Articles by Brad Hooker

The Department of Pesticide Regulation partnered with a farmworker advocacy group to host an event dubbed a Toxic Tour of Santa Maria farms, stoking outrage among farm groups.

Gov. Newsom has vetoed a bill to expedite permits for activities that reduce fuel loads in high wildfire severity zones near homes.

The California Fish and Game Commission has approved temporary protections for the western burrowing owl as officials consider listing it under the California Endangered Species Act.

A coalition of farm groups, water districts and business associations are asking the Legislature to streamline environmental permitting for water projects.

Invasive nutria are making inroads in Bay Area watersheds and gaining a lot of attention, prompting Director Chuck Bonham to detail “the hidden work” of the Department of Fish and Wildlife in trying to eradicate the 25-pound swamp rats.

Both Senate candidates were eager to highlight their support for the ag industry and for water solutions.

The air district regulating the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles is considering a regulation to cap emissions to protect environmental justice communities. It has ignited a broad coalition of farm groups, unions, shippers and other organizations to stand in opposition.

Governor Gavin Newsom has reshuffled the chairs in a board that has often served as an impediment to scaling up agtech adoption in California. And the change may be paying off for the industry.

Cal/OSHA has fined a Dixon-based farm labor contractor for failing to protect employees from heat illness.