July 2025 in review: Last month's top stories

In July, California faced a mix of natural hazards and policy shifts that tested systems across the state. A rare tsunami advisory put the entire coastline on alert after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the North Pacific, while inland wildfires like the Green and Madre blazes forced thousands to evacuate amid peak summer heat.

At the state level, new budget decisions rippled through health care, environmental policy, and labor funding. Medi-Cal dropped coverage of high-demand drugs like Ozempic, women’s health services survived last-minute cuts, and the state’s biggest-ever recycling budget eclipsed allocations for water and air boards combined.

Economic signals also shifted. Cannabis sales dropped statewide for the third year in a row—yet counties like Fresno and Riverside posted dramatic growth, suggesting a new regional power balance in the industry. Meanwhile, the real estate and credit sectors were shaped by courtroom decisions, delayed licensing, and stagnant consumer protections.

Below, you'll find our most essential coverage from the month, including wildfire updates, new NASA flood data, clean-energy rebate deadlines, and one stunning 3.5-day road trip that cuts through it all.

Tsunami advisory tests California’s coastal readiness

A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a rare, full-coast tsunami advisory in California. Our coverage detailed expected arrival times for each coastal region, explained what the advisory means in practical terms, and provided key safety protocols for residents and visitors.

Tsunami advisory in effect for entire California coast: Expected arrival times and risk in all areas

Tsunami advisory in effect for the entire California coast after 8.8 magnitude Kamchatka quake. Check expected arrival times and safety info for your area.

CaliforniaToday.comMac Douglass

How to check if your home is inside California’s tsunami evacuation zone

California’s official tsunami hazard map remains one of the state’s most underused public tools. This guide walks you through how to check your location, read the evacuation boundaries, and understand the state’s coastal risk designations.

Use this official map to check if you’re in a tsunami hazard zone on the California coast

Learn how to use California’s official tsunami hazard map to see if your location is at risk and plan a safe evacuation route.

CaliforniaToday.comJennifer Olney

California drops Ozempic from Medi-Cal coverage

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy will no longer be covered under Medi-Cal following passage of the 2025-26 California budget. The state spent more than $1.6 billion on GLP-1s in 2024—nearly 10% of Medi-Cal’s pharmacy spending—prompting lawmakers to prioritize structural reform and budget rebalancing over continued reimbursement.

Ozempic will no longer be covered by Medi-Cal after GLP-1 drugs cut from California’s 2025–26 health budget

California will stop covering GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy through Medi-Cal under its new 2025–26 budget, citing rising costs and structural reforms. The move comes after the state reimbursed over $1.6 billion for the drugs in 2024—nearly 10% of all Medi-Cal pharmacy spending.

CaliforniaToday.comDr. Jennifer Trimpey

Green Fire burns 11,000+ acres near Shasta Lake

Fueled by dry conditions and high winds, the Green Fire in Shasta County prompted fast-moving evacuations and threatened local infrastructure.

Madre Fire expands into Santa Barbara County

The Madre Fire grew from 52,000 to nearly 80,000 acres over two days, forcing expanded evacuation orders as firefighters struggled to contain California’s largest blaze of the year so far.

Steele Fire triggers evacuations in San Diego County

While only 26 acres burned, the Steele Fire’s proximity to residential areas in Rancho San Diego led to swift evacuation alerts.

NASA data warns of slow-moving flood threats along California’s coast

After catastrophic flooding in Texas and New Mexico, NASA’s coastal satellite data suggest a slow but worsening flood threat in California. Scientists are now urging attention to infrastructure vulnerabilities ahead of the rainy season.

Health and Human Services

California Health & Human Services: Full 2025–26 budget breakdown

This year’s $307 billion HHS budget includes major investments in aging, disability services, and behavioral health—while scaling back coverage in key areas.

$172M in women’s health funding preserved in final deal

Governor Newsom’s proposed cuts to family planning programs under Proposition 56 were reversed in the final state budget agreement.

Environmental

Clean HEET program expands rebates for Bay Area homeowners

A fresh round of funding is now available through the Bay Area’s Clean HEET program, offering up to $3,000 in rebates for residents who replace wood-burning heaters with electric heat pumps. Applications closed July 31.

Beverage container recycling outpaces air and water board funding

California allocated $1.68 billion—nearly one-third of CalEPA’s total budget—to beverage container recycling and litter reduction, marking a significant shift in environmental spending priorities.

Workforce and Labor

California labor and Workforce Development budget: What’s changing

More than $880 million is earmarked for workforce priorities, including pandemic debt reduction, technology upgrades, and equity programs.

California sues Trump Administration over SNAP data demands

Rob Bonta leads 21 states in challenging a federal push to collect personal data from SNAP recipients. The lawsuit argues that the demand violates privacy protections and could fuel immigration enforcement efforts.

Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” repeals clean-energy tax credits

The legislation eliminates nearly every major incentive created by the Inflation Reduction Act, including federal tax credits for EVs, rooftop solar, and electric heat pumps—removing up to $16,000 in household value.

Trump-era tax cuts begin to expire under new law

Dozens of provisions from the 2017 tax law are now scheduled to phase out or revert under the newly signed legislation. Our breakdown details when each change takes effect and how it could reshape household finances.

Medical debt returns to credit reports: What to expect

A judge’s ruling blocked changes that would have removed medical collections from credit reports. Millions of Americans will not see the 20-point credit score boost that was widely expected.

Cannabis sales plateau statewide—even as inland counties surge

New state data shows a 16% decline in legal cannabis sales since 2021. But counties like Fresno and Riverside have seen triple-digit growth, signaling a shift in market dynamics away from coastal hubs.

Real estate licensing: How to check your DRE processing status

Our step-by-step guide shows how to track the status of license applications, renewals, name changes, certified histories, and MLO endorsements using California’s official Department of Real Estate tools.

Yosemite summer 2025: When you need a reservation and how to get in without one

Our updated guide covers Yosemite’s peak-hour reservation system, including key dates, who qualifies for exemptions, and alternate entrances that don’t require advance booking.

3.5-day photo-op road trip from SF to Vegas via Yosemite and Mono Lake

This quick-but-packed road trip features some of California’s most photogenic landscapes—from Sierra granite and desert salt flats to ancient lakes and ghost towns. It’s a perfect summer option for long weekend travelers and amateur photographers alike.

July delivered a stark mix of emergencies, policy shifts, and economic turning points across California. With fire season intensifying and budget changes taking hold, we'll continue reporting the developments that matter most—across every county and community.