach the government’s lofty goals has gained acceptance as the growing toll from wildfires softens longstanding opposition from some environmental groups and ecologists.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Gone are the days when things were black and white and either good or bad,” said Melinda Booth, former director of the South Yuba River Citizens League. “We need targeted treatment, targeted thinning, which does include logging.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Others think officials are going too far. Sue Britting with Sierra Forest Legacy says the North Yuba plan includes about nine square miles of older trees and stands along waterways that should be preserved. Yet for most of the work, Britting said it’s time to “move forward” on a thinning project years in the making.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Big obstacles\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Hindering the Forest Service nationwide is a shortage of workers to cut and remove trees on the scale demanded, government officials and forestry experts say. Litigation ties up many projects, with environmental reviews taking three years on average before work begins, according to the Property and Environment Research Center, a Bozeman, Montana think tank.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Another problem: Thinning operations aren’t allowed in federally designated wilderness areas. That puts off limits about a third of National Forest areas that expose communities to high wildfire risk and means some thinning work must be carried out in a patchwork fashion.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keeping track of progress presents its own challenges. Acres that get worked on are often counted twice or more — first when the trees are cut down, again when leftover piles of woody material on the same site are removed, and yet again when that landscape is later subjected to prescribed fire, said Schultz of Colorado State University.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even where thinning is allowed, officials face other potential constraints, such as protecting older groves important for wildlife habitat. A Biden inventory of public lands in April identified more than 175,000 square miles of old growth and mature forests on U.S. government land.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The inventory will be used to craft new rules to better protect those woodlands from fires, insects and other side effects of climate change. But there’s overlap between older forests and many areas slated for thinning. That includes more than half of the treatment area at North Yuba, according to an AP analysis of mature forest data compiled by the conservation group Wild Heritage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What’s driving all of this is insect infestation, drought stress, and all of that is related to the climate,” said Wild Heritage chief scientist Dominick DellaSalla. “I don’t think you can get out of it by thinning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11954239/a-multibillion-dollar-forest-sweep-could-help-stem-western-wildfires-will-it-be-enough",
"authors": [
"byline_news_11954239"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_27626",
"news_32863",
"news_29634",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_11954241",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11953890": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11953890",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953890",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687554057000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news",
"term": 7052
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1687554057,
"format": "video",
"title": "KQED Newsroom Finale: Saying Goodbye",
"headTitle": "KQED Newsroom Finale: Saying Goodbye | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>KQED Newsroom\u003cbr>\nFriday, June 23, 2023\u003cbr>\n7 p.m. on Channel 9\u003cbr>\nHost: Priya David Clemens\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>KQED Newsroom Celebrates 55 Years\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">For 55 years, KQED Newsroom has covered the Bay Area’s defining moments and hosted in-depth discussions with major newsmakers, including elected officials, politicians, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">KQED Newsroom journalists have always strived to give our audience trustworthy news coverage and deliver the important news of our times from here in the Bay Area, across California and from the nation’s capital. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Looking Back (1990s\u003c/b>\u003cb>–\u003c/b>\u003cb>Now)\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In our final episode, we journey through news highlights from the past four decades with the stories that shaped the Bay Area we live in today. We start with the 1990s, a decade defined by the explosion of the internet and the radical transformation of every aspect of our lives.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 148,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 8
},
"modified": 1687580706,
"excerpt": null,
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "KQED Newsroom Friday, June 23, 2023 7 p.m. on Channel 9 Host: Priya David Clemens KQED Newsroom Celebrates 55 Years For 55 years, KQED Newsroom has covered the Bay Area's defining moments and hosted in-depth discussions with major newsmakers, including elected officials, politicians, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs. KQED Newsroom journalists have always strived to",
"title": "KQED Newsroom Finale: Saying Goodbye | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "KQED Newsroom Finale: Saying Goodbye",
"datePublished": "2023-06-23T14:00:57-07:00",
"dateModified": "2023-06-23T21:25:06-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "kqed-newsroom-finale-saying-goodbye",
"status": "publish",
"videoEmbed": "https://youtu.be/yFcHjneDrbM",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11953890/kqed-newsroom-finale-saying-goodbye",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>KQED Newsroom\u003cbr>\nFriday, June 23, 2023\u003cbr>\n7 p.m. on Channel 9\u003cbr>\nHost: Priya David Clemens\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>KQED Newsroom Celebrates 55 Years\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">For 55 years, KQED Newsroom has covered the Bay Area’s defining moments and hosted in-depth discussions with major newsmakers, including elected officials, politicians, artists, scientists and entrepreneurs.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">KQED Newsroom journalists have always strived to give our audience trustworthy news coverage and deliver the important news of our times from here in the Bay Area, across California and from the nation’s capital. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>Looking Back (1990s\u003c/b>\u003cb>–\u003c/b>\u003cb>Now)\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In our final episode, we journey through news highlights from the past four decades with the stories that shaped the Bay Area we live in today. We start with the 1990s, a decade defined by the explosion of the internet and the radical transformation of every aspect of our lives.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11953890/kqed-newsroom-finale-saying-goodbye",
"authors": [
"236"
],
"programs": [
"news_7052"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_1758",
"news_19906",
"news_457",
"news_6188",
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_13",
"news_10",
"news_248"
],
"tags": [
"news_32851"
],
"featImg": "news_11953895",
"label": "news_7052"
},
"news_11953794": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11953794",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953794",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687542240000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "where-can-i-see-whales-around-the-bay-area",
"title": "Spot Whales Near You: Your Bay Area Whale Watching Guide",
"publishDate": 1687542240,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Spot Whales Near You: Your Bay Area Whale Watching Guide | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Orcas aren’t just in the news lately for \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-06-19/why-are-killer-whales-going-moby-dick-on-yachts-suddenly\">attacking boats\u003c/a>. In May, a whale-watching tour by the Farallon Islands experienced something rare: a sighting of 20 orcas (or killer whales). Then, just last week, many of those same orcas, plus a few new ones, were spotted by Monterey in an \u003ca href=\"https://abc7news.com/orca-whales-killer-whale-sighting-monterey-bay-california-ocean/13382311/\">even bigger group of over 30\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#jump\">Where to see whales around the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/b>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“They were socializing, playing, very playful,” said Nancy Black, founder of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.californiakillerwhaleproject.org/\">California Killer Whale Project\u003c/a>. It was like a giant family gathering: Orcas typically travel in smaller family groups of two to seven whales, but multiple families will meet up for hunting or, in this case, fun. Black, who has been studying orcas near Monterey for 30 years, said that sightings that large are incredibly rare. But it’s been oddly frequent in recent weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why are we seeing so many orcas right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s mostly luck, said Black.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We don’t get to see them all that often,” said Michael Pierson of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/\">Oceanic Society\u003c/a>, who was leading the boat tour that spotted the first group of orcas out near the Farallons. He’ll see orcas near San Francisco maybe two or three times per year, he said, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11916632/its-like-youre-on-a-different-planet-in-search-of-whales-and-other-creatures-at-the-mysterious-farallon-islands\">all out by the Farallons\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIj1dQjBoiE\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Near Monterey, it happens more frequently, because of the topography of the ocean, and whale migration and hunting patterns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orcas tend to stay in deeper water. Different orca families range from Baja all the way up to Alaska, but Black said the 120 orcas around Monterey and the Bay Area tend to move constantly from Southern California to British Columbia. However, they’re all mostly swimming out at the edge of the continental shelf. A quick look at \u003ca href=\"https://usa.fishermap.org/depth-map/pacific-ocean/#map\">a coastal ocean depth map\u003c/a> will show that the shallow water around San Francisco extends about 26 miles, past the Farallon Islands.[aside postID=\"news_11916632\" label=\"Related Coverage\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But down by Monterey there’s something called \u003ca href=\"https://www.mbari.org/know-your-ocean/monterey-canyon/\">the Monterey Canyon\u003c/a>. It’s one of the deepest ocean canyons on the West Coast, starting near Moss Landing and extending out across Monterey Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are a few types of orcas. The transient orcas, which feed on mammals, tend to prey on seals, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and also baby whales from other species. That means orcas hunt during sea lion and seal pupping season, which is happening right now at the Farallon Islands, said Pierson — and could explain some of the higher level of activity there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also hunt during humpback and gray whale migration season. The humpbacks and gray whales stay close to shore, in shallower water, to protect their babies. Where they need to cross the deep water channel, or get near the deep water in Monterey Bay, orcas can pick off their babies. That’s also happening right now. (Because of this, humpbacks really don’t like orcas; \u003ca href=\"https://www.science.org/content/article/why-did-humpback-whale-just-save-seals-life\">they have even been known to save other animals\u003c/a>, like seals, from orcas.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]So far, whale experts don’t think there’s a larger trend happening, although climate change has certainly affected gray whales’ ability to eat enough in Alaska — warmer waters are making the shrimp they dine on rare, and that’s caused a recent increase in gray whales dying during the trip. But the best explanation for all the orca activity near shore lately is it’s just been a great hunting period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It looks like they just had a really good season while the gray whales head north,” said Beth Scrutton with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/\">Monterey Bay Aquarium\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>When is whale-watching season?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“Whale-watching season on the California Coast is practically all year round, just different whales and different times of year,” said Scrutton. Mostly, we get humpback and gray whales. Sometimes, there are orcas or blue whales. “Recently, we’ve been seeing [whales] daily in Monterey,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are the best times to see the following whales:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/gray-whale\">\u003cb>Gray whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gray whales make a 12,000-mile round trip every year, summering in Alaska and then traveling to Mexico to winter off the coast of Baja, where they give birth in protected lagoons before heading back. They’re typically found around Monterey and the Bay Area from December to February, and then from April to May, although they’re not all on the same schedule.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/humpback-whale\">\u003cb>Humpback whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The humpback whales that winter in Mexico tend to spend their summers around here or in Oregon. Often, whole pods feed throughout the summer in Monterey Bay, and can be seen from April or May through October or November. Activity can be especially high in August and September, said Scrutton. “They’re the most acrobatic of whales we see,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/blue-whale\">\u003cb>Blue whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The largest animal on earth, blue whales are also incredibly rare to spot. They tend to live in deeper waters, but feed off Monterey in the summer from June to October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/orca\">Orcas (aka killer whales)\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While orcas are constantly on the move, ranging all up and down the West Coast, there is typically more activity around the Bay Area during the spring when gray whales are migrating, because that’s a good time to catch a calf for eating. However, because orcas constantly go where the food is, they don’t tend to spend more than a few days in one place — though they will travel and come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"jump\">Where can I see whales in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, it’s very rare to see orcas near San Francisco, even at this time of year, because of our shallow water. While humpback whales might occasionally come into the bay to feed, Black said she had never heard of orcas coming into the San Francisco Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also a math problem. There are, by Black’s estimate, about 120 killer whales that regularly frequent the waters off Monterey and the Bay Area. (One unique thing that likely contributed to recent sightings was a group of orcas that typically live in Canada traveling to become part of the large groups spotted here.) By comparison, there are about 5,000 humpback whales that make the migration. So your odds of seeing humpbacks are better.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Whale watching from shore\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your best bets from shore, said Pierson, are places with high vantage points, like near the lighthouses at Point Reyes or Point Bonita. Lands End, in the city, can be good, if you look out in the distance. Or go where deep water comes close to shore down at Point Lobos or near the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Still, it’s really just luck.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Whale watching from a boat\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’re much more likely to see whales if you head out to where they are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Pierson and Black run whale-watching tours, with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/\">Oceanic Society\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://montereybaywhalewatch.com/trips.htm\">Monterey Bay Whale Watch\u003c/a>, respectively. In the Bay Area, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/expedition/farallon-islands-wildlife-expedition/\">Oceanic Society goes out to the Farallons\u003c/a> every Saturday and Sunday; right now, you can also see 300,000 to 500,000 birds during their nesting season. (\u003ca href=\"https://sanfranciscowhaletours.com/whale-watching/golden-gate-whale-watch/\">San Francisco Whale Tours\u003c/a> also takes boats out to the Farallons.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How do the tours find whales? By looking for spouts or spray far off in the distance. Using smell on foggy days is another way to find them, said Pierson. It “smells like rotten broccoli and fish,” he said. “Once you smell it, you never forget the smell.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[hearken id=\"10483\" src=\"https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js\"]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "While orca attacks on boats may be in the news right now, whales have been making headlines locally for a different reason — their presence around the San Francisco Bay. Here's how to spot them.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1746603638,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": true,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": true,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 31,
