Latest news with #CentralValley
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The California region where 5 million residents face growing health risk
One of America's richest farming hubs is facing a hidden threat that could jeopardize the health of local residents and the future existence of the land. California 's Central Valley and its neighboring drylands grow a third of the country's crops and power a multibillion-dollar economy. But scientists say the region is now confronting the escalating danger of dust storms driven by climate change, unchecked development, and vast swaths of idle farmland. A major study published in Communications Earth and Environment in April found that 88 percent of dust storms caused by human activity — so-called 'anthropogenic dust events' — were linked to fallowed farmland between 2008 and 2022. With hundreds of thousands more acres expected to sit idle by 2040, researchers warn the crisis is only beginning. 'Dust events are a big problem, especially in the Central Valley, and have not gotten enough attention,' said UC Merced professor Adeyemi Adebiyi in a May 2025 university report. The phenomenon is hitting five major regions: the San Joaquin Valley, Salton Trough, Sonora Desert, Mojave Desert, and Owens-Mono Lake area — home to roughly 5 million Californians. Experts at UC Dust, a multi-university research initiative focused on the issue, say the relationship between degraded land and dust is dangerously self-perpetuating. 'There is a two-way linkage between dust emission and landscape degradation, with one reinforcing the other, leading to potentially irreversible shifts in California's dryland ecosystems,' the group wrote in its latest update. While some dust-control efforts exist, scientists say they're not enough—and warn that without more intervention, the storms will only increase (Pictured: Aerial shot of suburban residential streets in Bakersfield, California) Dust has always been part of life in inland California, but human activity is making it more frequent—and more hazardous. The storms have already caused massive disruptions, ranging from serious health impacts to deadly crashes. In 1991, an agricultural dust storm led to a 164-car pileup that killed 17 people in the San Joaquin Valley. And in 1977, wind gusts nearing 200 mph in Kern County triggered a destructive storm that killed five and caused $34 million in damages, according to KVPR-FM. Today, many storms are so large they can be seen from space. One of the most serious concerns is Valley fever—a potentially fatal infection caused by fungal spores that live in the soil and spread through the air during dust events. The illness causes symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Cases are rising fast: California logged 12,637 cases in 2024, the highest on record. The first four months of 2025 have already surpassed the same period the year before. A Nature study cited in the new report found Valley fever cases jumped 800 per cent in the state between 2000 and 2018. 'Valley fever risk increases as the amount of dust increases,' said Katrina Hoyer, an immunology professor at UC Merced. Central California — where much of the state's fallowed land is located — is now considered a hotspot for the disease. And while some dust control efforts are in place, they've been limited and costly, according to UC Dust. 'The future of dust in California is still uncertain,' Adebiyi said. 'But our report suggests dust storms will likely increase.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Northern California on second day of heat advisory as triple-digit temps continue
The Central Valley will see triple-digit temperatures on Saturday as a heat advisory remains in effect, the National Weather Service said. Sacramento and Stockton could see temps around 102, while cities further south, such as Modesto and Merced, will see temps around 105. Another day of very hot temperatures is expected today, with triple digit heat in the Valley. Be sure to practice heat safety by: ✔️Staying hydrated ✔️Looking before you lock ✔️Checking in on heat sensitive groups and pets#cawx — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 31, 2025 A break from the heat will come on Sunday. In Sacramento and Stockton, temps will be in the mid-to-high 80s. Modesto and other cities in the San Joaquin Valley can expect temps in the low-to-mid 90s. Heat Advisory The heat advisory was issued at 11 a.m. Friday and remains in effect Saturday until 11 p.m. Temperatures in the Valley, Delta, Foothills and northern Coastal Range could be as high as 107 degrees. With high temps, the NWS warns that there is a high risk of heat stress or illnesses. A Heat Advisory will go into effect at 11 AM this morning and continue thru 11 PM Saturday night. Widespread Moderate to Major HeatRisk, with limited overnight relief are in the forecast. If you are outdoors today, remember to stay hydrated! #CAwx — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 30, 2025 Overnight lows will bring some relief. The NWS expects lows to be in the mid-60s to mid-70s.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Notorious stretch of California highway dubbed ‘Blood Alley' where James Dean died is to close for safety work
