Monterey County agencies are weighing billion‑dollar projects to stop seawater intruding on the Salinas Valley aquifer and protect farms, wells and drinking water.

Passengers on a small boat off Moss Landing captured rare footage of orcas leaping and tossing dolphins during a dramatic hunt in Monterey Bay.

A sounder of wild pigs was filmed ripping up landscaping at a South San Jose tech park, leaving employees to clean up torn turf.

Several California national parks ban bear spray while Colorado parks explicitly allow and recommend it — a confusing split for hikers this summer.

Castello di Amorosa and Water Audit California reached a deal to monitor Nash Creek and step up well metering, prompting Napa County to pause a planning hearing. The study will collect creek data and require reporting to county planners.

Illegal fireworks damaged newly renovated basketball courts at Plata Arroyo Park, forcing a postponed ribbon-cutting while city crews assess repairs.

A 161‑acre gift will open a fenced‑off summit above Larkspur, adding the missing crown to King Mountain Preserve. County officials expect the transfer to be finalized this summer.

A judge dismissed neighbors' challenge to Petaluma's plan for Lafferty Ranch, clearing a legal hurdle for docent‑led access to the 270‑acre preserve.

A tiny American mink wandered into a Healdsburg yard and was rescued by animal control before being transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. Rehabilitators say the young mink will need time to recover and relearn hunting skills before it returns to the river.

A federal judge in Sacramento paused BLM’s plan to remove about 850 wild horses from three Northern California herd areas, saying the agency relied on flawed population assumptions. The injunction stops September gathers while the case proceeds.

Oakland Zoo has taken in Sitara, a 13‑year‑old tiger rescued from the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation. She’s undergoing rehabilitation and is not yet on public view.

Chevron says less than a barrel of crude leaked into San Francisco Bay during maintenance at its Richmond long wharf. State spill teams and wildlife responders are monitoring.

A beloved Napa cottage at a busy five‑way junction may be lost to a long‑planned double‑roundabout. Longtime resident Charlie Rossi faces possible displacement.