Daily Headlines

Daily Headlines July 16, 2024

We scan major news sources* and compile selected articles to keep you up-to-date on current issues affecting California business – the economy, health care, environment, transportation and more. Receive Daily Headlines by Email

Today’s Top Story

SupportCalChamber-Sponsored AI Literacy Bill Awaits Action in Senate
Legislation sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce to foster artificial intelligence (AI) instruction in California schools awaits action in the California Senate when legislators return from summer recess in August

Top California News

  • California Needs a Million EV Charging Stations — but That’s ‘Unlikely’ and ‘Unrealistic’
    …A million public chargers are needed in California by the end of 2030, according to the state’s projections — almost 10 times more than the number available to drivers in December. To meet that target, 129,000 new stations — more than seven times the current pace — must be built every year for the next seven years. Then the pace would have to accelerate again to reach a target of 2.1 million chargers in 2035. CalMatters (No subscription required)
  • California’s Grid Passed the Reliability Test This Heat Wave. It’s All About Giant Batteries
    …Apart from battery storage, Mainzer also credited that success to less extreme temperatures in Southern California as well as noticeable slightly lower electricity consumption in the peak demand hours, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. That said, he was quick to urge caution and continued diligence ahead of what is likely to be a very hot summer and fall. The Sacramento Bee (Subscription required)
  • California Plans to Ban Plants and Bushes within 5 Feet of Homes at Risk for Wildfires
    California fire officials are writing new rules that could bar most plants, mulch and other combustible materials within 5 feet of homes in fire-prone areas of California. The far-reaching initiative, mandated by the state Legislature, was supposed to take effect last year. But the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, the agency charged with developing the rules, has yet to finalize them. San Francisco Chronicle (Subscription required)
  • California Awards $27 Million to Container Ports
    California’s business and economic development office has awarded $27 million to fund 10 projects at its five container ports to improve data systems and interoperability to strengthen the nation’s supply chain. Currently, the state’s ports of Hueneme, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and San Diego handle 40% of all containerized goods coming into the United States and 30% of the nation’s containerized exports. Transport Topics (No subscription required)

Top National, International News

  • Retail Sales Unchanged in June From May, Underscoring Shoppers’ Resilience
    Shoppers paused their spending in June from May, defying economic forecasts for a pullback and proving their resilience in the face of an uncertain economy. Retail sales were unchanged in June from May, after being revised upward to a 0.3% increase in May, according to the Commerce Department. The Associated Press (No subscription required)
  • IMF’s Economic View: Brighter Outlook for China and India but Tepid Global Growth
    The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday upgraded its economic outlook this year for China, India and Europe while modestly lowering expectations for the United States and Japan. But it says worldwide progress against accelerating prices has been slowed by stickier-than-expected inflation for services, from airline travel to restaurant meals. The Associated Press (No subscription required)

* Some newspapers listed require the viewer to register, log in, or pay in order to view the entire article. After some time, most papers file older stories in their archive section. Access to those stories may require that you pay to view them.