California
Newsom calls for increased water conservation, warning of mandatory statewide restrictions
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday warned main water businesses to indicate higher water conservation outcomes or face necessary statewide water restrictions as California heads into its third summer season of extreme drought.
The menace is an indication of Newsom’s rising impatience with the state’s lagging conservation efforts, and got here as he convened a gathering in Sacramento of the state’s largest water businesses, and instructed their leaders that not sufficient is being carried out to scale back city water use.
Calling current will increase in water use a “black eye,” based on one supply in attendance, Newsom mentioned the state will carefully monitor water use over the following 60 days. He additionally instructed water businesses to submit water use information extra continuously to the state and to step up outreach and schooling efforts to speak the urgency of the disaster to the general public.
Final July, Newsom declared a drought emergency and requested Californians to chop city water use 15% in comparison with 2020 ranges. However in March, the latest month for which that information is offered, residents as an alternative cranked up the faucets, growing city water use a staggering 18.9% statewide in comparison with March 2020, amid the driest January, February and March within the state’s recorded historical past.
General, Newsom’s requires water conservation have been largely ignored.
Cumulatively, from July by March, residents, companies and authorities businesses lowered city water use statewide by simply 3.7% in comparison with the identical time interval in 2020, based on the State Water Assets Management Board, with decrease charges of conservation in Southern California than Northern California.
“Each water company throughout the state must take extra aggressive actions to speak in regards to the drought emergency and implement conservation measures,” Newsom mentioned in a press release. “Californians made important adjustments for the reason that final drought however we have now seen an uptick in water use, particularly as we enter the summer season months. All of us should be extra considerate about make each drop depend.”
Presently, 95% of the state is in a extreme drought, and 59% is in an excessive drought, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly report issued by the federal authorities and the College of Nebraska.
Amid different crises just like the COVID pandemic, wildfires, inflation and Russia’s assault on Ukraine, Newsom has struggled to get the general public to make the drought a top-tier concern.
For the previous 9 months, he has allowed native water businesses largely set their very own conservation targets. Some have set vigorous targets with enforcement. Many haven’t, or are solely lately beginning to. Water conservation prices metropolis water departments and water districts tens of tens of millions of {dollars} in misplaced income as much less water is offered, and prices — like buying water from different businesses, and boosting enforcement — go up.
Former Gov. Jerry Brown tried an identical voluntary method throughout California’s final drought from 2012 to 2016.
When it failed to provide important water financial savings, Brown issued necessary statewide water targets, with totally different targets for cities and water districts based mostly on their per-capita use. San Francisco, for instance, which has 1000’s of flats with out yards, makes use of much less water per capita than Sacramento or Palm Springs, so was given extra average financial savings goal than these areas.
Below Brown’s plan, cities and water districts that didn’t hit their purpose have been issued fines. That effort minimize water use practically 25%.
However it led to complaints from some businesses, notably in Southern California, who requested Newsom to go away drought guidelines to native management.
The state’s downside is straightforward: After three drier-than-normal winters reservoirs are low. And with local weather change inflicting growing temperatures, drought situations, together with wildfire danger, are exacerbated.
Many of the state’s main reservoirs are at low or record-low ranges for this time of yr. On Monday, Shasta Lake, the state’s largest, close to Redding, was simply 40% full. The second largest, Oroville, in Butte County, was 55% full. No important rain or snow is anticipated to fall for not less than 5 or 6 months, till October or November.
Newsom supported plans by Poseidon, a non-public firm, to construct a $1.4 billion desalination plant in Orange County. However two weeks in the past, the California Coastal Fee — together with all 4 of the governor’s appointees — voted unanimously to disclaim it a allow, saying it will improve water charges for low-income individuals and will hurt microscopic ocean life.
Newsom additionally has supported plans to construct new reservoirs, such because the proposed $4 billion Websites Reservoir in Colusa County, however in his revised Could funds, didn’t dedicate any of the state’s surplus this yr to funding them.
There isn’t any assure subsequent winter will finish the drought. The state has been in a drought in seven of the previous 10 years.
Though agriculture accounts for 80% of the water that individuals use in California, many city methods depend on their very own native reservoirs and native groundwater provides for some or all of their water. On Monday, the ten reservoirs operated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which serves 2 million individuals in Santa Clara County, for instance, have been simply 23% full.
In the meantime, in one other sign of the worsening drought taking part in out throughout California and the West, the state water board is about to vote Tuesday to ban all watering of “non-functional turf,” which means lawns at workplace parks and industrial websites, with potable water, with fines as much as $500 for offenders.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is always revealing for the best boys basketball teams in California and final days of the 2024 calendar year should be no different.
The Damien Classic and Torrey Pines Holiday Classic always present a window of what is in store for the rest of the season and separates the contenders and pretenders. Next weekend at the HoopHall Classic West in Gilbert (Ariz.), Jan. 2-4, will also give the elite teams time to strut their stuff.
There are nine teams among California’s Top 25 still unbeaten at Christmas, a pretty high number, including top-ranked St. John Bosco, No. 6 Riordan and No. 8 De La Salle and No. 9 Montgomery.
Note: Only teams that play for a CIF State California title were considered for this rankings, thus eliminating Prolific Prep of Napa Christian, which can and will play for a mythical national title. Notes and rankings below from Southern Section teams supplied by SBLive’s Tarek Fattal.
The Braves win their Trinity League opener over Orange Lutheran without Brandon McCoy and Elzie Harrington. Christian Collins and Max Ellis led the way. Next up: Platinum Division in Classic at Damien.
Roosevelt wins the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, beating Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks in the final. Brayden Burries scored 26 points and Issac Williamson had 19.
