Southern California

(Newser) - Southern California's heat wave finally seems to be breaking after killing at least 27 people in crushing temperatures. The deaths include an elderly couple who told neighbors they were turning off their air conditioning to save money. Several victims died while illegally crossing the US-Mexico border in searing heat.

(Newser) - Continued triple-digit temperatures across Southern California fried transformers as everyone turned on the AC, knocking out power across the region. The LA Times reports  21,000 homes were still waiting for power last night, and Southern California Edison was scrambling to keep up. "We need is a break in...

(Newser) - Southern Californians will be roasting their chestnuts in the oven if an air pollution plan is passed that would ban fireplaces in all new homes and prohibit wood-fueled blazes for as many as 20 days every winter. The regulations, proposed by South Coast Air Quality Management, seeks to clean up...