Californias

In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California’s Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

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In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California's Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

The largest remaining intact part of an 1843 Mexican land grant in California’s Cuyama Valley has been permanently protected from future commercial development after a successful grassroots conservation campaign. The 5,650-acre Spanish Ranch, managed by the Doiron family, is now protected by a permanent agricultural conservation easement through a partnership with the California Rangeland Trust. … Read more

California’s $886 million utility bill relief: Why many are getting money back – check if you qualify

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California households are receiving automatic summer utility credits. (Representational photo) (Unsplash)

Millions of California households are receiving automatic credits on their electricity bills this summer, with the state saying the payments will provide an average of about $75 in relief as power use rises during the hottest months. California households are receiving automatic summer utility credits. (Representational photo) (Unsplash) California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the $886 … Read more

2 killed as helicopter crashes while battling wildfire in California’s Yosemite National Park

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2 killed as helicopter crashes while battling wildfire in California’s Yosemite National Park

The helicopter was assisting crews battling the Dome Fire. Two members of a helicopter crew were killed Sunday after their aircraft crashed while taking part in firefighting operations at Yosemite National Park in California, according to the US Forest Service. The helicopter was assisting crews battling the Dome Fire, which has burned more than 3,000 … Read more

What is California’s Proposition 40? How the proposed 5% billionaire tax could work

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California Proposition 40 proposes a one-time 5% tax on billionaire wealth. (Reuters)

California voters will decide on Proposition 40, a ballot measure that would create a one-time 5% tax on the wealth of the state’s billionaires. The vote is scheduled for November 3. If approved, the measure would target California residents who qualify as billionaires under the proposal. The proposal comes as California faces major demands for … Read more

In 1856, one of Northern California’s oldest cattle ranches was established; 170 years later, its 14,177 acres are being bought for $15.5 million and opened to the public

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In 1856, one of Northern California’s oldest cattle ranches was established; 170 years later, its 14,177 acres are being bought for $15.5 million and opened to the public

In 1856, one of Northern California’s oldest cattle ranches was established The Wildlands Conservancy has agreed to buy one of Northern California’s oldest working livestock operations, protecting 14,177 acres of historic wilderness in Siskiyou County and turning it into a huge public preserve. The $15.5 million purchase of the AP Ranch, detailed in reports by … Read more

In 1986, a ranching family sold California’s 53,000-acre Santa Rosa Island to the US for nearly $30 million; they retained about 7 acres and the right to stay for another 25 years

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In 1986, a ranching family sold California's 53,000-acre Santa Rosa Island to the US for nearly $30 million; they retained about 7 acres and the right to stay for another 25 years

In December 1986, the United States federal government completed a deal to buy Santa Rosa Island for $29.5 million. The 53,000-acre island, located 26.5 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, was bought by the National Park Service from its longtime private owners, the Vail & Vickers ranching partnership. Under the deal, the ranching … Read more

‘What you did was incredible’: Trump meets California’s teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued

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'What you did was incredible': Trump meets California's teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued

US President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with lifeguard Ryder Williams, left, in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, as Nathaniel Rai and Shane Williams listen. (AP) US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) met a teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued off the California coast, praising the rescue … Read more

More than 99% of California’s sunflower sea stars vanished, now scientists have found a mysterious colony that could help revive dying kelp forests

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More than 99% of California’s sunflower sea stars vanished, now scientists have found a mysterious colony that could help revive dying kelp forests

A decade ago, more than 99% of sunflower sea stars vanished from the depths of the ocean. Now, the discovery of a long-lost colony of these organisms is offering new hope for the region’s kelp forests.Sunflower sea stars, known as Pycnopodia helianthoides, may look like an aesthetic and purely decorative feature on the ocean floor, … Read more

California’s Hillsborough saw its home-sale record jump from $35 million to $70 million as an AI industry buyer purchased a 12,400-square-foot estate

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California's Hillsborough saw its home-sale record jump from $35 million to $70 million as an AI industry buyer purchased a 12,400-square-foot estate

The property has Lake Como-style gardens, a redwood grove and a Bellagio-inspired reflecting pond. (Pictures: Realtor) A $70 million estate sale in California has set a new property record in the town of Hillsborough, with the buyer reportedly working in the artificial intelligence industry. The sale has also been described as the highest home sale … Read more