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- Written by: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NASA astronaut Chris Williams will embark on his first mission to the International Space Station, serving as a flight engineer and Expedition 74 crew member.
Williams will launch aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft in November, accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.
After launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the trio will spend approximately eight months aboard the orbiting laboratory.
During his expedition, Williams will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations that help prepare humans for future space missions and benefit humanity.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021, Williams graduated with the 23rd astronaut class in 2024. He began training for his first space station flight assignment immediately after completing initial astronaut candidate training.
Williams was born in New York City, and considers Potomac, Maryland, his hometown. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Stanford University in California and a doctorate in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, where his research focused on astrophysics.
Williams completed Medical Physics Residency training at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He was working as a clinical physicist and researcher at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston when he was selected as an astronaut.
For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth.
The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA is able to more fully focus its resources on deep space missions to the Moon and Mars.
Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at https://www.nasa.gov/station.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Lake County is coming together to raise awareness and promote the well-being of children and families in our community.
This year, the Office of Child Abuse Prevention has selected the theme “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,” emphasizes the importance of proactive efforts that support families, strengthen communities, and ensure all children have the opportunity for a bright future.
Locally, the Lake County Child Abuse Prevention Council has chosen the theme “Be a Hero,” encouraging individuals to either become their own hero or be a hero for someone else. These themes serve as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
Throughout the month, local organizations, county departments and community members are hosting a variety of events designed to engage, educate and inspire action. These events provide opportunities for people to show their support and help create a safer, healthier environment for all children.
Proclamations
Public proclamations play a crucial role in raising awareness and demonstrating a unified commitment to preventing child abuse. They bring visibility to the issue, encourage community-wide participation, and reinforce the importance of collective action.
When local governments recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, they help to amplify the message that child protection is a shared responsibility.
On April 1, both the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the City of Lakeport proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.
The city of Clearlake followed suit with its own proclamation on April 3 and the Board of Education will offer its proclamation on April 15, further emphasizing the collective dedication to this important cause.
Flag raising ceremonies: Honoring and remembering
Lake County is also hosting flag-raising ceremonies to symbolize our commitment to child safety. The Children’s Memorial Flag was raised at two locations on April 1, Lake Family Resource Center’s new Lakeport office and Lake County Probation’s Lower Lake office, serving as a visual pledge to protect and advocate for the well-being of all children.
The final flag-raising and closing ceremony will take place on April 25 at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Lakeport, providing a moment for the community to come together again to honor the children lost to child abuse and neglect.
Pinwheel gardens: A symbol of hope
Throughout April, pinwheel gardens will be planted across Lake County as a symbol of hope and a reminder of the importance of preventing child abuse.
This year, three lucky winners will be selected from the participants, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to this meaningful initiative. So, make sure to plant your pinwheel garden, post a picture on Facebook, and add the hashtag #resilientlakecounty.
Celebrating Creativity: Child Art Contest
Another activity is the children’s art contest, where young artists created artworks displaying what “Be A Hero” means to them.
The winning pieces will be proudly displayed on placemats and handed out at local restaurants, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing and protecting our children.
This year’s participating restaurants are Taco Bell in Lakeport, Judy’s Junction, Pogos in Kelseyville, Grandpa’s Café, BBQ by Biscotti, Subway in Clearlake and Cabos.
Children's Festival & Advocacy Walk: April 12 and 26
Families are invited to the Children’s Festival and Memorial Walk at Xabatin Park in Lakeport on April 12 and again on April 26 at Austin Park in Clear Lake from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
These special events are a chance to honor children who have been affected by abuse while celebrating the joy and resilience of childhood.
The festival will feature free fun activities, resources for families, and opportunities to learn more about prevention efforts.
Join the movement
Child Abuse Prevention Month is more than just a series of events — it’s a call to action. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, and it takes a united community to make that a reality.
Whether you participate in the festivals, attend a flag-raising ceremony, join the Children’s Council, or simply spread awareness, your involvement makes a difference.
Lake County is urged to stand together to protect our children and build a brighter future for all.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has more new dogs and puppies waiting for homes this week.
The shelter has 55 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Kahlua,” a 2-month-old German Shepherd mix puppy with a short silver and black coat.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
“Two days after filing our 9th lawsuit against the Trump Administration, we have secured a temporary order that restores public health funding and ensures communities nationwide are prepared for public health threats,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As our lawsuit continues, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure state and local health agencies have what they need to keep Americans healthy and safe.”
Beginning on March 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, abruptly, with no advance notice or warning, issued termination notices to state and local public health agencies across the country, purporting to end federal funding for grants that provide essential support for a wide range of urgent public health needs, including identifying, tracking, and addressing infectious diseases; ensuring access to immunizations; and modernizing critical public health infrastructure.
The federal funding was appropriated by Congress to ensure the United States is better prepared for future public health threats.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Bonta announced co-leading a coalition of 23 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s HHS and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over the unlawful termination of public health funding.
On Thursday, the court responded by granting the requested temporary restraining order.
The order temporarily restores essential public health funding and vital programs that serve millions of Californians, including children, rural communities, and nursing homes, including:
• Over $800 million that the California Department of Public Health intended to use, in part, to vaccinate 4.5 million children statewide and assist hospitals in directing injured and ill patients to available health facilities during all types of emergencies, where efficient routing saves lives.
• $119 million to the California Department of Health Care Services which supports key programs, including substance use disorder prevention and early intervention services for youth in at least 18 counties.
• $45 million to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to use in part, to strengthen the county’s efforts to prevent the spread of measles, and seasonal and avian influenza.
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