Two More California Condors Set to Fly Free

By Kimberly Wear on November 8, 2022 at 12:48PM

The multi-step release process begins at dawn, when the NCCRP team will open the door to a baited enclosure, or trap, which is adjacent to the main pen. According to the release, that door stays open until one or both A6 and A7 enter.

'Blood Moon' Lunar Eclipse Starts Just After Midnight

By Kimberly Wear on November 7, 2022 at 1:10PM

If the North Coast’s weather cooperates —and it’s not looking like it will — the celestial scene can be taken in with the naked eye, although binoculars or a telescope enhance the view and give a better look of the moon’s red coloring, according to NASA. Should the storm interrupt the view, a live streaming of the eclipse from telescopes around the world can be found here starting at 1 a.m., which will include an interview with NASA lunar scientist Noah Petro and comments coming in from the global telescope network bring in the images.

Halloween Forecast: Light Rain and Sneaker Waves

By Kimberly Wear on October 30, 2022 at 1:23PM

CDC’s Move Paves Way for California to Require School COVID Vaccines — But Lawmakers Have Given Up for Now

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CALmatters on October 28, 2022 at 12:01PM

The state Department of Public Health refused to say whether it plans to add the vaccine to the required list. Instead the agency referred to its previous statement from April in an email: “…upon full approval by the FDA, CDPH will consider the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians prior to considering a school vaccine requirement.”

UPDATED: 4.1 Quake Shakes Fortuna

By Kimberly Wear on October 23, 2022 at 11:29AM

A magnitude-4.1 earthquake struck 3 miles from Fortuna at 11:16 a.m., according to the United States Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage.

Congenital Syphilis Rates Soar Across California as Public Health Funding Dwindles

By Kristen Hwang/CalMatters on October 10, 2022 at 2:42PM

“When they rank developed nations on health measures, the indicators always include sexually transmitted diseases. And we’re failing.”

Condor Release Attempt Set for Monday

By Kimberly Wear on October 7, 2022 at 2:24PM

Known as the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, the effort is a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks, which plans to reintroduce one cohort of prey-go-neesh to the region every year for at least the next two decades. “We are extremely excited to start releasing our second prey-go-neesh cohort,” said Yurok Wildlife Department Director Tiana Williams-Claussen.

Four in a Row: California Drought Likely to Continue

By Rachel Becker/CalMatters on September 28, 2022 at 8:16AM

Through August, no other three-year period in California history has been this dry — even during the last historic drought from 2012 through 2016.  “Or did the last drought end?

Red Flag Warning: Increased Risk of Fire Starts

By Kimberly Wear on August 17, 2022 at 10:36AM

California Poised to Restrict Bee-killing Pesticides

By Rachel Becker/CalMatters on July 20, 2022 at 11:20AM

The regulation contains some exceptions to allow neonicotinoids for invasive pests like the Asian citrus psyllid, which spreads citrus greening disease. Though the California agriculture department does not anticipate any crop losses, its experts do expect an increase in costs because of the price of replacement pesticides.