“Revealed: Top Federal Agency’s Shocking Billions Spent on Migrants in Just One Year – What You Need to Know!”
In this eye-opening post, we delve into the staggering amount of money a top federal agency has spent on migrants in a single year. Discover the facts, figures, and implications of this massive expenditure, and learn how it could impact immigration policies and taxpayer dollars. Don’t miss out on this must-read analysis of a controversial government spending trend! #FederalAgency #MigrantSpending #GovernmentExpenditure
In a shocking revelation, a top federal agency has been exposed for spending billions of dollars on migrants in a single year. The agency, which is tasked with overseeing immigration and border security, has come under scrutiny for its exorbitant expenditures on services for migrants entering the country.
According to recent reports, the agency spent a staggering amount of money on housing, food, medical care, and other resources for migrants who crossed the border illegally. Critics have argued that this level of spending is unsustainable and raises serious questions about the agency’s priorities and fiscal responsibility.
Many are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the agency, demanding answers about how such a large sum of money was allocated and whether it was used effectively. The revelation has sparked a heated debate about immigration policy and the government’s role in assisting migrants who come to the United States seeking a better life.
As the story continues to unfold, it is clear that there are still many unanswered questions about the agency’s spending practices and the impact it has on taxpayers. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
These buyouts, or the option of “deferred resignation,” were offered via email from the OPM to over two million federal employees.
All federal workers were given the choice of a buyout due to a majority of federal agencies downsizing by methods of “restructurings, realignments and reductions in force,” according to the OPM’s email sent to federal employees.
Will Trump’s federal worker buyouts affect the IRS? How will the 2025 tax season be affected?
As of Wednesday, approximately 40,000 federal employees accepted the buyout offer, which is about 2% of the federal workforce, says Accounting Today. Employees that have chosen to accept the offer and resign will still get paid through September.
As for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), employees who accepted the buyout offer have been told that they are expected to stay on the job through May 15, due to the agency deeming their work as essential to this year’s tax season.
However, the OPM outlined in its email to federal employees, of all agencies, that if the buyout offer is accepted, then those employees would continue working until Feb. 28 and then would go on paid administrative leave beginning March 1.
This means that while other federal employees are able to go on paid leave on March 1, IRS employees involved in the 2025 tax season will not be able to go on paid leave until after the tax filing deadline.
IRS employee who cannot be placed on administrative leave until May include those in job positions within Taxpayer Services, Information Technology and the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
With the recent announcement of federal worker buyouts, many are wondering how this will impact the IRS and the 2025 tax season. Will there be delays in processing tax returns? Will there be fewer agents available to assist taxpayers with their questions and concerns? These are valid concerns that taxpayers may have as they prepare for the upcoming tax season.
It is important to note that while federal worker buyouts may result in some changes within the IRS, the agency is committed to providing efficient and timely service to taxpayers. The IRS has implemented various measures to streamline operations and ensure that taxpayers receive the assistance they need during the tax filing process.
Additionally, the IRS has stated that they are actively working to hire new employees to fill any gaps that may result from federal worker buyouts. This proactive approach should help mitigate any potential disruptions to IRS operations and ensure that taxpayers are able to file their taxes accurately and on time.
Overall, while federal worker buyouts may have some impact on the IRS and the 2025 tax season, taxpayers can rest assured that the agency is taking steps to minimize any potential disruptions. It is important for taxpayers to stay informed and be proactive in preparing for the upcoming tax season to ensure a smooth filing process.
WINCHESTER — To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Navy Federal Credit Union employees partnered with the nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels organization to send 28,480 handwritten cards to hospitalized veterans and active-duty deployed troops as part of their annual Valentines for Veterans project.
More than 1,800 of the cards were prepared by employees at the credit union’s Winchester Operations Center, according to Navy Federal Corporate Communications Strategist Haley Revette.
“These valentines may seem like small gestures, but to the veteran patient recovering in a VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) facility or to a service member deployed far from home, they mean the world,” Amy Palmer, president and CEO of the Texas-based military support organization Soldiers’ Angels, said in a media release. “We are grateful to the Navy Federal team members for stepping up and helping remind our heroes that they are not forgotten, that their sacrifices are deeply appreciated and that they remain in the hearts of the American people.”
Letter-writing stations where Navy Federal employees could quickly complete a Valentine’s Day card were active across the credit union’s nationwide campuses from Jan. 26 until Feb. 7, the release states. Several of Navy Federal’s branch locations also completed Valentines for Veterans as a team volunteer activity.
“These simple service projects are a great way to jumpstart momentum with our volunteers early in the year,” Natasha Johnson, branch operations marketing liaison and community service champion at Navy Federal, said in the media release. “Valentines for Veterans is an easy, heartfelt way for us to show our members that we care, and the flexibility of card-writing allows us to engage our entire workforce.”
To learn more about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. For information about Soldiers’ Angels, go to soldiersangels.org.
In a heartwarming gesture, Navy Federal has sent out Valentine’s Day greetings to our troops and veterans to show appreciation for their service and sacrifices. The credit union expressed their gratitude and support for the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.
This thoughtful act of kindness serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating our military members, especially on holidays like Valentine’s Day. It is a small but meaningful way to show our gratitude and appreciation for their service and the sacrifices they have made.
As we celebrate love and friendship on Valentine’s Day, let us also take a moment to remember and honor our troops and veterans who have shown us what true dedication and selflessness look like. Thank you to Navy Federal for spreading love and appreciation to those who truly deserve it.
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Navy Federal, Valentine’s Day, troops, veterans, Winchester Star, military, appreciation, heartfelt message, gratitude, support, patriotic celebration, honorable service
The resignation of the U.S. attorney, Danielle R. Sassoon, after the order to dismiss the charges just weeks into President Trump’s second term called into doubt the independence of federal prosecutors under his administration.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office did not immediately comment. An official with the Justice Department in Washington declined to comment.
Ms. Sassoon, who had supported the case against Mr. Adams, notified her office of her decision in a brief email at about 2 p.m.
“Moments ago, I submitted my resignation to the attorney general,” she wrote in the email, the text of which was provided to The New York Times. “As I told her, it has been my greatest honor to represent the United States and to pursue justice as a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York.”
She continued: “It has been a privilege to be your colleague, and I will be watching with pride as you continue your service to the United States.”
She was immediately swept into conversations with Justice Department officials about the criminal case against Mr. Adams.
Mr. Adams was indicted last year on five counts, including bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, stemming from an investigation that began in 2021. Mr. Adams had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled for trial in April.
But the Justice Department’s No. 2 official, Emil Bove III, directed Ms. Sassoon to dismiss the case and to cease all further investigative steps against Mr. Adams until a review could be conducted by the Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney, presumably Mr. Clayton, after the mayoral election in November.
The Southern District has long been viewed as the nation’s most prestigious U.S. attorney’s office, handling complex and often high-profile cases involving Wall Street, national security and public corruption. Although the office is part of the Justice Department — there are 93 U.S. attorney’s offices around the country — the Southern District has a reputation for guarding its independence and fending off interference from Washington, winning it the nickname “the Sovereign District.”
Ms. Sassoon, 38, joined the Southern District in 2016. A graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, she clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, and is a member of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group.
Ms. Sassoon is best known for the successful fraud prosecution and 2023 conviction of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, who received 25 years in prison. She also prosecuted Lawrence V. Ray, who was convicted in 2022 of extortion and sex trafficking related to his abuse of Sarah Lawrence College students. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
In 2023, Ms. Sassoon was named co-chief of the Southern District’s criminal appeals unit, the position she held when she was promoted last month to interim U.S. attorney.
In his directive to Ms. Sassoon to drop the Adams case, Mr. Bove wrote that the Justice Department had reached its decision without assessing the strength of the evidence or the legal theories on which the case was based, issues “on which we defer to the U.S. attorney’s office at this time,” Mr. Bove said.
Recently, Manhattan’s federal prosecutor has announced his resignation after the case against R&B singer R. Kelly Adams was ordered to be dropped. This decision comes as a shock to many, as the prosecutor had been leading the case against Adams for several months.
The prosecutor’s resignation has raised questions about the handling of the case and the reasons behind the decision to drop the charges. Some speculate that there may have been political pressure or other external factors at play.
Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, Adams’ legal team is celebrating the news and expressing their relief that the case has been dropped. They are now looking forward to moving on from this ordeal and focusing on Adams’ future.
It remains to be seen what impact this development will have on the legal system and future cases in Manhattan. In the meantime, many are left wondering what led to the sudden resignation of the federal prosecutor and what it means for the justice system moving forward.
It is a phrase commonly attributed to Oscar Raimundo Benavides, Peru’s fascist dictator in the 1930s: “For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.” The Peruvian general, who first rose to power by way of a coup, used the phrase to summarize a straightforward authoritarian concept: Those aligned with the strongman who consolidated power can expect generous benefits; those opposed should expect to become targets of the state.
In 2025, it’s a maxim with renewed significance in the United States.
