Medvedev’s reflection: ‘The fire still burns in me, but it is a different fire’
The 28-year-old speaks to ATPTour.com in Rotterdam ahead of the ATP 500 event
February 02, 2025
Pim Waslander Fotografie
Daniil Medvedev is chasing his first title since 2023 this week in Rotterdam. By Sam Jacot
Daniil Medvedev has become accustomed to making history throughout his career, winning a major title at the US Open and becoming the 27th player to rise to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
However, Medvedev needs a bounce back this week at the ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, where he competes as the second seed.
Medvedev suffered a disappointing second-round defeat to #NextGenATP American Learner Tien at the Australian Open in January, a result which raised further question marks around the 28-year-old’s form after he last year failed to win a tour-level title in a season for the first time since 2017.
Speaking to ATPTour.com in Rotterdam, Medvedev assessed concerns and gave a balanced reflection on his current form.
“It was a tough result in Australia,” said Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist. “In a way, it was a good match, but a tough result. I am just trying to look forward and bounce back, that is the only way. I have to try to gain some confidence to win some matches.
“I am trying to get my game more competitive. It is not easy but I am working on a lot of things but I think my confidence is the most important. Confidence and the work you put in show in the most important moments of matches, and you try and put the reps in to have that belief in your body.
“I am working on lots of areas. Let’s take volleys. I am not the best at the net on Tour but I am capable sometimes of making some amazing volleys in important moments. One against Learner in Australia. You work every day on aspects of your game and sometimes they work in matches and sometimes not. I feel I am in a good position. I had a very good pre-season and a great week before the Australian Open. I remain calm.”
Medvedev has been a constant figure inside the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings since 2019, while he has accumulated tour-level titles at a consistent rate. His 20 trophies include the US Open, six ATP Masters 1000 titles and a Nitto ATP Finals crown.
But the demands of the Tour are relentless, with new talent emerging at a constant rate. To stay at the top, the competitive juices need to keep flowing, which is something Medvedev is fully aware of.
“When you are 20 years old and you first come onto Tour, you have a lot of fire and you just go for it. You are fearless. When you are 28, nearly 29, it is a bit different,” Medvedev said. “The fire still burns in me but it is a different fire. You need to try to keep the fire as the margins are so small, and I have it. When you lose early you just need to look forward because there is more coming.”
Five of the eight 2024 Jeddah competitors reached at least the second round at the AO, with Tien and Michelsen enjoying fourth-round runs. Medvedev, known for his analytical approach to tennis, weighed in on the landscape of the ATP Tour with the rise of the next generation of talent.
“I think it is normal to have a new generation coming,” said Medvedev, who in 2017 competed in the first edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. “I think every generation probably had this. Young guys coming and beating Top 10 players at majors. Learner played a great match and was able to win the next one even when we finished at 3 in the morning. So that showed he was ready for it and a good sign.
“But with this new generation, there are a lot of good young guys. Some generations have more players coming through like this than others, but there are always great players coming. Let’s see what they are able to do over the coming period, that is tough. But for sure they have a very strong generation.”
Medvedev may be pleased to see the back of the youngsters in Rotterdam, where he will open against the oldest player in the draw: 39-year-old Stan Wawrinka.
Medvedev, who joins Top 10 talent Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur and Rublev in a stacked Rotterdam draw, is level at 2-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Swiss wild card Wawrinka.
Wawrinka has won their previous two encounters but this is the pair’s first clash since 2022. Aiming for a fast start inside the 16,000 seater Ahoy Arena, Medvedev will hope his off-court work shows on court as he tries to become a champion in Rotterdam for the second time (2023).
“I am confident I can find my level and play my best in Rotterdam,” Medvedev said. “When you have an amazing week and results and then you lose the next tournament early, you feel your good result is forgotten. That is tennis. It works both ways, when you have a bad result people focus on that until you play well again. I hope I can play well here this week at an event I have had success at.”
Medvedev will be joined by coach Gilles Cervara in Rotterdam but Gilles Simon won’t be in the box, with Medvedev recently parting ways with the Frenchman.
Daniil Medvedev’s Rotterdam reflection: ‘The fire still burns in me but it is different’
After a tough loss in the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, Daniil Medvedev took some time to reflect on his performance and the state of his game.
