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Utility workers prepare to make repairs to downed power lines on Nicasio Valley Road

Thousands without power after California storms

Torrential downpours and damaging winds left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power in northern California, even as the area braced for the next onslaught of severe weather later in the day and through the weekend.

US • 06 Jan 23

A damaged gas station creaks in the wind during a massive 'bomb cyclone' rain storm in South San Francisco, California

Storm unleashes torrential rains across California

A massive storm has unleashed high winds and torrential rains across California, threatening much of the state with flash flooding and mudslides.

World • 05 Jan 23

Firefighters put out hotspots while working on a firebreak to create a barrier to slow the progress of the Fairview Fire

Tropical storm expected to fan California wildfire

A weakening tropical storm approaching California and parts of the US southwest promised to bring cooler temperatures to the region while threatening to exacerbate the risk of wildfires across the state.

US • 10 Sep 22

Two people are known to have died in the blaze, which erupted on Monday

California wildfire doubles in size

A wildfire burning outside Los Angeles has doubled in size in less than 24 hours, firefighters said as they endured yet another day of blistering heat in the western United States.

US • 09 Sep 22

People wait in line to receive the monkeypox vaccine at the Balboa Sports Center in the Encino neighbourhood of Los Angeles

California governor declares monkeypox emergency

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over monkeypox in a move aimed at bolstering vaccination efforts to slow the spread of an outbreak that has infected more than 5,800 Americans.

US • 02 Aug 22

Smoke and flames rise as Yosemite National Park burns

Californian wildfires threaten giant sequoia trees

A wildfire threatening some of the world's oldest giant sequoia trees in California's Yosemite National Park has expanded five-fold as smoke prompted air quality alerts throughout the park and obscured views of its famed scenery.

World • 11 Jul 22

Man rescued after falling off cliff in California

A man has been rescued after falling over a cliff in California and becoming trapped on a ledge halfway down the 150m tall cliff face.

News Lens • 22 May 22

One person died at the scene while four other victims were critically wounded

Churchgoers tie up gunman after deadly US shooting

A gunman opened fire in a southern California church during a lunch banquet yesterday, killing one person and wounding five, before churchgoers detained the suspect and tied his legs with an electrical cord, authorities have said.

US • 16 May 22

The blaze, which erupted yesterday, grew rapidly to engulf the community of Laguna Niguel, near Los Angeles

Violent wildfire destroys luxury California homes

A sudden and violent wildfire that tore through a luxury enclave in California destroying multi-million dollar homes in minutes was worsened by wind and the size of the properties, officials said.

World • 12 May 22

New law was challenged by several individuals and groups lobbying for gun ownership rights

California ban over semi-automatic guns overturned

California's ban on the sale of semi-automatic weapons to adults under the age of 21 violates the country's constitution, a US federal appeals court has ruled.

US • 12 May 22

Police place evidence markers at scene of shooting in Sacramento

Police probing Sacramento mass shooting arrest suspect

A suspect has been arrested following a weekend shooting that left six people dead and 12 wounded in Sacramento, California.

US • 04 Apr 22

Tesla said the lawsuit appears to be focused on alleged misconduct at its factory in Fremont in California between 2015 and 2019

California to sue Tesla over alleged discrimination

Tesla said today that the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) intends to file a lawsuit against the company alleging systematic racial discrimination and harassment.

Business • 09 Feb 22

Firearms are prevalent in the US, where around 40% of adults live in a gun-owning household (File image)

California city votes to mandate gun insurance

The city of San Jose has voted to pass a law that will compel gun owners to take out insurance to cover any damage caused by their weapon, a move its mayor said was the first of its kind in the United States.

US • 26 Jan 22

Firefighters battle the Caldor Fire along highway 89 west of Lake Tahoe

Dad, son charged with starting California forest fire

A father and son have been arrested on charges of starting a huge forest fire that burned more than 200,000 acres in northern California this summer, local officials said.

US • 09 Dec 21

The bodies of John Gerrish and his wife and baby daughter were found near a trailhead in the Sierra National Forest

California family's mystery deaths 'due to heat'

The mysterious deaths of a family and their dog on a California hiking trail that baffled investigators for weeks was down to excessive heat, the local sheriff said.

US • 22 Oct 21

The US Coast Guard is leading a clean-up response involving federal, state and city agencies

California oil spill kills fish, damages wetlands

A large oil spill off the southern California coast left fish dead, birds mired in oil and wetlands contaminated, in what local officials called an environmental catastrophe.

World • 04 Oct 21

The General Sherman is the largest tree on earth by volume

World's largest tree threatened by California wildfires

One of California's most famous groves of giant sequoias is threatened by a small but intense wildfire burning in Sequoia National Park, officials said.

World • 15 Sep 21

A home is destroyed near Lake Tahoe as the Caldor fire rages through California

Thousands displaced as wildfire threatens US resort

Firefighters battled to protect homes on the fringe of tinder-dry forests near Lake Tahoe as a wildfire chased thousands of residents and tourists from the popular resort destination in California's Sierra Nevada range.

US • 31 Aug 21

The couple were found dead in Devil's Gulch, which is part of Sierra National Forest

Death of family on California trail baffles police

The mysterious deaths of a family and their dog on a California hiking trail are baffling investigators, almost a week after their bodies were found.

World • 24 Aug 21

The Caldor fire covers more than 54,000 acres

Thousands forced to flee as California wildfire rages

A wildfire that erupted outside California's state capital just a few days ago has exploded to cover 54,000 acres, an eight-fold increase over a short period of time.

US • 19 Aug 21

Firefighters use a hose line to extinguish hot spots during the Dixie Fire near Janesville

Winds and dry conditions fan California wildfires

Shifting winds and bone-dry conditions fueled two of California's largest wildfires, forcing several rural communities to evacuate.

World • 18 Aug 21

Firefighters walk along a road while working the scene during the Dixie fire in the Prattville community of unincorporated Plumas County

California's 'Dixie Fire' generating its own climate

Thousands of US firefighters are battling a blaze in California that has grown so big it is generating its own weather system, with authorities warning conditions could worsen.

World • 26 Jul 21

Michael Gargiulo maintained his innocence throughout the trial

Double murderer sentenced to death in California

A California judge has sentenced a man nicknamed the "Hollywood Ripper" to death for the home-invasion murders of two women in the early 2000s, one of whom was preparing to go on a date with actor Ashton Kutcher.

US • 17 Jul 21

Goats are being used to clear dry grass and shrubs

No Kidding: Goats help tackle wildfires in California

As the door clanked open, the herd of goats ran from the metal trailer and into the surrounding woodland, their trampling hooves creating a cloud of dry dust in the morning California sunshine.

Climate Change • 09 Jun 21

Flowers are placed near the scene of the shooting

Death toll in California rail yard shooting rises to 9

The death toll from a shooting at a rail yard in San Jose, California has risen to nine after a victim who was taken to hospital in critical condition died, NBC Bay Area reported, citing authorities.

US • 27 May 21