A stretch of California highway where actor James Dean died will temporarily shut down. The road, known as 'Blood Alley,' spans 20 miles of Highway 41 and connects the state to the Central Valley, Paso Robles and Kettlemen City. The high volume of traffic and the narrow lanes have been blamed for a high number of accidents. Authorities will be carrying out construction on the highway for five days from June 9 to 13. The work will extend from the interchange of highways 41 and 46 near Cholame, about 20 miles east to Reef Station near the junction of state Route 33, according to SFGate. The Independent has emailed Caltrans, the state's transportation authority, for more information. Jim Shivers, a Caltrans spokesperson, told the San Francisco Chronicle the new works were the latest effort to make the stretch of road safer. He said: 'There will be some lengthy detours, which we have acknowledged. The flip side of that is we'll have a brand new interchange opening up soon. It's a major upgrade, it's a major safety enhancement.' In 2002, the San Francisco Chronicle reported 54 people had died on the stretch of highway, with James Dean being one of them. An additional 690 people were injured in the same spot. On September 30, 1955, the 24-year-old actor – who had recently achieved superstar status with his movies Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant – got into his Porsche 550 Spyder and started driving up the coast toward Salinas. Around 5.45p.m., he passed through the intersection in Cholame, about 227 miles from San Francisco. Ford Tudor, a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, turned onto the road and struck Dean's car. The actor's vehicle crumpled on impact and Dean died from severe injuries, including a broken neck. He became the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award acting nomination, and later received a second. The site of the crash has become a tourist attraction, featuring a sculpture of the actor. Caltrans has spent two decades working to improve safety conditions on the road. The State Route 46 Corridor Improvement Project expanded the number of lanes and added a new interchange. Officials believe the established detour will be operable through the improvement efforts. Drivers heading west from the Central Valley are being advised to take Highway 41 to state Route 33 south to Highway 46 west before rejoining Highway 41. Officials say they are optimistic the work will be completed ahead of July 4.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Explore Crystal Cave as it reopens at Sequoia National Park for this season
Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. After a four-year closure due to natural disasters, Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park reopened to the public this weekend in time for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer. Crystal Cave is located near the Giant Forest area and has been one of the most popular visitor destinations in the park since it opened for public tours in 1940. Since the announcement earlier this year that the cave was reopening for the 2025 season, 'the response from the public has been overwhelming,' said Nicole Stivers, marketing and communications director for Sequoia Parks Conservancy. 'It's a beautiful reminder of how people value these experiences in our national parks,' Stivers said. For people in the Central Valley, Crystal Cave has been just more than a tour or a rite of passage. 'It's a portal to something extraordinary,' Stiver said. 'A hidden world beneath the forest floor with cool air, sparkling formations and fairy pools.' Guided tours tickets for the first several weeks of the 2025 season — which runs from May 23 to Sept. 7 — are sold out, Stivers said. She said one-third of the entire season has been sold as of May 22. Tours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be booked online only. Tickets will not be available for purchase onsite. Before its closure due to wildfires, floods and other nature incidents, an average of 51,000 people visited the cave each summer, according to the conservancy. Clay Jordan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks superintendent, said the reopening of Crystal Cave is not only a milestone but a big step toward recovering from 'the most unprecedented national disasters in the park's 135 years history.' For example, the road and infrastructure leading to Crystal Cave were greatly impacted by the KNP Complex wildfire in 2021, and again during the severe winter storms in 2022 and 2023, which created unsafe conditions for visitors. The cave closed in 2020 due to COVID and was affected by the Castle Fire that year, as well. While the cave reopened for the 2021 season with limitations due to COVID mitigations, the season was cut short because the KNP Complex fire left 'a much more catastrophic impact to the park's infrastructure,' Jordan said. According to Jordan several projects over the last three to four years helped restore access, including power line replacement, road stabilization, and clearing hazardous trees along Crystal Cave Road. About 4,800 hazard trees have been removed along the route to the cave. 'Although we are still under construction, we are happy that we could get this open at the earlier possible time in order to restore access for people to be able to experience (Crystal Cave,' Jordan said. As crew continue to remove felled hazard trees along the roadway, visitors to the cave can expect traffic delays throughout the 2025 season. Road construction and other projects are expected to continue after the season ends. The reopening of the cave is 'a celebration of resilience and the deep love so many people have for this National Park and this place,' Stiver said. 'This moment in time, has been a labor of love to get here,' said Savannah Boiano, executive director of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy. Boiano called the reopening a 'historic moment' that represents the next chapter in the legacy of the national park. 'Crystal Cave is not only a source of inspiration to visitors. It's a place where they become active participants in conservation and stewardship,' said Boiano. 