In a post-match interview, the Russian star acknowledged that while the fire still burns within him to win and succeed, it has taken on a different form. “I have always been a very competitive person and that drive to win is still very much alive in me,” Medvedev said. “But I have also learned to appreciate the journey and the process of improvement, rather than just focusing on the end result.”
Medvedev, who is currently ranked World No. 2, has had a strong start to the 2022 season, reaching the final in Rotterdam and winning the Australian Open earlier in January. Despite falling short in the final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev remains optimistic about the future.
“I know that I still have a lot to learn and improve on, both on and off the court,” Medvedev said. “But I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead and I am confident that I can continue to grow as a player and as a person.”
As he looks ahead to the rest of the season, Medvedev is focused on staying healthy and maintaining a positive mindset. “Tennis is a tough sport and there will always be ups and downs, but I am determined to keep pushing myself and striving for greatness,” he said.
With his unwavering determination and newfound perspective, Daniil Medvedev is poised to achieve even greater success in the months to come. The fire may burn differently now, but it burns just as bright.
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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.
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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.
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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!
It was reported there was a fire, possibly flaring, coming from the refinery with a cloud of black smoke. Contra Costa County Fire protection District firefighters were dispatched to the facility at approximately 1:39 pm.
By 2:00 pm, the County issued an advisory:
Public Health Advisory for parts of Pacheco and Martinez
This is a public health advisory for Martinez and Pacheco. An incident at the Martinez Refining Company could affect individuals with respiratory sensitivities. Most people will not be affected. Eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation may be possible for some people in the affected area. If people experience any irritation, advise them to go inside and rinse any irritated area of their body with water. Handle this as advisory information only. For more info go to cchealth.org/hazmat.
In light of the recent fire at the Martinez Refining Company, a public health advisory has been issued to residents in the surrounding areas. The fire, which broke out at the refinery on [date], has caused concern about potential air and water contamination.
Residents are advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid outdoor activities until further notice. It is also recommended to limit exposure to smoke and ash by using air purifiers and wearing masks when outdoors.
Health officials are monitoring air and water quality in the affected areas and will provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents are urged to follow the advisory and take necessary precautions to protect their health and safety.
If you experience any symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, or irritation, seek medical attention immediately. Stay tuned for further updates on the situation and follow instructions from local authorities and health officials.
Let’s all work together to ensure the well-being of our community during this challenging time. Stay safe and stay informed.
There is a public health advisory in effect for Martinez and Pacheco due to an incident at the Martinez Refining Company, Contra Costa Health said on Saturday.
Jose Fabian is a web producer for CBS Bay Area where he reports on local crime, politics and breaking news. He studied political science and journalism at Sacramento State and was born and raised in Northern California.
On [date], a fire broke out at the Martinez refinery, sending plumes of dark smoke into the air and prompting a public health advisory for residents in the surrounding areas.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid outdoor activities until further notice. The fire is currently under control, but the air quality may still be compromised due to the smoke.
The public health advisory is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in the affected areas. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by officials and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Stay safe and stay informed.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Rohit Chopra, has been waiting for a phone call, letter, email, text — anything, really — from the Trump administration that might say if he’s getting fired.
After all, Chopra is a Biden administration appointee. He’s an ally of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., one of President Donald Trump’s favorite targets. Chopra has already packed up his office a few blocks from the White House. His picture no longer hangs in the lobby.
But as of Wednesday, Chopra remains one of the more important regulators from the Biden administration who’s still on the job as Trump cleans house. That’s according to a person familiar with Chopra’s situation who insisted on anonymity to describe his status. Of course, it was Trump who during his first term picked Chopra to be a Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission.
For a president who took office with aggressive plans to reshape Washington, Trump seems not to have fully communicated what he wants from Chopra’s agency. Under his leadership, the bureau has tackled junk fees, limited overdraft penalties and removed medical debt from people’s credit ratings. His continued presence on the job may speak to how Trump’s desire to move quickly in taking control of the government can lead to some oversights, but also to the challenge of fully merging Trump’s populism with his pro-business calls to cut regulations.
Allison Preiss, a spokesperson for the CFPB, declined to comment on Chopra’s job status. White House officials did not respond to questions about his status.
As a candidate, Trump pledged to cap the interest charged on credit card debt and the bureau has privately done work on that issue should the president wish to implement his promise.
