May 8, 2026
The crazy new world of wildfire home-defense tech
California’s devastating wildfires have prompted a flurry of tech designed to defend homes. Much of it remains pricey and unproven.
Governor’s debate spawns another raucous clash: 5 explosive moments
Candidates for California governor face off in another televised debate hosted by L.A. TV stations NBC4 and Telemundo 52 as voting begins in the June 2 primary.
Tennessee lawmakers pass U.S. House map carving up majority-Black district in Memphis
Republican leadership quickly adjourned the special session, sending the new map on to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who promptly signed it into law.
Newsom pledges to move forward with Delta water tunnel in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom provided a chronological look back at his water policies and asserted the need to continue his effort to modernize state infrastructure through the Delta Conveyance Project.
Elon Musk’s Tesla compensation totals $158 billion for 2025
Elon Musk’s 2025 Tesla compensation — on paper — is exceptional even in the context of increasingly large packages for executives seen as key to their companies.
Sweeping California law on single-use plastic meets with outrage from all sides as it goes live
California’s long anticipated single-use plastic law is now in effect. Environmentalists and anti-waste activists are suing, saying loopholes make it toothless and even harmful.
Trees that survived L.A.’s wildfires are dying at alarming rate. Can they be saved?
A preliminary survey found 20% of street trees that survived the 2025 fires have gone missing in the past year. Local advocates blame a lack of watering and careless contractors.
Chinese truck drivers are going electric as gas prices soar
As electric car sales soften in China after years of breakneck growth, electric trucks are taking off, with the emerging industry expected to get a boost from the Iran war.
Xavier Becerra shows that his loyalty lies with fossil fuels
It’s not just that this California gubernatorial candidate has taken big donations from Chevron. The real tell was that he refused to take on Big Oil over climate change when other attorneys general were suing.
South Carolina joins Southern redistricting push after U.S. Supreme Court ruling on minority districts
Republicans are rapidly pursuing redistricting efforts across the South following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affects majority-Black congressional districts