The miles-wide oil slick from the spill reported Saturday off Huntington Beach had already befouled beaches and estuaries just to the north.

Now it was drifting off one of the most treasured stretches of the California coast – the coves of Laguna Beach.

latimes.com/california/sto…
The quintessence of California’s shoreline is its stark variety, from the gentle beaches of Coronado to the sea stacks of the North Coast. Laguna is one of the inarguable wonders.

latimes.com/california/sto…
While only small bits of oil had washed onto several beaches in the area so far, officials warned the shifting currents could still push thicker parts of the slick ashore. It could be devastating for some of the richest marine ecosystems in the state.

latimes.com/california/sto…
Scientists say the rocky topography underwater and in the tidal zone of Laguna create microhabitats for hundreds of creatures.

But it is that very complexity that would be extremely difficult to clean if it were fouled by oil.

latimes.com/california/sto…
The 13 miles of coast falls into four marine protected areas, which has allowed all sorts of sea and shorebird life to flourish from the deep kelp forests to the tide pools and sand.

One of the key species making a comeback: the California spiny lobster.

latimes.com/california/sto…
As with the rest of the coast, the oil spill is a threat to the economy as well.

Millions of visitors flood the streets in summer to swim, play and see the art festivals, packing expensive restaurants and hotels.

latimes.com/california/sto…
Even if the area dodges a disaster, the specter of future ones persists because these ancient habitats remain so close to sprawling oil infrastructure and one of the busiest shipping channels in the world.

Read more from @joemozingo at latimes.com/california/sto…

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More from @latimes

7 Oct
When a major heat wave hits Southern California, here’s how it begins ⬇️ latimes.com/environment/st…
The wave begins with a jab — a ridge of high pressure builds over Nevada or Mexico and sweeps into the region, bringing scorching temperatures along with it. latimes.com/environment/st…
Then: A mass of humid air created by unusually warm ocean water just off the northern coast of Baja California moves in from the Southeast.

Combined, they deliver a deadly blow, wreaking havoc on heavily populated regions such as Los Angeles County. latimes.com/environment/st…
Read 6 tweets
7 Oct
When Gov. Newsom said last week that California would require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a critical caveat was tucked within the announcement: Parents can opt their children out of inoculation based on personal beliefs. latimes.com/california/sto…
Newsom didn't define the criteria for obtaining those exemptions, leaving it up to state public health officials.

Now, lawmakers are expressing concerns that allowing broad exemptions in the mandate will undermine the state’s effort to protect schools. latimes.com/california/sto…
Under California law, students are allowed to skip vaccines required for in-person attendance at K-12 schools after a doctor says it’s medically necessary to do so. latimes.com/california/sto…
Read 6 tweets
7 Oct
Most teams that win 107 regular-season games would expect to run away with the division title.

The #Giants were afforded no such luxury despite setting a franchise record for wins this season. They had the #Dodgers nipping at their heels all summer.

latimes.com/sports/dodgers…
The Giants held off the relentless, 106-win Dodgers by one game to win their first National League West title since 2012, clinching the division with an 11-4 win over the San Diego Padres.

latimes.com/sports/dodgers…
The mettle they showed in fending off the defending World Series champion Dodgers with a series of clutch hits and late-inning heroics down the stretch should give the Giants plenty of confidence when the archrivals meet in the best-of-five NLDS.

latimes.com/sports/dodgers…
Read 8 tweets
7 Oct
In 2019, a college student was pulled over by a state trooper, police lights flashing.

Then: Smack! Something hit her car, shattering her rear window.

A Tesla running in Autopilot mode slammed into the state trooper’s cruiser, knocking it into her car. latimes.com/business/story…
No one was injured in that crash, but it’s part of a sweeping investigation launched in August by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

@russ1mitchell reports: latimes.com/business/story…
NHTSA is looking into a dozen similar episodes over three years in which Tesla vehicles traveling at a range of speeds ran into stationary police cars, firetrucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicles, injuring 17 people and killing one. latimes.com/business/story…
Read 10 tweets
7 Oct
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest consequences of global warming.

But California chronically undercounts the death toll and has failed to address the growing threat of heat-related illness and death, according to a @latimes investigation.

Thread ⬇️
latimes.com/projects/calif…
Between 2010 and 2019, the hottest decade on record, California’s official data from death certificates attributed 599 deaths to heat exposure.

But a Times analysis found that the true toll is probably six times higher. latimes.com/environment/st…
California’s undercount is one of the ways it overlooks the threat posed by heat waves, even as climate change delivers them more frequently, more intensely and with deadlier consequences. latimes.com/environment/st…
Read 6 tweets
6 Oct
Garcelle Beauvais, Crystal Kung Minkoff and Sutton Stracke open up about Erika Jayne, discussing race on reality TV and stocking up on leather pants. #RHOBH latimes.com/entertainment-…
As viewers prepare for a showdown in the four-part #RHOBHReunion, which begins next week, the trio sat down with @villarrealy to discuss how legal scandal swept up the season. latimes.com/entertainment-…
This past year, "Housewife" Erika Jayne faced mass scrutiny over her possible involvement in an embezzlement scheme with her then-husband Tom Girardi. latimes.com/entertainment-…
Read 6 tweets

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