Local Environmental News

The KRCB Newsroom’s ongoing environmental reporting covers the intersection of energy, food production, and the environment in the North Bay. Our newsroom reports on topics like geothermal production, the dismantling of dams on Northern California rivers, river and groundwater access for food and wine production and much more. The KRCB News team is committed to shining a light on environmental issues affecting our communities.
 
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CAL FIRE truck

Federal funding cuts could worsen wildfire season

Michelle Marques

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has experienced staffing cuts and could see further loss of funding, potentially impacting red flag warnings, prescribed burns, and more.

May 12, 2025

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Lawsuit chugs on as county's groundwater wells keep pumping

Noah Abrams, Marc Albert, and Greta Mart

After settling one lawsuit accusing Sonoma County of harming local rivers and aquatic habitats by not keeping tabs on underground aquifers, environmental groups are taking the county back…

Nov 15, 2023

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Seaside power plant proposed near Fort Ross

Marc Albert

Ocean-side power plant proposal raising enviro concerns Marc Albert/KRCB Sonoma County coast Federal regulators have given the go-ahead for a Texas-based company to study building a large…

Jul 12, 2023

DoranBeach3189

All Parks Closed in Sonoma County

Adia White

Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, ordered the closure of all parks in Sonoma County. The order went into effect on March 24 and did not list an end date. The order comes after…

Mar 24, 2020

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On Thanksgiving, Remembering an Anniversary

Steve Mencher

On November 20, 1969, American Indian activists traveled to Alcatraz to begin an occupation of the prison island. It lasted 19 months. They were focused on the sovereignty and lost rights…

Nov 26, 2019

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Impacts Expected on Russian River After Kincade Fire

Steve Mencher

The Russian River provides water to as many as 700,000 local residents; close to a million visitors use the river for recreation in the summer. Reporter Pamela Lorence visited Healdsburg…

Nov 13, 2019

Power Lines

Fire Survivors React to Power Shut-off

Adia White

Millions of Californians had their power shut off last week by Pacific Gas and Electric Company as a way to help prevent wildfires from starting during dangerous conditions. As part of a…

Oct 14, 2019

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Experts Showcase Fire Resistant Building Materials

Adia White

As we head into summer, homeowners are looking for ways to protect their properties from wildfire. KRCB's Adia White attended an event at the Santa Rosa Junior College Training Center…

Jun 27, 2019

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Citizen Input Sought for Santa Rosa's Future

Steve Mencher

In 2009, Santa Rosa created a state-mandated plan that looked ahead to the year 2035. The plan made certain assumptions, and was created to optimize the city’s chance to thrive. That was…

May 30, 2019

Cal trans crew

Landslide Threatens Several Homes in Forestville

Adia White

The sun came out Monday and local residents enjoyed one of the most beautiful days of winter this year. It’s an important time to remember that many are still struggling to recover from the…

Mar 13, 2019

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Living with Lead: 'Like Crabs in a Barrel'

Steve Mencher

Today we’re concluding the previews of our podcast Living Downstream. Producers Annie Ropeik and Nicholas Janzen bring us the story of a public housing project in East Chicago, Indiana. It…

Dec 28, 2018

Clint McKay shows Allison Herrera some shots of the burn zone immediately after the fire sm

Native Fire Practices Can Make Communities Safer

Steve Mencher

During this holiday season, we’re going to be presenting excerpts from Living Downstream: The Environmental Justice Podcast. Northern California Public Media launched the project this fall…

Dec 24, 2018

James Gore Economic Summit

Santa Rosa Hosts 2018 California Economic Summit

Adia White

Santa Rosa hosted the 2018 California Economic Summit on November 15th and 16th. Policy makers, business leaders and others came from across California to talk about how to improve the…

Nov 21, 2018

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Climate Summit Contest: Unlikely Company Wins Funding

Steve Mencher

This fall, Califormia Governor Jerry Brown and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg were among the leaders convening an international climate action summit in San Francisco. Their…

Nov 16, 2018

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Displaced Camp Fire Evacuees Consider What Comes Next

Adia White

At least 56 people have been killed in the Camp Fire burning in Butte County. The fire is now 140,000 acres and 40 percent contained. Thousands of evacuees are still displaced from the fire…

Nov 15, 2018

Alejandro Lopez

Poor Air Quality Poses Health Hazard for Workers

Adia White

Firefighters continue to battle the Camp Fire burning in Butte County, which is now at 135,000 acres and 35 percent contained. Air quality conditions throughout the North Bay remain poor…

Nov 14, 2018

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Grape Stomping Ushers in the Harvest Season

Adia White

We are continuing our coverage of this year’s grape harvest. In the second part of this series, KRCB reporter Adia White tells us how grapes are processed after they are picked. At the Old…

Sep 28, 2018

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Grape Harvest Underway Across the North Bay

Adia White

The grape harvest is underway across our region. KRCB Reporter Adia White went to pick grapes with the crew at Santa Rosa's Old World Winery during their second harvest of the year. This…

Sep 28, 2018

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Climate Summit Takes Over San Francisco

Steve Mencher

by Caryl Hart Climate change is widely acknowledged as one of the most pressing problems in the world today. The Global Climate Action Summit, September 12-14 in San Francisco, will gather…

Sep 11, 2018

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Monarchs and Milkweed: Giving Butterflies a Boost

Steve Mencher

Monarch butterflies, those gorgeous creatures with the “stained glass” bodies, have been in decline for years, largely because it’s hard for larvae to find food. At a recent farmers market…

Aug 29, 2018

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