"wordCount": 1415
},
"headData": {
"title": "Bay Area Whale Watching Guide: Best Spots & Times | KQED",
"description": "Want to see whales? Know the top locations around the Bay Area for whale watching. Find out the best times and places to spot these majestic creatures.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Bay Area Whale Watching Guide: Best Spots & Times | KQED",
"socialDescription": "Want to see whales? Know the top locations around the Bay Area for whale watching. Find out the best times and places to spot these majestic creatures.",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Spot Whales Near You: Your Bay Area Whale Watching Guide",
"datePublished": "2023-06-23T10:44:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2025-05-07T00:40:38-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11953794/where-can-i-see-whales-around-the-bay-area",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Orcas aren’t just in the news lately for \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-06-19/why-are-killer-whales-going-moby-dick-on-yachts-suddenly\">attacking boats\u003c/a>. In May, a whale-watching tour by the Farallon Islands experienced something rare: a sighting of 20 orcas (or killer whales). Then, just last week, many of those same orcas, plus a few new ones, were spotted by Monterey in an \u003ca href=\"https://abc7news.com/orca-whales-killer-whale-sighting-monterey-bay-california-ocean/13382311/\">even bigger group of over 30\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cb>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#jump\">Where to see whales around the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/b>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“They were socializing, playing, very playful,” said Nancy Black, founder of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.californiakillerwhaleproject.org/\">California Killer Whale Project\u003c/a>. It was like a giant family gathering: Orcas typically travel in smaller family groups of two to seven whales, but multiple families will meet up for hunting or, in this case, fun. Black, who has been studying orcas near Monterey for 30 years, said that sightings that large are incredibly rare. But it’s been oddly frequent in recent weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Why are we seeing so many orcas right now?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>It’s mostly luck, said Black.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We don’t get to see them all that often,” said Michael Pierson of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/\">Oceanic Society\u003c/a>, who was leading the boat tour that spotted the first group of orcas out near the Farallons. He’ll see orcas near San Francisco maybe two or three times per year, he said, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11916632/its-like-youre-on-a-different-planet-in-search-of-whales-and-other-creatures-at-the-mysterious-farallon-islands\">all out by the Farallons\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/mIj1dQjBoiE'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/mIj1dQjBoiE'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>Near Monterey, it happens more frequently, because of the topography of the ocean, and whale migration and hunting patterns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orcas tend to stay in deeper water. Different orca families range from Baja all the way up to Alaska, but Black said the 120 orcas around Monterey and the Bay Area tend to move constantly from Southern California to British Columbia. However, they’re all mostly swimming out at the edge of the continental shelf. A quick look at \u003ca href=\"https://usa.fishermap.org/depth-map/pacific-ocean/#map\">a coastal ocean depth map\u003c/a> will show that the shallow water around San Francisco extends about 26 miles, past the Farallon Islands.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11916632",
"label": "Related Coverage "
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But down by Monterey there’s something called \u003ca href=\"https://www.mbari.org/know-your-ocean/monterey-canyon/\">the Monterey Canyon\u003c/a>. It’s one of the deepest ocean canyons on the West Coast, starting near Moss Landing and extending out across Monterey Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are a few types of orcas. The transient orcas, which feed on mammals, tend to prey on seals, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and also baby whales from other species. That means orcas hunt during sea lion and seal pupping season, which is happening right now at the Farallon Islands, said Pierson — and could explain some of the higher level of activity there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They also hunt during humpback and gray whale migration season. The humpbacks and gray whales stay close to shore, in shallower water, to protect their babies. Where they need to cross the deep water channel, or get near the deep water in Monterey Bay, orcas can pick off their babies. That’s also happening right now. (Because of this, humpbacks really don’t like orcas; \u003ca href=\"https://www.science.org/content/article/why-did-humpback-whale-just-save-seals-life\">they have even been known to save other animals\u003c/a>, like seals, from orcas.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>So far, whale experts don’t think there’s a larger trend happening, although climate change has certainly affected gray whales’ ability to eat enough in Alaska — warmer waters are making the shrimp they dine on rare, and that’s caused a recent increase in gray whales dying during the trip. But the best explanation for all the orca activity near shore lately is it’s just been a great hunting period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It looks like they just had a really good season while the gray whales head north,” said Beth Scrutton with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/\">Monterey Bay Aquarium\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#tellus\">Tell us: What else do you need information about right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>When is whale-watching season?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“Whale-watching season on the California Coast is practically all year round, just different whales and different times of year,” said Scrutton. Mostly, we get humpback and gray whales. Sometimes, there are orcas or blue whales. “Recently, we’ve been seeing [whales] daily in Monterey,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here are the best times to see the following whales:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/gray-whale\">\u003cb>Gray whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gray whales make a 12,000-mile round trip every year, summering in Alaska and then traveling to Mexico to winter off the coast of Baja, where they give birth in protected lagoons before heading back. They’re typically found around Monterey and the Bay Area from December to February, and then from April to May, although they’re not all on the same schedule.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/humpback-whale\">\u003cb>Humpback whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The humpback whales that winter in Mexico tend to spend their summers around here or in Oregon. Often, whole pods feed throughout the summer in Monterey Bay, and can be seen from April or May through October or November. Activity can be especially high in August and September, said Scrutton. “They’re the most acrobatic of whales we see,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/blue-whale\">\u003cb>Blue whales\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The largest animal on earth, blue whales are also incredibly rare to spot. They tend to live in deeper waters, but feed off Monterey in the summer from June to October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/orca\">Orcas (aka killer whales)\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While orcas are constantly on the move, ranging all up and down the West Coast, there is typically more activity around the Bay Area during the spring when gray whales are migrating, because that’s a good time to catch a calf for eating. However, because orcas constantly go where the food is, they don’t tend to spend more than a few days in one place — though they will travel and come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"jump\">Where can I see whales in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, it’s very rare to see orcas near San Francisco, even at this time of year, because of our shallow water. While humpback whales might occasionally come into the bay to feed, Black said she had never heard of orcas coming into the San Francisco Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also a math problem. There are, by Black’s estimate, about 120 killer whales that regularly frequent the waters off Monterey and the Bay Area. (One unique thing that likely contributed to recent sightings was a group of orcas that typically live in Canada traveling to become part of the large groups spotted here.) By comparison, there are about 5,000 humpback whales that make the migration. So your odds of seeing humpbacks are better.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Whale watching from shore\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your best bets from shore, said Pierson, are places with high vantage points, like near the lighthouses at Point Reyes or Point Bonita. Lands End, in the city, can be good, if you look out in the distance. Or go where deep water comes close to shore down at Point Lobos or near the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Still, it’s really just luck.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Whale watching from a boat\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’re much more likely to see whales if you head out to where they are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both Pierson and Black run whale-watching tours, with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/\">Oceanic Society\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://montereybaywhalewatch.com/trips.htm\">Monterey Bay Whale Watch\u003c/a>, respectively. In the Bay Area, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.oceanicsociety.org/expedition/farallon-islands-wildlife-expedition/\">Oceanic Society goes out to the Farallons\u003c/a> every Saturday and Sunday; right now, you can also see 300,000 to 500,000 birds during their nesting season. (\u003ca href=\"https://sanfranciscowhaletours.com/whale-watching/golden-gate-whale-watch/\">San Francisco Whale Tours\u003c/a> also takes boats out to the Farallons.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How do the tours find whales? By looking for spouts or spray far off in the distance. Using smell on foggy days is another way to find them, said Pierson. It “smells like rotten broccoli and fish,” he said. “Once you smell it, you never forget the smell.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"tellus\">\u003c/a>Tell us: What else do you need information about?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>At KQED News, we know that it can sometimes be hard to track down the answers to navigate life in the Bay Area in 2023. We’ve published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/coronavirus-resources-and-explainers\">clear, practical explainers and guides about COVID\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more\">how to cope with intense winter weather\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11821950/how-to-safely-attend-a-protest-in-the-bay-area\">how to exercise your right to protest safely\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So tell us: What do you need to know more about? Tell us, and you could see your question answered online or on social media. What you submit will make our reporting stronger, and help us decide what to cover here on our site, and on KQED Public Radio, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "hearken",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "10483",
"src": "https://modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/embed/10483.js",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11953794/where-can-i-see-whales-around-the-bay-area",
"authors": [
"1459"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_18132",
"news_32707",
"news_23288",
"news_2052",
"news_3788",
"news_1861",
"news_841"
],
"featImg": "news_11953815",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11953475": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11953475",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953475",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687304755000
]
},
"parent": 0,
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"blocks": [],
"publishDate": 1687304755,
"format": "standard",
"title": "500,000-Gallon Sewage Leak in El Sobrante Was 'Preventable'",
"headTitle": "500,000-Gallon Sewage Leak in El Sobrante Was ‘Preventable’ | KQED",
"content": "\u003cp>More than 500,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a maintenance hole in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/el-sobrante\">El Sobrante\u003c/a>, according to a local wastewater treatment agency. The waste leaked into nearby San Pablo Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>West County Wastewater (WCW) was alerted to the spill by a nearby resident, who called it in over the weekend. The agency said it has stopped the leak, which they estimate may have lasted up to two weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really disappointing to have a sewage spill of this magnitude,” said Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director of the pollution watchdog nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/\">San Francisco Baykeeper\u003c/a>. “It’s a lot to go unnoticed for almost two weeks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">[ad fullwidth] \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to a WCW press release, the spill was caused by a “blockage of grease and disposable wipes, which should not be flushed down toilets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WCW said there’s been no impact to the public, though Choksi-Chugh points out sewage spills from maintenance holes can contain chemicals and pharmaceuticals and can also be dangerous for humans, pets and wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director, San Francisco Baykeeper\"]‘It’s really disappointing to have a sewage spill of this magnitude. It’s a lot to go unnoticed for almost two weeks.’[/pullquote]\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A lot of people could come into contact with this sewage water while it’s in the street, and that can cause illness in people, it can cause illness in pets,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sewage can also make its way into the San Francisco Bay and affect wildlife there, including fish and birds, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Right now, there are no reports of any deceased wildlife associated with the incident,” said Eileen White, executive officer of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/\">San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board\u003c/a>, which is investigating the incident. “That’s what we look for: Are there dead birds? Are there dead fish in the area?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>White said the \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/\">California Department of Fish and Wildlife\u003c/a> is doing a more thorough assessment of the impact on nearby waterways and habitat areas.\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">[aside label='More Stories on Wildlife' tag='wildlife']\u003c/span>“Unfortunately, where the sewage was coming out was not obvious to people for some time,” White said. “It wasn’t like it was coming out in front of someone’s house.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She added that once WCW was alerted to the incident, the agency acted immediately to stop the spill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The spill has been stopped, but is not yet contained, according to WCW. In the meantime, the agency is collecting samples and running tests in the affected areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Contra Costa County Health Department is also investigating potential health impacts from the sewage that leaked into nearby San Pablo Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While that creek is not a source of drinking water, it is a habitat area and also goes through a residential community, and if anyone would happen to be in contact with the creek, there could potentially be some health issues,” said county Supervisor John Gioia.[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director, San Francisco Baykeeper\"]‘[WCW] really should have put this pipe on a maintenance schedule before this spill happened. This was a preventable spill.’[/pullquote]Baykeeper’s Choksi-Chugh said sewage spills of this magnitude are more common during heavy rainstorms when there’s a lot of water running through the system. A dry spill of this magnitude, she said, is very rare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also a reminder of the Bay Area’s aging sewage system, which Choksi-Chugh said dates back more than 60 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[WCW] really should have put this pipe on a maintenance schedule before this spill happened,” she said. “This was a preventable spill.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"stats": {