In the first week of Donald Trump’s second term as president, the Republican made his priorities clear by issuing sweeping pardons to Jan. 6 criminals, including violent felons who were in prison for assaulting police. In the president’s second week, Trump turned his attention from law-breakers to law-enforcers: As my MSNBC colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim reported, the White House fired multiple top FBI officials and federal prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases as part of a stunning Friday night news dump.
Citing Trump’s sweeping pardon for Jan. 6 defendants, a letter firing multiple federal prosecutors stated that their role in the Jan. 6 prosecutions was the reason for their dismissal, NBC News reported. One of the fired prosecutors, a former assistant U.S. attorney who handled some of the Jan. 6 criminal cases, told Politico that 25 to 30 of his colleagues were fired and others were moved to different offices.
The purge within federal law enforcement is very likely to intensify: Politico reported over the weekend, “Thousands of FBI agents and employees are being asked by Justice Department leadership to fill out a 12-question survey detailing their roles in investigations stemming from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.”
The purge, in other words, appears likely to get even worse.
None of the FBI officials who’ve been fired — or those being considered for possible firings — have been credibly accused of wrongdoing. On the contrary, they did their jobs, did them well, and participated in the largest federal law enforcement effort in the history of the bureau, holding criminals responsible for an insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump, the convicted felon who once vowed to make the Jan. 6 rioters “pay” for their crimes, has now decided not only to shield the criminals from accountability, but also to punish those who enforced the laws of his own country.
It’s the latest in a series of dizzying developments related to Trump, his revenge tour, his White House team, and federal law enforcement. Indeed, over the last week, Americans have seen a series of related developments:
Trump fired prosecutors who worked with former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations;
Trump’s Justice Department abandoned charges against the president’s former co-defendants in the classified documents case;
Trump’s Justice Department abandoned the criminal case against a former Republican congressman who’d already been found guilty of corruption by a jury;
Taken individually, the disparate stories are scary and infuriating in equal measure. But taken together, an even more unsettling image comes into view:
They’re not disparate stories. They’re the same story.
For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.
Some of the White House’s partisan allies might be tempted to argue that this is a continuation of recent corruption. Those claims will be wrong: The Biden administration successfully prosecuted an incumbent Democratic senator, criminally indicted an incumbent Democratic congressman, searched the home of an incumbent Democratic mayor, launched an investigation targeting an incumbent Democratic congresswoman, and criminally indicted the incumbent Democratic mayor of the nation’s largest city.
Team Trump’s campaign to kneecap the rule of law, in contrast has been fast, thorough and systematic.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement, “If allowed to proceed, Trump’s purge of our federal law enforcement workforce will expose America to authoritarianism and dictatorship.”
The New York Times’ David French added, “There’s a very real question as to whether federal law will apply to Trump’s allies at all during Trump’s term. The atmosphere of impunity may be like nothing we’ve seen in our lifetimes.”
It’s a critically important detail. The underlying message of Team Trump’s latest campaign against federal law enforcement is that Justice Department officials and the FBI need to exercise caution: If they try to hold Trump or his allies accountable for suspected crimes, the only people who’ll be punished are those who try to enforce the law.
Similarly, Republicans aligned with the White House are receiving a related message: They can do as they please, without regard for legal limits, knowing that the president has created an accountability-free-zone for himself and those who agree to follow him.
The result is a crisis unlikely any in modern American history. As Rachel explained during Friday’s show, in reference to the president and his team, “They are not trying to get rid of an investigation. They’re trying to get rid of American law enforcement as we know it. They are trying to get rid of the very idea of an independent, justice-is-blind system that makes America who we are.”
Rachel added that we’re confronting a dynamic that would represent “an end to the idea that law enforcement pursues justice without regard to favors and preferences dictated by the people in power.”
As Trump targets federal law enforcement, will the justice system ever be the same?
In recent months, President Trump has taken aim at federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Justice, accusing them of bias and corruption. This raises concerns about the independence and integrity of the justice system.
With Trump’s attacks on the credibility of these agencies, there are fears that public trust in the justice system may be eroded. The president’s attempts to undermine the legitimacy of investigations into his administration and allies have raised questions about the impartiality of law enforcement.
Furthermore, Trump’s interference in high-profile cases, such as the Roger Stone and Michael Flynn prosecutions, have sparked outrage and accusations of political interference. This has led to concerns that the justice system is being manipulated for political gain.
The implications of Trump’s actions on federal law enforcement are far-reaching and could have lasting effects on the justice system. The independence of law enforcement agencies is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served fairly.
As Trump continues to target federal law enforcement, the future of the justice system remains uncertain. It is up to the American people and the legal community to defend the integrity of the justice system and ensure that it remains independent and free from political interference.
Anyone who looks at all the holidays lined up for the month of February can tell it’s a time to celebrate Black history, love, football and, um, groundhogs? Here are February’s federal holidays and important dates lined up for the second month of the year.
While there aren’t too many federal holidays in February, there are a lot of other significant holidays this month. While the bank may not close for the sake of a psychic rodent or a day all about love, these holidays are still fun to acknowledge and celebrate.
In total, there are 12 federal holidays in 2025 across 11 days, according to the Office of Personnel Management, OPM. One of those holidays falls in February.
While there’s only one holiday that actually gives people the day off (unless your boss is really cool or super into groundhogs), make sure to mark your calendars so you don’t forget to order extra wings and tortilla chips for Super Bowl Sunday or flowers and sweets for someone special on Valentine’s Day.
February is also Black History Month.
Here is what to know about this month’s important dates.
There’s only one federal holiday in February, according to the OPM:
President’s Day/ George Washington’s Birthday– Monday, Feb. 17
Will banks be closed on President’s Day?
President’s Day is a bank holiday, so some organizations will likely be closed.
The United States Postal Service, schools, and most banks, like Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America, Truist, and others, will also be closed on Feb. 17.
Other special dates
Unfortunately, the only extra day off in February is President’s Day, but here are a few more significant dates:
National Freedom Day– Saturday, Feb. 1
Imbolc– Saturday, Feb. 1
Groundhog Day- Sunday, Feb. 2
Superbowl Sunday– Sunday, Feb. 9
Valentine’s Day- Friday, Feb. 14
When is Black History Month?
Black History Month takes place throughout the entire month of February. It starts on Saturday, Feb. 1.
This year’s theme is African Americans and Labor, and “focuses on the various and profound ways that work andworking of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collectiveexperiences of Black people,” according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, ASALH.
When is National Freedom Day?
National Freedom Day kicks off Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 1, according to Awareness Days.
The day commemorates the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln signing the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on Feb. 1, 1865, according to the California African American Museum.
The amendment abolished “slavery across the United States and in every territory under its control, except as a criminal punishment,” the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum stated on its website.
While it isn’t a federal holiday, the president of the United States can issue a proclamation every year that designates the day as National Freedom Day, according to the United States House of Representatives.
When is Imbolc?
Imbolc, the Pagan holiday, is celebrated from Saturday, Feb. 1, to Sunday, Feb. 2, at sundown, according to Pacific Lutheran University.
The holiday, also known as Candlemas, is one of four Cross-Quarter days, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Though it is debated, some believe ancient Celts used these days to divide the year and reflect the way Earth moved through all four seasons.
Its name, “Imbolc,” means “lambs’ milk” because it marked the start of lambing season, the Almanac states. It also marked the in-between period between the winter solstice and spring equinox.
It was later celebrated as Candlemas, as churches would light candles on the day to celebrate Jesus Christ being presented to the temple of Jerusalem.
Groundhog Day is derived from the ancient holiday.
When is Groundhog Day?
Speaking of Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil and his other weather-predicting cohorts will let us know if we will have a longer-than-normal winter early in the morning on Sunday, Feb. 2.
When is Super Bowl Sunday?
The Chiefs and Eagles will face each other during the big game on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9.
Super Bowl 59 will kick off at 6 p.m. ET in New Orleans.
When is Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is on Friday, February 14!
The best part is that it falls on the Friday before a long weekend, so make sure to have any dinner reservations, hotel bookings, or flower deliveries squared away before then.
When is President’s Day/George Washington’s Birthday?
President’s Day, which is also George Washington’s Birthday, falls on Monday, Feb. 17, making Valentine’s Day weekend a long weekend for most.
February 2025 National Days
There are also some notable National Days in February. They include:
National Tater Tot Day (Feb. 1)
National Pizza Day (Feb. 8)
Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13)
Singles Awareness Day (Feb. 15)
Random Acts of Kindness (Feb. 17)
National Love Your Pet Day (Feb. 20)
National Margarita Day (Feb. 21)
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day: Third Monday in February
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving Day: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25
These are the federal holidays recognized by the United States government. Keep in mind that some holidays may be observed on different dates depending on the state or organization.
Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
California storms …
Pineapple Express to unleash a torrent of rain and snow on the western US
“An atmospheric river originating from near Hawaii known as a ‘Pineapple Express,’ will send copious amounts of moisture into a large portion of the Northwest and California this week, resulting in heavy rain and waist-deep snow, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. The Pineapple Express, already evident on weather maps this weekend, will bring a variety of hazards to the West over the next few days, such as major flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays. The heavy precipitation marks a dramatic change to begin February, after what was a relatively dry January. Meanwhile, lowland areas in the Pacific Northwest, away from the direct discharge of moisture from the atmospheric river, are expected to see slippery accumulating snow—many for the first time this season—through early week. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Warm, wet atmospheric river to soak NorCal, w/mostly modest flood risk; SoCal likely to see at least some additional rain
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “We have, finally, seen a week with minimal wildfire activity in Southern California due to recent rainfall (and mountain snowfall, resulting in some rather dramatic “before and after” images (see below) ). And although the last system did not bring much, if any, precipitation to northern California, a new system today is “delivering the goods,” with more on the way. Hopefully, this gives some many folks a reprieve from what has been a very intense period of highly unusual wildfire risk (both latent and realized) across southern California. On that note: stay tuned for a rapid-response publication on that front in Global Change Biology that my colleagues and I have spun up in the last few weeks; publication date remains TBD, but will likely be in February. … ” Continue reading at Weather West.
Storms to hit Northern California ahead of predicted statewide dry spell
“After an exceptionally dry January, February will feature significantly more rain chances for much of California, at least for the first part of the month. Northern California, including the Bay Area, can expect several inches of rain from a multitude of storm systems for the first half of February, with several feet of snow falling across the Sierra. But the abundance of precipitation likely won’t last. By the end of February, all signs point to another period of mild and dry weather extending across much of the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
L.A.’s first atmospheric river storm of winter is coming. What you need to know
“The first in what’s expected to be a series of three atmospheric river storms has arrived in California. Forecasters are hopeful the winter storms might finally lift Los Angeles County from the throes of a devastating fire season. But there is still the risk that heavy rainfall around recent burn areas could trigger dangerous mudslides and debris flows — a particularly concerning prospect in areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Here’s what you need to know … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Governor’s Executive Order to capture stormwater …
Governor Newsom issues executive order to help California capture and store more water from upcoming severe storms; Conservation groups respond
“In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that would make it easier to divert and store excess water from incoming winter storms. The Governor signed the order after he received a briefing on the latest forecast for the storm. The executive order also directs the Department of Water Resources and other state agencies to take action to maximize diversion of those excess flows to boost the state’s water storage in Northern California, including storage in San Luis Reservoir south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These actions will help California replenish above-ground and groundwater storage that remains depleted in many parts of the state following multi-year droughts. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies. As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state. By storing these stormwaters, we are creating a literal rainy day fund to help us recover from a multi-year drought and prepare for our hotter, drier future,” said Governor Newsom. … ” Read more from Governor Newsom.
Newsom issues order to ‘maximize’ water capture during storms. Critics say it sounds just like Trump
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that he says is intended to “maximize” the capture of water during winter storms. Newsom issued the order Friday, saying it will make it easier to divert and store water as storms bring rain and snow in the coming days. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies,” Newsom said. “As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state.” Environmental and fishing groups, however, denounced Newsom’s order as being alarmingly similar to federal directives from President Trump, saying the governor’s approach threatens to harm vulnerable fish species and the deteriorating ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO:
Friday’s not-so-great snow survey …
DWR: Snowpack dips well below average in second snow survey of the season
DWR conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Xavier Mascareñas / DWR
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of average for this date. On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals in the Northern Sierra, but significant regional differences kept the Central Sierra just below average and the Southern Sierra well below average. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average. “Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year. While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.” … ” Read more from DWR.
Sierra Nevada snowpack declines after very dry January — but promising storms are arriving to replenish it
“The statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides nearly one-third of California’s water supply, began the year in good shape, at 108% of normal. But as anyone who went skiing or did yardwork over the past month knows, January was very dry, which contributed to the Los Angeles wildfires, and growing nervousness among water managers across the state. On Friday, the statewide Sierra snowpack had fallen to just 65% of its historical average for this time of year. The good news is that won’t last long. Northern California began being pounded by a series of storms Friday that are expected to bring considerable amounts of snow and rain for at least a week — a key boost to improve the state’s water outlook. “The year began fairly well, better than last year,” said Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, near Donner Summit. “We had a nice big atmospheric river in November and another in December that put us above average. Then the tap shut off.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
SEE ALSO:
Trump’s executive order leads to water dump from Tulare County lakes …
Trump’s emergency water order responsible for water dump from Tulare County lakes
“The sudden announcement Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that Kaweah and Success lakes would immediately begin dumping water was in response to President Trump’s Jan. 24 executive order mandating that federal officials exert all efforts to get more water to fight southern California wildfires, the Army Corps confirmed Friday. “Consistent with the direction in the Executive Order on Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Success Lake to ensure California has water available to respond to the wildfires,” wrote Gene Pawlik, a supervising public affairs specialist in the Army Corps’ Washington, D.C. office. Indeed, President Trump boasted about the releases on his X page Friday posting a photo of a river and writing: “Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California. Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago – There would have been no fire!” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Acting on Trump’s order, federal officials opened up two California dams
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dramatically increased the amount of water flowing from two dams in Tulare County, sending massive flows down river channels toward farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley. Federal records show that water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success jumped early Friday morning. The sudden increase occurred four days after President Trump said on social media that the U.S. military had “entered” California and “TURNED ON THE WATER.” Trump also vowed during a visit to Los Angeles last week to “open up the valves and pumps” in California to deliver more water. According to federal data, the flow from Terminus Dam into the Kaweah River near Visalia increased from 57 cubic feet per second to more than 1,500 on Friday morning. The flow from Lake Success near Porterville into the Tule River increased from 105 cubic feet per second to 990. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
Trump says he opened California’s water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them.
“President Donald Trump declared victory on Friday in his long-running water war with California, boasting he sent billions of gallons south — but local officials say they narrowly prevented him from possibly flooding farms. “Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no fire!” he said in a post on his social media site. Local officials had to talk the Army Corps of Engineers down after it abruptly alerted them Thursday afternoon it was about to increase flows from two reservoirs to maximum capacity — a move the agency said was in response to Trump directing the federal government to “maximize” water supplies. Before the Corps ratcheted down its plan, local authorities scrambled to move equipment and warn farms about possible flooding, said Victor Hernandez, who oversees water management on one of the rivers, the Kaweah in Tulare County. He said the Corps gave him one hour notice on Thursday. … ” Read more from Politico.
U.S. Sen. Padilla demands answers about Trump’s ‘troubling’ water release orders
“U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Friday wrote to newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to demand answers regarding a Trump administration order to release water from two dams in the Central Valley — a move the California senator said could “endanger” local communities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success in Tulare County on Friday, sending water towards farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I write regarding the troubling unscheduled release of water from two dams in California’s Central Valley by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following President Trump’s Executive Order falsely linking statewide water policies to the wildfires in Los Angeles,” said Padilla in his letter to Hegseth. “As I’m sure the Administration is aware, the rivers into which this water was released do not actually flow into Los Angeles.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s top environmental official: federal and state water managers are working together closely, for now
“After President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier this week that the United States Military came into California and under emergency powers “turned on the water,” California’s top environmental official, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot is speaking out. Crowfoot and the state’s Department of Water Resources said the President may have been referring to the completion of routine maintenance at the Jones Pumping Plant in Tracy, which is part of the Central Valley water project. However, the federal government has yet to explain exactly what action it took. The Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees federal water infrastructure, has yet to respond to KCRA 3’s repeated requests for comment. … ” Read more from KCRA.
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In other California water news …
Multiple parties file motion to cancel or postpone upcoming hearing on DWR’s water right change petition for Delta Conveyance Project
“With the hearing on the water rights petition for the Delta Conveyance Project at the State Water Board set to begin on February 18, multiple parties have filed a motion with the State Water Board’s Administrative Hearings Office requesting cancellation of DWR’s water rights change petition for the Delta Conveyance Project due to incomplete information and procedural concerns. DWR has filed a petition to change the point of diversion for the Delta Conveyance Project to add new points of diversion to the water rights associated with the State Water Project. This process is required by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure compliance with water rights regulations and to allow for public participation and transparency. The motion argues that DWR’s failure to provide ordered supplemental information justifies the cancellation of the change petition. Alternatively, they request that the hearing dates be vacated until DWR resolves its extension petition or provides necessary information. The motion is supported by multiple entities, including Delta water agencies and reclamation districts, and Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. … ” Read more at Maven’s Notebook.
Legislators chip away at nacho-toothed rodent in the Delta
“Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the San Joaquin Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. “We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” Harder said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas to drive these pests out of the Valley for good. I’ll work with anyone to ensure our farmers, water infrastructure, and Delta are no longer plagued by the swamp rat menace.” In 2020, Harder worked with President Donald Trump to bring money to California to fight the swamp rats, however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40-pound rodents — which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year — have expanded their territory across the Valley. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel.
