Housing Tracker: Southern California home values drop in November

A fire in North Hills has destroyed a local business and posed a significant threat to a nearby four-story apartment building, leading to the evacuation of dozens of residents. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding fire safety and emergency preparedness in urban areas.

National park staff at Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks are now inquiring about the citizenship status of visitors. This new measure has been implemented as part of ongoing efforts to manage park access and resources effectively.

In Southern California, the largest Iranian diaspora in the U.S. is closely monitoring the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, marked by a mix of hope for change and visceral dread over the violent crackdown reported in recent videos showing body bags and military force.

California's ambitious efforts to reduce single-use plastics are faltering, as a recent report reveals that very little plastic is being recycled in the state. This setback follows the scuttling of a pioneering law aimed at enhancing recycling practices, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current environmental policies.

A contentious housing bill aimed at capping rent increases to 5% annually was rejected by the California Legislature, leading to discontent among spectators in the Assembly chamber. This decision reflects ongoing tensions surrounding housing affordability in the state.

Attorneys representing fire victims have accused the city of Los Angeles of obstructing transparency regarding the Palisades fire, claiming that the city is withholding critical information. Dan Levin, an attorney for the city, stated that this delay allows for a review of the testimony to determine what should remain confidential.

The Supreme Court is expected to uphold state bans on transgender athletes competing in girls' sports, a decision that may not immediately impact California and other liberal states. This ruling reflects ongoing national debates surrounding gender identity and sports participation.

Arizona's governor announced that the state will begin regulating groundwater pumping in areas where a Saudi-owned farm has been extracting water, contributing to declining aquifer levels. This decision comes after years of unrestricted water use by the company, raising concerns about sustainability and resource management.