DAN WALTERS: California’s future water supplies depend on the outcomes of four intertwined battles Cal Matters CommentaryPlanning and management September 11, 2026By Dan Walters, CalMatters This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Since the earliest years...
CAL MATTERS FACT CHECK: Is Sam Altman right that almonds use more water than ChatGPT queries? Cal Matters Planning and management September 4, 2026Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal one almond’s water use, but experts say public data center water data is too...
CAL MATTERS: California politicians promised white gold in ‘Lithium Valley’. But are those dream fading? Cal Matters Ecosystems September 1, 2026This California desert region was touted as the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium.’ Years later, projects are behind schedule and workers...
CAL MATTERS: The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it Cal Matters Uncategorized August 28, 2026The public has turned against data centers, prompting a flood of legislation in California. Business interests are trying to blunt...
CAL MATTERS: The Trump administration upended how the West fights wildfires. California is bracing too Cal Matters Wildfires and watersheds August 24, 2026By Rachel Becker from CalMatters. Amy Alonzo, of The Nevada Independent; Robert Chaney, of Montana Free Press/Mountain Journal; Mike Koshmrl,...
CAL MATTERS: What is the 10 a.m. rule? Controversial firefighting strategy could be back Cal Matters Wildfires and watersheds August 24, 2026By CalMatters Staff, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Wildfires once ran on...
CAL MATTERS: Where did the birds go? Once-abundant wetlands are drying up after federal staff cutbacks Cal Matters Ecosystems August 14, 2026A long decline in the number of people managing wildlife refuges in California accelerated after the Trump administration’s DOGE staffing...
CAL MATTERS: Band-Aid, not a cure: federal Colorado River plan leaves states guessing every two years Cal Matters Colorado River August 5, 2026States failed to reach a Colorado River deal, so the feds are likely to impose a stopgap plan cutting California’s...
CAL MATTERS: Fierce floods or wild waves? How San Diego is preparing for a winter of extreme weather under El Niño. Cal Matters Planning and management August 1, 2026As a “super El Niño” season gains steam, San Diego contends with aging stormwater systems and century-old dams. By Deborah...
CAL MATTERS: California can’t replant its forests fast enough to keep up with wildfires Cal Matters Wildfires and watersheds July 24, 2026California’s wildfires are destroying forests faster than the state can replant them, and federal cuts are making the gap worse. One...
CAL MATTERS: Tech billionaires hire Democratic dealmakers in renewed push to build a Bay Area city Cal Matters Planning and management June 25, 2026Following years of local resistance, tech billionaires are turning to the state to fast track their plan to build a...
CAL MATTERS: This million-square-foot data center would be the biggest in the state. How local leaders are challenging it. Cal Matters Planning and management June 23, 2026A million-square-foot data center became a lighting rod in this rural county. Local leaders filed lawsuits, proposed laws and organized...
CAL MATTERS: California scales back golden mussel safeguards at vital reservoir, alarming experts Cal Matters Ecosystems June 12, 2026Destructive golden mussels are wreaking havoc in California waterways. Why are California water managers ending precautions for a vital reservoir? By...
CAL MATTERS: Data centers are guzzling California’s water. We have no idea how much Cal Matters Planning and management May 17, 2026Data centers are expanding into water-stressed California communities. Lax disclosure rules keep the public in the dark about actual water usage....
CAL MATTERS: Money for clean drinking water threatened by Newsom administration’s climate overhaul Cal Matters Policy and regulation May 14, 2026Roughly 600,000 Californians still lack access to safe and reliable drinking water supplies. The problem will cost billions to fix. So...
