California considers letting victims of natural disasters sue oil companies for damages

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Oil and gas companies would be liable for damages caused by climate change -related disasters in California under legislation introduced Monday by two Democratic lawmakers. The proposal claims that the oil industry intentionally deceived the public about...

Reality TV couple sues the city of Los Angeles after losing home in fires

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reality TV couple Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are suing the city of Los Angeles after losing their Pacific Palisades home in the wildfires that have torn through Southern California in recent weeks. The couple, who rose to stardom on “The Hills," a spin-off...

Navajo Nation firefighters battle wildfires in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters from the Navajo Nation worked tirelessly through a haze of dust to cut away dirt from a narrow road at the side of a mountain struck by a landslide in Southern California, coughing and sneezing amid the backbreaking work. It was the Navajo Scouts’...

Arizona's Democratic governor faces uphill battle as Republicans control Legislature

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs knows she is outnumbered this legislative session, since Republicans expanded their majorities in the statehouse after the last election. But the first-term governor sees room for bipartisan compromise as she looks to advance...

What ignited the deadly California wildfires? Investigators consider an array of possibilities

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investigators are considering an array of possible ignition sources for the huge fires that have killed at least 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area. In hilly, upscale Pacific Palisades, home to Hollywood stars like...

Constellation buying Calpine in $26.6 billion deal that would join two huge US power companies

Constellation is buying natural gas and geothermal power provider Calpine for $16.4 billion, joining together two of the country's biggest power companies. The acquisition would create the nation’s leading retail electric supplier, serving 2.5 million customers, the companies said...

Constellation will acquire power company Calpine for $16.4 billion, linking two of the nation's biggest power companies

Clean tap water isn't flowing in Virginia's capital as residents find creative ways to cope

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Theresa Fulgham wasn’t going to wait any longer. After days without water in Virginia’s capital that prompted some residents to melt snow to flush toilets, it was time to get cleaned up. “We need a shower today. Enough is enough,” Fulgham, a live-in...

Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most

The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in city history, with some hydrants running dry as they were overstressed without assistance from firefighting aircraft for hours early Wednesday. ...

Virginia’s first full day of legislative session delayed by water issues from winter storm

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s state Capitol and General Assembly buildings are going to be closed Wednesday, effectively postponing lawmakers' first working day of the legislative session nearly two days after a winter storm shut down Richmond’s water system. Lawmakers plan...