Uncommon Knowledge
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California
Water levels plunge at California’s biggest reservoir ahead of winter storm
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.
Getty
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.
Fireworks Safety Guide
Essential safety tips for buying, handling, and watching fireworks to ensure a safe celebration.
With July 4 falling on a Saturday this year, many businesses and organizations are taking the day off Friday, July 3, to mark America’s 250th birthday. From banking to mail service, here’s what’s open and closed for the holiday weekend.
Most federal offices closed, mail service to continue
Non-essential federal offices will be closed on July 3. However, mail service will continue as normal, and post offices are scheduled to remain open.
Most California government offices to remain open
Most California government offices will be open on July 3, with some exceptions.
DMV offices throughout the state will be open. However, the Employment Development Department will be closed.
DMV offices that offer Saturday hours will be closed on July 4.
Private parcel services to remain open
UPS and FedEx are both scheduled to operate normally on July 3, but will suspend service on July 4.
Stock markets closed
Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed on July 3.
Most banks to stay open
While most banks were expected to operate normally on July 3, some may operate under modified holiday hours. All banks will be closed on July 4.
Online banking services should remain operational.
Grocery stores
Most major grocery chains will be open on both July 3 and July 4. Trader Joe’s locations will be open for regular business on July 3 but will close early at 5 p.m. on the Fourth of July.
Retailers
Many major retail stores, such as Walmart and Target, plan to operate under normal business hours on both July 3 and 4. All Costco warehouse stores operate under normal business hours on July 3, but will close on July 4.
Restaurants
Most major restaurant chains remain open on July 4, but some will have limited hours. All Raising Cane’s locations will close on July 4.
Bruce Lee Day aims to honour the San Francisco-born martial arts legend as a cultural bridge and Asian-American icon.
Published On 2 Jul 2026
Martial arts icon Bruce Lee will become the first Chinese American in California history to be honoured with an annual namesake day.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Tuesday afternoon, officially designating May 17 as Bruce Lee Day.
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Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940 and returned to the city on May 17, 1959, aged 18, after spending his childhood in Hong Kong.
His daughter, Shannon Lee, CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, said the honour reflects her father’s enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures.
“From young people who found confidence and possibility in his philosophy, to families who finally saw themselves represented on screen, to athletes who still draw on his teachings of discipline and inner strength, his reach is profound,” she said in a statement.
State Assembly member Matt Haney, who represents San Francisco, called Lee the “epitome of the best of California”.
“At a time when Asian Americans were too often absent from or stereotyped on screen, Bruce Lee helped generations see themselves represented with strength and dignity,” he said.
The Bruce Lee Foundation and Asian-American groups hope Bruce Lee will be celebrated each year with voluntary activities, including cultural exhibits, public events and classroom lessons.
Born to Chinese parents touring the US with an opera, Lee held birthright citizenship. He moved to Hong Kong as an infant, became a child actor, and studied Chinese kung fu before returning to the US in 1959.
He enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1961, but dropped out to teach martial arts.
In the 1960s, Lee appeared in Hollywood, most notably as Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet, but said studios typecast him in racist roles and paid him less than white actors.
He returned to Hong Kong and starred in martial arts films, including The Big Boss and Fist of Fury.
Lee died tragically in 1973 at the age of 32 after an allergic reaction to pain medication.
His name and likeness remain widely popular.
Fans gather on his birthday, and a treatment he wrote for a television series inspired the HBO Max show “Warrior”.
See the best High Desert fireworks through the years
Fireworks have long lit up the California High Desert, from community shows in Victorville and Apple Valley to backyard celebrations that filled the night sky. Revisit Fourth of July moments through the years.
Each year, fireworks light up the sky across the United States for the nation’s Independence Day. With 2026 marking the nation’s 250th birthday, fireworks shows may be a bigger draw.
With California being so fire-prone, the state has strict fireworks laws, but does that mean that people won’t enjoy fireworks without risking jail time on July 4?
Are fireworks illegal in California?
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CalFire, is the agency in charge of managing fireworks and classifying which ones are safe to light.
The California Fireworks Law was passed in 1938 and designated the Office of the State Fire Marshal as the only fireworks classification authority in the state, according to CalFire.
The fire marshal’s office classifies fireworks through lab analysis and field testing. It also requires that all parties dealing in fireworks, such as pyrotechnic operators, manufacturers, and retailers, have licensing.
Along with the aforementioned law, the State’s Explosive Law authorizes the fire marshal to “adopt regulations for the safe use, handling, storage and transportation of explosives,” CalFire says.
“Safe and Sane” fireworks are less likely to cause injury and generally mean that the fireworks do not explode or fly, according to the City of Fontana.
There are almost 300 communities in the state that allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks.
It is illegal in the state to sell, transport, or use fireworks that don’t carry the “Safe and Sane” seal or use any in a nonpermitted community. If convicted, you can face a fine up to $50,000, a year in jail or both, according to CalFire.
All other fireworks are considered illegal in the state and are prohibited from being operated by unauthorized parties in most jurisdictions.
Some illegal fireworks include:
- Wire Core Sparklers
- Sky rockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
- Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an “uncontrollable manner.”
How to safely use fireworks
CalFire has put out a list of safety tips to avoid injury when handling fireworks.
CalFire recommends:
- Use only State Fire Marshal-approved fireworks
- Verify local ordinances before purchasing or using fireworks.
- Always read the directions on labels.
- Children should always have an adult present.
- Only use fireworks outdoors.
- Avoid using fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials.
- Only light one firework at a time.
- Have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of fire.
- During a drought, it is recommended that you use a bucket of reused water to submerge your firework after use to ensure it’s completely extinguished.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
- Back up several feet immediately after lighting a firework.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Never attempt to relight or fix fireworks.
- Never experiment with fireworks.
- Do not wear loose-fitting clothing while lighting fireworks.
- Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
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