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The Center for Native American Youth, or CNAY, at the Aspen Institute this week released “Center Us: A Native Youth Survey Report,” published in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Throughout 2023, CNAY gathered data from approximately 1,000 Native youth participants to better understand their needs and priorities in areas including culture, resource access, mental health and civic engagement.
Eight focus groups with 65 youth from different regions of the United States helped to center their perspectives and voices in the development of the report.
“During a time when we honor Indigenous history and celebrate the diverse cultural identities and continued resilience of Native peoples, it’s important to remember that Native youth perspectives are rarely prioritized in data collection and analysis,” said Katy Stewart, lead report writer and programs manager. “With this report, we attempt to do both.”
The organization said Center Us is an important step in preparing the next generation to be data sovereign, prioritize Indigenous-led research, and utilize Indigenous research methodologies to assist in the preservation of culture and identity.
The data collected throughout this process helped to shed light on the cultural strengths, resource access and priorities of Native youth across the country.
Key report insights include:
• Native youth who feel culturally educated are four times more likely to see themselves as capable of making a difference than those who do not.
• Lack of trust and a feeling that “nothing ever changes” leads to apathy towards voting in U.S. elections.
• Native youth in rural communities struggle to receive the funding resources necessary to make higher education seem plausible.
• Health care in tribal communities is preferred to healthcare in non-tribal communities.
“These findings emphasize the ongoing need to support Native youth through cultural engagement and improved access to resources in community, both of which are essential for fostering positive life outcomes,” said Cheyenne Brady-Runsabove (Sac & Fox Nation), report writer and associate director of youth programs. “It is our hope that all those whose work directly or indirectly influences Native youth will leverage this data to make informed, impactful decisions that benefit them and their communities.”
Download the full Center Us report and learn more about CNAY’s efforts to decolonize data.
Throughout 2023, CNAY gathered data from approximately 1,000 Native youth participants to better understand their needs and priorities in areas including culture, resource access, mental health and civic engagement.
Eight focus groups with 65 youth from different regions of the United States helped to center their perspectives and voices in the development of the report.
“During a time when we honor Indigenous history and celebrate the diverse cultural identities and continued resilience of Native peoples, it’s important to remember that Native youth perspectives are rarely prioritized in data collection and analysis,” said Katy Stewart, lead report writer and programs manager. “With this report, we attempt to do both.”
The organization said Center Us is an important step in preparing the next generation to be data sovereign, prioritize Indigenous-led research, and utilize Indigenous research methodologies to assist in the preservation of culture and identity.
The data collected throughout this process helped to shed light on the cultural strengths, resource access and priorities of Native youth across the country.
Key report insights include:
• Native youth who feel culturally educated are four times more likely to see themselves as capable of making a difference than those who do not.
• Lack of trust and a feeling that “nothing ever changes” leads to apathy towards voting in U.S. elections.
• Native youth in rural communities struggle to receive the funding resources necessary to make higher education seem plausible.
• Health care in tribal communities is preferred to healthcare in non-tribal communities.
“These findings emphasize the ongoing need to support Native youth through cultural engagement and improved access to resources in community, both of which are essential for fostering positive life outcomes,” said Cheyenne Brady-Runsabove (Sac & Fox Nation), report writer and associate director of youth programs. “It is our hope that all those whose work directly or indirectly influences Native youth will leverage this data to make informed, impactful decisions that benefit them and their communities.”
Download the full Center Us report and learn more about CNAY’s efforts to decolonize data.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The county of Lake is inviting community members to apply to serve on a number of advisory boards, commissions and committees.
All vacancies are countywide and voluntary unless otherwise stated.
Applications are available online at www.lakecountyca.gov or at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.
If you have questions regarding a vacancy on one of these advisory boards, please contact the Clerk of the Board at 707-263-2580 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The list of available positions on county advisory boards and commissions follows.
Animal Control Advisory Board: Seven vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and two members-at-large.
Big Valley Advisory Council: Three vacancies; two general memberships and one alternate.
Central Region Town Hall (CeRTH): Three vacancies; all general membership.
Child Care Planning and Development Council: Five vacancies; two community representatives, two consumers and one discretionary appointee.
