Cali

A report cited by Fox Business claims California has spent at least $11 billion in welfare benefits on immigrants living in the country illegally. The figure is drawing sharp reactions, with critics of state policy calling it evidence of misplaced spending priorities, while immigration advocates question the report's methodology and argue that many benefits go to US citizen children of immigrant parents.

Scientists are tracking a slow-moving kelvin wave, a vast pulse of warm ocean water travelling along the equatorial Pacific toward the US West Coast. The phenomenon is closely tied to El Niño-Southern Oscillation dynamics, and observers warn it could shift weather patterns, raise coastal sea levels and influence storm activity for California in the months ahead, sharpening fears of extreme conditions on the West Coast.

A Kelvin wave is a pulse of unusually warm water that travels eastward along the equator beneath the ocean surface. Scientists are tracking one as it moves toward the Americas, since it can push warmer water toward the US West Coast and influence California's weather and coastal conditions.

The World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa says it is scaling up efforts to stay ahead of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, stepping up surveillance, contact tracing and support to affected communities. Health authorities say rapid containment measures are critical to preventing wider spread across the region.

Hurricanes Polo and Odalys are expected to send powerful swells toward the Southern California coast, hitting beaches and shoreline communities that have already been battered by recent storm activity. Forecasts warn of dangerous surf, coastal flooding and strong rip currents. Officials and residents are watching closely as the back-to-back Pacific systems raise concerns about further erosion and damage along the battered coastline.

California is bringing back its Wildlife Coexistence Program at a time when the state is reporting a record number of wolf pups born. The program is aimed at reducing conflicts between people, livestock and growing wolf populations. The revival signals a shift toward non-lethal management as gray wolves continue to recover and expand across northern California.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has published its calendar of events and hunting, fishing and wildlife-related seasons for October 2026. The annual rundown is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and anglers planning activities across the state. Updates typically cover license deadlines, season openings and public meetings.

California has $13.5 million in funding available for nutrition incentive programs, according to the Ag Information Network of the West. Such programs typically help low-income shoppers buy more fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and grocery stores by matching their benefits. The announcement matters to growers, food access advocates and families relying on nutrition assistance across the state.

Southern California is preparing for Hurricane Polo as the storm tracks toward the region, an unusual event for an area rarely hit by tropical systems. CBS Evening News reported on preparations underway, with residents and officials keeping a close watch on the hurricane's path and expected impact along the coast.

California has installed so much solar capacity that it generates more electricity than needed during midafternoon hours, with the surplus going unused even as the grid faces potential shortages in the evening when solar output drops. One proposal gaining attention: give low-income consumers free power from 1 pm to 3 pm to absorb the excess and ease evening demand.

A new California law will require community college student health centers to offer medication abortion, making the state's 116-campus system among the first in the country to provide the pills on campus. Supporters say it removes cost and travel barriers for students, particularly in rural areas, while opponents of abortion have criticized the measure as expanding access at public institutions.

A CalMatters opinion piece argues that California's signature industries — long the engine of the state's economy and national influence — are now confronting existential threats. The commentary warns that without policy attention, sectors central to the state's identity and prosperity could decline sharply, reigniting debate over California's economic direction and competitiveness.

Faris Lee Partners has brokered the $38.7 million sale of two retail properties at Lakewood Center in Lakewood, California. The deal adds to recent transaction activity in the Southern California retail market, where investors continue to pursue established shopping center assets. Details on the buyer and the properties' tenants were not immediately available, but the sale underscores continued demand for well-located retail real estate in the Los Angeles area.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced expanded free access to state parks, cited record conservation progress, and signed legislation protecting the state's coast and wildlife. The announcement was framed directly against the Trump administration's push to open or reduce federal public lands, positioning California as a counterweight on conservation policy and drawing attention to the growing state-federal divide over land and environmental protection.

Cerebras Systems CEO Andrew Feldman is speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 about whether AI models can continue scaling at their current pace. The session tackles a central question for the AI industry: whether gains in compute, chips and training methods can keep driving progress or whether the field is approaching physical and economic limits. Feldman's company builds wafer-scale chips aimed directly at accelerating large AI workloads, making him a notable voice on the debate.

A California couple has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of their son-in-law, according to the New York Times. Prosecutors filed the charges against the pair on September 30, 2026, in connection with the killing of Jonathan McKinsey. The case is drawing attention as it involves in-laws allegedly turning on a family member, raising questions about what led to the shooting and how the domestic dispute escalated into deadly violence.

California has passed a new law intended to clear up confusion among school districts about how K-12 arts education funding under Proposition 28 should be used and reported. The measure adds clarity after many schools were uncertain about spending requirements, and it could shape how districts budget for music, visual arts and other arts programs statewide.

Crews have started demolishing the historic California Theatre in downtown San Diego after the building was deemed unsafe. The theatre, a long-standing local landmark, had stood vacant and deteriorating for years, raising concerns about the risk it posed to the public. The decision to tear it down rather than preserve it has drawn attention from residents and preservationists in the city.

Regulators and companies are examining how California's climate disclosure laws and the EU's sustainability reporting requirements can be aligned, as both impose mandatory emissions and climate-risk reporting on large businesses. Accounting and compliance professionals note that overlapping but differing mandates create complexity for multinational firms, prompting calls for greater interoperability between the two regimes to reduce duplicative reporting burdens.

California has enacted a new law focused on preventing conflicts between people and wildlife rather than reacting to them after they occur. The measure emphasizes coexistence strategies, such as securing food sources and habitat planning, to reduce encounters with animals. Details on its provisions, implementation timeline and enforcement remain limited, and reaction from residents and conservation groups has not yet been widely reported.

The Orange County Register reports that, according to one measure, California now has the third weakest home price growth in the United States. The finding stands out in a state long associated with steep housing costs, and suggests price appreciation has cooled noticeably. Details of the specific calculation and which states ranked lower were not provided in the available material.

California is rushing to prepare for a massive 'Kelvin' wave and predicted sea level rise, according to The Guardian. The report highlights the state's efforts to brace for the incoming ocean swell and the longer-term threat of rising seas along its coastline. Details on the timing, scale and specific measures being taken remain limited.

Thieves targeted a technology shipment in California, but encountered a sinister surprise waiting for them, according to the New York Post. The report does not specify the nature of the shipment's contents or the outcome for the thieves, but the story has drawn attention amid ongoing concern over cargo theft and high-value semiconductor shipments in the state.

Vulnerable members of Congress are increasingly localizing their political messaging, tailoring positions and outreach to the specific concerns of their home districts rather than relying on national party themes. The strategy reflects the tight political environment, where marginal members seek to distance themselves from nationalized politics to protect their seats in upcoming elections.

California is racing to prepare for a massive 'Kelvin' wave and predicted sea level rise, according to a Guardian report. The event is linked to El Niño-Southern Oscillation dynamics, raising concerns about coastal flooding and extreme weather along the US West Coast as officials move to bolster defenses.