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"hasAudio": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"wordCount": 642,
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"paragraphCount": 18
},
"modified": 1687312287,
"excerpt": "El Sobrante's nearby San Pablo Creek was affected as raw sewage spilled from a maintenance hole. Household items causing blockage are to blame.",
"headData": {
"twImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twDescription": "",
"description": "El Sobrante's nearby San Pablo Creek was affected as raw sewage spilled from a maintenance hole. Household items causing blockage are to blame.",
"title": "500,000-Gallon Sewage Leak in El Sobrante Was 'Preventable' | KQED",
"ogDescription": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "500,000-Gallon Sewage Leak in El Sobrante Was 'Preventable'",
"datePublished": "2023-06-20T16:45:55-07:00",
"dateModified": "2023-06-20T18:51:27-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "500000-gallon-sewage-leak-in-el-sobrante-was-preventable",
"status": "publish",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11953475/500000-gallon-sewage-leak-in-el-sobrante-was-preventable",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>More than 500,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a maintenance hole in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/el-sobrante\">El Sobrante\u003c/a>, according to a local wastewater treatment agency. The waste leaked into nearby San Pablo Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>West County Wastewater (WCW) was alerted to the spill by a nearby resident, who called it in over the weekend. The agency said it has stopped the leak, which they estimate may have lasted up to two weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really disappointing to have a sewage spill of this magnitude,” said Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director of the pollution watchdog nonprofit \u003ca href=\"https://baykeeper.org/\">San Francisco Baykeeper\u003c/a>. “It’s a lot to go unnoticed for almost two weeks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp> \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to a WCW press release, the spill was caused by a “blockage of grease and disposable wipes, which should not be flushed down toilets.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>WCW said there’s been no impact to the public, though Choksi-Chugh points out sewage spills from maintenance holes can contain chemicals and pharmaceuticals and can also be dangerous for humans, pets and wildlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘It’s really disappointing to have a sewage spill of this magnitude. It’s a lot to go unnoticed for almost two weeks.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director, San Francisco Baykeeper",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“A lot of people could come into contact with this sewage water while it’s in the street, and that can cause illness in people, it can cause illness in pets,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The sewage can also make its way into the San Francisco Bay and affect wildlife there, including fish and birds, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Right now, there are no reports of any deceased wildlife associated with the incident,” said Eileen White, executive officer of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/\">San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board\u003c/a>, which is investigating the incident. “That’s what we look for: Are there dead birds? Are there dead fish in the area?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>White said the \u003ca href=\"https://wildlife.ca.gov/\">California Department of Fish and Wildlife\u003c/a> is doing a more thorough assessment of the impact on nearby waterways and habitat areas.\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "More Stories on Wildlife ",
"tag": "wildlife"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/span>“Unfortunately, where the sewage was coming out was not obvious to people for some time,” White said. “It wasn’t like it was coming out in front of someone’s house.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She added that once WCW was alerted to the incident, the agency acted immediately to stop the spill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The spill has been stopped, but is not yet contained, according to WCW. In the meantime, the agency is collecting samples and running tests in the affected areas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Contra Costa County Health Department is also investigating potential health impacts from the sewage that leaked into nearby San Pablo Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While that creek is not a source of drinking water, it is a habitat area and also goes through a residential community, and if anyone would happen to be in contact with the creek, there could potentially be some health issues,” said county Supervisor John Gioia.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘[WCW] really should have put this pipe on a maintenance schedule before this spill happened. This was a preventable spill.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Sejal Choksi-Chugh, director, San Francisco Baykeeper",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Baykeeper’s Choksi-Chugh said sewage spills of this magnitude are more common during heavy rainstorms when there’s a lot of water running through the system. A dry spill of this magnitude, she said, is very rare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s also a reminder of the Bay Area’s aging sewage system, which Choksi-Chugh said dates back more than 60 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[WCW] really should have put this pipe on a maintenance schedule before this spill happened,” she said. “This was a preventable spill.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11953475/500000-gallon-sewage-leak-in-el-sobrante-was-preventable",
"authors": [
"11362"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_1386",
"news_20767",
"news_1467",
"news_29617",
"news_20023",
"news_27626",
"news_1861",
"news_32842",
"news_5909",
"news_20287",
"news_1421"
],
"featImg": "news_11953471",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11953365": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11953365",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953365",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687210802000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "president-biden-arrives-in-the-bay-area-for-fundraisers-as-2024-reelection-campaign-ramps-up",
"title": "President Biden Arrives in the Bay Area for Fundraisers as 2024 Reelection Campaign Ramps Up",
"publishDate": 1687210802,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "President Biden Arrives in the Bay Area for Fundraisers as 2024 Reelection Campaign Ramps Up | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 4 p.m. Monday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden\">President Joe Biden\u003c/a> ramps up his reelection effort this week with four fundraisers in the San Francisco area, as his campaign builds up its coffers and lays strategic foundations for 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the back half of June, Biden’s campaign will have more than 20 fundraisers involving him, Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, according to a person involved in Biden’s travel plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss the schedule.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>More than half of the fundraisers are with the Democratic president, who arrived in California on Monday and was greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Biden also will be traveling to New York, Maryland and Illinois. The president hit the themes of his campaign at a Friday fundraising event in \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/gun-control-biden-uvalde-mass-shooting-5da6f11b177e01d9e4883b5c2db700e4\">Connecticut\u003c/a>, saying his goal is to do more to tell voters about his legislative accomplishments with \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144\">infrastructure\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea\">computer chip production\u003c/a> and programs for responding to climate change, among other policies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the first of two Monday fundraisers, Biden said democracy itself was at stake in the 2024 election and that his administration had reinstilled “a sense of confidence in the Constitution.” The fundraiser at the home of Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott was co-hosted by Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn.[pullquote align=\"right\" size=\"medium\" citation=\"Julie C. Rodriguez, campaign manager\"]‘While MAGA Republicans burn cash in their primary, competing for whose agenda is the most extreme, the president’s campaign will be capitalizing on the opportunity to raise significant resources.’[/pullquote]Biden took aim at Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville for holding up military promotions because of a policy that ensures members of the military still have access to abortions, which were restricted in many states after a Supreme Court ruling last year. “It’s bizarre. I don’t remember it happening before, and I’ve been around,” said Biden, 80, who added a joke about his age: “I know I don’t look like I’ve been around a long time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fundraising blitz follows \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-unions-democrats-presidential-campaign-8242bafc4e61ed88f7f211c621132102\">Biden’s first campaign rally\u003c/a> on Saturday in Philadelphia, where he was endorsed by key unions — the event highlighting a pivotal constituency in the largest population center of a critical battleground state. It was meant as an early display of enthusiasm for Biden’s campaign, and a venue for him to interact directly with voters before he spends much of the rest of the month meeting with deep-pocketed benefactors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The flurry of engagements comes before the end of the fundraising quarter at the end of the month — and Biden’s campaign finance report in July will provide the first test of Democratic donor enthusiasm for his reelection effort.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Biden, unlike former President Donald Trump and other 2024 GOP contenders, has not revealed any clues about his fundraising haul since \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b\">declaring his candidacy\u003c/a> in April. And his campaign launch was timed to avoid having to file a campaign finance report for the first quarter, a historically rough fundraising period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the first time in U.S. elections, Biden has joint fundraising agreements with all 50 state Democratic parties and the branch in Washington, D.C., an arrangement that can help maximize donations while minimizing expenses in the early months of the campaign. It’s part of a broader effort to unite a \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-president-election-2024-reelection-coalition-4d241b710defbece8ce7bcc3f5ab6233\">diverse Democratic coalition\u003c/a> behind Biden as the Republicans undergo what could be \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7\">a large and divisive primary\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While MAGA Republicans burn cash in their primary, competing for whose agenda is the most extreme, the president’s campaign will be capitalizing on the opportunity to raise significant resources,” said Biden’s campaign manager, Julie C. Rodriguez, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Separately, Rodriguez is traveling across the U.S. to meet with donors, local officials and community leaders to help align the coalition. Along with other campaign officials, the tour begins in Atlanta and will include Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and St. Louis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953367\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11953367\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263.jpg\" alt='An older white man with a hat on delivers a speech from behind a dais with a presidential emblem and two microphones, with a sign that reads \"Historic Climate Action\" behind him, outdoors with a beach and sea behind him.' width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Biden delivers remarks on his administration’s environmental efforts at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and Preserve in Palo Alto on June 19, 2023. \u003ccite>(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Not all of Biden’s time Monday and Tuesday in San Francisco is being devoted to the campaign. On Monday, he went with Newsom and other officials to the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and Preserve in Palo Alto. He toured the coastal wetland area and announced $600 million for projects to address climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These wetlands act as a critical buffer between the rising tides and the communities at risk,” said Biden, calling the preserve a “success story” in ongoing efforts to contain the damage from climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "On the first day of this week's visit for four fundraisers, President Biden toured a coastal wetland area and announced $600 million for projects to address climate change.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1726000674,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 15,
"wordCount": 835
},
"headData": {
"title": "President Biden Arrives in the Bay Area for Fundraisers as 2024 Reelection Campaign Ramps Up | KQED",
"description": "On the first day of this week's visit for four fundraisers, President Biden toured a coastal wetland area and announced $600 million for projects to address climate change.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "President Biden Arrives in the Bay Area for Fundraisers as 2024 Reelection Campaign Ramps Up",
"datePublished": "2023-06-19T14:40:02-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-09-10T13:37:54-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "Josh Boak and Zeke Miller\u003cbr>The Associated Press",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11953365/president-biden-arrives-in-the-bay-area-for-fundraisers-as-2024-reelection-campaign-ramps-up",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 4 p.m. Monday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden\">President Joe Biden\u003c/a> ramps up his reelection effort this week with four fundraisers in the San Francisco area, as his campaign builds up its coffers and lays strategic foundations for 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the back half of June, Biden’s campaign will have more than 20 fundraisers involving him, Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, according to a person involved in Biden’s travel plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss the schedule.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>More than half of the fundraisers are with the Democratic president, who arrived in California on Monday and was greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Biden also will be traveling to New York, Maryland and Illinois. The president hit the themes of his campaign at a Friday fundraising event in \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/gun-control-biden-uvalde-mass-shooting-5da6f11b177e01d9e4883b5c2db700e4\">Connecticut\u003c/a>, saying his goal is to do more to tell voters about his legislative accomplishments with \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144\">infrastructure\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea\">computer chip production\u003c/a> and programs for responding to climate change, among other policies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the first of two Monday fundraisers, Biden said democracy itself was at stake in the 2024 election and that his administration had reinstilled “a sense of confidence in the Constitution.” The fundraiser at the home of Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott was co-hosted by Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘While MAGA Republicans burn cash in their primary, competing for whose agenda is the most extreme, the president’s campaign will be capitalizing on the opportunity to raise significant resources.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"align": "right",
"size": "medium",