Cobb Municipal Advisory Council: Three vacancies; two members-at-large and one alternate.
East Region 3 Town Hall: Two vacancies; one Spring Valley Property Owner's Association, one Clearlake Oaks Business Association and one member-at-large.
Emergency Medical Care Committee: Six vacancies; two fire departments, one paramedic representative, one private ambulance company, one Adventist Clear Lake Hospital and one Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee: Seven vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 3, 4 and 5, one Fish and Wildlife Conservation (one of two) and one for the recreation industry.
Glenbrook Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two resident members (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Hartley Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two resident members (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee: Eleven vacancies; four senior consumers, two disabled consumers, one disabled community representative, two providers and two senior community representatives.
Kelseyville Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Lake County Resource Conservation District: Four vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2 and 3, and one member-at-large.
Library Advisory Board: Five vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Lower Lake Cemetery District: One vacancy; one general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: Nine vacancies, all general membership.
Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH): Three vacancies; two Middletown proper, one alternate - general membership.
Middletown Cemetery District: Three vacancies, all three general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council: Three vacancies, all members-at-large.
Spring Valley CSA No. 2 Advisory Board: Seven vacancies, all residents.
Upper Lake Cemetery District: One vacancy, general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Western Region Town Hall (WRTH): Four vacancies; two public members-at-large, and two public members from Upper Lake.
All vacancies are countywide and voluntary unless otherwise stated.
Applications are available online at www.lakecountyca.gov or at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.
If you have questions regarding a vacancy on one of these advisory boards, please contact the Clerk of the Board at 707-263-2580 or email
The list of available positions on county advisory boards and commissions follows.
Animal Control Advisory Board: Seven vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and two members-at-large.
Big Valley Advisory Council: Three vacancies; two general memberships and one alternate.
Central Region Town Hall (CeRTH): Three vacancies; all general membership.
Child Care Planning and Development Council: Five vacancies; two community representatives, two consumers and one discretionary appointee.
Cobb Municipal Advisory Council: Three vacancies; two members-at-large and one alternate.
East Region 3 Town Hall: Two vacancies; one Spring Valley Property Owner's Association, one Clearlake Oaks Business Association and one member-at-large.
Emergency Medical Care Committee: Six vacancies; two fire departments, one paramedic representative, one private ambulance company, one Adventist Clear Lake Hospital and one Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee: Seven vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 3, 4 and 5, one Fish and Wildlife Conservation (one of two) and one for the recreation industry.
Glenbrook Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two resident members (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Hartley Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two resident members (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee: Eleven vacancies; four senior consumers, two disabled consumers, one disabled community representative, two providers and two senior community representatives.
Kelseyville Cemetery District: Two vacancies; two general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Lake County Resource Conservation District: Four vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2 and 3, and one member-at-large.
Library Advisory Board: Five vacancies; one representative each from supervisorial districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Lower Lake Cemetery District: One vacancy; one general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: Nine vacancies, all general membership.
Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH): Three vacancies; two Middletown proper, one alternate - general membership.
Middletown Cemetery District: Three vacancies, all three general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council: Three vacancies, all members-at-large.
Spring Valley CSA No. 2 Advisory Board: Seven vacancies, all residents.
Upper Lake Cemetery District: One vacancy, general membership (must live within the district boundaries and be registered to vote in Lake County).
Western Region Town Hall (WRTH): Four vacancies; two public members-at-large, and two public members from Upper Lake.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — An atmospheric river is continuing to dump large amounts of precipitation across the North Coast this week, with several more days of wet and windy weather in the forecast.
Lake County experienced steady rain and winds on Wednesday.
Rainfall totals in inches for the 24-hour period ending at 2:30 a.m. Thursday:
— Hidden Valley Lake: 2.33.
— Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.75.
— Kelseyville: 1.21.
— Knoxville Creek: 2.03.
— Lake Pillsbury: 2.96.
— Lyons Valley: 1.07.
— Upper Lake: 1.27.
— Whispering Pines: 2.60.
The National Weather Service’s flood watch for Lake County will remain in place through Friday evening.
Gusty winds also are forecast to continue through Thursday night “as a surface cyclone brushes the area,” that National Weather Service reported.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which mobilized crews ahead of the storm, reported that at one point on Wednesday 104 customers had been out of power due to the storm. By early Thursday, all but 16 customers had their power restored.
