California News

PG&E to Avoid Criminal Charges in Settlements Over 2 Major Wildfires

California utility PG&E Corp. has reached settlement agreements with district attorneys representing Northern California counties to avoid prosecution over two major wildfires, with the company agreeing to pay $55 million. “As a result of these agreements, no criminal charges will …

Court: Hospitals Can be Responsible for Abuse by Employees

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — A state appeals court said Tuesday that a Southern California hospital can be held responsible for sexual abuse by an employee, upholding a jury’s damage award of $6.75 million to two elderly patients who were abused …

Fire and Rain: West to Get More One-Two Extreme Climate Hits

The one-two punch of nasty wildfires followed by heavy downpours, triggering flooding and mudslides, will strike the U.S. West far more often in a warming-hopped world, becoming a frequent occurrence, a new study said. That fire-flood combination, with extreme drenchings …

California Drought Deepens as Wet Season is Anything but

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ California is experiencing one of the driest starts to spring in decades, data showed Friday, and absent a heavy dose of April and May showers the state’s drought will deepen and that could lead to stricter …

Report: Pilot Fought to Save Helicopter Before Deadly Crash

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The pilot of a police helicopter desperately tried to keep flying before crashing into the ocean off Southern California last month, killing another officer, investigators said in a preliminary report Wednesday. Two Huntington Beach officers …

California Bill Would Require Vaccines For All Employees

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California would mandate that all businesses require their employees and independent contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under legislation announced Friday by Democratic state lawmakers that was immediately criticized by Republicans as government overreach. Employees or …

Tesla Warns of Possible California Suit Over Race Harassment

Tesla Inc. said a California agency informed the electric automaker that it has grounds for a civil complaint, following an investigation into racial harassment. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing issued a so-called notice of cause finding and …

Firefighters Mopping Up Wildfire Near Big Sur Coast

BIG SUR, Calif. (AP)–Firefighters working a wildfire near California’s Big Sur coast were strengthening control lines and mopping up hot spots Wednesday, authorities said. Fire activity was minimal overnight, with higher humidity and light winds, Cal Fire said in a …

Wineries, Farms Eligible for Last-Ditch California Insurance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)–Napa wineries and others hard-hit by massive wildfires in California’s wine country and elsewhere will soon be able to tap into the state’s insurance plan of last resort, officials said Friday. Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, wine growers and …

Hundreds Evacuated as Fire Burns Near California’s Big Sur

BIG SUR, Calif. (AP)–Hundreds of residents remained evacuated Sunday as crews battled a wildfire in rugged mountains along the California coast that forced the closure of the main roadway near Big Sur. One structure was damaged by the blaze that …