Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.

With the two roads leading to the Palisades Fire clogged with abandoned cars, first responders had to use bulldozers to clear the way for firefighters.

This bulldozer had been abandoned long enough that nobody expected much from it. With minimal prep and some borrowed batteries, we decided to see what would happen. The engine fired up quicker than ...