New State Map Reveals Neighborhood Environmental Hazards
California has a reputation as a green state, with high air and water quality standards. But depending on where you live, your environment might be bad for your health. A new map from the state Environmental Protection Agency ranks all 8,000 census tracts in California, evaluating each neighborhood and the people who live there to determine their vulnerability to environmental risks. We talk to L.A. Times reporter Tony Barboza, who's covering the new Cal-EPA tool.
California's Only Mailman Who Delivers by Boat
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a place that looks and feels different from any other part of the state. There are over 1,000 miles of waterways and nearly 60 islands in the Delta. Even though bridges connect a lot of those islands, many people who live there are relatively isolated. One man in the eastern part of the Delta is a lifeline for residents there. We ride along with Rick Stelzreide, the only mailman in California who delivers by boat.
Santa Barbara Teen Helps Researchers Battle Her Rare Eye Disease
With just a few weeks left in the school year, families are busy making summer plans. For one Santa Barbara teenager, those plans include being part of cutting-edge research that she hopes will help cure the rare disease that's slowly robbing her of vision.
Thee Oh Sees' Hiatus Comes to an End With 'Drop'
Some argue that San Francisco's overheated housing market and influx of tech companies is changing the city's cultural scene, with some artists moving to more affordable cities. One of those who fled is musician John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees, who left for Los Angeles at the end of last year. Along with the move, Dwyer also announced a short-lived hiatus, now broken with the band's new release, "Drop." Pop music critic Steve Hochman has a review.
California Horse a Kentucky Derby Favorite
The likely favorite for next weekend's Kentucky Derby is a flashy red horse with a big white blaze down his face. His name is California Chrome, and he's of humble origin: a home-bred from the Central Valley taking on expensive horses with Kentucky blue grass connections. It's been a long time since a horse from the Golden State won the Derby. The last was a horse named Decidedly, back in 1962.