California

SpaceX carried out a launch for the US Space Force from California, with the payload's purpose remaining classified. Details about the mission have not been disclosed, and the secrecy surrounding it is drawing attention from space watchers and news outlets sharing footage and images of the liftoff.

California is testing and evaluating solar panels installed over irrigation canals, an approach that generates renewable energy while shading water to reduce evaporation. Reporting from KQED Science details what early projects in the state are revealing about costs, water savings, and power output, and whether covering canals with solar arrays could be scaled more widely across California's water infrastructure.

SpaceX carried out a classified U.S. Space Force mission, launching a rocket from its California launch site. Few details about the mission's payload or objectives have been disclosed, in keeping with its classified nature. The launch is drawing attention due to the secrecy surrounding the payload and SpaceX's continuing high profile in national security space operations.

SpaceX launched a classified US Space Force mission from California and successfully landed the Falcon 9 booster at sea. The payload's purpose has not been disclosed, consistent with national security missions. Multiple local outlets are carrying the launch, highlighting SpaceX's continued role in military space operations and its reusable rocket landing operations at sea.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials prepare for a strong El Niño forecast to bring heavy rain, flooding and storms. The declaration allows agencies to mobilise resources, pre-position equipment and respond quickly as conditions deteriorate. News coverage across the state is drawing wide attention as residents brace for severe winter weather.

California is looking to turn a potentially wet El Niño winter into an opportunity, pursuing efforts to capture stormwater from the big storms expected to hit the state. Officials want to store runoff to recharge groundwater supplies and boost reservoirs, rather than letting it flow out to sea, as drought-strained water systems seek any advantage from the pattern.

SpaceX launched a rocket from California carrying a classified payload whose contents and purpose were not disclosed. Missions of this kind are usually tied to US government or military contracts, with details kept secret. The launch drew attention because little beyond the fact of liftoff has been made public, and observers are speculating about what was aboard.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The declaration allows state resources to be deployed quickly to Bakersfield and surrounding communities. Local outlets in Bakersfield are urging residents to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and strong winds as the storm moves in.

SpaceX carried out a classified rocket launch from the California coast, with few details released about the mission's payload or purpose. The secrecy surrounding the launch has drawn public attention and speculation, as classified missions typically involve national security or military payloads whose details remain undisclosed by the company and government agencies.

Data analytics company Databricks is paying $22.8 million for naming rights to the University of California, Berkeley's football field. The deal is being framed as more than a sports marketing play: Databricks was founded by Berkeley alumni and professors, and the investment signals its deep ties to the campus and its ambition to recruit talent and boost its brand as it grows ahead of a potential public listing.

The University of Southern California has ended its practice of selling donated cadavers to the US Navy, which reportedly used them for training connected to the Israeli military. The decision follows scrutiny of the arrangement and its ethical implications regarding consent and the use of donated bodies. Critics had called the programme inappropriate, and the university's move is being discussed as part of wider debates over institutional ties to Israel's war effort.

Hurricanes off the Pacific coast are sending heavy surf to Southern California beaches while bringing rain to parts of the Southwest, according to the Los Angeles Times. The storm activity is expected to affect coastal conditions and desert areas, drawing attention as residents and officials monitor changing weather along the region.

Southern California is preparing for the effects of Hurricane Polo, with forecasters warning of potential rain, flooding and coastal impacts across the region. Emergency officials are urging residents to stay updated on alerts as the storm moves along the Pacific coast, though the exact track and severity remain uncertain.

SpaceX is scheduled to launch a U.S. Space Force mission early Saturday from Vandenberg Space Force Base on California's central coast. Local outlets including the Santa Maria Times and Santa Ynez Valley News report on the planned liftoff, which adds to the company's growing slate of national security launches from the West Coast pad.

Marine biologists are moving sea turtle eggs from beaches in California. The relocation, reported by WSVN, is aimed at protecting the nests, though details on how many eggs are involved, which turtle species, and what prompted the operation have not been provided. Relocating turtle nests is a common conservation practice used to shield eggs from threats such as erosion, predators, or changing beach conditions.

A man was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California. Police responded to the scene, but the victim died from his injuries. Few details have been released about the circumstances of the shooting or a possible suspect, and investigators are working to establish what led to the fatal encounter.

A recent court decision could open the door to new protections for rare species in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The ruling, reported by The Plumas Sun, may affect how threatened plants and animals in the region are managed and conserved going forward.

HGGC is a private equity firm based in Palo Alto, California, that invests in middle-market companies, with a particular focus on technology and services businesses. The firm pursues buyouts and growth investments in mid-sized companies across these sectors, positioning itself as an active investor in the middle-market technology and services space.

California's 2026 attorney general contest is shaping up as a repeat of the primary matchup, with incumbent Democrat Rob Bonta heavily favored to win. The race is drawing early attention as part of the state's broader 2026 election lineup, with observers watching whether the general election produces a different outcome than the primary.