"citation": "Julie C. Rodriguez, campaign manager",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Biden took aim at Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville for holding up military promotions because of a policy that ensures members of the military still have access to abortions, which were restricted in many states after a Supreme Court ruling last year. “It’s bizarre. I don’t remember it happening before, and I’ve been around,” said Biden, 80, who added a joke about his age: “I know I don’t look like I’ve been around a long time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fundraising blitz follows \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-unions-democrats-presidential-campaign-8242bafc4e61ed88f7f211c621132102\">Biden’s first campaign rally\u003c/a> on Saturday in Philadelphia, where he was endorsed by key unions — the event highlighting a pivotal constituency in the largest population center of a critical battleground state. It was meant as an early display of enthusiasm for Biden’s campaign, and a venue for him to interact directly with voters before he spends much of the rest of the month meeting with deep-pocketed benefactors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The flurry of engagements comes before the end of the fundraising quarter at the end of the month — and Biden’s campaign finance report in July will provide the first test of Democratic donor enthusiasm for his reelection effort.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Biden, unlike former President Donald Trump and other 2024 GOP contenders, has not revealed any clues about his fundraising haul since \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b\">declaring his candidacy\u003c/a> in April. And his campaign launch was timed to avoid having to file a campaign finance report for the first quarter, a historically rough fundraising period.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the first time in U.S. elections, Biden has joint fundraising agreements with all 50 state Democratic parties and the branch in Washington, D.C., an arrangement that can help maximize donations while minimizing expenses in the early months of the campaign. It’s part of a broader effort to unite a \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/biden-president-election-2024-reelection-coalition-4d241b710defbece8ce7bcc3f5ab6233\">diverse Democratic coalition\u003c/a> behind Biden as the Republicans undergo what could be \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7\">a large and divisive primary\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“While MAGA Republicans burn cash in their primary, competing for whose agenda is the most extreme, the president’s campaign will be capitalizing on the opportunity to raise significant resources,” said Biden’s campaign manager, Julie C. Rodriguez, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Separately, Rodriguez is traveling across the U.S. to meet with donors, local officials and community leaders to help align the coalition. Along with other campaign officials, the tour begins in Atlanta and will include Boston, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and St. Louis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11953367\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11953367\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263.jpg\" alt='An older white man with a hat on delivers a speech from behind a dais with a presidential emblem and two microphones, with a sign that reads \"Historic Climate Action\" behind him, outdoors with a beach and sea behind him.' width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/GettyImages-1258832263-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Biden delivers remarks on his administration’s environmental efforts at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and Preserve in Palo Alto on June 19, 2023. \u003ccite>(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Not all of Biden’s time Monday and Tuesday in San Francisco is being devoted to the campaign. On Monday, he went with Newsom and other officials to the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center and Preserve in Palo Alto. He toured the coastal wetland area and announced $600 million for projects to address climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These wetlands act as a critical buffer between the rising tides and the communities at risk,” said Biden, calling the preserve a “success story” in ongoing efforts to contain the damage from climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11953365/president-biden-arrives-in-the-bay-area-for-fundraisers-as-2024-reelection-campaign-ramps-up",
"authors": [
"byline_news_11953365"
],
"categories": [
"news_34165",
"news_19906",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_18538",
"news_255",
"news_32839",
"news_717"
],
"featImg": "news_11953366",
"label": "news"
},
"news_11953252": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11953252",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11953252",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1687093246000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "what-california-can-do-as-home-insurance-companies-retreat-in-face-of-mounting-climate-change-risks",
"title": "What California Can Do as Home Insurance Companies Retreat in Face of Mounting Climate Change Risks",
"publishDate": 1687093246,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "What California Can Do as Home Insurance Companies Retreat in Face of Mounting Climate Change Risks | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 18481,
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>After State Farm \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.statefarm.com/state-farm-general-insurance-company-california-new-business-update//\">declared\u003c/a> in late May that \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/05/state-farm-california-insurance/\">it wouldn’t sell any new home insurance policies in California\u003c/a>, people shopping around for new insurance had one fewer option. When days later \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/insurance-allstate-fires-18130622.php\">it was revealed\u003c/a> that Allstate had quietly made the same decision last year, Californians are now left wondering: How bad is this? And how should the state respond?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The “crisis” in California’s insurance market was caused by “a laser focus only on affordability,” said Nancy Watkins, a principal at Milliman, an actuarial firm, at a legislative hearing on Wednesday. The companies are operating with “very crude tools” at the expense of availability and reliability, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said the current regulatory system is too rigid. “It’s like you’ve got your steering wheel locked straight ahead, you’ve got your speed set on cruise control, and now you find yourself on the Pacific Coast Highway,” she said. “What insurance company would agree to that?”[pullquote align=\"right\" size=\"medium\" citation=\"Nancy Watkins, principal, Milliman\"]‘It’s like you’ve got your steering wheel locked straight ahead, you’ve got your speed set on cruise control, and now you find yourself on the Pacific Coast Highway. What insurance company would agree to that?’[/pullquote]Home insurance premiums in California are a little cheaper than the national average — and much lower than premiums in other disaster-prone states like Florida and Louisiana. That’s without accounting for the fact that California has some of the most expensive housing in the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California still has about 115 companies offering home insurance, said Michael Soller, a deputy commissioner for the state’s insurance department. As for whether more companies are likely to follow State Farm and Allstate, “we don’t think that will happen,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consumer and insurance industry groups and other experts have ideas for what they’d like to see California do in the wake of the news — few of which they agree upon. Here’s the debate over four of those ideas.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>1. Require State Farm to keep issuing new policies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s disagreement whether this idea, backed by the group Consumer Watchdog, is legal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The idea hinges on how insurance prices are regulated in California. Under current laws, insurance companies can’t just charge whatever they want: They have to submit their proposed rates to the insurance department, which they back up by explaining their projected costs, losses, revenue and more. State regulators can approve a company’s proposed rates, or deny them, if they think, for example, the rates are unjustifiably high, or so low that they could put the company’s finances at risk.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"forum_2010101893331,news_11951923,news_11937459\"]Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, said if a company suddenly says that it’s not going to take the same number of customers that it had projected when it got the department’s approval, then it has changed the assumptions on which the approval was based.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They granted themselves a de facto rate increase by reducing the risk” in a state where that’s illegal, said Rosenfield. The department could issue a notice to State Farm, he said, and tell the company it needs to keep selling new home insurance policies until it submits new rates and those rates are approved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The insurance department disputes that it has the power to do this. “Their claims are not supported by law,” said Soller, the deputy commissioner. “There’s a reason why it hasn’t been done by any insurance commissioner before.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>2. Let insurance companies use forward-looking catastrophe models\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The kinds of data and statistical models insurance companies can use to set prices may sound like a nighttime sleep aid, but it’s a matter of lively discussion in insurance circles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When a company tries to justify rate changes, it is required to rely on past losses to project future losses. It can’t use factors like the locations of new homes it is covering — whether they’re in downtown San Francisco or rural wine country — or the increased risk of wildfires due to climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We do it in a very old-fashioned way, and it needs to be updated,” said Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, an insurance industry group that counts State Farm as a member. He supports the use of forward-looking models, which are generally provided by other private companies. California already permits insurers to use models for earthquake insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If a company is trying to figure out how much it should charge for earthquake coverage, it would look at proximity to fault lines, Frazier said, but for wildfire insurance, California doesn’t do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For wildfire it just says ‘Well, looking backward, what have you paid over the last 20 years for wildfire clients?’” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consumer groups generally oppose letting insurance companies use models, fearing that companies will use them to justify extreme price hikes, and that complex math will make scrutiny a challenge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re just very sophisticated crystal balls,” said Amy Bach, executive director for United Policyholders, a consumer group. Modeling companies generally see their models as intellectual property, which can pose a challenge for transparency. “Our fear is that they overstate risk,” said Bach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About a week and a half after State Farm’s announcement, the insurance department said it would host a public workshop on use of models in insurance pricing, ahead of considering regulations. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0500-legal-info/0300-workshop-insurers/upload/California-Department-of-Insurance-Invitation-to-Workshop-Examining-Catastrophe-Modeling-and-Insurance.pdf\">workshop will take place on July 13 (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Wednesday, the Assembly’s insurance committee held a hearing on models. When asked by a legislator whether the department was moving toward incorporating catastrophe models, a department representative confirmed that it was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Historic losses do not fully account for growing wildfire risks, or risk mitigation measures taken by communities,” said Michael Peterson, a deputy commissioner at the insurance department, during the hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>3. Address the increasing cost of insurance — for insurance companies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Insurance companies are just like us: They buy insurance! When insurance companies buy it, it’s called “reinsurance.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/f5f9d450-c539-47a7-bc5c-44a8db57e74e\">cost of reinsurance has risen dramatically\u003c/a>, and State Farm cited “a challenging reinsurance market” as one of the reasons it decided to stop selling new home insurance policies in California.[pullquote align=\"right\" size=\"medium\" citation=\"Rex Frazier, president, Personal Insurance Federation of California\"]‘What are insurers supposed to do when, on the one hand, the Department of Insurance is telling them ‘maintain your solvency,’ and then, on the other hand, when their costs go up, you can’t charge for it?’[/pullquote]When insurance companies explain their costs to the insurance department as part of the process for justifying their prices, they aren’t allowed to include the cost of reinsurance. The department hasn’t historically permitted it, Soller said, because it doesn’t regulate reinsurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What are insurers supposed to do when, on the one hand, the Department of Insurance is telling them ‘maintain your solvency,’ and then, on the other hand, when their costs go up, you can’t charge for it?” said Frazier.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurance industry groups say it would help if they could incorporate the cost of reinsurance into their prices. But consumer groups say that the move would cause premiums to spike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Californians would see immediate massive rate hikes — both as soon as that went into effect and ongoing,” said Carmen Balber executive director of Consumer Watchdog. A reinsurance provider regulated by California would address problems she sees with the reinsurance market, Balber said, but that doesn’t exist currently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>4. Reduce the risk of disasters\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The underlying problem is that disasters happen in California — at an increasing rate thanks to climate change — and that homes are at risk. They’re in the middle of the woods, or surrounded by flammable grasslands, or on the edge of bluffs that are expected to erode. Making homes less likely to burn, flood or collapse would be good for homeowners and would also make California feel less risky to insurers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s no shortage of ideas for how to reduce risk, and there’s been action on this front in recent years. The insurance department, for example, has \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2022/05/fire-insurance-rules/\">required insurance companies to consider whether homeowners take certain steps to protect their homes\u003c/a> — like installing fire-resistant vents and clearing out vegetation under decks — in their prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California has set aside $2.7 billion for wildfire resilience over the past three years, according to the insurance department. When the department convened a group of environmental advocates, researchers, and public policy and insurance experts to make recommendations on how to reduce the risks of climate change, \u003ca href=\"https://www.insurance.ca.gov/CCI/docs/climate-insurance-report.pdf\">they came up with a long list (PDF)\u003c/a>. Among the recommendations:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Create statewide hazard maps so that future risks are more clear to the public.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Increase funding to retrofit homes.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Apply fire-resistant building codes in areas with moderate to higher fire risk.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Cutting greenhouse gas emissions would ultimately be the best way to reduce the risk, said Alice Hill, chair of the group convened by the department and a senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations. But the world will get warmer even if we reduce emissions, she said, so focusing on where and how homes are built remains important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That could mean not building in areas that are just becoming too risky,” Hill said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "After California's largest home insurance provider said it wouldn't issue new policies, consumer and insurance industry groups share ideas for what they'd like to see California do. Here's the debate over four of these.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1721146676,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 31,
"wordCount": 1670
},
"headData": {
"title": "What California Can Do as Home Insurance Companies Retreat in Face of Mounting Climate Change Risks | KQED",
"description": "After California's largest home insurance provider said it wouldn't issue new policies, consumer and insurance industry groups share ideas for what they'd like to see California do. Here's the debate over four of these.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "What California Can Do as Home Insurance Companies Retreat in Face of Mounting Climate Change Risks",