Nik Khamenia notches 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a convincing win over JSerra, a team expected to earn an Open Division berth.
Notre Dame suffers its first loss in the Tarkanian Classic final to Roosevelt despite Tyran Stokes scoring 20 points. Lino Mark played just four minutes in an attempt to play while injured. (TYRAN STOKES DEBUT)
Four more wins started with 90-65 blowout of defending state D2 champion Oakland Tech behind 33 points and 10 points from Tounde Yessoufou, and a combined 45 from Julius and Malcolm Price along with Gunner Morinini. Yessoufou is averaging 29.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Won the Gridley Classic with wins over Branson (68-27), Clovis North (54-52) and previous No. 6 Salesian (52-51) thanks in part to tournament MVP Andrew Hilman (19 points). Texas Tech-bound Jasir Rencher and Irvine signee Nex Emeneke was also All-Tourney.
Pride lost their first regular-season game since 2022, 52-51 to Riordan, in finals of the Gridley Classic. Salesian missed two free throws with 1.2 seconds to play.
Win over Santa Margarita (61-57) to win the Vountour Classic was team’s most impressive. David Balogun, a rapidly improving 6-6 post, scored 29 to lead the way. Since then breathers over Mountain House (67-35), La Salle (76-26) and Sacred Heart Cathedral (79-39).
The Aztecs from San Diego won five games last week, including four at the Tarkanian Classic to take the Nike Division championship behind division’s Most Outstanding Player J.J. Sanchez, who had 22 points in the finals.
Eagles’ only loss comes this week to unbeaten NorCal power De La Salle, but bounces back with a win over Murrieta Valley.
Trailblazers beat Millikan 87-33 this past week.
The Lions get a taste of Open Division-level hoops in a 65-50 loss to Harvard-Westlake.
Redondo Union is picking up Open Division playoff buzz.
La Mirada has been idle since Dec. 14.
Coach Paul Tait is enthused by the play of sophomore point guard Dominic Loehle.
After lopsided win over St. Augustine (77-54), recorded tough wins over Sage Creek (75-66), Mission Hills (67-59) and La Jolla Country Day (80-68).
Monarchs have won five of their last six.
Pius went 2-2 at the Tarkanian Classic.
Jasone Crowe Jr. is averaging 37 points per game.
Had won four straight before losing 63-54 to Brophy College Prep of Phoenix Ariz. (63-54).
Quality win over Pacifica Christian of Orange County without Jeremiah Hampton was impressive. JJ Harris and Louis Bond impressed.
Canyon has won five straight. Brandon Benjamin averaging 30+ points a game.
Damien without big man Nate Garcia (injured).
Twelve straight wins isn’t a bad way to start the season. Defense a big key, holding opponents under 50 seven times, including three straight games limiting opponents to 49 in wins over Riverside poly (61-49), Salesian Los Angeles (93-49) and Wiseburn-Da Vinci (61-49).
Cougars last win came against Long Beach Poly on Dec. 14.
No. 1 San Francisco costs 18.2% more than typical US metro. No. 2 LA-OC is 15.5% more expensive.
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Originally Published:
Ever since Caitlin Clark left the NCAA to set records in the WNBA, the hunt for the next generational basketball talent has intensified. Among the emerging stars, JuJu Watkins stands out with her electrifying performances for USC and record-breaking milestones. But while her game dazzles on the court, her California roots and unique circumstances create hurdles that may hinder her quest to rival Clark’s legendary NCAA career.
On the latest episode of Fearless with Jason Whitlock, Whitlock tackled the issue, highlighting the contrasting environments between Clark’s Iowa and Watkins’ Los Angeles.
“Well, Caitlin Clark was in Iowa in the middle of nowhere. She wasn’t in the entertainment capital of the world. She wasn’t in a city that had 75-degree weather year-round and open beaches. She went off or she grew up in and continued to play in a little isolated area of the country where people are starved for entertainment. And so she built a huge following right there in the state of Iowa, her home state,” he said.
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The deeper issue, according to Whitlock, is the cultural and entertainment saturation of Los Angeles, where sports often compete with numerous distractions for attention. In contrast, Clark thrived in a basketball-centric environment, with little competition for local and statewide support. While Watkins’ environment may pose unique challenges, her talent remains undeniable.
She recently made history as the fastest Power Five player in women’s college basketball to reach 1,000 career points, accomplishing the feat in just 38 games—two fewer than Clark’s record. With season averages of 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 46.2% shooting, Watkins is unquestionably a dominant force. Yet, as Jason Whitlock put it, the question persists: Can she cultivate the same level of national adoration that Clark commanded?
Balancing brilliance: Can JuJu Watkins thrive amid criticism and California’s spotlight?
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Adding to the debate, Rachel DeMita voiced concerns over how USC is managing Watkins’ playing time on her own podcast. “I don’t think that’s what JuJu needs for the development of her game,” DeMita said, suggesting that keeping Watkins on the court for extended minutes might be more about stat-padding than fostering her growth as a player.
via Imago
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives the ball agains UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and guard Kaitlyn Chen (20) in the second half at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Such a strategy could also increase her risk of injury, a significant concern given Watkins’ pivotal role for USC.
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Despite these challenges, Watkins has demonstrated resilience and poise. Her performance this season reflects her ability to adapt and excel under pressure. However, her journey to rival Caitlin Clark’s legacy will require more than individual brilliance. Watkins must navigate the complexities of playing in a city where attention is fragmented, balancing her development with the need to draw a larger following.
Whether she can carve out her own path and emerge as a player of Clark’s stature remains uncertain. For now, her record-breaking performances and undeniable talent keep her firmly in the conversation, as the basketball world watches to see if she can overcome the challenges of her California roots and fulfill her potential as the next NCAA superstar.
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