Weather
![Researchers tracked health records from 1.2 million older adults in Southern California between 2009 and 2019. They used air quality monitoring and other data to estimate residential exposure to PM2.5 over three years from wildfire smoke or other causes. Researchers tracked health records from 1.2 million older adults in Southern California between 2009 and 2019. They used air quality monitoring and other data to estimate residential exposure to PM2.5 over three years from wildfire smoke or other causes.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/APTOPIX_California_Wildfires_94230_b7aee0.jpg?w=132)
Wildfire smoke may be worse for your brain than other air pollution, study says
Researchers tracked health records from 1.2 million older adults in Southern California between 2009 and...
![With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees across California, and air conditioners working overtime, the pain of the monthly electric bill can be staggering. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees across California, and air conditioners working overtime, the pain of the monthly electric bill can be staggering.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-OCPAIRVINEBRIEF-1229-01.jpeg?w=131)
California electric bills have essentially doubled over the past decade
With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees across California, and air conditioners working overtime, the pain of...
![As much of the world swelters, it’s not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. As much of the world swelters, it’s not just people who need help with the dog days of summer.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Pets_Beat_The_Heat_39812_5ce37f.jpg?w=132)
Booties. Indoor dog parks. And following the vet’s orders. How to keep pets cool this summer
As much of the world swelters, it’s not just people who need help with the...
![While insurers like State Farm and Allstate are retreating to avoid costly fire damage claims, Delos is going all in. The SF-based company has already sold more than 17,000 policies to homeowners rejected by other firms. While insurers like State Farm and Allstate are retreating to avoid costly fire damage claims, Delos is going all in. The SF-based company has already sold more than 17,000 policies to homeowners rejected by other firms.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2000x1284.jpg?w=137)
As California wildfires rage, one Bay Area insurer uses AI for coverage
While insurers like State Farm and Allstate are retreating to avoid costly fire damage claims,...
![Evacuations were ordered in Butte and Tehama counties, with the blaze only 3% contained by Friday morning. About 4,000 residents in unincorporated areas of Butte County and 400 residents of Chico were ordered to leave. Evacuations were ordered in Butte and Tehama counties, with the blaze only 3% contained by Friday morning. About 4,000 residents in unincorporated areas of Butte County and 400 residents of Chico were ordered to leave.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/California_Wildfires_63848.jpg?w=132)
Northern California Park Fire triples in size in a day
Evacuations were ordered in Butte and Tehama counties, with the blaze only 3% contained by...
![The evacuation zone covered more than 600 square miles in Butte and Tehama counties. The evacuation zone covered more than 600 square miles in Butte and Tehama counties.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/parkfire725pm-listing.png?w=140)
Park Fire map: Explosive wildfire near Chico now over 160,000 acres
The evacuation zone covered more than 600 square miles in Butte and Tehama counties.
![The class action case, filed Wednesday in Alameda County court, is being brought on behalf of more than 350,000 policyholders. The class action case, filed Wednesday in Alameda County court, is being brought on behalf of more than 350,000 policyholders.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-STATEFARM-0702-1.jpg?w=131)
California homeowners sue FAIR Plan, state’s insurer of last resort, over smoke damage coverage
The class action case, filed Wednesday in Alameda County court, is being brought on behalf...
![PG&E monthly electric bills are expected to outpace inflation for the next few years, an official state regulatory report predicts. PG&E monthly electric bills are expected to outpace inflation for the next few years, an official state regulatory report predicts.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SJM-L-WILLOWFIRE-0619-2.jpg?w=132)
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PG&E monthly bills may outpace inflation for next few years: state report
PG&E monthly electric bills are expected to outpace inflation for the next few years, an...
![The temperature rise in recent decades is in line with what climate scientists projected would happen if humans kept burning fossil fuels at an increasing rate. The temperature rise in recent decades is in line with what climate scientists projected would happen if humans kept burning fossil fuels at an increasing rate.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sjm-Weather_200106656.jpg?w=140)
Sunday was hottest day on the planet – no, wait, it’s Monday
The temperature rise in recent decades is in line with what climate scientists projected would...
![The air temperature at the time was around 123 degrees, and the sand would have been hotter, a news release from the national park said. The air temperature at the time was around 123 degrees, and the sand would have been hotter, a news release from the national park said.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mesquiteflat.png?w=140)
Death Valley tourist loses flip-flops, severely burns his feet
The air temperature at the time was around 123 degrees, and the sand would have...