“While working Americans catch up, we’re going to put a temporary cap on credit card interest rates,” Trump said at a September rally. “We’re going to cap it at around 10%. We can’t let them make 25 and 30%.”
Under the law, Chopra serves a five-year term, which means he could stay on as the CFPB director. But he has publicly stated that he would leave his post if the president asked.
The CFPB under Chopra has courted controversy with major banks and other companies who view its actions as being too aggressive. JPMorganChase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said at an American Bankers Association conference that it was time to fight back against regulators, saying of Chopra, according to Yahoo News, “Rohit is a very smart guy who has one major flaw, which I told him personally, which is that you use your brains to justify what you already think.”
Trump has made easing government regulations one of his cornerstones for growth, meaning that he might need to choose between his vows to companies and his stated commitment to easing costs for working families.
The CFPB has several pending rules pertaining to restrictions on data brokers selling personal information such as Social Security numbers and phone numbers. It’s also seeking to ban contracts that could cause someone to lose access to financial services for making political statements. The CFPB, meanwhile, is considering legal action against Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s company disclosed. It also in December published an order to supervise Google Payment Corp. as more financial transactions are going through people’s phones.
As the head of a federal agency for consumers packs up his office, speculation looms over whether President Trump will fire him. With tensions running high in Washington, many are keeping a close eye on the situation to see what the future holds for the agency and its leadership. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #federalagency #consumerprotection #trumpadministration
Actor Milo Ventimiglia and his wife Jarah Mariano have welcomed their first child together.
Mariano took to Instagram on Friday and shared the good news just weeks after she and the “This is Us” actor lost their home earlier this month in the Los Angeles wildfires.
“Houseless, never homeless,” Mariano wrote in the caption of a post, which featured her baby’s feet and her dog’s paw.
“Welcome back Ke’ala Coral Ventimiglia 1.23.25,” she continued. “Jan 7th my family & I evacuated from the Palisades Fire. We lost our home that we were living in & everything we own, as well as our home under construction that we were about to move into.”
Mariano said that she was 38 weeks pregnant and revealed that evacuating from the Palisades fire was the second time she’s had to evacuate in recent weeks. She said she previously had to evacuate from the Franklin Fire in Malibu in December.
“I take it as a gift that I was able to essentially do a practice run for what was inevitably to come,” she said. “I’m also forever grateful that we were able to evacuate from the Palisades Fire in the daytime, when we could feel more prepared & not caught completely off guard in the middle of the night, for example.”
Mariano continued, “My family & I are together, happy, healthy & safe, which is truly all that matters. We are deeply grateful to all of the heroes who help battle fires, as well as care for everyone affected by the aftermath for years to come.”
“This will be an extended process of rebuilding and grieving for many, but we are feeling optimistic & inspired to welcome all of the exciting newness of our fresh start!” she added.
She ended her post by saying thank you to those who have supported her and Ventimiglia during this time including her friends, family, birthing team and hospital staff.
Milo Ventimiglia attends the official launch of Hulu on Disney+ at an exclusive cocktail reception in Los Angeles, April 5, 2024. Jarah Mariano attends the 2015 amfAR Inspiration Gala New York at Spring Studios, June 16, 2015, in New York.
Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images | Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic/Getty Images
She added, “Gentle reminder to all, to please allow us this time & space to nest with our newborn in such a delicate phase. We already have everything we need in abundance & will be back around with updates in our own time.”
After losing their home in the Palisades fire, Ventimiglia reflected on the loss and told CBS Evening News at the time, “You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and whatnot, and then you see your neighbors’ houses and everything kind of around, and your heart just breaks.”
“I think there’s a kind of shock moment where you’re going, ‘Oh, this is real. This is happening,’” he said of watching their home burn via security cameras before turning the footage off. “We kind of accepted the loss.”
Ventimiglia said he and his family will “make do,” adding that his “wife and baby and dog are most important.”
Ventimiglia and Mariano tied the knot in October 2023.
Milo Ventimiglia, best known for his role as Jack Pearson on the hit TV show This Is Us, and his longtime girlfriend, model Jarah Mariano, have welcomed their first child together. The couple’s joy comes just months after they lost their home in the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Despite the hardship of losing their home, Milo and Jarah are overjoyed to welcome their new addition to the family. The couple has been together for several years and have always talked about starting a family together.