Harder seeks continued federal funds to go after swamp rat infestation
“This week, on the heels of the most captures in a single year, Congress members. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) introduced bipartisan legislation to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. In 2020, Harder worked with President Trump to bring money to California to fight the nacho cheese toothed swamp rats; however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40 pound rodents – which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year – have expanded their territory across the Valley. In 2023, 78% of nutria found were in newly infested areas including the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and throughout the San Joaquin River corridor in Fresno County. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Edward Ring, cofounder of the California Policy Center, writes, “The more we learn about the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the more caution is called for when assigning blame. When the Santa Ana winds periodically sweep down from California’s eastern deserts and rip through the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin at up to 100 MPH, sparks don’t go up, they go sideways, and turn entire canyons into blast furnaces. Any criticism of the response to these fires, or of the inadequate preparation for these fires, has to recognize that sometimes even if authorities do everything they possibly can, it will not be enough. In the face of low-probability/high-consequence forces of nature, humans can only do so much. On the other hand, the biggest ideas California’s politicians have come up with so far in response to worsening fires are symbolic. … ” Read more from the California Policy Center.
CALIFORNIA REPORT: Trump Executive Order takes aim at California’s water management
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that. Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMatters.
VIC BEDOIAN: Delta Advocates on Trump’s Water Action
Earlier this week President Trump issued an executive order to deliver more water from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta to central valley farms and southern California cities. He called the action “Putting People Over Fish…” Trump falsely connected the state’s wildfires with the operation of the Federal and State water projects. He also repeated the deceptive claim that water was wastefully flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Environmental leaders say Governor Gavin Newsom could block Trump’s maneuver using California’s environmental laws that protect the water, land and people in the state. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
WATER TALK: Engineering safer and cleaner water
A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: An Atmospheric River
Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
RIPPLE EFFECT: 2025 and the water year to come
Shaina Shay, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Water Report, joins us to talk about her thoughts and themes for the upcoming 2025 Water Year. We discuss 1) Climate Change Adaptation: fire, floods, and drought and the rise of nature based solutions; 2) Funding: the end of a once in a generation surge of money for water through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill and Covid relief funding and growing collaborative efforts to pool public, private, and corporate dollars; and 3) Administration Change: keeping watch on changes under the new Trump Administration and the lasting impacts of Sackett and the death of Chevon deference. We also discuss perennial hot topics of advanced water treatment technologies and the Colorado River.
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Connections and crossings: Wildlife in the modern world with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb
From P-22 – dubbed the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County.
TERRA VERDE: Confronting California’s Wildfire Crisis
California’s growing wildfire crisis has impacted nearly every corner of the state in recent years, and this month we’ve witnessed a series of deadly, destructive, and unprecedented January wildfires in southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force in 2021 to introduce a more holistic, integrated approach toward effective forest management. The Task Force is a collaborative effort that unites federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to better manage forests, protect communities, and adapt to California’s fire-prone reality.
Bentz, Wyden bill protects Klamath Basin water users
“Congressman Cliff Bentz’s bill, H.R. 7938, designed to protect Klamath Basin water users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams, was passed out of the House on December 17th, passed the Senate on Dec. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 4, President Biden signed it. “I am very pleased to report that H.R. 7938 is now the law of the land” said Congressman Bentz. “This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Link River and Keno dams consistent with existing contracts and without imposing any costs associated with these dams upon the water users. This law is the ratification of agreements made some 15 years ago which until now were not enforceable.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Yuba Water Agency prepares for water releases from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir
“Yuba Water Agency is preparing to release water from its spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam on the North Yuba River to make room for anticipated inflows and snowmelt expected from the incoming storm.“Even though it’s been an extremely dry January, we had plenty of snow and rain in December to build up our snowpack in the Sierra and we expect this storm to be significant enough for us to make releases to maintain adequate flood storage space,” said John James, Yuba Water’s director of resource planning. “It’s important to note that, even though we’re operating the spillway, this is a normal part of our winter operations to manage flood risk downstream.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
NAPA/SONOMA
Could Trump’s funding cut threats affect Healdsburg?
“In case you haven’t heard, the Trump administration issued a sweeping order Tuesday that “froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans and sparked mass confusion across the country,” in the words of the New York Times. This order was then blocked by a federal judge, and then rescinded by Trump — but not before causing chaos among “schools, hospitals, nonprofits and other organizations scrambling to understand if they had lost their financial support from the government.” Including many here in Sonoma County and Healdsburg, according to the Press Democrat. The PD reports that local programs running on federal grants include the Meals on Wheels service that feeds Sonoma County seniors and the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District’s controlled burn program in the countryside surrounding Healdsburg, along with a handful of important Healdsburg city initiatives. … ” Read more from the Healdsburg Tribune.
BAY AREA
Bay Area flood watch as atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain and rising river levels
“The entire Bay Area — from Santa Rosa to San José — is under flood watch until 10 p.m. Sunday as the first of two atmospheric rivers sweeps through the region, the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office warns. The good news is that initial flooding concerns remain low for the first few days of rain as the dry month prior will help buffer the impact of the upcoming rain. Flooding concerns escalate later this weekend and into next week, as consecutive days of heavy rain could bring up to 8 inches to the North Bay, 5 inches to San Francisco and 2 inches to the South Bay. The weather service is closely monitoring North Bay rivers and streams, where the highest flood risk exists due to heavy rainfall, while the rest of the Bay Area faces potential nuisance flooding. … ” Read more from KQED.
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CENTRAL COAST
County of Monterey releases initial Moss Landing Fire soil and water results
“The County of Monterey has released the initial results of soil and water samples they took from around the perimeter of the Vistra Moss Landing battery storage facility after a fire occurred on Jan. 16. The fire burned lithium-ion batteries stored at the facility and sent hydrogen fluoride into the air when burned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that due to the temperature of the flames, the toxic chemical burned up. Additionally, the plume cloud was too high to impact anyone on the ground level, per the EPA. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Moss Landing battery fire leads to health fears, evidence of contamination and concerns about overreaction
“Two weeks after a devastating fire in Moss Landing, California, at one of the world’s largest battery energy storage plants, some residents are organizing to try to get answers about medical symptoms they attribute to the fire. Researchers have found an increase in heavy metals in nearby soils, and state utility regulators have issued a proposed rule aimed at improving safety at battery plants and are in the early stages of determining what caused the fire. Groups with ties to energy industries are acknowledging the scale of this incident, but also urging the public to not to overreact. They cite data showing that fires at battery facilities are rare and have become less common in recent years, despite growth in the size and number of plants. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Firefighters monitor Northern California lithium battery plant for storm-related flare-ups
“Monterey County firefighters on Friday said they were monitoring Vistra Energy’s fire-damaged lithium-ion battery facility for flare-ups as an atmospheric river moved through the region. The North County Fire Protection District issued a hazard advisory for the Moss Landing plant Friday night. “Public safety officials are monitoring the potential for flare-ups and additional fires at the Vistra site due to the atmospheric river interacting with the remaining lithium-ion batteries and debris hotspots,” county spokeswoman Maia Carroll said in a statement about 7:30 p.m. The lithium-ion battery energy storage system facility caught fire on Jan. 16, leading to evacuation orders for about 1,200 nearby residents. About 80% of the structure and its batteries were destroyed in the fire. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Porterville set to leave ETGSA, join with PID
“The Porterville City Council is set to approve an action in which the city would leave the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and join the Porterville Irrigation District to form their own agency. As a scheduled matter the council will consider leaving the ETGSA and forming their own agency with PIG at its next meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. If approved by the council the move would be one more step to what looks to be the eventual dissolution of the ETGSA. With the pending departure of virtually all of its agencies, ETGSA, which covers Southeastern Tulare County, would be left with just one agency, the county of Tulare. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Volunteers learn to foster trout eggs in anticipation of releasing fry into the Kings River
“A handful of volunteers gathered in a remote shed near the Pine Flat Dam recently to learn how to become trout “mamas,” so to speak. Lori Werner, an environmental resource analyst for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program, met with four volunteers Jan. 24 to show them how to care for 140,000 rainbow trout eggs until they hatch into fry that will be released into the river. Werner showed them how to record water temperature, clean, feed and monitor the trout eggs. “It’s not rocket science,” Werner told the group. “It’s actually remarkable how much they change while we have them. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palisades and Eaton fires are 100% contained, Cal Fire says
“The two wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and the Altadena-Pasadena areas — killed 29, destroyed upwards of 16,000 structures and burned more than 37,000 acres — are now fully contained, Cal Fire announced. Containment is the border — either natural or created by fire crews — beyond which a fire is not expected to expand. All evacuation orders have been lifted for both fires, with only residents being permitted back into the burn areas. County public health officials are distributing personal protective equipment to residents returning to their homes in the various burn areas. Authorities urged residents to wear masks, gloves and other protective equipment if they are digging through the rubble, noting the toxic nature of wildfire ash and other debris. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Palisades to reopen Sunday morning, as LA fires reach full containment
“The Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas will reopen after the Palisades Fire tore through nearly 40 square miles of homes, commercial areas and wilderness – more than three weeks after the fire started in early January. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are now 100% contained. Checkpoints will be removed on Pacific Coast Highway at 8:00 am, with one lane open in each direction between McClure Tunnel and Carbon Beach Terrace. During a virtual town hall L.A. Mayor Karen Bass urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, predicting extreme congestion. She warned that the area is still considered dangerous, noting the abundance of hazardous waste, unstable burned buildings, and utility crews using heavy equipment. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Protesters voice concerns as EPA prepares Palisades fire clean-up site
