The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has announced the appointment of Tony Andersen as its new executive officer.
Andersen will lead the board’s operations and policy implementation, serving as the Board’s lead staff person and liaison between government agencies, stakeholders and the public.
Andersen brings nearly two decades of experience in policy, strategic communications, and government affairs through a range of environmental, forestry, and wildfire-related leadership positions.
Most recently, he served as the deputy secretary for communications at the California Natural Resources Agency following an appointed leadership position at Cal Fire.
Andersen has also helped lead post-fire recovery and community rebuilding efforts following Oregon’s most destructive wildfire season on record in 2020 and served in leadership roles with the Oregon Department of Forestry, Portland Water Bureau and other government leadership roles.
“Tony understands the Board’s mission and the challenges facing California’s forests, rangelands, and communities,” said Terry O’Brien, chair of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. “His leadership skills, collaborative approach, and ability to navigate complex natural resource policy issues will be invaluable as we continue to advance sustainable forestry and wildfire resilience across the state.”
In his new role, Andersen will lead the team that supports the Board’s regulatory and policy agenda, facilitate public engagement, and support coordination on initiatives ranging from forest management to wildfire resilience and land-use planning.
“It’s an honor to support the Board in this leadership capacity,” Andersen said. “California’s forests and wildlands are essential to our environment, economy, and way of life. I’m committed to serving the board, our partners, and California communities to ensure our policies reflect both sound science and the needs of those who depend on these landscapes.”
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is a nine-member board appointed by California’s Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.
It is responsible for developing the state’s forest and fire protection policy and adopting regulations that protect and enhance California’s forests and rangelands.
When you’re on a camping trip, you might have to pack your own food and maybe something to filter or treat water that you find. But imagine your campsite is in space, where there’s no water, and packing jugs of water would take up room when every inch of cargo space counts. That’s a key challenge engineers faced when designing the International Space Station.
Before NASA developed an advanced water recycling system, water made up nearly half the payload of shuttles traveling to the ISS. I am an environmental engineer and have conducted research at Kennedy Space Center’s Space Life Sciences Laboratory. As part of this work, I helped to develop a closed-loop water recovery system.
Today, NASA recovers over 90% of the water used in space. Clean water keeps an astronaut crew hydrated, hygienic and fed, as it can use it to rehydrate food. Recovering used water is a cornerstone of closed-loop life support, which is essential for future lunar bases, Mars missions and even potential space settlements.
A close-up view of the water recovery system’s racks – these contain the hardware that provides a constant supply of clean water for four to six crew members aboard the ISS.NASA
NASA’s environmental control and life support system is a set of equipment and processes that perform several functions to manage air and water quality, waste, atmospheric pressure and emergency response systems such as fire detection and suppression. The water recovery system − one component of environmental control and life support − supports the astronauts aboard the ISS and plays a central role in water recycling.
Water systems built for microgravity
In microgravity environments like the ISS, every form of water available is valuable. The water recovery systems on the ISS collect water from several sources, including urine, moisture in cabin air, and hygiene – meaning from activities such as brushing teeth.
On Earth, wastewater includes various types of water: residential wastewater from sinks, showers and toilets; industrial wastewater from factories and manufacturing processes; and agricultural runoff, which contains fertilizers and pesticides.
In space, astronaut wastewater is much more concentrated than Earth-based wastewater. It contains significantly higher levels of urea – a compound from urine – salts, and surfactants from soaps and materials used for hygiene. To make the water safe to drink, the system needs to remove all of these quickly and effectively.
The water recovery systems used in space employ some of the same principles as Earth-based water treatment. However, they are specifically engineered to function in microgravity with minimal maintenance. These systems also must operate for months or even years without the need for replacement parts or hands-on intervention.
NASA’s water recovery system captures and recycles nearly all forms of water used or generated aboard the space station. It routes the collected wastewater to a system called the water processor assembly, where it is purified into safe, potable water that exceeds many Earth-based drinking water standards.
The water recovery and treatment system on the ISS consists of several subsystems.