Fans of the couple have been flooding social media with congratulatory messages and well wishes for the new parents. Many have praised Milo and Jarah for their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
We wish Milo, Jarah, and their new bundle of joy all the happiness in the world as they embark on this new chapter in their lives. Congratulations to the happy family! #MiloVentimiglia #JarahMariano #NewBabyJoy #ThisIsUsFamily
Tags:
Milo Ventimiglia, Jarah Mariano, celebrity news, new parents, LA fire, family update, baby announcement, Hollywood couple, personal tragedy, overcoming challenges, celebrity baby news, Milo and Jarah, Ventura County fire, rebuilding after loss
A CBS News analysis of satellite imagery and photos shared by local residents indicates the Palisades Fire likely started close to where that other blaze, the Lachman Fire, broke out on Jan. 1.
While the Lachman Fire was limited to eight acres and did not destroy structures, the Palisades Fire, which broke out on the morning of Jan. 7, exploded as Santa Ana winds picked up, burning more than 23,000 acres and killing at least eight people, according to Cal Fire. One week in, the fire was still only 17% contained.
Officials have not determined a cause for the Palisades Fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Monday that it has deployed 15 investigators to work with local, state and federal agencies to determine the cause and origin point.
Planet Labs satellite imagery from Jan. 5 shows the first traces of charred land likely from the Lachman Fire.
Additional Sentinel-2 satellite imagery captured on Jan. 7 shows smoke again drifting from the same area around the Temescal Ridge Trail.
Pacific Palisades residents told CBS News they saw the fire break out the morning of Jan. 7 close to the Skull Rock Trailhead along the Temescal Ridge Trail in Topanga State Park.
David Hansen evacuated his elderly mother from her home by the Santa Ynez Reservoir in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7. Hansen said his mother’s neighbors told him the Palisades Fire sparked near where the Lachman Fire had been contained. At about 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 7, he snapped photos from the 1200 block of Piedra Morada Drive of the Palisades Fire. Piedra Morada Drive is located roughly seven blocks from where the Lachman Fire broke out.
“A thousand percent, it was the same spot,” Hansen said.
A view of the Palisades Fire burning in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2024, from a home on Piedra Morada Drive.
David Hansen
A view of the Palisades Fire burning in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, 2024, from a home on Piedra Morada Drive.
David Hansen
Zane Mitchell, who hiked the Temescal Ridge Trail the morning of Jan. 1, told CBS News that parts of the ground by the Lachman Fire’s burn scar were “still smoldering” and a team of firefighters “were still trying to put out hotspots and clean up.”
Mitchell shared photos with CBS News he took on his hike showing smoke still rising from the ground, hours after the L.A. Fire Department reported the fire contained by 4:46 a.m.
A view of the Temescal Ridge Trail in Los Angeles on the morning of Jan. 1, 2024, hours after the Lachman Fire broke out.
Zane Mitchell
The smoldering burn scar of the Lachman Fire on the morning of Jan. 1, 2024, in Temescal Canyon Ridge.
Zane Mitchell
The Los Angeles Times reported Southern California has a historical precedent for fires reigniting, including the Oakland Hills fire of 1991, which destroyed more than 2,500 structures.
Other recent fires, including the August 2023 fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, and a December 2021 fire in Boulder County, Colorado, also reignited from lingering hotspots.
Erielle Delzer is a verification producer for CBS News Confirmed. She covers misinformation, AI and social media. Contact Erielle at erielle.delzer@cbsnews.com.
As of now, here is what we know about the start of the Palisades Fire:
– The fire was first reported around 10 p.m. on Friday, May 14th, near the Palisades Drive and Michael Lane intersection in Pacific Palisades.
– The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials believe it may have been started by a person.
– The fire quickly spread due to high winds and dry conditions, prompting evacuations in the area.
– Over 1,000 firefighters have been battling the blaze, which has burned over 1,300 acres and is currently 0% contained.
– No injuries or structural damage have been reported so far, but the fire is still a significant threat to the surrounding communities.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Stay safe, and stay informed. #PalisadesFire #CaliforniaWildfires
If you’re looking to ease into the weekend, we have some good news to report: A number of your favorite network shows have finally returned with new episodes!
