Author: dailycastsocal
San Diego researchers say NOAA layoffs could impact California fishing industry
LA JOLLA (KGTV) — You’ve heard the saying about the abundance of fish in the sea? Each year, researchers venture into the ocean to gather data that helps prevent overfishing. “This data allows us to determine how many fish we can sustainably harvest and how many we should leave in the water to ensure future populations,” explained Brice Semmens from Scripps Institute of Oceanography. However, Semmens warns that this critical work is at risk. Following an order from the Trump administration, staffing cuts were mandated at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, commonly referred to as NOAA. “If we lose these resources, we jeopardize a significant economic engine that the ocean offers here in Southern California,” Semmens stated. As the Director of California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations, or Cal COFI, which is the largest and longest-running ocean ecosystem monitoring initiative, he noted that many NOAA technicians vital to their efforts have been laid off due to recent federal budget reductions. “What will happen without these technicians?” “We are working to bring these technicians onto the Scripps Oceanography team at UC San Diego temporarily. Although we’re unsure about the funding, it is essential for maintaining continuity in our program,” he added. Semmens also mentioned that their program has played a role in monitoring pollutants released into the ocean following the Los Angeles fires and their impact on local wildlife. While he assures that they will continue Their work, the potential long-term financial consequences may be significant. Source link
7 Dogs Dead, 2 People, 11 Other Animals Rescued In Palm Springs Fire
PALM SPRINGS, CA — Seven dogs died in a house fire in Palm Springs on Thursday that forced the evacuation of two people, seven other dogs and four cats, authorities said. The cause of the fire was still unknown Friday and under investigation by the Palm Springs Police Department and a potential animal cruelty incident by Animal Control, police said. Officers and the Palm Springs Fire Department arrived at the 2400 block of Starr Road at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, where they found a detached garage and vehicle parked in a carport fully engulfed in flames, the police department said. Two people — a 21-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl —were evacuated from the home safely, police said. After the fire department extinguished the fire, police searched the property, where they found that seven dogs had died in the fire. The rescued animals were taken into protective custody, the department said. “The loss of these beloved animals is truly heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident, and we recognize the deep bond between people and their pets,” police wrote Friday on Facebook. “PSPD and PSFD remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community, both human and animal.” Source link
Groups protesting Elon Musk target SpaceX’s growing presence in Long Beach • Long Beach Post News
Protestors are expected to rally Saturday morning outside City Hall, demanding a halt to SpaceX’s planned relocation of its rocket retrieval program to Long Beach. Organizers with 50501 Long Beach and SoCal Uprising warned the program will pollute coastal waters and benefit Elon Musk, who has come under increasing scrutiny over his political role in the Trump administration’s downsizing of the federal government. “We are calling on the City and Port of Long Beach to reject SpaceX’s growing presence due to the environmental, economic, and ethical costs it imposes on residents,” Toni Engberg with the protest group 50501 Long Beach said in an emailed statement. “While the aerospace industry brings economic benefits, we cannot ignore the unchecked power of Elon Musk—an unelected billionaire who profits from government contracts while spreading transphobic rhetoric and enabling corruption at the highest levels.” Similar protests have been taking place outside SpaceX and Tesla facilities across the U.S., illustrative of a growing disdain over Musk — who owns the car manufacturer and aeronautical companies — and his influence on the U.S. government. Long Beach, however, has become a focal point for some activists as SpaceX grows its footprint here. The company last fall announced plans to move recovery operations of its Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Flor., to Long Beach by early 2025. California’s coastal waters would be used as a splashdown zone to recover returning spacecraft after they ferry astronauts and cargo into orbit, according to SpaceX. Upon re-entry, the spacecraft is coordinated to land in a designated area. It’s not exactly clear where the splashdowns would take place or when SpaceX hopes to start them. The Hawthorne-based company did not respond to requests for comment. The relocation is currently being reviewed by the California Coastal Commission, which oversees the land and water use along the state coastline. Joshua Smith with the California Coastal Commission said Friday that the agency is preparing a federal consistency review of the relocation to determine whether there will be significant impacts to the coastal waters. The review’s findings could come before commissioners as early as April, Smith added, and can be made public two weeks before their public hearing. Protesters gathered along Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, holding signs against Trump and Musk during a protest focused on the president’s immigration policies. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. If approved, recovery operations would likely be absorbed into SpaceX’s existing footprint at the Long Beach port — about 15.5 acres on Pier T. The land is leased through April 2028 at $285,000 per month, according to a lease agreement with the Long Beach Harbor Commission. In its 2024 announcement, SpaceX said the planned move is intended to “fully eliminate” the risk of the debris “landing on populated areas without increasing risk to Dragon crew or the public.” SpaceX engineers predict the rocket’s expendable parts, including its trunk, would burn up as it fell from orbit and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. Yet spacecraft debris has previously landed, weeks to months later, in Australia, Saskatchewan and North Carolina, among other places. When splashdowns in the Pacific begin this year, the trunk will remain attached to the capsule until after the spacecraft has left orbit, allowing SpaceX to control its descent into the ocean away from land, the company said. “SpaceX is working with NASA, the FAA, and other federal agencies to evaluate and assess all potential return locations off the coast of California to ensure safe and reliable Dragon splashdowns on the West Coast,” SpaceX said in a statement. But protestors characterized the program as an invitation for environmental damage in local waterways, saying past incidents should warrant a second look at whether the city stands to benefit from SpaceX’s presence. “We will not become a dumping ground or a waste basket for a fascist man who doesn’t give two cents about our humanity,” Ashlie Brady, co-founder of the Feminist Uprising activist group, said at a City Council meeting Tuesday. SpaceX also rents a small parcel of land for storage at the Port of Los Angeles. Source link
