The so-called king tide shows what high tides will look like as sea level continues to rise. That’s why teams of volunteers and scientists flocked to the California shoreline to capture photos of the highest tide of the year as it crept up beaches and crashed onto sidewalks, staircases, and oceanfront balconies. The rising sea levels are making hundreds of the state’s toxic sites prone to flooding, and many communities of color live near these areas.  COVID-19 concerns continue for air travelers this holiday season as variants of the virus continue to spread.