Recovering water from urine and sweat
The urine processor assembly recovers about 75% of the water from urine by heating and vacuum compression. The recovered water is sent to the water processor assembly for further treatment. The remaining liquid, called brine, still contains a significant amount of water. So, NASA developed a brine processor assembly system to extract the final fraction of water from this urine brine.
In the brine processor assembly, warm, dry air evaporates water from the leftover brine. A filter separates the contaminants from the water vapor, and the water vapor is collected to become drinking water. This innovation pushed the water recovery system’s overall water recovery rate to an impressive 98%. The remaining 2% is combined with the other waste generated.
The filter used in brine processing has helped achieve 98% recovery.NASA
The air revitalization system condenses moisture from the cabin air – primarily water vapor from sweat and exhalation – into liquid water. It directs the recovered water to the water processor assembly, which treats all the collected water.
First, all the recovered water goes through filters to remove suspended particles such as dust. Then, a series of filters removes salts and some of the organic contaminants, followed by a chemical process called catalytic oxidation that uses heat and oxygen to break down the remaining organic compounds. The final step is adding iodine to the water to prevent microbial growth while it is stored.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata next to the International Space Station’s water recovery system, which recycles urine and wastewater into drinking water. As Wakata humorously puts it, ‘Here on board the ISS, we turn yesterday’s coffee into tomorrow’s coffee.’
To make human missions to Mars possible, NASA has estimated that spacecraft must reclaim at least 98% of the water used on board. While self-sustaining travel to Mars is still a few years away, the new brine processor on the ISS has increased the water recovery rate enough that this 98% goal is now in reach. However, more work is needed to develop a compact system that can be used in a space ship.
The journey to Mars is complex, not just because of the distance involved, but because Mars and Earth are constantly moving in their respective orbits around the Sun.
The distance between the two planets varies depending on their positions. On average, they’re about 140 million miles (225 million km) apart, with the shortest theoretical approach, when the two planets’ orbits bring them close together, taking 33.9 million miles (54.6 million km).
A typical crewed mission is expected to take about nine months one way. A round-trip mission to Mars, including surface operations and return trajectory planning, could take around three years. In addition, launch windows occur only every 26 months, when Earth and Mars align favorably.
As NASA prepares to send humans on multiyear expeditions to the red planet, space agencies around the world continue to focus on improving propulsion and perfecting life support systems. Advances in closed-loop systems, robotic support and autonomous operations are all inching the dream of putting humans on Mars closer to reality.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a local man on a host of felony charges after he abducted and raped a female victim earlier this week.
Clifford Merle Cutrell, 54, also known as “Cliff Hanger,” reported to be a transient last known to be living in Clearlake Oaks, was taken into custody by the Clearlake Police Department at 10 p.m. Tuesday night, according to Lake County Jail records.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Watson told Lake County News that Cutrell is facing charges for two separate cases, the one committed on Tuesday, Aug. 12, involving kidnap and rape, as well as a felony assault case that took place on April 10. Both cases were filed Thursday.
Watson said Cutrell was arraigned that same day for both cases, with the Public Defender’s Office appointed to represent him.
Cutrell will return to court on Tuesday in both cases, at which point his defense attorney is expected to make an initial appearance and Cutrell will enter pleas, according to Watson.
Cutrell’s bail is set at $1 million for the rape case and $125,000 for the assault case, Watson said.
Court records show that Cutrell has a criminal background that includes numerous convictions and arrests extending back nearly 20 years in Lake County and even further in Sonoma and Tuolumne counties.
Cutrell is a registered sex offender who has previously served prison time, with a risk assessment score by the state of 21, placing him in the “high” category for risk of reoffending.
Two violent cases
The court filings from this week show that Cutrell is charged with two felonies for a case that occurred on April 10 and 11, during which time he is accused of committing assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and false imprisonment on a victim identified as “J.T.”
In that case, he’s also facing an allegation of having a prior serious or violent felony conviction for an assault with intent to commit sex crimes in Sonoma County on Aug. 25, 1999.
