October 18, 2023

Loophole Lets Air Regulators Wipe Pollution From Records | What Roadkill Can Tell Us About Native Species | Fall Colors Across Sierra Nevada

49 minutes

Investigation into a little-known pollution rule that keeps the air dirty for millions of Americans. What roadkill can tell us about California's deer and mountain lion populations. Where to see fall colors across the Sierra Nevada.

Loophole Lets Air Regulators Wipe Pollution From Records

The Clean Air Act is a more than 50-year-old federal law that allows the EPA to set standards to protect public health by regulating emissions of hazardous air pollutants. But an investigation by the California Newsroom found that a little-known provision forgives pollution caused by “natural” or “uncontrollable” events – like wildfires. And this “exceptional events rule” is being used more and more by local air regulators, alongside extreme weather events associated with climate change. Which means the air on paper might be cleaner than it actually is. And that has significant consequences to public health. Molly Peterson is an investigative reporter at the California Newsroom, a collaboration of public radio stations around the state and CalMatters, and joins Insight with more behind the findings, as well as solutions.

What Roadkill Can Tell Us About Native Species

Roadkill. It’s an unfortunate sight on roads. But these fallen wild animals do have a great deal to tell us. CapRadio Environment Reporter Manola Secaira spoke to researchers at UC Davis about what they have learned from roadkill, why certain areas are more susceptible, as well as what the state of California is doing to better track and conserve native species.

Fall Colors Across Sierra Nevada

With Fall in full swing, it’s time for nature lovers to go out and enjoy the changing colors of the leaves. From Lake Tahoe and Big Bear Lake, to Yosemite National Park, there are many places throughout California to take in the autumn beauty. But when is the best time to go, and how do you capture those scenes in a photo? Professional photographer Kial James joins Insight to talk about Fall foliage in the Northern California foothills, as well as tips for capturing good nature photography.

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