West

Will California have a 'superbloom' this year? Here's what to know about the flower spectacle

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

Will California have a 'superbloom' this year? Here's what to know about the flower spectacle

Carpets of yellow, orange and gold flowers are spreading across Southern California’s deserts.
This year’s blooms are not as vibrant or abundant as last year’s “superbloom,” which followed drought-busting rains.
Superblooms occur when desert stretches transform into dense wildflower fields due to dormant seeds germinating after seasons with over 30 percent average precipitation.

Carpets of yellow, orange and gold flowers are beginning to cover Southern California’s vast deserts, the Bay Area’s dramatic bluffs and even near Los Angeles International Airport.

But do they add up to a “superbloom”? There is no single definition of the event, but so far this year’s blooms haven’t been as vibrant or abundant as those that took over swaths of California last spring following drought-busting rains. This year, too, the state received ample winter rains.

After especially wet winters, bursts of color may appear in the spring, drawing droves of visitors to California and other parts of the Southwest to glimpse the flowering fields and pose for pictures.

CALIFORNIA’S MASSIVE SUPERBLOOM SEEN FROM SPACE FOLLOWING HISTORIC, DROUGHT-ENDING RAINS

Here are some key facts about the natural spectacle.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, flowers bloom in Mussel Rock Park in Daly City, California, on April 1, 2024. Carpets of tiny, rain-fed wildflowers known as “superblooms” are appearing in parts of California and Arizona. Their arrival draws droves of visitors who stop to glimpse the flashes of color and pose for pictures. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)

WHAT’S A SUPERBLOOM?

Scientists don’t agree on any one definition. Across California and Arizona, there are stretches of desert that can quickly transform into dense fields of wildflowers, since seeds lie dormant in the soil and then germinate and blossom at around the same time.

A recent study found that such widespread blooms, which have been visible by satellite imagery in some years, take place after seasons with greater than 30% average precipitation, said Naomi Fraga, director of conservation programs at the California Botanic Garden, east of Los Angeles.

DOES THIS YEAR COUNT?

No, according to Fraga. That’s because there isn’t a huge diversity in the flowers that have blossomed in places like California’s Death Valley.

This year’s blooms aren’t as large or as dense as wildflowers in past years, she said.

“When I think of superblooms, I think of a bloom that is so extraordinary, that’s a once in a lifetime event,” Fraga said, adding that the wildflower display this year “still makes a beautiful show.”

Last spring, early April visitors to Southern California’s Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve were treated to dazzling orange displays of the state flower. But around the same time this year, the fields were absent of the orange blooms, with the reserve’s officials posting that the window for an impressive show was becoming “increasingly narrow.”

In Death Valley, one of the driest places on earth, stretches of desert are dotted with gold thanks to sunflowers that emerged after an especially wet winter and spring.

Whether that constitutes a superbloom is “really in the eye of the beholder,” said Evan Meyer, executive director of the California-based nonprofit Theodore Payne Foundation, which works to preserve California’s native plants.

WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?

April is typically the peak month for spring wildflowers, but in high-elevation places they can continue to blossom later into the spring.

Superblooms generally refer to low-elevation desert regions, Fraga said.

“It’s much more geographic than seasonal,” Meyer said. “Spring in the mountains hasn’t started, and in the low desert, it’s past its peak.”

When temperatures rise in the desert, the flowers can quickly dry out.

HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT THE SUPERBLOOM?

Experts say it might be too soon to tell.

Climate change is making precipitation patterns more erratic, but the effects on wildflowers could play out over decades or even centuries, Fraga said, since seeds stay dormant in the soil for long periods of time.

Southern California received heavy rain last summer, unlike its usually dry summers, which she said probably stimulated flowers to germinate out of season. Winter temperatures also were higher than average, so many of them were able to stay in bloom through the spring season.

“That made for a very unusual bloom,” Fraga said.

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Wyoming

3A, 4A Wyoming Girls Hoops Teams Battle for State Berths at Regional Tournaments

Published

23 minutes ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

3A, 4A Wyoming Girls Hoops Teams Battle for State Berths at Regional Tournaments

Class 3A and 4A girls’ basketball teams in Wyoming are onto the postseason with regional tournament games, Thursday through Saturday. Buffalo, Evanston, Gillette, and Lovell are the host sites of the four regionals this weekend. For both 3A sites and the 4A West site, teams need two wins to qualify for next week’s state tournament. Two losses and a team is eliminated. The champion in the 4A East regular season draws a first-round bye and has already qualified for state basketball. The other six teams are in a one-game, win-or-go-home scenario on Thursday.

