Still, the state will retain some rules it placed on water use during the years-long drought. "This drought emergency is over," Brown said Friday, "but the next drought could be around the corner."

For the first time since January of 2014, no part of California is in the "exceptional drought" category, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report.

Serious algae outbreaks have hit more than 20 states this summer. Algae blooms aren't unusual. But the frequency, size and toxicity now are worse than ever, and changes in climate are partly to blame.

The body of a man was found in an area burned by a 33,000 acre wildfire north of Los Angeles. The Sand Fire has destroyed more than a dozen homes and is one of 19 major fires burning in California.

Officials in Fort Bragg also ordered restaurants to serve water to customers only upon request. As part of a stage 3 water emergency, things like washing cars using city water are prohibited, too.

California's fig industry has undergone some big changes, but after years of struggles, some farmers hope growing consumer interest in fresh produce might finally provide a turnaround.

While the drought has put a strain on California agriculture, its farms actually set a record for total sales — $54 billion — in 2014. How? By pumping more water from their wells.

After a scientist on a hike in Sequoia National Park saw trees with thin and browning leaves, it got scientists thinking: Did the drought cause this? So they're climbing up them to study the damage.

Water scarcity is leading farmers away from planting staples and towards planting higher-value, lower-water specialty crops. Think wine grapes and pomegranates instead of citrus and avocados.

"Crazy wouldn't adequately describe what we're going through," a water official says of parched conditions in the state's Central Valley. Buying treated sewage water could restore some sanity.