California Observer - Digital News Portal
California Moves to Protect Film Tax Credits for Indie Productions
California film tax credits could soon operate differently for independent productions under AB 186, a pending measure that would exempt sold indie-film credits from state business-credit limits beginning
UC Berkeley Leads Global Startup Rankings for Fourth Straight Year
UC Berkeley startup ranking results released Sept. 1 put the California university at No. 1 globally for undergraduate alumni founders for a fourth consecutive year. PitchBook counted 2,380 Berkeley undergraduate
Study Links Carbon Emissions to California Groundwater Loss
A peer-reviewed study published August 25 estimates that emissions traced to major fossil-fuel and cement producers contributed about one-third of climate-driven groundwater loss in California’s Central Valley between 2003 and
California AI Law Brings New Watermarks to Synthetic Media Files
The California AI law known as the AI Transparency Act became operative on August 2, 2026, requiring large generative AI providers to place hidden provenance disclosures in
Business
California Expands DNA Tools for Missing Persons Investigations
California has enacted AB 2018, expanding the state’s DNA Tools for missing persons investigations to include unidentified people who are living as well as deceased. The law,
Los Angeles Lakers Sale Sets $12.5 Billion Record
Los Angeles Lakers ownership could change again less than a year after the NBA approved Mark Walter’s majority purchase. Josh Kushner and former Disney chief Bob Iger
Huntington Beach E-Bike Crackdown Leads to Citations
May 13, 2026
California Awards $11.3 Million to 13 Prohousing Communities
California housing funding totaling $11.3 million is going to 13 cities and counties with Prohousing Designation, with the state directing the money toward local efforts to create
Opinion
California Housing Crisis Spreads Into Inland Regions, Report Finds
A new Public Policy Institute of California report found that concern about housing has increased sharply in several inland regions while declining in the Bay
Big Bear Bald Eagle Jackie Dies After Intensive Treatment
Big Bear bald eagle Jackie died August 10 after more than three weeks of intensive medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center. The 14-year-old eagle
Local Officials Back California Nuclear Plant Extension Before 2030 Closure
Local elected officials have urged California leaders to extend operations at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant beyond its scheduled 2030 closure. The request cites the
Hidden Solvang Tunnel Network Draws New Historical Interest
Interest in Solvang’s underground tunnels has grown after a local historian documented portions of the hidden network beneath the California town. The exploration has renewed