“Across the street from Topanga Beach the scorched remains of signs indicate the burned ground once home to the Topanga Motel and the Reel Inn restaurant. Nearby, Environmental Protection Agency contractors have begun preparing the land to be used as a staging site for hazardous waste removed from the debris left in the wake of the Palisades fire. Over a dozen concerned protesters, mostly Topanga residents, gathered on Friday, Jan. 31, to express their opposition to the hazardous waste removal site being established on the land of the former Topanga Motel location, which is owned by the California State Parks system. “It’s our beach, keep it clean,” they chanted, many holding brightly colored signs referencing water safety, a main concern for many protesters given the site’s proximity to the ocean. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Nearly 300 trout rescued from Palisades fire burn scar. Their watershed could take a decade to heal
“They only had one shot to save the fish. Ash from the Palisades fire had blown into a stream housing the last population of steelhead trout in the Santa Monica Mountains, degrading the water quality. The first rain following the inferno was closing in, bringing threats of debris flows that could choke Topanga Creek. Mud was already clogging the lower reaches, swept in by water used to douse the fire. Four teams primarily comprised of biologists fanned out along a stretch of the waterway Jan. 23 and set to work stunning the trout with an electric current applied to the water and ferrying them in buckets to trucks outfitted with large tanks. Moving swiftly was key to minimize stressing the endangered fish. It paid off. That night, 271 Southern California steelhead trout were transported to a hatchery in Fillmore for safe keeping. With 530 of the rare fish counted in the creek in November, it represented a large chunk of the population. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Malibu’s ocean life isn’t safe from fire, and the worst effects are yet to come
“The Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of structures and killed 12 people. Now, as fire victims gather their lives after the destruction, environmental concerns have emerged in the region. Urban fires pose particular threats to marine ecosystems. Debris and toxins released from the fires can damage kelp forests and lead to destructive algal blooms that snuff out ocean life. Now that Los Angeles is finally seeing some much needed rain, the worst effects in the ocean are expected to begin.” Listen at the LAist.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
California water district still on the hook for $17 million refund to consumers charged different rates
“A California state appeals court upheld a $17 million decision Friday awarding refunds to customers of the Coachella Valley Water District after a panel of judges ruled the government utility agency unconstitutionally charged non-agricultural customers more than agricultural ones. In its 55-page ruling, a panel of judges of California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court decision in favor of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the nonprofit that brought the case. The court said that the difference in water rates violated state law because the rates are property taxes under the California constitution — taxes that were not approved by voters. The appellate court also rejected arguments by the water district that the association lacked standing to bring the suit, or that a refund was not mandated by law. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Padilla, Calvert introduce bipartisan bill to support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
“U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest. … ” Read more from Senator Alex Padilla.
Federal money will help connect CAP, SRP canals, stretching water supplies for cities
“Two of Arizona’s largest pieces of water infrastructure are linking up. A coalition of 14 central Arizona municipalities and water companies is working to complete the interconnection between the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project, two water systems that collectively serve more than 80% of Arizona’s population. While water can flow from one to the other, the new project would make transfers available in both directions. Local governments say the new project will make them better equipped to handle a less predictable water future as the Colorado River suffers the effects of climate change and overuse. It is the largest of several projects that received federal funding this month. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic.
At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water
“Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hour’s drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare. Where mesquite and saguaro once stood, the former Douglas Ranch is being graded and platted in the first phase of a national real estate developer’s gargantuan plan that foresees, in the next few decades, as many as 100,000 new homes to shelter 300,000 people. In late October 2024, dozens of trees, salvaged from the land and potted as if they had just arrived from the nursery, watched over the quiet construction zone. This remote site in western Maricopa County, between the stark White Tank Mountains and frequently dry Hassayampa River, is the location of Teravalis, the largest master planned community in Arizona and one of the largest in the country. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
Proposed legislation aims to create Rural Groundwater Management Act
“Gov. Katie Hobbs has called on the Arizona Legislature to pass a bill that would create a Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) to protect five basins across the state. Similar legislation failed to pass last session, but Hobbs has renewed optimism due to recent negotiations with stakeholders. She made the announcement Thursday with lawmakers and bipartisan elected officials at the Capitol. “We have spent countless hours over many months carefully crafting legislation that will finally give our rural communities a voice and protect Arizona’s precious groundwater resources,” Hobbs said. … ” Read more from KTAR.
About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Welcome to the weekend edition of the Daily Digest! Here are some of the top stories making waves in California:
– The Pineapple Express weather system has brought a deluge of rain and snow to the state, causing flooding and hazardous road conditions. Residents are urged to stay safe and be cautious while traveling.
– Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to “maximize” water capture during storms, in an effort to replenish dwindling water supplies. Critics have pointed out the similarities between Newsom’s order and former President Trump’s policies on water management.
– In response to Trump’s order, federal officials have opened up two dams in California to release water into reservoirs. Environmentalists and local residents are concerned about the impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
– Protesters have voiced their concerns as the EPA prepares to clean up the Palisades fire site in Southern California. The fire, which was sparked by an illegal campfire, has caused significant damage to the area and raised questions about fire prevention measures.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important stories in California. Stay safe and stay informed!
Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
California storms …
Pineapple Express to unleash a torrent of rain and snow on the western US
“An atmospheric river originating from near Hawaii known as a ‘Pineapple Express,’ will send copious amounts of moisture into a large portion of the Northwest and California this week, resulting in heavy rain and waist-deep snow, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. The Pineapple Express, already evident on weather maps this weekend, will bring a variety of hazards to the West over the next few days, such as major flooding, avalanches, strong winds and travel delays. The heavy precipitation marks a dramatic change to begin February, after what was a relatively dry January. Meanwhile, lowland areas in the Pacific Northwest, away from the direct discharge of moisture from the atmospheric river, are expected to see slippery accumulating snow—many for the first time this season—through early week. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Warm, wet atmospheric river to soak NorCal, w/mostly modest flood risk; SoCal likely to see at least some additional rain
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “We have, finally, seen a week with minimal wildfire activity in Southern California due to recent rainfall (and mountain snowfall, resulting in some rather dramatic “before and after” images (see below) ). And although the last system did not bring much, if any, precipitation to northern California, a new system today is “delivering the goods,” with more on the way. Hopefully, this gives some many folks a reprieve from what has been a very intense period of highly unusual wildfire risk (both latent and realized) across southern California. On that note: stay tuned for a rapid-response publication on that front in Global Change Biology that my colleagues and I have spun up in the last few weeks; publication date remains TBD, but will likely be in February. … ” Continue reading at Weather West.
Storms to hit Northern California ahead of predicted statewide dry spell
“After an exceptionally dry January, February will feature significantly more rain chances for much of California, at least for the first part of the month. Northern California, including the Bay Area, can expect several inches of rain from a multitude of storm systems for the first half of February, with several feet of snow falling across the Sierra. But the abundance of precipitation likely won’t last. By the end of February, all signs point to another period of mild and dry weather extending across much of the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
L.A.’s first atmospheric river storm of winter is coming. What you need to know
“The first in what’s expected to be a series of three atmospheric river storms has arrived in California. Forecasters are hopeful the winter storms might finally lift Los Angeles County from the throes of a devastating fire season. But there is still the risk that heavy rainfall around recent burn areas could trigger dangerous mudslides and debris flows — a particularly concerning prospect in areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Here’s what you need to know … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Governor’s Executive Order to capture stormwater …
Governor Newsom issues executive order to help California capture and store more water from upcoming severe storms; Conservation groups respond
“In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that would make it easier to divert and store excess water from incoming winter storms. The Governor signed the order after he received a briefing on the latest forecast for the storm. The executive order also directs the Department of Water Resources and other state agencies to take action to maximize diversion of those excess flows to boost the state’s water storage in Northern California, including storage in San Luis Reservoir south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These actions will help California replenish above-ground and groundwater storage that remains depleted in many parts of the state following multi-year droughts. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies. As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state. By storing these stormwaters, we are creating a literal rainy day fund to help us recover from a multi-year drought and prepare for our hotter, drier future,” said Governor Newsom. … ” Read more from Governor Newsom.
Newsom issues order to ‘maximize’ water capture during storms. Critics say it sounds just like Trump
“Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that he says is intended to “maximize” the capture of water during winter storms. Newsom issued the order Friday, saying it will make it easier to divert and store water as storms bring rain and snow in the coming days. “It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies,” Newsom said. “As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state.” Environmental and fishing groups, however, denounced Newsom’s order as being alarmingly similar to federal directives from President Trump, saying the governor’s approach threatens to harm vulnerable fish species and the deteriorating ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
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Friday’s not-so-great snow survey …
DWR: Snowpack dips well below average in second snow survey of the season
DWR conducted the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Xavier Mascareñas / DWR
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches, which is 46 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 65 percent of average for this date. On January 1, the statewide snowpack was 108 percent of average after a series of large storms in November and December boosted snow totals in the Northern Sierra, but significant regional differences kept the Central Sierra just below average and the Southern Sierra well below average. An excessively dry January has pushed the Northern Sierra back to near average, the Central Sierra to 58 percent of average, and has led the Southern Sierra Nevada to fall to under 50 percent of average. “Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year. While we are excited to see some storm activity in the coming days, sustained periods of no precipitation can dry the state out very quickly. For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.” … ” Read more from DWR.