'We're not just restoring access today, we're ensuring the sustainability of this ecosystem for future generations.' According to Boiano, more than 450 visitors a day will be able to experience the cave this season. The cave is operated by Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit partner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks that manages the park stores inside the visitor centers. The conservancy has served as the tour operator for Crystal Cave since 1982. Is This Tour Right for You? Crystal Cave does require physical exertion. It may not be suitable for everyone. The cave trail is a challenging and steep hike. Visitors with claustrophobia, heart/respiratory conditions, or recent surgery should reconsider the tour. Young children must be able to walk on their own (no strollers or baby backpacks allowed). All visitors assume the risk for personal injury and property loss. The park is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Trip Preparation Checklist Tour duration: 2 hours total Hike: 1⁄2-mile round trip with steep terrain and stairs Inside the Cave: Cold (50°F), damp, and dark Before You Go Crystal Cave tour ticket does not include park entry fee. Buy your park pass in advance at Fuel up. There's no gas in the parks. Stay hydrated. Bring your own water — none is available at the cave. Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. The trail and cave can be slippery. No pets. They're not allowed on trails, in the cave, or left in vehicles. Dress in layers. It's cool in the cave, even if hot outside. Flashlights and sunscreen are optional. Getting There Crystal Cave is near Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. Drive with care. The area was heavily impacted by wildfire and storms. Restoration is ongoing. The cave road closes 1 hour after the final tour. Check-In Process Arrive 15 minutes early with your confirmation email or QR code. Restrooms are in the parking lot (none on the trail or in the cave). Leave bags and hiking sticks behind before entering the cave. Photography is allowed, but no flash, tripods, or selfie sticks. Before entering, you'll step in a solution to protect bats from White-nose Syndrome. The Trail 15–20 minute hike to cave entrance. Steep, paved trail with stairs — not wheelchair accessible. Watch out for poison oak, bees, rattlesnakes, and falling rocks.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Hanson Bridgett LLP Plants Flag in Fresno with Addition of Labor & Employment Partner Ryan Eddings
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2025-- Hanson Bridgett LLP announced today that accomplished labor and employment attorney Ryan Eddings has joined the firm as a partner. He becomes Hanson Bridgett's first attorney based in Fresno, California, where the firm plans to open an office in 2025. Eddings will lead the firm's expansion in the Central Valley. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Hanson Bridgett LLP Plants Flag in Fresno with Addition of Labor & Employment Partner Ryan Eddings 'As California's fifth-largest city and a major hub for agriculture, business, and innovation, Fresno has a dynamic economy and a vibrant future. The Central Valley region's significant growth in recent years merits expanded access to sophisticated legal services, and we're excited to be part of that continued progress,' said Kristina Lawson, managing partner of Hanson Bridgett LLP. 'The addition of Ryan, with his deep experience and strong labor and employment practice, is an important step in strengthening our presence in the Central Valley. Expanding in this region is central to our broader growth strategy and reflects our commitment to being California's law firm — equipped to serve the complex legal needs of clients across the entire state.' Eddings comes to Hanson Bridgett from the labor and employment firm Littler Mendelson P.C., where he has practiced for more than 15 years. He brings significant first-chair experience defending a range of employment disputes, including wage-and-hour class actions, cases brought under California's Private Attorney General Act, and single-plaintiff discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful terminations. In addition, he advises management on all aspects of labor and employment law and the employment relationship, including hiring, termination, and other employment policies. For the last three years, Eddings acted as Littler Mendelson's managing shareholder in Fresno, a period in which the office nearly doubled in size. 'As a full-service firm, Hanson Bridgett provides a platform on which I can offer world-class counsel to employers in a range of disciplines, establishing a deeper connection with my clients,' said Eddings. 'I am inspired by the firm's strategic focus on California in general and Fresno in particular, and I look forward to leading its growth here.' A native of Fresno, Eddings returned to the city early in his legal career and advises local and national clients in health care, agriculture, and a range of other industries. He now serves as a board member of the City of Fresno's Historic Preservation Committee. Eddings is the second significant lateral hire for Hanson Bridgett in recent weeks. Last month, the firm added Gregory Reed as a partner in the firm's transportation and logistics practice group. Reed is based in Washington, D.C. Eddings received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. About Hanson Bridgett LLP Hanson Bridgett LLP is a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with more than 200 attorneys across California. Creating a diverse workforce by fostering an atmosphere of belonging and intentional support has been a priority at Hanson Bridgett since its founding in 1958. We are dedicated to creating an environment that provides opportunities for people with varied backgrounds, both for attorneys and administrative professionals. As the first law firm recognized as a certified B Corp, we are committed to the communities where our employees live and work and consider it part of our professional obligation to serve justice by encouraging and supporting pro bono and social impact work. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact: Patrick Clos, Communications Manager Hanson Bridgett LLP 415-995-5098 |[email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LABOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT HUMAN RESOURCES SOURCE: Hanson Bridgett LLP Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/19/2025 09:30 AM/DISC: 05/19/2025 09:29 AM
