Kurtis Alexander
LightNews LightNews
banner
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Kurtis Alexander
@kurtisalexander.bsky.social
780 followers 390 following 20 posts
Living in Northern California, writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, reporting on water, wildfire, climate and the rural West.
Posts Replies Media Videos
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New... Yosemite National Park has a new top official: Ray McPadden, the acting chief, named superintendent.

At one of the most popular parks, McPadden will be tested by overcrowding, staff cuts and declining conditions at restaurants and hotels www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Yosemite National Park names new superintendent
The new superintendent will face challenges such as crowding, the prospect of wildfires and the poor condition of some of the park’s restaurants and hotels.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
sfchronicle.com
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, fresh off a redistricting win, is planning to travel to COP30 in Brazil next week to showcase America’s resolve for addressing the climate crisis.
Exclusive: Newsom talks climate plans, blasts Trump after Prop 50 win
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, fresh off a redistricting win, is planning to travel to COP30 in Brazil next week to showcase America’s resolve for addressing the climate crisis.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
waterhub.bsky.social
A year after Klamath River dam removals, salmon are swimming farther than expected, even into irrigation canals near Klamath Falls. Scientists say it’s both a challenge and a sign of recovery.

📰 @kurtisalexander.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Salmon have flourished since California dam removal. But some may be swimming too far
After the largest dam-removal effort in U.S. history, salmon appear to be thriving in the Klamath River, though some are taking a detour.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
sammyroth.bsky.social
Salmon have finally reached the Klamath River headwaters in Oregon. Amazing. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal
Klamath River salmon have crossed a major threshold after dams were removed along the California-Oregon border, with the fish reaching the river’s headwaters for the first time in more than a...
www.sfchronicle.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
sonoma-tim.bsky.social
Fresh snow on the Eastern Sierras near Mono Lake

#Photography 📷 📸 #Leica #fotografía #foto
#Landscape #Sierras
Image of California Highway 120 leading to snow capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Scrub brush and sand on both sides of the roadway with a double yellow center line. Single white lines mark the edge of the roadway. Some yellow fall colors can be seen below the snow line on the mountain to the left of center.
October 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
byashanti.bsky.social
#FridayReads New @sfchronicle.com: 1 in 5 new California homes are built in wildfire zones. That’s causing real issues for communities. 🔌💡
October 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
California is running out of safe spots to put homes.

A look at 2024 state housing data shows that in many counties, every new home is being built in a wildfire hazard area
www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
California is building homes deeper into wildfire country. Here’s why.
A housing shortage crisis combined with an era of climate-fueled wildfires has made building homes a fraught undertaking across much of California.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Even if you’re not into snakes, these little guys are charming

The S.F. zoo is raising a captive population of San Francisco garter snakes. Scientists plan to begin releasing the endangered snakes in the wild, including these newborns, to boost their numbers www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...
September 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New: The Trump administration appears to be working to roll back plans for dam removal on California's Eel River.

"Stay tuned," says U.S. Ag Secretary @secrollins.govpeeps.com

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Trump administration could roll back planned California dam removal
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suggested that the Trump administration may try to halt PG&E’s plans to remove two dams on a Northern California river, due to water supply concerns.
www.sfchronicle.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New: Cotoni-Coast Dairies national monument near Santa Cruz will open Aug. 15. (President Obama designated the monument in 2017, but it’s been closed since for preparations) www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
‘Prepare to be blown away’: New national monument near Santa Cruz about to open
The new national monument near Santa Cruz, established during President Obama’s term, will offer hiking, biking and sightseeing opportunities when it opens to the public this summer.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
danbrekke.bsky.social
“Restoration is not a flip-of-the-switch and everything-is-fine endeavor. It took hundreds of years for the basin to get to the way it is now, and it’s going to take time to modify it to suit fish.” Via @sfchronicle.com & @kurtisalexander.bsky.social
California’s massive dam removal hit a key milestone. Now, there’s a problem
The return of salmon to their ancestral home was a fundamental goal of the dam removal and a measure of the Klamath River project’s success. However, a problem has emerged.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
taraduggan.bsky.social
Having recently dined at Base Camp Eatery can't say I'm shocked - from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Yosemite contractor slammed for failings, like rodents at Ahwahnee bar
Yosemite National Park’s major contractor, Aramark, received unusually poor performance grades in a newly available report from the park service.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
altusfs.altgov.info
It’s always nice to hear good conservation news.
May 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New: Tioga Pass at Yosemite National Park (Hwy 120) will open on Monday www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...
Yosemite’s Tioga Pass scheduled to open on Memorial Day
Visitors to Yosemite National park will be able to cross through the park on Highway 120 with Monday’s scheduled opening of Tioga Pass.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
The tree die-off that has withered California forests for a decade appears to be easing. New Forest Service data shows tree mortality at a 10-year low www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
California’s extraordinary tree die-off may finally be easing
Forest Service aerial surveys show that tree mortality in California hit its lowest level in years — good news for Sierra forests decimated by drought, beetles
www.sfchronicle.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Pretty cool...