Sierra Nevada snowpack declines after very dry January — but promising storms are arriving to replenish it
“The statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides nearly one-third of California’s water supply, began the year in good shape, at 108% of normal. But as anyone who went skiing or did yardwork over the past month knows, January was very dry, which contributed to the Los Angeles wildfires, and growing nervousness among water managers across the state. On Friday, the statewide Sierra snowpack had fallen to just 65% of its historical average for this time of year. The good news is that won’t last long. Northern California began being pounded by a series of storms Friday that are expected to bring considerable amounts of snow and rain for at least a week — a key boost to improve the state’s water outlook. “The year began fairly well, better than last year,” said Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist at the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, near Donner Summit. “We had a nice big atmospheric river in November and another in December that put us above average. Then the tap shut off.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
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Trump’s executive order leads to water dump from Tulare County lakes …
Trump’s emergency water order responsible for water dump from Tulare County lakes
“The sudden announcement Thursday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that Kaweah and Success lakes would immediately begin dumping water was in response to President Trump’s Jan. 24 executive order mandating that federal officials exert all efforts to get more water to fight southern California wildfires, the Army Corps confirmed Friday. “Consistent with the direction in the Executive Order on Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Success Lake to ensure California has water available to respond to the wildfires,” wrote Gene Pawlik, a supervising public affairs specialist in the Army Corps’ Washington, D.C. office. Indeed, President Trump boasted about the releases on his X page Friday posting a photo of a river and writing: “Photo of beautiful water flow that I just opened in California. Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago – There would have been no fire!” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Acting on Trump’s order, federal officials opened up two California dams
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has dramatically increased the amount of water flowing from two dams in Tulare County, sending massive flows down river channels toward farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley. Federal records show that water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success jumped early Friday morning. The sudden increase occurred four days after President Trump said on social media that the U.S. military had “entered” California and “TURNED ON THE WATER.” Trump also vowed during a visit to Los Angeles last week to “open up the valves and pumps” in California to deliver more water. According to federal data, the flow from Terminus Dam into the Kaweah River near Visalia increased from 57 cubic feet per second to more than 1,500 on Friday morning. The flow from Lake Success near Porterville into the Tule River increased from 105 cubic feet per second to 990. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.
Trump says he opened California’s water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them.
“President Donald Trump declared victory on Friday in his long-running water war with California, boasting he sent billions of gallons south — but local officials say they narrowly prevented him from possibly flooding farms. “Today, 1.6 billion gallons and, in 3 days, it will be 5.2 billion gallons. Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no fire!” he said in a post on his social media site. Local officials had to talk the Army Corps of Engineers down after it abruptly alerted them Thursday afternoon it was about to increase flows from two reservoirs to maximum capacity — a move the agency said was in response to Trump directing the federal government to “maximize” water supplies. Before the Corps ratcheted down its plan, local authorities scrambled to move equipment and warn farms about possible flooding, said Victor Hernandez, who oversees water management on one of the rivers, the Kaweah in Tulare County. He said the Corps gave him one hour notice on Thursday. … ” Read more from Politico.
U.S. Sen. Padilla demands answers about Trump’s ‘troubling’ water release orders
“U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla on Friday wrote to newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to demand answers regarding a Trump administration order to release water from two dams in the Central Valley — a move the California senator said could “endanger” local communities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success in Tulare County on Friday, sending water towards farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported. “I write regarding the troubling unscheduled release of water from two dams in California’s Central Valley by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following President Trump’s Executive Order falsely linking statewide water policies to the wildfires in Los Angeles,” said Padilla in his letter to Hegseth. “As I’m sure the Administration is aware, the rivers into which this water was released do not actually flow into Los Angeles.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
California’s top environmental official: federal and state water managers are working together closely, for now
“After President Donald Trump posted on social media earlier this week that the United States Military came into California and under emergency powers “turned on the water,” California’s top environmental official, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot is speaking out. Crowfoot and the state’s Department of Water Resources said the President may have been referring to the completion of routine maintenance at the Jones Pumping Plant in Tracy, which is part of the Central Valley water project. However, the federal government has yet to explain exactly what action it took. The Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees federal water infrastructure, has yet to respond to KCRA 3’s repeated requests for comment. … ” Read more from KCRA.
SEE ALSO:
In other California water news …
Multiple parties file motion to cancel or postpone upcoming hearing on DWR’s water right change petition for Delta Conveyance Project
“With the hearing on the water rights petition for the Delta Conveyance Project at the State Water Board set to begin on February 18, multiple parties have filed a motion with the State Water Board’s Administrative Hearings Office requesting cancellation of DWR’s water rights change petition for the Delta Conveyance Project due to incomplete information and procedural concerns. DWR has filed a petition to change the point of diversion for the Delta Conveyance Project to add new points of diversion to the water rights associated with the State Water Project. This process is required by the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure compliance with water rights regulations and to allow for public participation and transparency. The motion argues that DWR’s failure to provide ordered supplemental information justifies the cancellation of the change petition. Alternatively, they request that the hearing dates be vacated until DWR resolves its extension petition or provides necessary information. The motion is supported by multiple entities, including Delta water agencies and reclamation districts, and Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. … ” Read more at Maven’s Notebook.
Legislators chip away at nacho-toothed rodent in the Delta
“Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) and Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the San Joaquin Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. “We’re in a war with giant swamp rats, and our farms, levees, and waterways will pay the price if we lose,” Harder said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas to drive these pests out of the Valley for good. I’ll work with anyone to ensure our farmers, water infrastructure, and Delta are no longer plagued by the swamp rat menace.” In 2020, Harder worked with President Donald Trump to bring money to California to fight the swamp rats, however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40-pound rodents — which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year — have expanded their territory across the Valley. … ” Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel.
Harder seeks continued federal funds to go after swamp rat infestation
“This week, on the heels of the most captures in a single year, Congress members. Josh Harder (CA-09) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) introduced bipartisan legislation to respond to the exploding infestation of nutria, giant swamp rats that cause massive damage to crops, levees, and the Delta. The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act would continue funding efforts to eradicate these invasive rodents. In 2020, Harder worked with President Trump to bring money to California to fight the nacho cheese toothed swamp rats; however, this funding is set to expire this year. This comes as these 40 pound rodents – which eat 25% of their body weight every day and can reproduce 200 offspring every year – have expanded their territory across the Valley. In 2023, 78% of nutria found were in newly infested areas including the northwestern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and throughout the San Joaquin River corridor in Fresno County. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Edward Ring, cofounder of the California Policy Center, writes, “The more we learn about the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the more caution is called for when assigning blame. When the Santa Ana winds periodically sweep down from California’s eastern deserts and rip through the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin at up to 100 MPH, sparks don’t go up, they go sideways, and turn entire canyons into blast furnaces. Any criticism of the response to these fires, or of the inadequate preparation for these fires, has to recognize that sometimes even if authorities do everything they possibly can, it will not be enough. In the face of low-probability/high-consequence forces of nature, humans can only do so much. On the other hand, the biggest ideas California’s politicians have come up with so far in response to worsening fires are symbolic. … ” Read more from the California Policy Center.
CALIFORNIA REPORT: Trump Executive Order takes aim at California’s water management
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that. Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMatters.
VIC BEDOIAN: Delta Advocates on Trump’s Water Action
Earlier this week President Trump issued an executive order to deliver more water from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta to central valley farms and southern California cities. He called the action “Putting People Over Fish…” Trump falsely connected the state’s wildfires with the operation of the Federal and State water projects. He also repeated the deceptive claim that water was wastefully flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Environmental leaders say Governor Gavin Newsom could block Trump’s maneuver using California’s environmental laws that protect the water, land and people in the state. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.
WATER TALK: Engineering safer and cleaner water
A conversation with Nichole Morgan (civil engineer, California State Water Resources Control Board) about implementing programs and policies to steward water resources and infrastructure. Released January 31, 2025.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: An Atmospheric River
Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
RIPPLE EFFECT: 2025 and the water year to come
Shaina Shay, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Water Report, joins us to talk about her thoughts and themes for the upcoming 2025 Water Year. We discuss 1) Climate Change Adaptation: fire, floods, and drought and the rise of nature based solutions; 2) Funding: the end of a once in a generation surge of money for water through the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill and Covid relief funding and growing collaborative efforts to pool public, private, and corporate dollars; and 3) Administration Change: keeping watch on changes under the new Trump Administration and the lasting impacts of Sackett and the death of Chevon deference. We also discuss perennial hot topics of advanced water treatment technologies and the Colorado River.
FISH WATER PEOPLE: Connections and crossings: Wildlife in the modern world with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb
From P-22 – dubbed the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County.