"datePublished": "2023-06-18T06:00:46-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-07-16T09:17:56-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/grace-gedye/\">Grace Gedye\u003c/a>",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11953252/what-california-can-do-as-home-insurance-companies-retreat-in-face-of-mounting-climate-change-risks",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>After State Farm \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.statefarm.com/state-farm-general-insurance-company-california-new-business-update//\">declared\u003c/a> in late May that \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/05/state-farm-california-insurance/\">it wouldn’t sell any new home insurance policies in California\u003c/a>, people shopping around for new insurance had one fewer option. When days later \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/insurance-allstate-fires-18130622.php\">it was revealed\u003c/a> that Allstate had quietly made the same decision last year, Californians are now left wondering: How bad is this? And how should the state respond?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The “crisis” in California’s insurance market was caused by “a laser focus only on affordability,” said Nancy Watkins, a principal at Milliman, an actuarial firm, at a legislative hearing on Wednesday. The companies are operating with “very crude tools” at the expense of availability and reliability, she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said the current regulatory system is too rigid. “It’s like you’ve got your steering wheel locked straight ahead, you’ve got your speed set on cruise control, and now you find yourself on the Pacific Coast Highway,” she said. “What insurance company would agree to that?”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘It’s like you’ve got your steering wheel locked straight ahead, you’ve got your speed set on cruise control, and now you find yourself on the Pacific Coast Highway. What insurance company would agree to that?’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"align": "right",
"size": "medium",
"citation": "Nancy Watkins, principal, Milliman",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Home insurance premiums in California are a little cheaper than the national average — and much lower than premiums in other disaster-prone states like Florida and Louisiana. That’s without accounting for the fact that California has some of the most expensive housing in the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California still has about 115 companies offering home insurance, said Michael Soller, a deputy commissioner for the state’s insurance department. As for whether more companies are likely to follow State Farm and Allstate, “we don’t think that will happen,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consumer and insurance industry groups and other experts have ideas for what they’d like to see California do in the wake of the news — few of which they agree upon. Here’s the debate over four of those ideas.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>1. Require State Farm to keep issuing new policies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There’s disagreement whether this idea, backed by the group Consumer Watchdog, is legal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The idea hinges on how insurance prices are regulated in California. Under current laws, insurance companies can’t just charge whatever they want: They have to submit their proposed rates to the insurance department, which they back up by explaining their projected costs, losses, revenue and more. State regulators can approve a company’s proposed rates, or deny them, if they think, for example, the rates are unjustifiably high, or so low that they could put the company’s finances at risk.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "forum_2010101893331,news_11951923,news_11937459"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, said if a company suddenly says that it’s not going to take the same number of customers that it had projected when it got the department’s approval, then it has changed the assumptions on which the approval was based.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They granted themselves a de facto rate increase by reducing the risk” in a state where that’s illegal, said Rosenfield. The department could issue a notice to State Farm, he said, and tell the company it needs to keep selling new home insurance policies until it submits new rates and those rates are approved.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The insurance department disputes that it has the power to do this. “Their claims are not supported by law,” said Soller, the deputy commissioner. “There’s a reason why it hasn’t been done by any insurance commissioner before.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>2. Let insurance companies use forward-looking catastrophe models\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The kinds of data and statistical models insurance companies can use to set prices may sound like a nighttime sleep aid, but it’s a matter of lively discussion in insurance circles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When a company tries to justify rate changes, it is required to rely on past losses to project future losses. It can’t use factors like the locations of new homes it is covering — whether they’re in downtown San Francisco or rural wine country — or the increased risk of wildfires due to climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We do it in a very old-fashioned way, and it needs to be updated,” said Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, an insurance industry group that counts State Farm as a member. He supports the use of forward-looking models, which are generally provided by other private companies. California already permits insurers to use models for earthquake insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If a company is trying to figure out how much it should charge for earthquake coverage, it would look at proximity to fault lines, Frazier said, but for wildfire insurance, California doesn’t do that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“For wildfire it just says ‘Well, looking backward, what have you paid over the last 20 years for wildfire clients?’” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consumer groups generally oppose letting insurance companies use models, fearing that companies will use them to justify extreme price hikes, and that complex math will make scrutiny a challenge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They’re just very sophisticated crystal balls,” said Amy Bach, executive director for United Policyholders, a consumer group. Modeling companies generally see their models as intellectual property, which can pose a challenge for transparency. “Our fear is that they overstate risk,” said Bach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>About a week and a half after State Farm’s announcement, the insurance department said it would host a public workshop on use of models in insurance pricing, ahead of considering regulations. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0250-insurers/0500-legal-info/0300-workshop-insurers/upload/California-Department-of-Insurance-Invitation-to-Workshop-Examining-Catastrophe-Modeling-and-Insurance.pdf\">workshop will take place on July 13 (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Wednesday, the Assembly’s insurance committee held a hearing on models. When asked by a legislator whether the department was moving toward incorporating catastrophe models, a department representative confirmed that it was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Historic losses do not fully account for growing wildfire risks, or risk mitigation measures taken by communities,” said Michael Peterson, a deputy commissioner at the insurance department, during the hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>3. Address the increasing cost of insurance — for insurance companies\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Insurance companies are just like us: They buy insurance! When insurance companies buy it, it’s called “reinsurance.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/f5f9d450-c539-47a7-bc5c-44a8db57e74e\">cost of reinsurance has risen dramatically\u003c/a>, and State Farm cited “a challenging reinsurance market” as one of the reasons it decided to stop selling new home insurance policies in California.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘What are insurers supposed to do when, on the one hand, the Department of Insurance is telling them ‘maintain your solvency,’ and then, on the other hand, when their costs go up, you can’t charge for it?’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"align": "right",
"size": "medium",
"citation": "Rex Frazier, president, Personal Insurance Federation of California",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>When insurance companies explain their costs to the insurance department as part of the process for justifying their prices, they aren’t allowed to include the cost of reinsurance. The department hasn’t historically permitted it, Soller said, because it doesn’t regulate reinsurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What are insurers supposed to do when, on the one hand, the Department of Insurance is telling them ‘maintain your solvency,’ and then, on the other hand, when their costs go up, you can’t charge for it?” said Frazier.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Insurance industry groups say it would help if they could incorporate the cost of reinsurance into their prices. But consumer groups say that the move would cause premiums to spike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Californians would see immediate massive rate hikes — both as soon as that went into effect and ongoing,” said Carmen Balber executive director of Consumer Watchdog. A reinsurance provider regulated by California would address problems she sees with the reinsurance market, Balber said, but that doesn’t exist currently.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>4. Reduce the risk of disasters\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The underlying problem is that disasters happen in California — at an increasing rate thanks to climate change — and that homes are at risk. They’re in the middle of the woods, or surrounded by flammable grasslands, or on the edge of bluffs that are expected to erode. Making homes less likely to burn, flood or collapse would be good for homeowners and would also make California feel less risky to insurers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There’s no shortage of ideas for how to reduce risk, and there’s been action on this front in recent years. The insurance department, for example, has \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2022/05/fire-insurance-rules/\">required insurance companies to consider whether homeowners take certain steps to protect their homes\u003c/a> — like installing fire-resistant vents and clearing out vegetation under decks — in their prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California has set aside $2.7 billion for wildfire resilience over the past three years, according to the insurance department. When the department convened a group of environmental advocates, researchers, and public policy and insurance experts to make recommendations on how to reduce the risks of climate change, \u003ca href=\"https://www.insurance.ca.gov/CCI/docs/climate-insurance-report.pdf\">they came up with a long list (PDF)\u003c/a>. Among the recommendations:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Create statewide hazard maps so that future risks are more clear to the public.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Increase funding to retrofit homes.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Apply fire-resistant building codes in areas with moderate to higher fire risk.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Cutting greenhouse gas emissions would ultimately be the best way to reduce the risk, said Alice Hill, chair of the group convened by the department and a senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations. But the world will get warmer even if we reduce emissions, she said, so focusing on where and how homes are built remains important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That could mean not building in areas that are just becoming too risky,” Hill said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11953252/what-california-can-do-as-home-insurance-companies-retreat-in-face-of-mounting-climate-change-risks",
"authors": [
"byline_news_11953252"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_19906",
"news_6266",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_20472",
"news_18159",
"news_4463"
],
"affiliates": [
"news_18481"
],
"featImg": "news_11953264",
"label": "news_18481"
},
"news_11952517": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_11952517",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11952517",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1686267342000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "martinez-refinery-chemical-release-poses-no-long-term-hazard-tests-find",
"title": "Martinez Refinery's Chemical Release Poses No Long-Term Hazard, Tests Find",
"publishDate": 1686267342,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Martinez Refinery’s Chemical Release Poses No Long-Term Hazard, Tests Find | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 6:10 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa County health officials announced Thursday that soil testing conducted in the months after a Martinez oil refinery released nearly 50,000 pounds of powdered industrial chemicals last November has found no long-term health risks to residents in the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli said the county is immediately lifting \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2023/0307-Safety-Advice-Near-Martinez-Refinery-Health-Advisory.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a March 7 advisory (PDF)\u003c/a> that recommended residents refrain from consuming fruits and vegetables grown in soil that had received fallout from the Martinez Refining Company’s release. The refinery company is owned and operated by PBF Energy, based in Parsippany, New Jersey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tzvieli said the soil testing and an associated risk assessment “confirms that the primary health risk from the spent catalyst release occurred in the initial hours and days after the refinery release.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The soil-testing results were released to \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc/\">a community oversight committee\u003c/a> formed after the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101892741/martinez-residents-seek-answers-on-toxic-refinery-release\">releases\u003c/a>, which occurred last Nov. 24–25, on Thanksgiving and the following day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tzvieli added during a media briefing that followed the committee meeting that because PBF failed to immediately notify officials about the release, questions remain about what health effects residents might experience because of their exposure to the toxic dust immediately after it settled on their neighborhoods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We weren’t able to do measurement in real time because we didn’t know this was going on until several days later,” Tzvieli said. “So had we been able to do measurement in real time, we would have been able to look at concentrations — what was in the air.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some of the heavy metals in the dust, such as nickel, pose health concerns, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some of those can have effects on the immune system, some of these metals can be carcinogenic. So it is a concerning incident,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the same time, he added, the inability to measure the November release as it was occurring makes it hard to distinguish the hazard the incident posed from the impact of ongoing refinery emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So that’s why it’s hard to give people specific information about the risks that stemmed from this particular release,” Tzvieli said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consultants hired by the county analyzed soil samples from 14 sites stretching from El Sobrante to Benicia for more than a dozen metals that may have been associated with the release of 24 tons of refinery dust — material described as “spent catalyst” used in the refining process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results for most of the heavy metals the samples were analyzed for, including aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc and chromium, all came back both within an expected regional background range and below residential health limits set by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jenny Phillips, a toxicologist employed by consultant TRC, reported that samples of arsenic and lead were close to or exceeded state health limits at a handful of sites. But she added that the higher levels of those two toxic metals were probably unrelated to last November’s refinery release. TRC’s report will be made available to the public sometime in the next two weeks, and it will be open for comment for 45 days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[pullquote size=\"medium\" align=\"right\" citation=\"Tony Semenza, Martinez resident and member of the oversight committee\"]‘One hundred ninety-four days after the release, we are now at the point where we’re telling people it’s OK to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables. The process is flawed.’[/pullquote]Matt Kaufmann, Contra Costa County’s deputy health director, emphasized that the investigation of the Martinez incident is far from over. The county has hired a consultant to perform an independent root cause analysis of the release, and county prosecutors are weighing potential charges against the refinery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kaufmann criticized the refining company for failing to immediately notify local officials when the incident occurred.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The test results released Thursday “do not excuse the Martinez Refining Company for the lack of notification at the onset of this incident,” he said. “The lack of timely notification negated our ability as health officials to protect our community, including those most vulnerable, namely the medically compromised, the elderly and the children within our community.