Santa Cruz County Statewide Articles

Wealth Will Dictate LA Fire Recovery Unless California Learns From Mistakes of Past Disasters

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LA Will Need Workers to Clean Up After Fires. It Can Be a Dangerous Job

The LA fires have left domestic workers and day laborers jobless. They may soon be hired for wildfire cleanup work, where they can be exposed to ash and other toxins.

Private Firefighters Are Increasingly Popular With Insurers. But Do They Pose a Risk?

Robert MacKenzie is an assistant fire chief — but not the kind who works for your local fire department. As the Palisades Fire bore down on Southern California last week, the private fire crew he oversees headed out to help …

These L.A. Firefighters Lost Everything When the Eaton Fire Arrived at Their Doorstep

They dedicated their careers to stopping people's homes from burning, but when the Eaton fire arrived on their doorstep, their expertise was no match for its wrath.

'Is This Real?': Three Generations of Altadena Family Lose Homes in Eaton Fire

The Davila family found their dream home in Altadena. They hope to rebuild after the fire destroyed three generations of family homes.

Column: The Shrine to Mexican Horse Culture That's Now a Sanctuary From the Fires

The Lopez clan was part of a region-wide effort that amounted to an equine Dunkirk.

Migration Across the U.S.-Mexico Border, in 5 Charts

Arrivals at the border are the lowest they've been since incoming President Trump first left office in 2021.

Bitter Feud Among Sinaloa Cartel Families Brings Grim New Tactic: Grave Desecration

In the escalating war among rival factions of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán are suspected of ordering the destruction of elaborate mausoleums that belong to rival families, including one for a fallen grandson of Ismael "El …

Lessons From the Burn Zone: Why Some Homes Survived the L.A. Wildfires

The Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed thousands of homes but left some still standing through a combination of fortunate timing, wind shifts and — according to experts, modern approaches to architecture and landscaping.

Junk Food Turns Public Villain as Power Shifts in Washington

The new Trump administration could be coming for your snacks.

For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village — And a Lot of Luck

COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — Over two years ago, Kim Hilton and his partner walked out of their home for the final time. The house had sold, and the new landlord raised the rent.

Junk Food Turns Public Villain as Power Shifts in Washington

The new Trump administration could be coming for your snacks.

‘Blessing Scams’ a Curse in Disguise, Costing Elderly Asian Victims Thousands: SF Police

San Francisco police are urging the city’s Chinese community to be on alert for blessing scams following several recent cases where criminals stole approximately $374,000 in cash and property from victims.San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said Tuesday that blessing …

As LA Fires Destroy Homes, California’s Housing Crisis Is About to Get Worse

The wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County communities have destroyed at least 10,000 homes so far and more are in the path of still-uncontrolled flames.

Community College Bachelor’s Degrees Stall for Years Amid Cal State Objections

Many new bachelor's degrees have been approved since a 2021 law allowed community colleges to create them, but a handful have been im limbo for nearly two years.

SF Police Link 1992 Killing, Sexual Assault to Suspect Awaiting Murder Trial in Denver

San Francisco police said Wednesday that investigators have linked the nearly 33-year-old killing of a homeless woman in the city to a man awaiting trial for another murder in Denver. Nancy Hernandez, 45, was found dead on May 2, 1992, …

Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman Hires New Special Prosecutor for Police Misconduct

Michael Gennaco, a former federal prosecutor with decades of experience reviewing police use-of-force cases, will serve as the special prosecutor overseeing two high-profile shooting cases.

Moss Landing Power Plant Fire Spurs Evacuations in Monterey County

A fire was reported at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County on Friday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders for residents leaving nearby.

SF District Attorney Files First Auto Burglary Case After ‘Locked Door Loophole’ Nixed

A San Francisco man has been charged with multiple allegations of crimes related to auto burglary under a new law that went into effect on Jan. 1, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday. The 28-year-old man pleaded not …

Padilla Hopes to Increase Firefighter Pay, Create Affordable Housing for Disaster Response

California Sen. Alex Padilla introduced several bills to increase firefighter pay, expand FEMA funding and include affordable housing as part of disaster response.