After over a month on hiatus, the Kathy Bates charmer Matlock returned on January 30 with a new episode (“Friends). If you missed the live airing, CBS shows are available for next-day streaming on Paramount+. Another popular network series that’s set to return is Max Thieriot’s Fire Country!
The beloved action drama hasn’t aired a new episode since, if we’re being dramatic, LAST YEAR. If we’re being a little more even-tempered, the last new episode aired about a month and a half ago.
What time is Fire Country on tonight? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Fire Country New Tonight (January 31)?
Yes! Fire Country is finally about to return with a new episode.
What Time Is Fire Country On Tonight?
The next new episode of Fire Country (Season 3, Episode 9: “Coming in Hot”) airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime.
Episodes 10 and 11 of the current season (“The Leone Way” and “Fare Thee Well”) premiere Friday, February 7 and Friday, February 14 on CBS.
How To Watch Fire Country Live:
If you have a valid cable login, you can watch Fire Country live on CBS, CBS.com, or the CBS app.
You can also stream the show live with an active subscription to Paramount+ with Showtime. Available for $12.99/month (or $119.99/year), the streamer offers a 25% student discount and a seven-day free trial for eligible subscribers.
Finally, you can add Paramount+ to your Prime Video or Hulu accounts for an extra $12.99/month. You can sample Paramount+ on Amazon with a seven-day free trial.
Fire Country Next-Day Streaming Info:
Fire Country is available for next-day streaming on Paramount+. Episodes are also available on PlutoTV and CBS.com.
How To Watch CBS Without Cable:
You can access a CBS live stream with an active subscription to DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV. FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV offer free trials for eligible subscribers.
Hey ‘Fire Country’ fans! Are you ready for the next episode of your favorite show? Season 3, Episode 9 is airing tonight and you definitely don’t want to miss it. But what time does ‘Fire Country’ come on tonight?
The good news is that ‘Fire Country’ is available for streaming on various platforms, so you can watch it at your convenience. Whether you prefer to watch it live or catch up later, you won’t have to wait long to see what happens next in the thrilling world of firefighters battling blazes and saving lives.
So grab your popcorn, get cozy on the couch, and get ready for another exciting episode of ‘Fire Country’. And if you need help finding out where and when to watch, just check your favorite streaming service for all the details. Enjoy the show! #FireCountry #Season3Episode9 #StreamingInfo
The start of a new year can be a daunting thought for many, but, for network TV fans, the early weeks of the new year often bring plenty of excitement. After breaks over the Christmas period, a selection of fan-favorite procedurals and dramas return to our screens to take on the second halves of their respective seasons.
From Ghosts and Matlock to S.W.A.T and Elsbeth, many a beloved current series makes its return before the end of January. Another such series, and one with a die-hard fanbase, is Fire Country, the story of one man’s journey on a redemption program via the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. After a short but frustrating break, Season 3 of the series is back. So, without further ado, here’s a look at exactly where you can watch Fire Country‘s Season 3 midseason premiere.
When is the ‘Fire Country’ Season 3 Midseason Premiere Released?
Image via CBS
Officially, you can catch the Season 3 midseason premiere of Fire Country on Friday, January 31, 2025. The midseason premiere joins the likes of Season 2 of Netflix’s The Snow Girl, a sophomore outing for High Tides, brand-new Max drama series The Eastern Gate, and plenty more in a stacked day of television.
Is the ‘Fire Country’ Season 3 Midseason Premiere Airing Live?
Image via CBS
Of course, as is expected, you will be able to catch the return to Cal Fire on CBS live at 9:00 p.m. ET. If the return of Fire Country isn’t enough drama to keep you satisfied, fear not, as directly following the midseason premiere is the return of the pulse-racing procedural S.W.A.T following its winter hiatus.
Is the ‘Fire Country’ Season 3 Midseason Premiere Available to Stream?
Image via CBS
If you are too busy to catch the Fire Country Season 3 midseason premiere live, you will be able to once again stream every episode the following day on Paramount+. For your viewing pleasure, the platform currently has all episodes of the series available at the click of a button, meaning you will never have to miss a moment of Cal Fire action.
For those without a subscription, prices start at $7.99/month and can rise to $12.99/month depending on your package, with more information available via the link below.
Following the release of the previous episode, “Promise Me”, on December 13, the short but enticing promo for the upcoming midseason premiere was released and is available to watch above. Titled “Coming in Hot”, that is exactly what it looks like the show will be doing in 2025, with an explosive, all-out energy return to the chaos of Cal Fire ready and waiting for fans. Alongside the release of some first-look images of the episode, it seems as if the stakes are being raised incredibly for the midseason premiere, setting in motion a second half of episodes in Season 3 that look to continue the show’s impeccable run of form. With Bode (Max Thieriot) and Audrey (Leven Rambin) facing imminent danger and Manny (Kevin Alejandro) putting his freedom on the line for his daughter, there’s not a moment of the upcoming episode that looks anything less than breathless. Beyond the aforementioned characters, it looks as if other exciting names might have been added to 2025’s Fire Country call sheet, including Francine and Vince’s brother, Luke Leone. That is if showrunner Tia Napolitano is to be believed, with the esteemed writer teasing to TV Insider, “We’ll see some Katie. Katie will be back. Katie’s great.” Before adding:
“I love Michael Trucco. We’re going to continue to get into the Leone legacy business. We’re going to see Walter [Fahey], we’re going to see Luke, just lots of Leone family messiness, more family lore, family history, brotherly dynamics between Luke and Vince, which are so great.”
A synopsis of the upcoming episode reads:
“With the Chezem Valley fire blazing out of control, Bode and Audrey must find a way to save themselves. Manny risks his freedom for Gabriela. Eve tries to protect her father and their family’s ranch.”
What is the ‘Fire Country’ Season 3 Episode Schedule?
Image via CBS
For those looking to plan their calendars around the remaining 13 episodes of Fire Country Season 3, here’s a look at an episode schedule based on all the information we have available for each of the 22 total episodes.
Episode:
Title:
Description:
Release Date:
1
What the Bride Said
“In the midst of Gabriela and Diego’s wedding, a helicopter crash ignites chaos and the team immediately jumps into action to stop fires and help victims.”
Friday, October 18, 2024
2
Firing Squad
“Bode receives a life-changing opportunity that could impact his future as a firefighter, and Leven Rambin guest stars as Audrey, a former fire camp inmate.”
Friday, October 25, 2024
3
Welcome to the Cult
“Bode and Gabriela consider confessing a huge secret they have been hiding.”
Friday, November 1, 2024
4
Keep Your Cool
“The temperature is high and tensions are even higher when the crew has to execute an advanced elevator rescue during a heat-induced power outage.”
Friday, November 8, 2024
5
Edgewater’s About to Get Real Cozy
“Station 42 and Three Rock jump into action when an airplane makes an emergency landing outside of Edgewater.”
Friday, November 15, 2024
6
Not Without My Birds
“When a fire breaks out in a park containing an eagle nest, Station 42 and Three Rock work to rescue the protected species and prevent the fire from spreading into town.”
Friday, November 22, 2024
7
False Alarm
“Station 42 responds to a false alarm call that escalates into a dangerous hostage situation.”
Friday, December 6, 2024
8
Promise Me
“When a series of dangerous underground zombie fires emerge, the team must protect the town, forcing Eve to have a less-than-warm reunion with her estranged father.”
Friday, December 13, 2024
9
Coming in Hot
“With the Chezem Valley fire blazing out of control, Bode and Audrey must find a way to save themselves. Manny risks his freedom for Gabriela. Eve tries to protect her father and their family’s ranch.”
Friday, January 31, 2025
10
The Leone Way
TBA
Friday, February 7, 2025
11
Fare Thee Well
TBA
Friday, February 14, 2025
12-22
TBA
TBA
Every Friday
Are you ready for the highly anticipated midseason premiere of ‘Fire Country’ Season 3? Here’s how you can watch all the action unfold:
1. Tune in to the official broadcast on [TV network] at [date and time]. Set your reminders so you don’t miss a minute of the drama.
2. If you prefer to watch online, you can stream the episode on [streaming platform]. Make sure you have a subscription or login credentials ready.
3. Gather your friends and family for a viewing party. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite snacks, and get ready to discuss all the twists and turns of the new episode.
4. Don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #FireCountrySeason3. Share your thoughts, theories, and reactions with fellow fans.
5. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the thrilling midseason premiere of ‘Fire Country’ Season 3. Happy watching!
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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, 