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, PBF Energy spokesperson Brandon Matson said the company was “pleased” the county had released the soil-testing analysis and lifted its health advisory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The results are in line with our initial statements about the material,” Matson said. He also offered the latest in a string of apologies the company has offered to Martinez residents, saying the company has investigated the release, has identified corrective actions and is committed to implementing them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tony Semenza, a Martinez resident serving on the oversight committee, expressed frustration that it has taken so long to assess the hazard posed by the releases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“One hundred ninety-four days after the release, we are now at the point where we’re telling people it’s OK to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables,” Semenza said. “The process is flawed. This should have been done much quicker, a while ago. … I’m upset with the way the process works.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside label='More Refinery Coverage' postID=news_11947977]The test results come less than two weeks after the FBI confirmed it has launched a joint investigation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency into the Martinez plant’s spent catalyst release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Members of the refinery accountability group \u003ca href=\"https://www.healthymartinez.org/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Healthy Martinez\u003c/a> welcomed the largely reassuring test results, but expressed continuing misgivings about PBF and the refinery. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m grateful that the Thanksgiving release no longer poses serious danger and that Contra Costa Health has demonstrated leadership in this process, but I still don’t trust the refinery that didn’t report it,” said Martinez resident group member Jillian Elliott. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today’s results are only one piece of the larger issue,” said Heidi Taylor, a longtime Martinez resident and Healthy Martinez member. “It doesn’t change the fact that this oil refinery dumped toxic metals on our community (and) didn’t report it to county health.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Healthy Martinez has also called on PBF to install improved emissions control and air monitoring equipment at the refinery. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>FBI agents and EPA personnel have gone door to door asking residents about their experience during and after the incident. The probe also has included circulation of an online survey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Martinez resident Wendy Ke said representatives from both federal agencies approached her late last month and asked a series of questions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was primarily, ‘Do you have photos, do you have videos, do you have factual documentation? Did you touch the spent catalyst? Did you see it?’” Ke said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said the morning after Thanksgiving, her neighborhood was coated with what looked like ash, as if there had been a major wildfire nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But it did look a little bit different,” she said. “It didn’t have a light-weight ash to it, like flaky ash. It seemed a little more sticky.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same morning, resident Zachary Taylor found his neighborhood covered in dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just a consistent coating across everything, almost like a snowfall, like a light dusting, but then we go out across the street and absolutely everything is covered with it,” Taylor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11952523\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11952523\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A fine white powder collected on the edges and near the windshield wiper of a car shown in close detail.\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED-160x213.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Refinery dust known as ‘spent catalyst’ from the PBF Energy plant sits on a car windshield in Martinez in late November 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Anna Encarnacion)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Refinery catalyst is a powdered chemical compound used in the process of breaking down crude petroleum into products like gasoline. Spent catalyst is the material left over after the high-temperature refining process and contains a mix of potentially hazardous components.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Before Thursday’s test results were released, county health officials told Martinez residents that \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/hazmat/pdf/MRC-Catalyst-Release-FAQs.pdf\">the dust that coated homes, vehicles, lawns, gardens and a nearby schoolyard included heavy metals (PDF)\u003c/a>, including aluminum, chromium, nickel, vanadium and zinc. The county health department said there could have been short-term respiratory problems from breathing in the dust right after the incident, and that potential long-term health impacts would depend on each person’s exposure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa County hired TRC, a Connecticut-based consulting and engineering firm, to take \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc/pdf/Proposed-Sample-Locations-2023-0427.pdf\">soil samples in 14 locations (PDF)\u003c/a> from El Sobrante to Martinez to Benicia. Those locations were chosen after local air regulators \u003ca href=\"https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/1867499/Martinez-City-Meeting-MRC_Incident_Slides-v5.pdf\">mapped fallout from the release (PDF)\u003c/a>. Crews began collecting samples in May. Health officials say the samples were taken to a lab to see which health risks they might pose through touching, inhaling or consuming food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In March, months after the refinery accident, \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2023/0307-Safety-Advice-Near-Martinez-Refinery-Health-Advisory.pdf\">the health department urged residents to refrain from eating food grown in soil that might contain the refinery dust (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The department also asked local prosecutors to file charges against PBF Energy. That request is under review, according to Ted Asregadoo, a Contra Costa County District Attorney spokesperson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Asregadoo said the office is investigating whether PBF violated the law by failing to report an actual or threatened hazardous material release to county officials and whether the company made illegal discharges into the county stormwater system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>County officials have emphasized that \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2022/1130-Hazardous-Materials-Release-at-Martinez-Oil-Refinery.php\">they learned about the releases not from the refinery but instead from residents\u003c/a>. The refinery initially told residents that its testing suggested the release consisted of only nontoxic material. The company also offered free carwash vouchers to Martinez residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has said \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/compliance-and-enforcement/incident-reports/2022/updated-incident-report-pbf-mrc-120922-draft-eg-pdf.pdf?la=en&rev=26aa2da8823e4d11b06437a9be2e9717\">the release was caused by a malfunction (PDF)\u003c/a> within the refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking unit. The air district has issued 21 notices of violation against PBF in connection with the November release and continues to investigate the incident, according to district spokesperson Ralph Borrmann.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>PBF representatives have apologized for the releases, noting the company has cooperated with regulators and made changes to prevent a repeat of the Thanksgiving incident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nevertheless, some refinery neighbors say their sense of safety has been shattered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At this point I feel very uncertain about what I’m breathing, knowing what the potential is for release on a daily basis,” said Ke, who has lived in Martinez for more than a decade.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "November 2022 incident spread nearly 50,000 pounds of powdered industrial chemicals over town, alarming residents and prompting advisory to avoid consuming food grown in soil affected by fallout. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1726004917,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 46,
"wordCount": 1744
},
"headData": {
"title": "Martinez Refinery's Chemical Release Poses No Long-Term Hazard, Tests Find | KQED",
"description": "November 2022 incident spread nearly 50,000 pounds of powdered industrial chemicals over town, alarming residents and prompting advisory to avoid consuming food grown in soil affected by fallout. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Martinez Refinery's Chemical Release Poses No Long-Term Hazard, Tests Find",
"datePublished": "2023-06-08T16:35:42-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-09-10T14:48:37-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"WpOldSlug": "martinez-refinerys-dust-release-poses-no-long-term-hazard-tests-find",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/11952517/martinez-refinery-chemical-release-poses-no-long-term-hazard-tests-find",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 6:10 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa County health officials announced Thursday that soil testing conducted in the months after a Martinez oil refinery released nearly 50,000 pounds of powdered industrial chemicals last November has found no long-term health risks to residents in the area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli said the county is immediately lifting \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2023/0307-Safety-Advice-Near-Martinez-Refinery-Health-Advisory.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a March 7 advisory (PDF)\u003c/a> that recommended residents refrain from consuming fruits and vegetables grown in soil that had received fallout from the Martinez Refining Company’s release. The refinery company is owned and operated by PBF Energy, based in Parsippany, New Jersey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tzvieli said the soil testing and an associated risk assessment “confirms that the primary health risk from the spent catalyst release occurred in the initial hours and days after the refinery release.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The soil-testing results were released to \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc/\">a community oversight committee\u003c/a> formed after the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101892741/martinez-residents-seek-answers-on-toxic-refinery-release\">releases\u003c/a>, which occurred last Nov. 24–25, on Thanksgiving and the following day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tzvieli added during a media briefing that followed the committee meeting that because PBF failed to immediately notify officials about the release, questions remain about what health effects residents might experience because of their exposure to the toxic dust immediately after it settled on their neighborhoods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We weren’t able to do measurement in real time because we didn’t know this was going on until several days later,” Tzvieli said. “So had we been able to do measurement in real time, we would have been able to look at concentrations — what was in the air.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some of the heavy metals in the dust, such as nickel, pose health concerns, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Some of those can have effects on the immune system, some of these metals can be carcinogenic. So it is a concerning incident,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the same time, he added, the inability to measure the November release as it was occurring makes it hard to distinguish the hazard the incident posed from the impact of ongoing refinery emissions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So that’s why it’s hard to give people specific information about the risks that stemmed from this particular release,” Tzvieli said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consultants hired by the county analyzed soil samples from 14 sites stretching from El Sobrante to Benicia for more than a dozen metals that may have been associated with the release of 24 tons of refinery dust — material described as “spent catalyst” used in the refining process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results for most of the heavy metals the samples were analyzed for, including aluminum, copper, nickel, zinc and chromium, all came back both within an expected regional background range and below residential health limits set by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jenny Phillips, a toxicologist employed by consultant TRC, reported that samples of arsenic and lead were close to or exceeded state health limits at a handful of sites. But she added that the higher levels of those two toxic metals were probably unrelated to last November’s refinery release. TRC’s report will be made available to the public sometime in the next two weeks, and it will be open for comment for 45 days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "‘One hundred ninety-four days after the release, we are now at the point where we’re telling people it’s OK to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables. The process is flawed.’",
"name": "pullquote",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"size": "medium",
"align": "right",
"citation": "Tony Semenza, Martinez resident and member of the oversight committee",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Matt Kaufmann, Contra Costa County’s deputy health director, emphasized that the investigation of the Martinez incident is far from over. The county has hired a consultant to perform an independent root cause analysis of the release, and county prosecutors are weighing potential charges against the refinery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kaufmann criticized the refining company for failing to immediately notify local officials when the incident occurred.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The test results released Thursday “do not excuse the Martinez Refining Company for the lack of notification at the onset of this incident,” he said. “The lack of timely notification negated our ability as health officials to protect our community, including those most vulnerable, namely the medically compromised, the elderly and the children within our community.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In a statement, PBF Energy spokesperson Brandon Matson said the company was “pleased” the county had released the soil-testing analysis and lifted its health advisory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The results are in line with our initial statements about the material,” Matson said. He also offered the latest in a string of apologies the company has offered to Martinez residents, saying the company has investigated the release, has identified corrective actions and is committed to implementing them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tony Semenza, a Martinez resident serving on the oversight committee, expressed frustration that it has taken so long to assess the hazard posed by the releases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“One hundred ninety-four days after the release, we are now at the point where we’re telling people it’s OK to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables,” Semenza said. “The process is flawed. This should have been done much quicker, a while ago. … I’m upset with the way the process works.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "More Refinery Coverage ",
