- 3 people get prison for East Village explosion that killed 2
- CDC to screen passengers arriving at JFK from China for new illness
- NYPD arrests woman who allegedly threw bleach in another woman's face in Chelsea
- MTA awards handed out to 34 exemplary, heroic transit workers
- Jury selected in Harvey Weinstein's rape trial
- Angry parents jeer NYC schools chancellor off stage at Queens schools safety meeting
- Woman dies after being hit by falling plywood in Queens
- VIDEO: Man wanted for attacking woman with scooter in Brooklyn
- Andrew Yang's wife says she was sexually assaulted by her gynecologist while pregnant
- Gigi Hadid nixed from potential Weinstein juror list
- Gun-rights activists gear up for show of force in Virginia
- Where does Astros cheating rank in scandals? Ask Pete Rose
- Winter storm brings heavy snow, ice to Midwest, Northeast
- Rough seas delay escape test for SpaceX crew capsule
- Reservations brace for winter storms amid slow recovery
- Records reveal concerns of deceased GOP redistricting expert
- Scientists seek rare species survivors amid Australia flames
- Turkey's Erdogan: Europe must back Libyan govt in Tripoli
- Ohio State doctor abuse investigation, suits have cost $9.8M
- 4 killed, 1 injured in family shooting in Utah suburb
RADIO.COM
US government opens California land to oil, gas drilling
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The federal government has opened 725,000 acres in Central California to oil and gas drilling on land that has been off-limits since 2013.
The Bureau of Land Management issued its final decision Friday to allow oil and gas leases on plots that are mostly in the Central Valley, but also include parts of the Central Coast.
The plan announced in May is part of a Trump administration goal to make the U.S. energy independent that has been criticized as a giveaway to industry.
Environmentalists who successfully blocked the Obama administration from opening the land to drilling criticized the new development.
The Center for Biological Diversity called the effort reckless and says it will continue to fight the government.
The BLM says additional approval will be required for before any drilling.