The Lake County forecast calls for rain to continue through Wednesday, with close to another 7 inches of rain possible through Sunday.
Daytime highs through Wednesday will range from the low to mid 50s, with nighttime conditions into the low 40s.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
Lake County experienced steady rain and winds on Wednesday.
Rainfall totals in inches for the 24-hour period ending at 2:30 a.m. Thursday:
— Hidden Valley Lake: 2.33.
— Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.75.
— Kelseyville: 1.21.
— Knoxville Creek: 2.03.
— Lake Pillsbury: 2.96.
— Lyons Valley: 1.07.
— Upper Lake: 1.27.
— Whispering Pines: 2.60.
The National Weather Service’s flood watch for Lake County will remain in place through Friday evening.
Gusty winds also are forecast to continue through Thursday night “as a surface cyclone brushes the area,” that National Weather Service reported.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which mobilized crews ahead of the storm, reported that at one point on Wednesday 104 customers had been out of power due to the storm. By early Thursday, all but 16 customers had their power restored.
The Lake County forecast calls for rain to continue through Wednesday, with close to another 7 inches of rain possible through Sunday.
Daytime highs through Wednesday will range from the low to mid 50s, with nighttime conditions into the low 40s.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A newly detected invasive mussel is posing a potential threat to Lake County’s water bodies.
The Lake County Water Resources Department, and Watershed Protection District urge residents and visitors to Clear Lake, and other Lake County water bodies, to be aware and on the lookout for invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei).
The newly detected invasive mussel (freshwater bivalve) found in several locations in the Port of Stockton and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region.
On Oct. 17, the California Department of Water Resources reported finding attached, adult mussels at a sample site location in the Port of Stockton.
Mussel specimens were sent to UC Davis Genomic Variation Laboratory and confirmed to be golden mussels, originally from China and Southeast Asia; the species had not previously been detected in North America.
Water Resource managers are concerned. While similar in appearance, biology and potential ecosystem effects to quagga and zebra mussels (the current focus of invasive mussel prevention programs in Lake County), golden mussels pose an even greater threat.
“Golden mussels have been found in soft surfaces [e.g., fine silt and sediments] and attached to hard surfaces. Adult mussels are mobile and have been observed to move freely within a waterbody,” notes California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regional Biologist, Angie Montalvo, who observes Clear Lake on behalf of the State agency. “[Golden Mussels] have a much wider tolerance threshold than Quagga-Zebra mussels. This discovery is serious.”
Much like quagga and zebra mussels, golden mussels, if established in Clear Lake or other Lake County water bodies, pose a significant threat to water conveyance systems, infrastructure, and water quality.
Effects golden mussels would have on sport fisheries, like bass, crappie, and catfish, native fisheries and wildlife species, like the Clear Lake Hitch and Clark’s and Western Grebes (which feed and forage in shallow lake areas on green algae), and plants whose populations can become heavily disrupted when invasive mussels establish, are not fully known.
Golden mussels were likely introduced to California by a ship traveling from an international port. Lake County water managers are concerned they may mobilize further from the Delta (likewise a popular California sport fishery) to Lake County overland on a visiting boat.
Therefore, the Lake County Water Resources Department is reminding the public, both residents and visiting boaters, to get their boat screened by trained and certified boat screeners and inspectors (the Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program) whenever coming back to the county from Delta region or waters.
In addition to routine screenings, some boats may be inspected or required to undergo decontamination beyond what has been typical in Lake County. Please be patient and understanding with staff and certified screeners and vendors.
County water officials ask that boaters always remember to “clean, drain, dry” whenever moving a boat between water bodies — every time.
Visit www.nomussels.com for more information on the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program. To learn more about Lake County’s efforts to plan for an invasive mussel rapid response, visit https://www.clearlakemusselprevention.org/.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife are also encouraging boaters and water users to visit their new website, “California’s Invaders: Golden Mussel,” to learn more about this dangerous newly detected invasive species: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Golden-Mussel.
If you think you visually observe a golden, quagga or zebra mussel, please contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344 or email at
A bipartisan effort is seeking to create an important new weather forecasting program.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms.