"postid": "news_11947977"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The test results come less than two weeks after the FBI confirmed it has launched a joint investigation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency into the Martinez plant’s spent catalyst release.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Members of the refinery accountability group \u003ca href=\"https://www.healthymartinez.org/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Healthy Martinez\u003c/a> welcomed the largely reassuring test results, but expressed continuing misgivings about PBF and the refinery. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I’m grateful that the Thanksgiving release no longer poses serious danger and that Contra Costa Health has demonstrated leadership in this process, but I still don’t trust the refinery that didn’t report it,” said Martinez resident group member Jillian Elliott. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today’s results are only one piece of the larger issue,” said Heidi Taylor, a longtime Martinez resident and Healthy Martinez member. “It doesn’t change the fact that this oil refinery dumped toxic metals on our community (and) didn’t report it to county health.” \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Healthy Martinez has also called on PBF to install improved emissions control and air monitoring equipment at the refinery. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>FBI agents and EPA personnel have gone door to door asking residents about their experience during and after the incident. The probe also has included circulation of an online survey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Martinez resident Wendy Ke said representatives from both federal agencies approached her late last month and asked a series of questions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was primarily, ‘Do you have photos, do you have videos, do you have factual documentation? Did you touch the spent catalyst? Did you see it?’” Ke said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>She said the morning after Thanksgiving, her neighborhood was coated with what looked like ash, as if there had been a major wildfire nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But it did look a little bit different,” she said. “It didn’t have a light-weight ash to it, like flaky ash. It seemed a little more sticky.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The same morning, resident Zachary Taylor found his neighborhood covered in dust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just a consistent coating across everything, almost like a snowfall, like a light dusting, but then we go out across the street and absolutely everything is covered with it,” Taylor said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11952523\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11952523\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"A fine white powder collected on the edges and near the windshield wiper of a car shown in close detail.\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/060723-MARTINEZ-DUST-KQED-160x213.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Refinery dust known as ‘spent catalyst’ from the PBF Energy plant sits on a car windshield in Martinez in late November 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Anna Encarnacion)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Refinery catalyst is a powdered chemical compound used in the process of breaking down crude petroleum into products like gasoline. Spent catalyst is the material left over after the high-temperature refining process and contains a mix of potentially hazardous components.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Before Thursday’s test results were released, county health officials told Martinez residents that \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/hazmat/pdf/MRC-Catalyst-Release-FAQs.pdf\">the dust that coated homes, vehicles, lawns, gardens and a nearby schoolyard included heavy metals (PDF)\u003c/a>, including aluminum, chromium, nickel, vanadium and zinc. The county health department said there could have been short-term respiratory problems from breathing in the dust right after the incident, and that potential long-term health impacts would depend on each person’s exposure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contra Costa County hired TRC, a Connecticut-based consulting and engineering firm, to take \u003ca href=\"https://cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc/pdf/Proposed-Sample-Locations-2023-0427.pdf\">soil samples in 14 locations (PDF)\u003c/a> from El Sobrante to Martinez to Benicia. Those locations were chosen after local air regulators \u003ca href=\"https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/1867499/Martinez-City-Meeting-MRC_Incident_Slides-v5.pdf\">mapped fallout from the release (PDF)\u003c/a>. Crews began collecting samples in May. Health officials say the samples were taken to a lab to see which health risks they might pose through touching, inhaling or consuming food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In March, months after the refinery accident, \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2023/0307-Safety-Advice-Near-Martinez-Refinery-Health-Advisory.pdf\">the health department urged residents to refrain from eating food grown in soil that might contain the refinery dust (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The department also asked local prosecutors to file charges against PBF Energy. That request is under review, according to Ted Asregadoo, a Contra Costa County District Attorney spokesperson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Asregadoo said the office is investigating whether PBF violated the law by failing to report an actual or threatened hazardous material release to county officials and whether the company made illegal discharges into the county stormwater system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>County officials have emphasized that \u003ca href=\"https://ccc.cchealth.org/press-releases/2022/1130-Hazardous-Materials-Release-at-Martinez-Oil-Refinery.php\">they learned about the releases not from the refinery but instead from residents\u003c/a>. The refinery initially told residents that its testing suggested the release consisted of only nontoxic material. The company also offered free carwash vouchers to Martinez residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has said \u003ca href=\"https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/compliance-and-enforcement/incident-reports/2022/updated-incident-report-pbf-mrc-120922-draft-eg-pdf.pdf?la=en&rev=26aa2da8823e4d11b06437a9be2e9717\">the release was caused by a malfunction (PDF)\u003c/a> within the refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking unit. The air district has issued 21 notices of violation against PBF in connection with the November release and continues to investigate the incident, according to district spokesperson Ralph Borrmann.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>PBF representatives have apologized for the releases, noting the company has cooperated with regulators and made changes to prevent a repeat of the Thanksgiving incident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nevertheless, some refinery neighbors say their sense of safety has been shattered.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At this point I feel very uncertain about what I’m breathing, knowing what the potential is for release on a daily basis,” said Ke, who has lived in Martinez for more than a decade.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/11952517/martinez-refinery-chemical-release-poses-no-long-term-hazard-tests-find",
"authors": [
"258",
"222"
],
"categories": [
"news_19906",
"news_457",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_2036",
"news_20389",
"news_20023",
"news_18543",
"news_227",
"news_20455",
"news_21107",
"news_226",
"news_29527",
"news_2920",
"news_26179",
"news_2919"
],
"featImg": "news_11952522",
"label": "news"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"radioSearchSegmentsReducer": {},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/news?category=environment": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 324,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 3957,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"news_11955249",
"news_11956021",
"news_11955604",
"news_11955083",
"news_11954531",
"news_11954239",
"news_11953890",
"news_11953794",
"news_11953475",
"news_11953365",
"news_11953252",
"news_11952517"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news_category_environment": {
"isLoading": true
},
"news_19906": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19906",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19906",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19923,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/environment"
},
"source_news_11955604": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_11955604",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "NPR",
"link": "https://www.npr.org/",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_news_11954531": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_11954531",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "CalMatters",
"link": "https://calmatters.org/",
"isLoading": false
},
"news_8": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_8",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "8",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/news"
},
"news_4747": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4747",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4747",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sierra Nevada",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sierra Nevada Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4766,
"slug": "sierra-nevada",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sierra-nevada"
},
"news_6218": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6218",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6218",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Tioga Pass",
"slug": "tioga-pass",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Tioga Pass | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 6242,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/tioga-pass"
},
"news_17603": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17603",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17603",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Yosemite",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Yosemite Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 17637,
"slug": "yosemite",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/yosemite"
},
"news_4746": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4746",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4746",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Yosemite National Park",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Yosemite National Park Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4765,
"slug": "yosemite-national-park",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/yosemite-national-park"
},
"news_356": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_356",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "356",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 364,
"slug": "science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/science"
},
"news_18132": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18132",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18132",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "animals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "animals Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18166,
"slug": "animals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/animals"
},
"news_2426": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2426",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2426",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "birds",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "birds Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2441,
"slug": "birds",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/birds"
},
"news_18245": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18245",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18245",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "endangered species",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "endangered species Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18279,
"slug": "endangered-species",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/endangered-species"
},
"news_27626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27643,
"slug": "featured-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-news"
},
"news_29992": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29992",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29992",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 30009,
"slug": "arts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/arts"
},
"news_223": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_223",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "223",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts and Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts and Culture Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 231,
"slug": "arts-and-culture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/arts-and-culture"
},
"news_721": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_721",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "721",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Santa Cruz",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Santa Cruz Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 730,
"slug": "santa-cruz",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/santa-cruz"
},
"news_1071": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1071",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1071",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "surfing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "surfing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1082,
"slug": "surfing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/surfing"
},
"news_1421": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1421",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1421",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wildlife",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wildlife Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1433,
"slug": "wildlife",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wildlife"
},
"news_72": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_72",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "72",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/TCR-2-Logo-Web-Banners-03.png",
"name": "The California Report",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "program",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "The California Report Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6969,
"slug": "the-california-report",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/program/the-california-report"
},
"news_34165": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34165",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34165",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Climate",
"slug": "climate",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Climate Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34182,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/climate"
},
"news_457": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_457",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "457",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16998,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/health"
},
"news_255": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_255",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "255",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "climate change",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "climate change Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 263,
"slug": "climate-change",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/climate-change"
},
"news_18269": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18269",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18269",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "farmworkers",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "farmworkers Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18303,
"slug": "farmworkers",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/farmworkers"
},
"news_3431": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3431",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3431",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Flooding",
"slug": "flooding",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Flooding | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 3449,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/flooding"
},
"news_5525": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_5525",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "5525",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "high temperatures",
"slug": "high-temperatures",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "high temperatures | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 5548,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/high-temperatures"
},
"news_32889": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32889",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32889",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "immigrant farmworkers",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "immigrant farmworkers Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32906,
"slug": "immigrant-farmworkers",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/immigrant-farmworkers"
},
"news_4463": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4463",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4463",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wildfires",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wildfires Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4482,
"slug": "wildfires",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wildfires"
},
"news_20447": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20447",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20447",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California water",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California water Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20464,
"slug": "california-water",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-water"
},
"news_4248": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4248",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4248",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "ceqa",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "ceqa Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4267,
"slug": "ceqa",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/ceqa"
},
"news_21349": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21349",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21349",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "clean energy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "clean energy Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21366,
"slug": "clean-energy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/clean-energy"
},
"news_21863": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21863",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21863",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "development",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "development Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21880,
"slug": "development",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/development"
},
