Courthouse News
![California looks at millionaire tax to pay for clean vehicles and wildfire prevention](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/electric-vehicle-charging.jpg?w=980&q=75)
California looks at millionaire tax to pay for clean vehicles and wildfire prevention
California lawmakers on Wednesday stared down a controversial measure aimed at taxing millionaires to fund greenhouse gas emission reduction programs, meet electric vehicle usage goals and beef up wildfire fighting resources.
![Liz Cheney, unrepentant underdog in Wyoming primary](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/03/capitol-dome.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Liz Cheney, unrepentant underdog in Wyoming primary
A Caspar Star Tribune poll from early July put Cheney about 20 points behind, an unusual spot for an incumbent who’s served three terms and is the third-ranking leader in the House.
![Lawmakers debate clean energy substitutes to remove fossil fuels from strained California power grid](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-California-power.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Lawmakers debate clean energy substitutes to remove fossil fuels from strained California power grid
California soon will not have enough energy to meet future demand and prevent outages on an increasingly strained power grid, in part due to climate change.
![Bringing sea otters back to Oregon faces ideological challenges](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-Otters.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Bringing sea otters back to Oregon faces ideological challenges
Prior to joining a growing list of near-extinct species by 1911, the same year of the International Fur Trade Treaty, sea otters thrived along the entire Pacific Rim from Hokkaido, Japan, all the way to Mexico.
![Texas jurors award Sandy Hook parents $45.2 million in punitive damages](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-Alex-Jones.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Texas jurors award Sandy Hook parents $45.2 million in punitive damages
After nearly five hours of deliberations, a Texas jury on Friday unanimously awarded two Sandy Hook parents $45.2 million in punitive damages against Austin-based conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
![Amid housing crisis, California cities look to target vacant homes with taxes](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-Housing-California.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Amid housing crisis, California cities look to target vacant homes with taxes
The city of Berkeley joins a growing list of California cities planning to ask voters whether property owners with vacant homes should be taxed to relieve unprecedented pressure on the housing market.
![Kansans vote down amendment that would have led to abortion restrictions](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-kansas-capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Kansans vote down amendment that would have led to abortion restrictions
Kansans shut down a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict or even ban abortions.
![Water use in California dips, but still short of Newsom’s goal](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-California-Newsom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Water use in California dips, but still short of Newsom’s goal
Californians used less water in June but are still falling short of the 15% mark set by Governor Gavin Newsom.
![Nevada geothermal plant project stalled amid bid to save endangered Dixie Valley toad](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-Endangered-Frog.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Nevada geothermal plant project stalled amid bid to save endangered Dixie Valley toad
Building Ormat’s power plants also means utilizing the same geothermal fluid that heats the Dixie Meadows Hot Springs, an area vital to the toad's survival.
![Activists demand carbon-free California by 2035](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/08/attachment-climate.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Activists demand carbon-free California by 2035
The effects of climate change are the talk of California’s plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. That’s not soon enough for many, as was evident during a packed meeting of the California Air Resources Board on Thursday evening.