Southern California

Chumash firefighters battle wildfires and protect sacred sites in California

Some firefighters in the Chumash Fire department in Santa Ynez double as "cultural specialists" to try and protect indigenous cultural sites.

Firefighters race to get control of California wildfires

After wildfires, health risks linger

After wildfires in California, the cleanup process poses another health hazard.

How Harvey Weinstein used nondisclosure agreements to silence his accusers

Nondisclosure agreements are part of how Harvey Weinstein got away with it for so long.

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time

When we’re resting, a very important part of our brain gets to work.

Listen: A preschool lesson in sharing those post-election feelings

At this dual-language immersion preschool in Los Angeles, teachers were upset by Donald Trump's victory. And they didn't hide it.

How a determined marine biologist and volunteers saved a giant kelp forest off California's coast

Twelve years ago, marine biologist Nancy Caruso and a group of students and volunteer divers began restoring the kelp forests off the coast of Orange County, California. In August 2014, when huge mounds of the giant seaweed started piling up on Laguna Beach — to the consternation of tourists and beach-goers — Caruso knew the project had succeeded.

California's gardens tell an immigrant story

Well-tended lawns and the sound of leaf blowers have a lot to do with California's immigrant roots, and not just ones that stretch south into Latin America. The history of garden work in California stretches further back to the state's striving Japanese immigrant community.

Why some people camped out all night at California DMV offices

Undocumented immigrants in California now have a privilege most Americans have: the right to apply for a drivers' license.

For these Iranian Armenian refugees, Thanksgiving brings back memories of arriving in the US

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, but what's special about the holiday differs for everyone. There’s family, sure. And food. And football. Yet for an Iranian-Armenian family and their community, it's a chance to celebrate religious freedom, and their lives in the US.