Rachel Becker / CalMatters

As drought intensifies, the order affects many cities and growers from Fresno to the Oregon border, including 212 public water systems.

Sacramento Valley growers protected for decades by their water rights are suffering for the first time during this record-breaking drought. Wildlife refuges are struggling, too.

With the exception of the North Coast, Californians have been ignoring urgent pleas from water officials, using substantially more water after a record-dry three months gripped the state.

If enacted this summer, California’s mandate — the first in the world — would increase sales of electric or other zero-emission cars to 35% in 2026, and prohibit new gasoline or diesel cars by 2035.

From housing and health to transportation and education, the Legislative Analyst’s Office provides a litany of sobering climate change impacts for California legislators to address as they enact policies and set budgets.

Still resisting statewide water rationing for parched California, Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking local suppliers to tighten water limits.

California’s proposed limit for hexavalent chromium — the first in the nation — would raise water rates in many cities. The contaminant, linked to cancer, was made infamous by Erin Brockovich.

New data from urban areas suggests that people are ignoring the governor’s pleas for voluntary conservation during the drought. Some experts say it’s time for Gov. Newsom to issue a mandatory order.

The Sierra Nevada hasn’t provided nearly as much water as predicted. Now the state is struggling to overhaul its snow runoff forecasts.

After record-breaking snowfall at the start of the rainy season, January and February will likely be the driest on record, prolonging California’s drought.

State scientists, who make on average 27% less than state engineers, are trying to negotiate a better deal. “I’m freaking terrified that all of these awesome people that I work with…are going to leave,” one environmental scientist said.

California’s environmental justice law is supposed to clean the air for 15 hot spot communities, home to almost 4 million people. But after more than 4 years and $1 billion, it’s still impossible to say whether it’s worked.