California Observer - Digital News Portal
California Water Storage Project Moves Toward Construction
California’s Sites Reservoir project has moved closer to construction after the Sites Project Authority advanced a revised water-right permit for the planned reservoir. The project is designed to
California Solar Canals Test Water and Energy Savings
A Central Valley pilot project is testing solar canopies installed above working irrigation canals, combining electricity generation with water-conservation research. Project Nexus involves Turlock Irrigation District, UC Merced and California
California Kelp Farm Project Advances Off Southern Coast
California coastal officials have allowed Ocean Rainforest’s proposed offshore kelp farm in Southern California to advance, clearing a regulatory step for the planned marine aquaculture project. The operation would cultivate
UC Riverside Study Links Tax Incentives to Local Innovation
A UC Riverside study found that large corporate tax subsidies were associated with increased patenting among nearby businesses. Researchers examined 115 subsidy deals and found that larger
Business
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
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
UC Berkeley Epilepsy Study Finds Reactive Astrocyte Changes
UC Berkeley researchers have identified reactive astrocyte changes in human brain organoids modeling tuberous sclerosis complex, a rare genetic disorder associated with childhood epilepsy. Published in Nature
Opinion
UC Davis Receives $14 Million Grant for Wildfire Smoke Study
UC Davis researchers have received a five-year, $14.05 million federal grant to investigate the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure. The project will examine cardiovascular
California Opens AskCA AI Gateway for State Services
California has opened beta sign-ups for AskCA, an AI-powered gateway designed to help residents navigate state and local services through a single starting point. The
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