California wildlife officials just unveiled a map showing real-time locations of wolves
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Where do wolves live in California? New map gives real-time location
California wildlife officials released a new map showing the location of endangered gray wolves around the state. The animals are tracked by GPS collars.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New: After months of uncertainty, Yosemite National Park announces that its day-use reservation requirement is back for summer

Reservations go on sale May 6 www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...
Yosemite's reservation system is back — but in a scaled-down form
After months of uncertainty, Yosemite National Park unveils scaled-back reservation requirements for visitors, starting Memorial Day.
www.sfchronicle.com
April 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
demianbulwa.bsky.social
A major California city lost its river. Residents are fighting to revive it

By @kurtisalexander.bsky.social www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
A major California city wants to revive its dry river. It’s not easy
Decades ago, the Kern River flowed through Bakersfield. Now it is dry — but some residents are dreaming of its return.
www.sfchronicle.com
April 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Pretty cool discovery... Jeffrey pines were found growing higher than any other known California tree (12,500 feet plus)

Birds and climate change are thought to be responsible for the tree's migration, sometimes thousands of feet uphill, per @ucdavis.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...
California tree improbably becomes highest-growing in the state
A new study suggests that Jeffrey pines are charging uphill in the Sierra Nevada, in an unusual reverberation of climate change.
www.sfchronicle.com
April 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Lots of water at Yosemite right now #MercedRiver

Snowpack in the park measured 85% of average at the April peak.
April 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
sammyroth.bsky.social
Local, state and tribal leaders have reached a deal to remove two dams on the Eel River, which would make it California's longest free-flowing river: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Dam removal deal could create longest free-flowing California river
The Eel River could become the longest free-flowing river in California after a complex deal was reached over the retirement of two PG&E dams.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 18, 2025 at 3:55 AM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
New: Trump administration halts funding for the captive breeding program for delta smelt.

The move follows the president's criticism of the fish, linking the endangered smelt to the lack of water for fighting the fires in Los Angeles www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Trump administration pulls funding for California fish at heart of water wars
The tiny endangered Delta smelt, long a target of conservatives, faces a grim future after the Trump administration pulled funding from a UC Davis lab.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
Trump says he freed water for California. Locals say it wasn’t needed—Among those baffled by the series of events this week in the San Joaquin Valley was Sen. @alexpadilla4ca.bsky.social D-Calif.
“Unscheduled water… www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art... SF Chronicle @kurtisalexander.bsky.social
Trump says he freed water for California. Locals say it wasn’t needed
The unexpected discharge of water at two reservoirs in the San Joaquin Valley is sparking confusion in agricultural and political circles.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Kurtis Alexander
sfchronicle.com
Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon has announced that she is stepping down at the end of next month, leaving a hole in the management at one of the nation’s top parks.
Head of Yosemite National Park calls it quits after 40 years of service
Veteran National Park Service leader Cicely Muldoon led Yosemite through the staffing, crowding challenges of COVID.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 29, 2025 at 11:29 PM
kurtisalexander.bsky.social
ICYMI: Big news at Point Reyes National Seashore...

Environmentalists are buying out ranchers in a deal that will forever remove cattle from the park www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Historic change coming to Point Reyes as environmentalists buy out ranchers
Point Reyes National Seashore has long had dairy and beef operations. Now they are being paid to leave
www.sfchronicle.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM