California Holds Out on Agreement , to Cut Colorado River Water Use.
'The Guardian' reports that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation previously called on states that rely on water from the Colorado River to come up with ideas to conserve 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water.
The mid-August deadline proposed by the bureau lapsed, but some of those states have since reconvened and reached a consensus.
.
'The Guardian' reports that six western states have agreed on a plan to dramatically cut use of Colorado River water.
However, California, which has the largest allocation of Colorado River water, is holding out.
State officials say they'll devise their own plan.
California remains focused on practical solutions that can be implemented now to protect volumes of water in storage without driving conflict and litigation, JB Hamby, chair of the Colorado River Board of California, via statement.
The states wish to raise water levels where reductions
would occur at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, effectively
creating a protective buffer for the reservoirs.
The model would also focus on water accounting
to ensure that water stored in Lake Mead by the
Lower Basin states is available for future use.
.
The actions would reportedly result in
2 million acre-feet reductions in the
Lower Basin and smaller cuts in the Upper Basin.
'The Guardian' reports that an acre-foot of water is enough to supply two to three American households each year
States Propose , Competing Plans to Help , Lake Mead Water Levels Recover.
'Newsweek' reports that states in the lower Colorado River
basin have proposed solutions as water levels at Lake Mead
and Lake Powell inch closer to dead pool status.
Water cuts have already been
implemented and increased in
severity in Arizona and Nevada in 2023.
The cuts have left western states scrambling to come up
with a solution that preserves their access to Colorado
River water while also aiding the reservoirs' recovery.
'Newsweek' reports that increased water use and water
evaporation from global warming have contributed to
the declining water levels amid a historic 20-year drought.
Despite torrential rains and a higher-than-normal
snowpack melt, experts say water use must
be cut for the reservoirs to recover. .
So far, seven states in the Colorado River
basin, including California, have proposed , water conservation plans.
The best way to avoid conflict
and ensure that we can put water
in the river right away is through
a voluntary approach, not putting
proposals that sidestep the Law
of the River and ignore California's
senior right and give no respect to that, JB Hamby, Colorado River Board of
California Chairman, via Associated Press.
'Newsweek' reports that up to 80% of water
from the Colorado River is used for
agricultural purposes, including in California.
According to University of California, Davis professor
Jay Lund, humans need to reduce their water use,
even at the cost of fallowing local agriculture. .
We might get lucky with the weather,
but the idea of the system recovering
is really hard unless you reduce
water use in that basin, Jay Lund, Professor University of California, Davis, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Louvre Staff Participate, in Nationwide Protest One Day Early .
On March 27, the Louvre Museum in Paris was closed to the
public as workers participated in protest strikes against
the government's plan to push back the age of retirement. .
ABC reports that Louvre employees
blocked entrances, prompting
the museum to temporarily close down.
Demonstrators carried banners and waved flags,
demanding the repeal of a new pension law that
would raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64. .
ABC reports that a nationwide
protest against the bill
is planned for March 28.
As the Louvre is normally closed on Tuesdays,
workers at the world famous museum held their
strike one day before the planned nationwide protest. .
As the Louvre is normally closed on Tuesdays,
workers at the world famous museum held their
strike one day before the planned nationwide protest. .
The news comes as President Emmanuel Macron
meets with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne
to discuss the current situation. .
ABC reports that some tourists who
planned to visit the museum offered their
stoic support for the workers. .
If you firmly believe that
this will bring some change,
there’s plenty of other things
that we can see in Paris, Britney Tate, 29-year-old doctoral student from California via ABC.
If you firmly believe that
this will bring some change,
there’s plenty of other things
that we can see in Paris, Britney Tate, 29-year-old doctoral student from California via ABC.
Meanwhile, other visitors
were less understanding
of the worker's decision.
I understand why they’re upset, but to do this to people from around the world who’ve traveled from around the world for this and paid thousands of dollars, Karma Carden, a tourist from Fort Myers, Florida, via ABC.
I understand why they’re upset, but to do this to people from around the world who’ve traveled from around the world for this and paid thousands of dollars, Karma Carden, a tourist from Fort Myers, Florida, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Before this strapping young lad with his blonde bowl-cut hair turned into a reality television star and a musician, he was just growing up along the coast of.. TMZ.com
California Announces Contract , to Produce Its Own Affordable Insulin.
CBS News reports that on March 18,
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that
California has struck a 10-year deal with
nonprofit drug company Civica Rx.
The partnership will result in
low-cost insulin for state residents.
A 10-mililiter vial will soon cost $30.
Newsom praised Civica RX for
its role in the agreement.
Thank you for being willing
to disrupt the market. , Gavin Newsom, California governor, via statement.
Thank you for being willing to save lives without fear of failure, but more importantly without money being your motivator, Gavin Newsom, California governor, via statement.
The news comes after major insulin manufacturers such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk announced significant price cuts to their insulin.
The news comes after major insulin manufacturers such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk announced significant price cuts to their insulin.
The cost of their medications will be slashed by 70% and 75%, respectively.
However, Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, says there will be several obstacles to overcome before cheaper insulin is available to California residents.
The work to develop a generic, get FDA approval and set up manufacturing will take real time. , Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California,
via CBS News.
There may even be more time in the effort to get doctors to prescribe the drug, insurers and (pharmacy benefit managers) to include it on their formularies and patients and the public to accept and ask for it, Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California,
via CBS News.
CBS News reports that California may attempt to produce other drugs as well, such as Naloxone, an opioid overdose medication.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
2022 Sets Record , for Most Attempts , to Ban Books.
Associated Press reports that
the number of attempted bans and
restrictions on books continues to surge. .
According to a new report from the American
Library Association released on March 23,
the number of attempts in 2022 set a new record.
Last year, the association compiled over
1,200 attempts to either ban books or restrict
access to them in schools and libraries.
The number nearly doubled
from 2021, which set
the record that 2022 broke.
I’ve never seen anything like this.
The last two years have been exhausting,
frightening, outrage inducing, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the ALA’s Office
for Intellectual Freedom, via Associated Press.
In 2022, over 2,500 books were objected to. .
In 2021, the number of objections was
1,858, and just one year earlier it was only 566. .
States including Arizona, Iowa, Texas,
Missouri and Oklahoma have all passed
or proposed bills restricting books. .
States including Arizona, Iowa, Texas,
Missouri and Oklahoma have all passed
or proposed bills restricting books. .
AP reports that some books have been
targeted for racist language, others for
having gender or racial themes.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has approved a
bill to review classroom reading material and limit
discussion of gender identity and race in schools.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Another Train , Derails in Arizona.
On March 15, a train operated by BNSF carrying
corn syrup derailed in western Arizona. .
On March 15, a train operated by BNSF carrying
corn syrup derailed in western Arizona. .
NPR reports that the railroad operator confirmed
the derailment, and the local county sheriff's
office said that there had been no injuries.
The sheriff's office also reportedly said that it was , "not made aware of any spills or leaks.".
The BNSF train derailed around
7:40 p.m. in Mohave County, Arizona. .
The cause of the incident near
the California border is
still under investigation.
There were no injuries as a result
of the derailment and preliminarily
reports indicate there are no
hazardous materials involved, Lena Kent, Spokesperson for BNSF, via NPR.
According to Lena Kent, a spokesperson for BNSF,
approximately eight cars were involved in
the incident and were left blocking the main track.
It remains unclear when
the track will be able to reopen.
Anita Mortensen, a spokesperson for
the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, said that
the incident did not occur near a populated area.
NPR reports that the news comes following a streak
of high-profile train derailments, beginning with
a Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
NPR reports that the news comes following a streak
of high-profile train derailments, beginning with
a Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Drake , Announces Tour With 21 Savage.
Drake , Announces Tour With 21 Savage.
'Pitchfork' reports that Drake has announced his
first tour since the beginning of the pandemic.
'Pitchfork' reports that Drake has announced his
first tour since the beginning of the pandemic.
The 36-year-old rapper will embark on a 28-date North American Tour with 21 Savage.
The 36-year-old rapper will embark on a 28-date North American Tour with 21 Savage.
The "It's All a Blur" tour will
start June 16 in New Orleans, LA.
The "It's All a Blur" tour will
start June 16 in New Orleans, LA.
It will wrap on September 5 in Glendale, AZ.
It will wrap on September 5 in Glendale, AZ.
Cities that will have back-to-back dates include Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn, New York City, Inglewood and Los Angeles.
Cities that will have back-to-back dates include Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn, New York City, Inglewood and Los Angeles.
Presale beings March 15 via Cash App.
Drake is also set to co-headline the
2023 Dreamville Festival with J. Cole.
Drake is also set to co-headline the
2023 Dreamville Festival with J. Cole.
Drake's recent musical releases include
2021's 'Certified Lover Boy' and last year's
'Honestly, Nevermind' and 'Her Loss.'.
Drake's recent musical releases include
2021's 'Certified Lover Boy' and last year's
'Honestly, Nevermind' and 'Her Loss.'.
'Her Loss' was a collaborative
work with 21 Savage
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History: , Pluto Is Discovered.
February 18, 1930.
Once believed to be the ninth planet,
Pluto was discovered at the Lowell Observatory
in Flagstaff, AZ, by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh.
Tombaugh discovered the
tiny dwarf planet using a new astronomic technique
of photographic plates combined with a blink microscope.
Pluto was given the Roman name for the
god of the underworld in Greek mythology
due to its surface temperature of -360° F.
Nearly four billion miles away from the sun,
it takes Pluto approximately
248 years to complete one orbit. .
Pluto's only known moon, Charon,
has a diameter of a mere 737 miles.
In 2006, it was announced that Pluto would
no longer be considered a planet because its
orbit crosses into the orbit of planet Neptune.
While widely referred to as a dwarf planet, many argue that it should still be considered a planet.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:59Published
T-Mobile Experiences , Service Outages Across US.
T-Mobile Experiences , Service Outages Across US.
According to Associated Press, T-Mobile customers reported widespread outages late on Feb. 13.
According to Associated Press, T-Mobile customers reported widespread outages late on Feb. 13.
Many customers took to Twitter to say that their service had been put in "SOS mode"
and they could only make emergency calls.
T-Mobile President of Technology Neville Ray took
to Twitter to address the outage on Feb. 14.
We have seen significant improvement and are operating at near normal levels. , Neville Ray, T-Mobile President of Technology, via Twitter.
Our teams continue to monitor and we greatly appreciate everyone’s patience. We apologize for any impacts this issue may have had for our customers, Neville Ray, T-Mobile President of Technology, via Twitter.
AP reports that T-Mobile has yet to provide more details regarding the cause or extent of the issue.
According to Downdetector.com, there were over 69,000 outages reported within a two-hour span.
Users appear to have been affected in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida.
Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina.
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
Service appears to have now been restored
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Holds Joint , Air Force Exercises , Simulating Conflict With China.
On February 8, the United States, United Kingdom
and Australia concluded China-focused
Air Force exercises over the Nevada desert.
Fox News reports that the "Red Flag"
joint exercises have taken place over the last
three weeks, based out of Nellis Air Force Base.
[China is] just the pacing challenge
that we train to so that we're ready...
We think that if we're ready for China,
we're ready for anybody, Colonel Jared Hutchinson, U.S. Air Force, via Reuters.
Fox News reports that the U.K.
deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft
and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. .
Fox News reports that the U.K.
deployed the Voyager refueling aircraft
and several Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. .
Australia deployed the EA-18G Growler
aircraft to participate in the war games.
As the exercises were taking place, the Biden
administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to
be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.
As the exercises were taking place, the Biden
administration ordered a Chinese surveillance craft to
be shot down after drifting across the continental U.S.
Fox News reports that the shoot-down
has contributed to rising tension
between the U.S. and China.
The spy balloon incident took place
amid already fraught U.S.- China
relations over the status of Taiwan.
Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator
Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military
parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, on February 8, North Korean dictator
Kim Jong Un unveiled a dozen ICBM launchers in a military
parade, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region.
Fox News points out that China remains a close
ally of North Korea, while the U.S., Japan,
South Korea and Australia remain allied.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Over 150,000 Without Power in Texas , After Intense Storm Hits.
CBS News reports that as a storm in
California moved east on March 2, tornadoes, rain and hail hit Texas and Louisiana. .
CBS News reports that as a storm in
California moved east on March 2, tornadoes, rain and hail hit Texas and Louisiana. .
CBS News reports that as a storm in
California moved east on March 2, tornadoes, rain and hail hit Texas and Louisiana. .
Early on March 3, PowerOutage.us reported that over 150,000 Texans had no power.
That number was down from
338,000 without power earlier. .
About 400 flights to and from
the area were canceled.
The Federal Aviation Administration's
ground stop was later lifted.
Normal operations are resuming after heavy winds and rains
moved through our area. , Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, to CBS News.
Several school districts canceled events
due to the impending storm. .
This is the same system that struck California and it's now in New Mexico and will be crossing
Texas and then Arkansas, Rich Thompson, lead forecaster for the
Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, via CBS News.
Some areas of California and Oregon accumulated up to 7 feet of snow. .
However, experts say that the "once-in-a-generation" snow helped to reduce, or even eliminate,
drought conditions in some areas of California
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The decision follows lawyers for the actor and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filing a motion arguing that the case's prosecutors incorrectly charged both under a New Mexico firearm law that had passed after the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the film's set.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:05Published
Alec Baldwin’s 'Rust' Shooting , Charges Are Downgraded.
'The Guardian' reports that prosecutors in
New Mexico have dropped charges against Baldwin that
could have resulted in a five-year prison sentence.
The actor still faces one count of
involuntary manslaughter in the death
of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
The actor still faces one count of
involuntary manslaughter in the death
of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
If convicted, that charge carries a
maximum prison sentence of 18 months. .
The charges were lessened after Baldwin's attorneys said
that the firearms enhancement claim was unconstitutional since it wasn't in effect when the shooting occurred. .
The prosecutors committed
a basic legal error. , Luke Nikas, one of Baldwin’s attorneys, via court papers.
The New Mexico prosecutors
also issued a statement.
In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, [prosecutors] have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of
Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' film set, Prosecutors, via statement.
The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours
for big-city attorneys, Prosecutors, via statement.
'The Guardian' reports that Baldwin's legal team is also opposing the appointment of Andrea Reeb as a special prosecutor.
'The Guardian' reports that Baldwin's legal team is also opposing the appointment of Andrea Reeb as a special prosecutor.
They argue that she does not have prosecutorial authority since she is a state lawmaker
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Severe Weather Threatens , Millions of Americans , as Winter Storm Approaches.
ABC News reports that 100 million Americans across
30 states are facing a major winter storm which is expected
to bring heavy snow, high winds and potential tornadoes.
Winter storm warnings are
in effect from New Mexico through
Illinois with heavy snow forecast.
Meanwhile, high wind warnings
remain in effect across the
Southwest and the Great Lakes.
Potentially damaging winds
and tornadoes could strike from
Texas to Alabama and up to Ohio.
ABC News reports that whiteout conditions have
been forecast across Texas, Oklahoma,
Kansas and southern Nebraska.
Evening tornadoes have the potential
to strike from Arkansas to Tennessee
and into northern Mississippi on Feb. 15. .
Later on February 16, severe storms
and possible tornadoes are forecast for
parts of Mississippi and Alabama. .
Prior to the storms hitting,
the Midwest and the East Coast are
experiencing record warm temperatures.
A number of record warm temperatures are expected
to be set on February 15 and 16 before more average
seasonable weather returns at the end of the week.
ABC News reports that about 200 records
are poised to be tied or broken
through February 17
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published