2026
California spent over $1 billion subsidizing clean transit. Accusations of fraud and waste followed
A premier California green transportation initiative is roiled by accusations of fraud, waste and poor oversight. Officials insist it is managed effectively.
Help us report on clean-air trucks and buses in California
If you have participated in California’s clean truck and bus subsidy program, known as HVIP, and would be open to sharing your story, we would like to hear from you.
Clean transit, poor oversight
California’s $1-billion clean truck and bus subsidy program was designed to cut pollution and accelerate zero-emission sales. It is now facing allegations of fraud, waste and poor oversight.
A truck company founder was indicted for fraud. California still paid $50 million for its vehicles
Nikola Corp.’s former CEO was indicted for fraud. His company’s vehicles were the most heavily subsidized in California’s $1-billion clean truck incentive program on average.
Two Utah hikers rescued after perilous, freezing 36-hour trek on Mt. Shasta
Two Utah hikers survived freezing 15-degree temperatures and a 36-hour ordeal on Mt. Shasta after getting lost off-trail with dead phone batteries.
‘All I could see was flames’: Norte fire hollows out Orange County homes
The Norte fire has burned more than 570 acres and damaged homes in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano as firefighters battle Southern California blazes.
As Bryson fire reignites trauma in Malibu, neighbors lean on one another
In a town of fire survivors — where many have lost their home at least once, if not twice, in previous blazes — a quiet, familiar feeling filled Malibu neighborhoods: Here we go again.
Just 8 years after Woolsey, a new fire ignites in its scar — too soon for both residents and plants
Chaparral’s ability to quickly regrow has made such a quick fire return interval commonplace in the Santa Monica Mountains. But so many back-to-back ignitions are jeopardizing the ecosystem’s long-term viability.
Sky-high LADWP bills light up social media
Los Angeles residents have posted bills they called “outrageous,” “insane” and “extremely crazy” over the past few weeks as summer charges hit mailboxes.
Arizona joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration plan for Colorado River cutbacks
Arizona announces it has joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s plan to impose water cutbacks along the Colorado River.