Uncommon Knowledge
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Water levels have plunged by nearly 7 feet at Lake Shasta over the course of the week as officials prepare for more precipitation from an incoming storm.
After years of drought, several reservoirs in California reached concerningly low water levels in the summer of 2022. However, an abnormally wet winter last year alleviated much of the state’s drought and replenished the lakes. For example, Lake Shasta, the state’s largest reservoir, neared capacity last year.
Now, after a series of atmospheric rivers that have saturated the state, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is voluntarily releasing water from Shasta Dam because the lake’s levels are too high for February, according to Don Bader, the area manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Bader told Newsweek that the releases, also known as “flood operations”, began on January 31.
The last time officials had to conduct flood operations at the lake was in 2019.
“Last winter stored everything came in,” Bader said, adding that typically flood operations occur at Lake Shasta once every five years. “We are dialing them down and reducing flows this week.”
However, there’s a chance flood operations could resume if more storms hit California in March.
Despite the release, Lake Shasta is still in a much-improved state when compared to last year. As of Friday morning, Lake Shasta water levels were at 1,038 feet. This time last year, the lake was at 996 feet, and in February 2022, the lake was at 938 feet.
It’s not the first time officials have voluntarily released water from a California reservoir this year. In February, the California Department of Water Resources opened the spillway at Oroville Dam at Lake Oroville to release water ahead of moisture-laden winter storms. The water was recaptured downstream, and the release provided flood mitigation for downstream communities.
Even with the recent release, Lake Shasta is still 26 feet higher than it was at the start of the year. The lake is expected to receive more water inflow in the coming weeks as a winter storm brings multiple feet of snow to some high-elevation areas. Rain is expected for lower-elevation areas.
Six weather warnings were in place throughout California on Friday as a massive storm threatened to dump more than 100 inches of snow in some high-elevation areas in less than 72 hours over the weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of heavy snow in the higher elevations of Shasta County, which is where Lake Shasta is located.
“Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 feet, locally higher over peaks. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph,” the winter storm warning said.
The warning was issued early Friday morning and will remain in place through Sunday night.
The excessive snowfall is expected to vastly improve California’s snowpack levels, which were below normal before the winter storm. California relies on snow melt through the spring to supplement as much as a third of the state’s water supply.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a prayer I wrote for National Prayer Day that I delivered Thursday morning, May 2.
Hear the call, California, let’s rise and unite,
In our land of splendor, from plight to light.
From redwood shadows to shimmering shore,
Let’s build a future worth striving for.
“Listen,” resounds from valley to peak,
Affordable homes for all who seek.
In cities bustling and towns serene,
Let fairness dwell, let grace be seen.
Against the shadows of bigotry and hate,
Stand strong for love, let it resonate.
From San Diego’s warmth to the Bay’s cool mist,
Inclusion and safety top our list.
Housing that’s affordable, a roof for each head,
In neighborhoods where no one fears to tread.
From LA’s sprawl to Sacramento’s streets,
Let’s secure a haven where hope meets.
In tech’s grand hub, let innovation lead,
To solutions where compassion’s creed.
May Silicon Valley’s minds conceive,
New ways for the Golden State to achieve.
Let California’s dream be vast and bold,
A tale of kindness and courage told.
With every “shema,” let’s understand,
A call to act, for the future we planned.
Hear the call of the surf, the whispering pines,
For a state where every star aligns.
A haven of peace, where all are free,
California, let this our legacy be.
*
Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com
Despite strides, economic disparities persist among Latinas statewide, according to a new report issued Thursday that found Hispanic women earn only 42 cents for every dollar paid to white men compared to 71 cents for white women.
The report by Los Angeles-based Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) illustrates Latina progress and underscores the barriers hindering their path to a better quality of life and financial security. By examining national, state, and regional indicators, HOPE’s survey aims to offer insights into the economic, leadership, health, and educational landscape of Latinas in California, juxtaposed against their white counterparts.
California has the largest Latino population in the nation, with Latinas comprising 20% of the state’s total population and 40% of all women, according to the fourth installment of HOPE’s Economic Status of Latinas in California report.
While the Latino homeownership rate statewide increased by 3 percentage points between 2021 and 2022, only 41% of such households have retirement accounts compared to 68% of white households. But the report found education rates were on an upswing. In 2022, over 18% of Latinas aged 25 and older throughout the state had obtained at least a bachelor’s degree, a significant increase from 14.9% in 2018.
In terms of business and financial literacy, the report determined that entrepreneurial spirit thrives among Latinas, with a 23% increase in Latina-owned employer businesses between 2018 and 2021, generating nearly 147,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $5.92 billion. However, interviews suggest a crucial need for improved financial literacy to navigate the state’s high cost of living and ensure sustainable growth.
While education rates among Latinas are rising, challenges remain. Graduation rates and access to advanced placement courses still trail behind those of white students. In 2022, over 18% of Latinas aged 25 and older statewide had obtained at least a bachelor’s degree, showing a positive trend compared to 2018, but significantly lower than the nearly 48% rate for white women.
Health disparities were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to HOPE. Life expectancy at birth declined by 4.1 years for Latinas and 3.1 years for Black women between 2019 and 2021, compared to 1.8 years for white, non-Hispanic women. Latinas and Black women faced disproportionate impacts, with higher mortality rates and disparities in maternal care.
The report also found that the uninsured rate for Latinas in California was at a historic low of 8.8% in 2022, compared to the total rate of 6.5%, but both are expected to rise as pandemic-era policies expire.
Despite a doubling in Latina representation on California corporate boards between 2020 and 2021, Latinas held only 3.3% of board seats last year, HOPE said. In government board and commission appointments made by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Latinas made up 9% of all appointments in 2023.
Although there’s been a significant increase in Latina representation in statewide office since 2015, with Latinas representing 25% of the state legislature, the presence of Latinas in national office remains low, with only four Latina congressional members out of 52 U.S. House of Representatives seats filled by Californians.
“This report underscores the urgency of addressing the persistent economic disparities faced by Latinas in California,” HOPE CEO Helen Torres said. “By acknowledging these challenges and working together to implement equitable solutions, we can create a more inclusive society where every Latina has the opportunity to thrive.”
The report will be the central topic of discussion at an informational hearing for the State Assembly’s Select Committee on Latina Inequities, chaired by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, at the State Capitol on May 8.
“I am deeply grateful to HOPE for its tireless dedication to shining light on the challenges that Latinas face in California,” Carrillo said in a statement. “Latinas are the economic engine of our state and the largest majority, yet we face some of the deepest inequities when it comes to economic, educational and health outcomes and we are severely underrepresented in various sectors from c-suite (senior executives), public office, and executive leadership roles.”
To prepare the report, HOPE analyzed data from various government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, to compare demographic and economic metrics of Latinas with other groups nationally, statewide, and regionally. Additional data from reports and interviews with Latina women from diverse regions, work sectors, and age groups were conducted to contextualize the data and gain insights into supporting their economic advancement and career trajectories, according to the Latina advocacy organization.
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