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Aquarium Of The Pacific Long Beach California
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Powerful storm slams West Coast, prompting evacuations in parts of Los Angeles scarred by wildfires
KCRA, LARRY PRICE, CNN By Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — A powerful storm in March has been battering the West Coast and is now moving south, particularly endangering communities that were devastated by the lethal Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. This marks the second major storm crossing the country in a few weeks, potentially bringing heavy rain, strong winds, snow, and drought conditions to various regions. Evacuation alerts were issued for select areas in Los Angeles County on Wednesday, with Mayor Karen Bass cautioning that burn scars from January’s fires are particularly vulnerable to debris flow and stormwater runoff due to the anticipated rainfall, which could also involve hazardous materials. “As we brace for another storm approaching LA, I want to remind Angelenos to remain alert, especially in areas affected by burns,” Bass stated in a statement. “My foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of Angelenos, so please adhere to all evacuation notices, stay aware, and stay informed.” “The danger of mudslides and landslides is significant,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger during a news conference Wednesday, emphasizing that fire-affected communities “must remain vigilant.” The Los Angeles Police Department provided evacuation orders to 133 residences on Wednesday, according to the mayor. More than 20 million residents across Southern California are currently under flood watches until Thursday afternoon, with the Weather Prediction Center issuing a level 2 out of 4 warning for excessive rainfall in parts of the area. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services announced on Wednesday that they have deployed rescue teams and equipment in 11 counties, including Los Angeles County, anticipating heavy storm effects. Additionally, 24-hour, 360-degree live-stream cameras have been installed in burn scar areas for public monitoring of potential debris flow threats. A shelter-in-place order has been established in Santa Barbara for locations associated with the Lake Fire burn scar, with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management advising residents to retreat to the “innermost room or higher ground such as a second floor” in case of debris flows or rockslides. Mudslides to hit community just hit by intense flooding last month Residents in Sierra Madre, located just east of Pasadena, prepared to evacuate their homes on Wednesday after authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders. This city of 11,000, which was affected last month by a severe thunderstorm that caused mud to rush down nearby hills and roads, is once again under warning for potential mudslides due to the approaching storm. Residents from Sierra Madre, previously impacted by the Eaton Fire in January, recounted to CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS that February’s mudslides caused significant damage to homes, leading them to take extra precautions this time around. Derek Sample, a local resident, constructed temporary barriers with wood sheets outside his residence. “We’re fortifying it to prevent more mud from entering the garage,” Sample shared with KCAL/KCBS. “It’s been challenging, but we have such a supportive community and fantastic neighbors,” he said. “I wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else.” The broader repercussions of the storm This is the second significant storm to pass through the country in recent weeks, following last week’s blizzard that closed highways, stranded vehicles, and caused crashes in multiple states. The current storm is expected to extend across most of the nation, impacting the eastern U.S. and bringing severe thunderstorms and blizzard conditions. This storm’s effects will continue throughout California on Thursday and will also reach the Rockies. Winter weather advisories are in effect for the mountainous regions of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, where snowfall could reach up to 2 feet. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph are also anticipated, potentially complicating travel and resulting in power outages in those areas. By Friday, the storm is predicted to bring severe weather to the Central U.S. The Southern Plains and specific areas of the Southwest, which have faced fire hazards this week, will encounter stronger winds and dryer air, exacerbating ongoing drought conditions. A severe storm threat rated level 4 out of 5 has been issued for Friday across parts of the Mississippi Valley, extending to the Lower Ohio and Tennessee valleys, based on CNN weather analysis. There’s a possibility of intense tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and significant hail from western Alabama to central Iowa, impacting cities like Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, and Des Moines. The risk of tornadoes, strong winds, and hail will also extend from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana to the border between Wisconsin and Michigan, affecting Milwaukee, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, and New Orleans. The storm, which started impacting Northern California on Wednesday, has caused minor flooding in Alameda County, with rainfall recorded up to 2 inches across numerous areas, including greater San Francisco and Sacramento. Wind gusts have surged as high as 60 mph, resulting in downed trees and widespread power outages for thousands. Thankfully, the most severe effects appear to have passed, with wind alerts lifted for San Francisco and expected to expire for Sacramento on Thursday morning. This story has been updated with additional information. The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. CNN’s Robert Shackelford contributed to this report. Source link