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
The legislation was introduced as the first significant atmospheric rivers of the season made landfall in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf Coast.
Atmospheric rivers, often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers, cause more than 80 percent of flood damage across the West.
Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25 percent.
Over 50 atmospheric rivers made landfall across the West Coast during the 2024 water year, from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Sen. Padilla. “California scientists have led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to both reduce flood risks and bolster our water supply and drought resilience.”
“It was one year ago today that the community of Wrangell was devastated by the loss of six people, including three children, due to landslide. Ketchikan also experienced a deadly landslide just months ago. Haines and Sitka have also lost friends, family, and property due to massive landslides. With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaskan communities,” said Sen. Murkowski. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
“Atmospheric rivers are responsible for 30-50% of annual precipitation along the western U.S. and cause the majority of the flooding, with more than $1 billion in annual average flood damage in the western 11 states,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “The introduction of this act is critically important to advance forecasts of atmospheric rivers to enable more flexible and resilient water management, improved warning around flooding, safer transportation, and overall improvements to public safety. It will also enable reservoir operators to safely implement Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to save additional water after a storm for the dry summer, or release it if an AR storm is predicted in the next few days.”
Specifically, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
• Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather enterprise;
• Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
• Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
• Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risks and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of these storms.
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
The legislation was introduced as the first significant atmospheric rivers of the season made landfall in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf Coast.
Atmospheric rivers, often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers, cause more than 80 percent of flood damage across the West.
Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25 percent.
Over 50 atmospheric rivers made landfall across the West Coast during the 2024 water year, from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Sen. Padilla. “California scientists have led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to both reduce flood risks and bolster our water supply and drought resilience.”
“It was one year ago today that the community of Wrangell was devastated by the loss of six people, including three children, due to landslide. Ketchikan also experienced a deadly landslide just months ago. Haines and Sitka have also lost friends, family, and property due to massive landslides. With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaskan communities,” said Sen. Murkowski. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
“Atmospheric rivers are responsible for 30-50% of annual precipitation along the western U.S. and cause the majority of the flooding, with more than $1 billion in annual average flood damage in the western 11 states,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “The introduction of this act is critically important to advance forecasts of atmospheric rivers to enable more flexible and resilient water management, improved warning around flooding, safer transportation, and overall improvements to public safety. It will also enable reservoir operators to safely implement Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) to save additional water after a storm for the dry summer, or release it if an AR storm is predicted in the next few days.”
Specifically, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
• Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather enterprise;
• Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
• Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
• Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Office of Traffic Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles joined together this week as part of Crash Responder Safety Week to remind drivers to move over when safe to do so and slow down near traffic incidents and work zones to prevent serious injuries and deaths on California’s roadways.
California’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane when safe to do so, and slow down when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles.
This week recognizes that the public’s health, safety, and well-being are often dependent on the commitment of first responders to conduct invaluable and often life-saving operations on the side of our roads. When first responders report to an incident, that is a work zone.
According to the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and 37,701 were injured in work zone crashes in 2022 across the country.
During the same period, more than 10,000 work-zone crashes occurred on California roadways, resulting in 117 fatalities and more than 4,500 injuries.
While all 50 states have "Move Over" laws to protect roadway workers, one-third of the public are not aware of the law.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “We are asking drivers that when near work zones, please slow down, pay attention and move over when you see flashing responder lights. There’s no excuse to speed and drive recklessly. Make the conscious decision to protect yourself, loved ones, fellow travelers and vulnerable highway workers.”
“Every day, our officers and first responders put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Crash Responder Safety Week reminds drivers everywhere of the vital importance of moving over, slowing down and staying alert when approaching emergency scenes. Together, we can save lives and ensure that those who serve on California’s roadways make it home safely.”
“Keeping all road users safe is a priority for the DMV,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “That is why we do what we do to ensure all drivers know the rules of the road before we license them.”
Each year, first responders are struck by passing motorists, often while aiding motorists and clearing roadway incidents, resulting in serious injury or death.
Traffic-related incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, maintenance workers and tow/recovery professionals. Many of these incidents can be prevented if motorists follow the law.
For more information on the campaign, visit http://beworkzonealert.com/.