WYOPREPS 3A-4A GIRLS BASKETBALL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES

Except in the 4A East, Friday will feature elimination games. All four sites will have semifinals on Friday night. Seeding for the state tournament will be determined on Saturday. This schedule is based on the brackets sent to WyoPreps. It is subject to change.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5:

Final Score: (6) Worland 42 (3) Pinedale 36

Final Score: (2) Lander 40 (7) Lyman 26

Final Score: (1) Cody 53 (8) Mountain View 16

Final Score: (4) Powell 46 (5) Lovell 35

FRIDAY, MARCH 6:

Final Score: Pinedale 42 Lyman 25 – Eagles are eliminated

Final Score: Lovell 55 Mountain View 23 – Buffalos are eliminated

Final Score: Lander 43 Worland 16 – semifinal – Tigers qualify for state

Final Score: Cody 49 Powell 28 – semifinal – Fillies qualify for state

SATURDAY, MARCH 7:

Game 9: Pinedale vs. Powell, 9:30 a.m. – loser out

Game 10: Lovell vs. Worland, 9:30 a.m. (LMS) – loser out

Game 11: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 3:30 p.m. – 3rd Place Game

Game 12: Lander vs. Cody, 12:30 p.m. – Championship Game

THURSDAY, MARCH 5:

Final Score: (3) Douglas 38 (6) Glenrock 26

Final Score: (2) Buffalo 67 (7) Newcastle 38

Final Score: (5) Burns 49 (4) Torrington 47

Final Score: (1) Wheatland 47 (8) Rawlins 42

FRIDAY, MARCH 6:

Final Score: Glenrock 49 Newcastle 46 – Dogies are eliminated

Final Score: Torrington 48 Rawlins 41 – Outlaws are eliminated

Final Score: Douglas 47 Buffalo 41 – semifinal – Bearcats qualify for state.

Final Score: Wheatland 53 Burns 29 – semifinal – Bulldogs qualify for state.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7:

Game 9: Torrington vs. Buffalo, 9 a.m. – loser out

Game 10: Glenrock vs. Burns, 10:30 a.m. – loser out

Game 11: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 6 p.m. – 3rd Place Game (if necessary)

Game 12: Douglas vs. Wheatland, 3 p.m. – Championship Game

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THURSDAY, MARCH 5:

Final Score: (SW-1) Star Valley 47 (NW-4) Rock Springs 26

Final Score: (NW-2) Natrona County 47 (SW-3) Riverton 33

Final Score: (NW-1) Green River 56 (SW-4) Jackson 17

Final Score: (SW-2) Evanston 47 (NW-3) Kelly Walsh 36

FRIDAY, MARCH 6:

Final Score: Riverton 49 Rock Springs 47 – Tigers are eliminated; Wolverines won it on 2 FTs with 4.4 secs left.

Final Score: Kelly Walsh 42 Jackson 37 – Broncs are eliminated

Final Score: Star Valley 36 Natrona County 31 – semifinal – Braves qualify for state.

Final Score: Green River 60 Evanston 32 – semifinal – Wolves qualify for state.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7:

Game 9: Riverton vs. Evanston, 10 a.m. – loser out

Game 10: Kelly Walsh vs. Natrona County, 8:30 a.m. – loser out

Game 11: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11, 3 p.m. – 3rd Place Game (at EMS)

Game 12: Star Valley vs. Green River, 3 p.m. – Championship Game

THURSDAY, MARCH 5:

Game 1: (1) Cheyenne East = Bye

Final Score: (2) Cheyenne Central 58 (7) Cheyenne South 5 – Bison are eliminated; Indians qualify for state.

Final Score: (4) Thunder Basin 46 (5) Laramie 39 – Plainsmen are eliminated; Bolts qualify for state – TB finished the game on an 8-0 run.

Final Score: (3) Sheridan 59 (6) Campbell County 33 – Camels are eliminated; Broncs qualify for state.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6:

Final Score: Cheyenne Central 54 Sheridan 30 – semifinal

Final Score: Cheyenne East 52 Thunder Basin 48 – semifinal

SATURDAY, MARCH 7:

Game 7: Thunder Basin vs. Sheridan 10 a.m. – 3rd Place Game

Game 8: Cheyenne East vs. Cheyenne Central, 1 p.m. – Championship Game

James Johnson Winter Showcase Basketball Tournament 2026

Photos from game action at the James Johnson Winter Showcase tournament in Cheyenne.

Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Shannon Dutcher

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West

Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during $3M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

Published

4 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

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Four Chilean nationals filmed themselves as they smashed through the roof and walls of a Southern California jewelry store during a brazen, multi-million-dollar burglary — even flashing a peace sign at the camera mid-crime, newly released video shows.