TERRA VERDE: Confronting California’s Wildfire Crisis
California’s growing wildfire crisis has impacted nearly every corner of the state in recent years, and this month we’ve witnessed a series of deadly, destructive, and unprecedented January wildfires in southern California. Governor Gavin Newsom created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force in 2021 to introduce a more holistic, integrated approach toward effective forest management. The Task Force is a collaborative effort that unites federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to better manage forests, protect communities, and adapt to California’s fire-prone reality.
Bentz, Wyden bill protects Klamath Basin water users
“Congressman Cliff Bentz’s bill, H.R. 7938, designed to protect Klamath Basin water users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams, was passed out of the House on December 17th, passed the Senate on Dec. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 4, President Biden signed it. “I am very pleased to report that H.R. 7938 is now the law of the land” said Congressman Bentz. “This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Link River and Keno dams consistent with existing contracts and without imposing any costs associated with these dams upon the water users. This law is the ratification of agreements made some 15 years ago which until now were not enforceable.” … ” Read more from the Herald & News.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Yuba Water Agency prepares for water releases from New Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir
“Yuba Water Agency is preparing to release water from its spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam on the North Yuba River to make room for anticipated inflows and snowmelt expected from the incoming storm.“Even though it’s been an extremely dry January, we had plenty of snow and rain in December to build up our snowpack in the Sierra and we expect this storm to be significant enough for us to make releases to maintain adequate flood storage space,” said John James, Yuba Water’s director of resource planning. “It’s important to note that, even though we’re operating the spillway, this is a normal part of our winter operations to manage flood risk downstream.” … ” Read more from YubaNet.
NAPA/SONOMA
Could Trump’s funding cut threats affect Healdsburg?
“In case you haven’t heard, the Trump administration issued a sweeping order Tuesday that “froze trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans and sparked mass confusion across the country,” in the words of the New York Times. This order was then blocked by a federal judge, and then rescinded by Trump — but not before causing chaos among “schools, hospitals, nonprofits and other organizations scrambling to understand if they had lost their financial support from the government.” Including many here in Sonoma County and Healdsburg, according to the Press Democrat. The PD reports that local programs running on federal grants include the Meals on Wheels service that feeds Sonoma County seniors and the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District’s controlled burn program in the countryside surrounding Healdsburg, along with a handful of important Healdsburg city initiatives. … ” Read more from the Healdsburg Tribune.
BAY AREA
Bay Area flood watch as atmospheric rivers bring heavy rain and rising river levels
“The entire Bay Area — from Santa Rosa to San José — is under flood watch until 10 p.m. Sunday as the first of two atmospheric rivers sweeps through the region, the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office warns. The good news is that initial flooding concerns remain low for the first few days of rain as the dry month prior will help buffer the impact of the upcoming rain. Flooding concerns escalate later this weekend and into next week, as consecutive days of heavy rain could bring up to 8 inches to the North Bay, 5 inches to San Francisco and 2 inches to the South Bay. The weather service is closely monitoring North Bay rivers and streams, where the highest flood risk exists due to heavy rainfall, while the rest of the Bay Area faces potential nuisance flooding. … ” Read more from KQED.
SEE ALSO:
CENTRAL COAST
County of Monterey releases initial Moss Landing Fire soil and water results
“The County of Monterey has released the initial results of soil and water samples they took from around the perimeter of the Vistra Moss Landing battery storage facility after a fire occurred on Jan. 16. The fire burned lithium-ion batteries stored at the facility and sent hydrogen fluoride into the air when burned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that due to the temperature of the flames, the toxic chemical burned up. Additionally, the plume cloud was too high to impact anyone on the ground level, per the EPA. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Moss Landing battery fire leads to health fears, evidence of contamination and concerns about overreaction
“Two weeks after a devastating fire in Moss Landing, California, at one of the world’s largest battery energy storage plants, some residents are organizing to try to get answers about medical symptoms they attribute to the fire. Researchers have found an increase in heavy metals in nearby soils, and state utility regulators have issued a proposed rule aimed at improving safety at battery plants and are in the early stages of determining what caused the fire. Groups with ties to energy industries are acknowledging the scale of this incident, but also urging the public to not to overreact. They cite data showing that fires at battery facilities are rare and have become less common in recent years, despite growth in the size and number of plants. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Firefighters monitor Northern California lithium battery plant for storm-related flare-ups
“Monterey County firefighters on Friday said they were monitoring Vistra Energy’s fire-damaged lithium-ion battery facility for flare-ups as an atmospheric river moved through the region. The North County Fire Protection District issued a hazard advisory for the Moss Landing plant Friday night. “Public safety officials are monitoring the potential for flare-ups and additional fires at the Vistra site due to the atmospheric river interacting with the remaining lithium-ion batteries and debris hotspots,” county spokeswoman Maia Carroll said in a statement about 7:30 p.m. The lithium-ion battery energy storage system facility caught fire on Jan. 16, leading to evacuation orders for about 1,200 nearby residents. About 80% of the structure and its batteries were destroyed in the fire. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Porterville set to leave ETGSA, join with PID
“The Porterville City Council is set to approve an action in which the city would leave the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and join the Porterville Irrigation District to form their own agency. As a scheduled matter the council will consider leaving the ETGSA and forming their own agency with PIG at its next meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. If approved by the council the move would be one more step to what looks to be the eventual dissolution of the ETGSA. With the pending departure of virtually all of its agencies, ETGSA, which covers Southeastern Tulare County, would be left with just one agency, the county of Tulare. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Volunteers learn to foster trout eggs in anticipation of releasing fry into the Kings River
“A handful of volunteers gathered in a remote shed near the Pine Flat Dam recently to learn how to become trout “mamas,” so to speak. Lori Werner, an environmental resource analyst for the Kings River Fisheries Management Program, met with four volunteers Jan. 24 to show them how to care for 140,000 rainbow trout eggs until they hatch into fry that will be released into the river. Werner showed them how to record water temperature, clean, feed and monitor the trout eggs. “It’s not rocket science,” Werner told the group. “It’s actually remarkable how much they change while we have them. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Palisades and Eaton fires are 100% contained, Cal Fire says
“The two wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and the Altadena-Pasadena areas — killed 29, destroyed upwards of 16,000 structures and burned more than 37,000 acres — are now fully contained, Cal Fire announced. Containment is the border — either natural or created by fire crews — beyond which a fire is not expected to expand. All evacuation orders have been lifted for both fires, with only residents being permitted back into the burn areas. County public health officials are distributing personal protective equipment to residents returning to their homes in the various burn areas. Authorities urged residents to wear masks, gloves and other protective equipment if they are digging through the rubble, noting the toxic nature of wildfire ash and other debris. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Palisades to reopen Sunday morning, as LA fires reach full containment
“The Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas will reopen after the Palisades Fire tore through nearly 40 square miles of homes, commercial areas and wilderness – more than three weeks after the fire started in early January. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are now 100% contained. Checkpoints will be removed on Pacific Coast Highway at 8:00 am, with one lane open in each direction between McClure Tunnel and Carbon Beach Terrace. During a virtual town hall L.A. Mayor Karen Bass urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, predicting extreme congestion. She warned that the area is still considered dangerous, noting the abundance of hazardous waste, unstable burned buildings, and utility crews using heavy equipment. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Protesters voice concerns as EPA prepares Palisades fire clean-up site
“Across the street from Topanga Beach the scorched remains of signs indicate the burned ground once home to the Topanga Motel and the Reel Inn restaurant. Nearby, Environmental Protection Agency contractors have begun preparing the land to be used as a staging site for hazardous waste removed from the debris left in the wake of the Palisades fire. Over a dozen concerned protesters, mostly Topanga residents, gathered on Friday, Jan. 31, to express their opposition to the hazardous waste removal site being established on the land of the former Topanga Motel location, which is owned by the California State Parks system. “It’s our beach, keep it clean,” they chanted, many holding brightly colored signs referencing water safety, a main concern for many protesters given the site’s proximity to the ocean. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Nearly 300 trout rescued from Palisades fire burn scar. Their watershed could take a decade to heal
“They only had one shot to save the fish. Ash from the Palisades fire had blown into a stream housing the last population of steelhead trout in the Santa Monica Mountains, degrading the water quality. The first rain following the inferno was closing in, bringing threats of debris flows that could choke Topanga Creek. Mud was already clogging the lower reaches, swept in by water used to douse the fire. Four teams primarily comprised of biologists fanned out along a stretch of the waterway Jan. 23 and set to work stunning the trout with an electric current applied to the water and ferrying them in buckets to trucks outfitted with large tanks. Moving swiftly was key to minimize stressing the endangered fish. It paid off. That night, 271 Southern California steelhead trout were transported to a hatchery in Fillmore for safe keeping. With 530 of the rare fish counted in the creek in November, it represented a large chunk of the population. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Malibu’s ocean life isn’t safe from fire, and the worst effects are yet to come
“The Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of structures and killed 12 people. Now, as fire victims gather their lives after the destruction, environmental concerns have emerged in the region. Urban fires pose particular threats to marine ecosystems. Debris and toxins released from the fires can damage kelp forests and lead to destructive algal blooms that snuff out ocean life. Now that Los Angeles is finally seeing some much needed rain, the worst effects in the ocean are expected to begin.” Listen at the LAist.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
California water district still on the hook for $17 million refund to consumers charged different rates
“A California state appeals court upheld a $17 million decision Friday awarding refunds to customers of the Coachella Valley Water District after a panel of judges ruled the government utility agency unconstitutionally charged non-agricultural customers more than agricultural ones. In its 55-page ruling, a panel of judges of California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court decision in favor of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the nonprofit that brought the case. The court said that the difference in water rates violated state law because the rates are property taxes under the California constitution — taxes that were not approved by voters. The appellate court also rejected arguments by the water district that the association lacked standing to bring the suit, or that a refund was not mandated by law. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Padilla, Calvert introduce bipartisan bill to support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
“U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest. … ” Read more from Senator Alex Padilla.