"news_21973": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21973",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21973",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "energy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "energy Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21990,
"slug": "energy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/energy"
},
"news_16": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_16",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "16",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Gavin Newsom",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Gavin Newsom Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16,
"slug": "gavin-newsom",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/gavin-newsom"
},
"news_1730": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1730",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1730",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "infrastructure",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "infrastructure Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1742,
"slug": "infrastructure",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/infrastructure"
},
"news_30285": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_30285",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "30285",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "infrastructure package",
"slug": "infrastructure-package",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "infrastructure package | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 30302,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/infrastructure-package"
},
"news_1307": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1307",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1307",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "peregrine falcons",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "peregrine falcons Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1319,
"slug": "peregrine-falcons",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/peregrine-falcons"
},
"news_464": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_464",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "464",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "reservoirs",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "reservoirs Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 473,
"slug": "reservoirs",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/reservoirs"
},
"news_18481": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18481",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18481",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "CALmatters",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "affiliate",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "CALmatters Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18515,
"slug": "calmatters",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/affiliate/calmatters"
},
"news_29634": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29634",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29634",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wildfire prevention",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wildfire prevention Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 29651,
"slug": "wildfire-prevention",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wildfire-prevention"
},
"news_7052": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_7052",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "7052",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {
"ogImgId": {
"data": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_117396"
}
}
},
"featImg": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/KQED-Newsroom-Logo-Web-Banners-051.png",
"name": "KQED Newsroom",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "program",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": "KQED Newsroom",
"ogImgId": "news_117396",
"twDescription": null,
"description": "KQED Newsroom airs every Friday on KQED-9",
"title": "KQED Newsroom | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": "KQED Newsroom is our weekly show highlighting the issues that matter most to the people of Northern California."
},
"ttid": 7078,
"slug": "kqed-newsroom",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/program/kqed-newsroom"
},
"news_31795": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31795",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31795",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31812,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/california"
},
"news_1758": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1758",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1758",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Economy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "Full coverage of the economy",
"title": "Economy Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2648,
"slug": "economy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/economy"
},
"news_6188": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6188",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6188",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Law and Justice",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Law and Justice Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6212,
"slug": "law-and-justice",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/law-and-justice"
},
"news_28250": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28250",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28250",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Local",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Local Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28267,
"slug": "local",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/local"
},
"news_13": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_13",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "13",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 13,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/politics"
},
"news_10": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_10",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "10",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/sports"
},
"news_248": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_248",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "248",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Technology",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Technology Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 256,
"slug": "technology",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/technology"
},
"news_32707": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32707",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32707",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "audience-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "audience-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32724,
"slug": "audience-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/audience-news"
},
"news_23288": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_23288",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "23288",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "gray whale",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "gray whale Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 23305,
"slug": "gray-whale",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/gray-whale"
},
"news_2052": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2052",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2052",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "humpback whales",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "humpback whales Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2067,
"slug": "humpback-whales",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/humpback-whales"
},
"news_3788": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3788",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3788",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Monterey",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Monterey Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3806,
"slug": "monterey",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/monterey"
},
"news_1861": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1861",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1861",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1876,
"slug": "san-francisco-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco-bay"
},
"news_841": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_841",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "841",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "whales",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "whales Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 851,
"slug": "whales",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/whales"
},
"news_1386": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1386",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1386",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1398,
"slug": "bay-area",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area"
},
"news_20767": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20767",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20767",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "california department of fish and wildlife",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "california department of fish and wildlife Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20784,
"slug": "california-department-of-fish-and-wildlife",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-department-of-fish-and-wildlife"
},
"news_1467": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1467",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1467",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Contra Costa County",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Contra Costa County Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1479,
"slug": "contra-costa-county",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/contra-costa-county"
},
"news_29617": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29617",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29617",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "el sobrante",
"slug": "el-sobrante",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "el sobrante | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 29634,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/el-sobrante"
},
"news_20023": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20023",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20023",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20040,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/environment"
},
"news_5909": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_5909",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "5909",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "sewage",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "sewage Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5933,
"slug": "sewage",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sewage"
},
"news_20287": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20287",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20287",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wastewater",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wastewater Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20304,
"slug": "wastewater",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wastewater"
},
"news_18538": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18538",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18538",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california"
},
"news_32839": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32839",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32839",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Election 2024",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Election 2024 Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32856,
"slug": "election-2024",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/election-2024"
},
"news_717": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_717",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "717",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Joe Biden",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Joe Biden Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 726,
"slug": "joe-biden",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/joe-biden"
},
"news_6266": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6266",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6266",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6290,
"slug": "housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/housing"
},
"news_20472": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20472",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20472",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "california housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "california housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20489,
"slug": "california-housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-housing"
},
"news_18159": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18159",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18159",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "insurance",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "insurance Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18193,
"slug": "insurance",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/insurance"
},
"news_2036": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2036",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2036",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "air pollution",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "air pollution Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2051,
"slug": "air-pollution",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/air-pollution"
},
"news_20389": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20389",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20389",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area refineries",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area refineries Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20406,
"slug": "bay-area-refineries",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area-refineries"
},
"news_18543": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18543",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18543",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 466,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/health"
},
"news_227": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_227",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "227",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Martinez",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Martinez Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 235,
"slug": "martinez",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/martinez"
},
"news_20455": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20455",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20455",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Martinez Refinery",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Martinez Refinery Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20472,
"slug": "martinez-refinery",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/martinez-refinery"
},
"news_21107": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21107",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21107",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "oil refineries",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "oil refineries Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21124,
"slug": "oil-refineries",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oil-refineries"
},
"news_226": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_226",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "226",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "oil refinery",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "oil refinery Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 234,
"slug": "oil-refinery",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oil-refinery"
},
"news_29527": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29527",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29527",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "PBF Energy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "PBF Energy Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 29544,
"slug": "pbf-energy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/pbf-energy"
},
"news_2920": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2920",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2920",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "pollution",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "pollution Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2938,
"slug": "pollution",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/pollution"
},
"news_26179": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26179",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26179",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "refineries",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "refineries Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 26196,
"slug": "refineries",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/refineries"
},
"news_2919": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2919",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2919",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "refinery",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "refinery Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2937,
"slug": "refinery",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/refinery"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
}
}