The video, released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, captures the suspects documenting the May 25, 2025 break-in at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley. In one clip, a suspect grips a crowbar with a flashlight clenched in his mouth before pausing to throw a peace sign toward the camera.

Prosecutors said the group ultimately made off with about $3 million worth of jewelry, watches, cash and other valuables, KTLA reported. Prosecutors said the burglary caused losses exceeding $1 million, the threshold for enhanced charges.

“The planning, surveillance, and sophistication involved in this case required the defendants’ removal from society,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Ventura County will not tolerate organized burglary crews that treat our communities like targets. If you engage in this kind of conduct, you will face significant consequences.”

The suspects, from left: Manuel David Ibarra, Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara, Heidy Nickolt Trujillo and Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca. Prosecutors said the four Chilean nationals filmed themselves during a $3 million burglary at a Simi Valley jewelry store. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

The stolen goods were later taken to a home in Los Angeles County, where the suspects were arrested June 10 — some allegedly still wearing stolen jewelry when they were taken into custody, KTLA reported. The outlet previously spoke with store owner Jonathan Youssef, who said the burglary left his family-owned business devastated.

Authorities said the crew began orchestrating the burglary in mid-May 2025.

On May 16, one defendant allegedly stole rope from a Home Depot to use in the crime. Days later, three suspects drove a white Volvo SUV to the shopping center to conduct surveillance.

ORGANIZED SOUTH AMERICAN CRIME GROUP BURGLARIZES OVER 60 HIGH-END HOUSTON-AREA HOMES TARGETING DESIGNER GOODS

The storefront of 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and neighboring Dr. Conkey’s Candy & Coffee in Simi Valley, Calif., where four Chilean nationals were accused of carrying out a multi-million-dollar burglary. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

Investigators said two defendants observed the interior of the jewelry store through its front window, while the trio later entered the candy and coffee shop to assess surveillance cameras and inspect the shared wall between the businesses.

One suspect used a cellphone flashlight to examine the wall, another acted as a lookout, and a third mimicked using a spray can — allegedly indicating plans to disable security equipment.

On May 25, the crew returned in the same SUV, which contained a ladder and rope, authorities said.

MASSIVE LUXURY HANDBAG HEIST CAUGHT ON CAMERA AS HEAVILY ARMED POLICE SWARM CALIFORNIA STORE

A masked suspect is seen flashing a peace sign while holding a flashlight during a burglary at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley, Calif., according to video released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

One suspect placed the ladder against the candy and coffee shop, cut through the roof and entered the store. A surveillance camera was spray-painted and the store’s safe was opened, with cash stolen, prosecutors said.

The suspects then cut through a shared wall into 5-Star Jewelry, where they broke into another safe and stole jewelry, cash and silver before transporting the stolen property to a residence in Los Angeles County, prosecutors said.

Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in Ventura County Jail. Heidi Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to four years.

Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca is set to be sentenced March 26.

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All four defendants previously pleaded guilty to felony charges including conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. Two of the defendants also admitted to additional burglary and vandalism charges tied to a separate Simi Valley pawn shop break-in.

They also admitted special allegations that the crimes caused more than $1 million in losses and were carried out in a planned, coordinated operation, prosecutors said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.

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San Francisco, CA

Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video

Published

6 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video

(WARNING: This story contains graphic video)

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Surveillance video obtained by KRON4 captured a shocking daylight stabbing that occurred in San Francisco’s Chinatown district on Thursday afternoon.

In the video, which was captured at the corner of Stockton and Sacramento streets, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt is seen slowly walking down the sidewalk.

As the man approaches the corner, he suddenly pulls a knife out and with his right hand, thrusts the knife into the back of a man who appears to have been waiting for the crosswalk. The shocking attack appears to have been entirely unprovoked.

The attacker then walks briskly away from the scene, crossing the street, and disappearing from the frame.

The victim can be seen turning around, clutching their lower back and staggering around for a moment before collapsing to the sidewalk. He appears to attempt to get up again before eventually laying down on his stomach.

Several bystanders walk by, but none of them appear to render aid, apart from a man who was standing nearby and appears to pull out his phone to call for help.

Photo: KRON4

The San Francisco Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a stabbing at 1:13 p.m. Thursday at Stockton and Sacramento. Officers arrived at the scene where the victim was suffering from a stab wound.

Paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.

During a subsequent investigation, police located a suspect matching the description provided by witnesses near the 600 block of Powell Street. He was detained without incident and arrested.

SFPD has not released the suspect’s name or any pending charges. No information was given on possible motive for the attack.

The stabbing occurred the same day members of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security detail were involved in an altercation with two people in the Tenderloin district and two days before SF’s Lunar New Year Parade is set to take place in Chinatown.

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