Federal money will help connect CAP, SRP canals, stretching water supplies for cities
“Two of Arizona’s largest pieces of water infrastructure are linking up. A coalition of 14 central Arizona municipalities and water companies is working to complete the interconnection between the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project, two water systems that collectively serve more than 80% of Arizona’s population. While water can flow from one to the other, the new project would make transfers available in both directions. Local governments say the new project will make them better equipped to handle a less predictable water future as the Colorado River suffers the effects of climate change and overuse. It is the largest of several projects that received federal funding this month. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic.
At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water
“Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hour’s drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare. Where mesquite and saguaro once stood, the former Douglas Ranch is being graded and platted in the first phase of a national real estate developer’s gargantuan plan that foresees, in the next few decades, as many as 100,000 new homes to shelter 300,000 people. In late October 2024, dozens of trees, salvaged from the land and potted as if they had just arrived from the nursery, watched over the quiet construction zone. This remote site in western Maricopa County, between the stark White Tank Mountains and frequently dry Hassayampa River, is the location of Teravalis, the largest master planned community in Arizona and one of the largest in the country. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
Proposed legislation aims to create Rural Groundwater Management Act
“Gov. Katie Hobbs has called on the Arizona Legislature to pass a bill that would create a Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) to protect five basins across the state. Similar legislation failed to pass last session, but Hobbs has renewed optimism due to recent negotiations with stakeholders. She made the announcement Thursday with lawmakers and bipartisan elected officials at the Capitol. “We have spent countless hours over many months carefully crafting legislation that will finally give our rural communities a voice and protect Arizona’s precious groundwater resources,” Hobbs said. … ” Read more from KTAR.
About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Welcome to the weekend edition of the Daily Digest! Here are some of the top stories making waves in California:
– The Pineapple Express weather system has brought a deluge of rain and snow to the state, causing flooding and hazardous road conditions. Residents are urged to stay safe and be cautious while traveling.
– Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to “maximize” water capture during storms, in an effort to replenish dwindling water supplies. Critics have pointed out the similarities between Newsom’s order and former President Trump’s policies on water management.
– In response to Trump’s order, federal officials have opened up two dams in California to release water into reservoirs. Environmentalists and local residents are concerned about the impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
– Protesters have voiced their concerns as the EPA prepares to clean up the Palisades fire site in Southern California. The fire, which was sparked by an illegal campfire, has caused significant damage to the area and raised questions about fire prevention measures.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important stories in California. Stay safe and stay informed!
While Rochester area school districts won’t be in session later this month, a three-day holiday weekend overlaps with the annual February break week for many in the region.
Presidents Day is a federal holiday celebrated each year in mid-February to honor past U.S. presidents. Locally, it’s part of the next big break week – known as Presidents Day break week in some districts, midwinter recess in others or simply as February break week among most students and teachers.
Here’s when we celebrate Presidents Day and why:
When is Presidents Day?
This year, Presidents Day falls on Monday, Feb. 17.
The federal holiday is observed each year on the third Monday of February.
When is February break in Rochester NY?
For most districts in the Rochester region, February break runs from Monday, Feb. 17 to Friday, Feb. 21.
When including the surrounding weekends, students and staff will have a nine-day recess, from Saturday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 23.
What is Presidents Day?
Officially known as Washington’s Birthday, the first federal holiday of the year was originally meant to honor the country’s first president, George Washington.
Washington was born in Virginia on Feb. 11, 1731, according to the then-used Julian calendar. In 1752, however, Britain and all its colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar which moved his birthday a year and 11 days to Feb. 22, 1732.
Eventually, the holiday included honoring President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is Feb. 12.
The position of the holiday between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln gave rise to the popular name of Presidents Day, according to the National Archives.
In 1885, Congress designated Feb. 22 as a holiday for all federal workers. Nearly a century later, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Law changed the date to the third Monday in February, according to the National Archives.
The Uniform Holiday Bill mandated that three holidays, including Presidents Day, occur on Mondays to prevent midweek shutdowns and add long weekends to the federal calendar.
Why do we celebrate Presidents Day?
The country celebrated the founding father’s birthday long before Congress declared the day a federal holiday, which was the country’s first federal holiday to honor an individual’s birth date, according to the National Archives.
Around the centennial of Washington’s birthday, Congress established a joint committee to oversee festivities to honor the former president.
On Feb. 22, 1832, the committee recommended Congress adjourn out of respect for Washington’s memory and in commemoration of his birth.
Prompted by a memorial from the mayor and other citizens of Philadelphia, the House and Senate commemorated the 130th anniversary of Washington’s birth by reading aloud his farewell address, according to the National Archives. Eventually, this event became a tradition in the Senate that is still observed to this day.
Washington’s Birthday did not become a legal holiday until Jan. 31, 1879, when Congress added Feb. 22 to the list of holidays to be observed by federal employees in the District of Columbia. This did not become a paid holiday for all federal employees until 1885.
What is open/closed on Presidents Day?
The U.S. Postal Service, banks, the stock market and most schools will be closed on Presidents Day. Most retail and grocery stores remain open.
Who is off for Presidents Day?
Federal holidays are those observed by the federal government, so anyone who works for the federal government generally has the day off. Federal holidays may also be observed on Monday or Friday if they fall on a weekend.
Other 2025 federal holidays
New Year’s Day (Jan. 1)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Inauguration Day (Jan. 20)
When is Presidents Day 2025 and why we celebrate the federal holiday?
Presidents Day in 2025 falls on Monday, February 17th. This federal holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year in honor of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two of the most influential presidents in American history.
Originally established in 1885 to recognize President George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd, the holiday was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th. Over time, Presidents Day has become a day to honor all past and present U.S. presidents and their contributions to the country.
Many Americans use Presidents Day as a day to reflect on the legacy of our nation’s leaders, participate in community service projects, or take advantage of sales and discounts at retail stores. It is also a time for schools to educate students about the history and significance of the presidency.
So, as we approach Presidents Day 2025, let us take a moment to appreciate the leaders who have shaped our country and the values they have instilled in us as Americans.
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Presidents Day 2025, Federal holiday, US Presidents, history of Presidents Day, significance of Presidents Day, American holiday, Presidents Day celebration
A Missouri Congressman has introduced a bill that would label unborn American children as people in the eyes of the law, and two Congress members from Illinois support it.
U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, a Republican, authored legislation that would “affirm the fundamental right to life for every human being, born and unborn,” and declare unborn children as “persons” under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to a news release.
The bill aims to recognize and protect the right to life of unborn children and is dubbed the Life at Conception Act.
The full text of the law is not yet available.
Members of Congress from Illinois co-sponsored the bill. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro have co-sponsored the legislation along with 65 others.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, Rep. Burlison now argues that unborn children are human beings and entitled to protection under the Constitution.
“Every life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of dignity and protection from the moment of conception,” stated the representative. “The Life at Conception Act uses Congress’ constitutional authority to define personhood, fulfilling our moral and legal obligation to safeguard the lives of the unborn.”
The representative cites the 14th amendment as reasoning for the bill: “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
Should the House Committee of the Judiciary release the bill for voting, the bill would need a majority of votes (218 of 435) to move to the Senate. If the bill moves to the Senate, it will need 51 out of 100 votes to pass, unless it is filibustered, which would then need 60 votes to pass. 53 Republicans hold seats in the Senate.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.
Illinois legislators are cosponsors of federal abortion ban
In a shocking turn of events, several Illinois legislators have announced that they are cosponsoring a federal abortion ban. This move has ignited a firestorm of controversy and outcry from pro-choice advocates across the state.
The bill, known as the “Life at Conception Act,” seeks to establish legal personhood for fetuses at the moment of conception, effectively banning all abortions in the United States. The Illinois legislators who have thrown their support behind this bill claim that it is necessary to protect the rights of the unborn.
Opponents of the bill argue that it is a direct attack on women’s reproductive rights and could have far-reaching consequences for access to abortion services nationwide. They fear that if this bill were to become law, it would effectively overturn the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade.
As the debate rages on, it is clear that the issue of abortion continues to be a deeply divisive and contentious one in our society. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Rivers have always been associated with a large natural stream that eventually empties into the ocean, lake or other body of water. That’s easy to visualize but can you imagine an atmospheric river. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, 