Then, on Tuesday, authorities said Cutrell kidnapped a victim with the intent to rape her.
So far, authorities have not given specific details about the case, the severity of which is outlined in the numerous charges.
Altogether, for this week’s case he’s charged with nine felonies: kidnapping with the intent to commit rape; assault with intent to commit rape; sodomy for force, violence or fear; oral copulation by force; rape; sexual penetration by force; sexual battery while the victim is unlawfully restrained; burglary of an inhabited dwelling house and trailer coach with intent to commit a felony; and criminal threats.
Convictions on the sodomy, oral copulation, rape, sexual penetration by force and sexual battery while restrained would all require additional sex offender registration, according to the filing.
The filing includes a special allegation that Cutrell is ineligible for probation or suspension of sentence.
Both the April and August cases include allegations for six previous felonies. In addition to the 1999 Sonoma County case they include five convictions in Lake County for two separate cases: for a conviction for sexual battery, false imprisonment and failure to register as a sex offender, all committed on Jan. 8, 2010; and disobeying a police officer and possession of an illegal weapon from March 10, 2020.
The August case also refers to a February 1995 felony conviction in Tuolumne County for battery causing serious bodily injury.
The District Attorney’s Office also has charged Cutrell in both cases with a special allegation of circumstances in aggravation, including violence; a particularly vulnerable victim; threats against witnesses; the crime’s commission included planning, sophistication, and professionalism; he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offense; he engaged in violent conduct, which indicates a serious danger to society; his prior convictions are numerous or of increasing seriousness; he served a prior prison term; and his prior performance on probation, mandatory supervision, post-release community supervision or parole was unsatisfactory.
Despite Cutrell’s long and violent criminal history, he so far has only been convicted of one “strike” under California’s three strikes law, Watson said.
The filing for this case includes several charges — kidnap; assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy or oral copulation; sodomy; rape; sexual penetration by force; burglary with intent to commit a felony; and criminal threats — that could count as strikes upon conviction, based on the penal code.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the law does not allow multiple strikes from the same case. In fact, multiple strikes can result from one case if the defendant is convicted of multiple serious or violent felonies. What is not allowed, based on a 2014 California Supreme Court ruling in People v. Vargas, is that multiple convictions arising from a single criminal act may not be considered as separate strikes under the three strikes law.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This 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.
On Friday, Democrats in the California State Legislature announced new legislation to call a special election in November, which they said is meant to empower voters to protect the state’s economy and democracy, and fight back against “reckless attacks by Trump and Republicans.”
The legislation includes a state constitutional amendment to set a special election on Nov. 4. It also makes public, for all voters to see and review, new proposed Congressional maps for California.
Voters will have the final say on the maps when they cast their ballots.
Californians also can provide input on the map via a public portal on the same website, which already has received more than 3,000 public comments since its launch on Wednesday.
“Republican redistricting efforts in Texas and other states are dividing communities, undermining voter freedom — and their maps are drawn in secret without letting the people decide,” the legislators said in their announcement.
In California, lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate pushed for key provisions in the legislation to ensure fidelity to independent commissions, protections for the Voting Rights Act, and preservation of California cities and communities:
• California will keep the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Legislature’s plan makes sure the commission maintains its full scope of work and authority after the 2030 Census and beyond, redrawing California’s Congressional, state legislative and Board of Equalization lines every 10 years.
• California only acts if Republicans try to rig the vote. The legislation includes a trigger to ensure that maps will take effect only if other states effectuate partisan gerrymanders. Several Republican-controlled states, most notably Texas, are considering gerrymanders aimed to benefit their party. Unlike California, none are submitting those plans for voter approval.
• Every state in the country should have independent redistricting. The bills include provisions to express California’s policy to support nonpartisan, independent redistricting nationwide and would call on Congress to initiate a federal constitutional amendment to require nonpartisan, independent redistricting nationwide.
• Protecting communities of color and historically marginalized voters. The new map makes no changes to historic Black districts in Oakland and the Los Angeles area, and retains and expands Voting Rights Act districts that empower Latino voters to elect their candidates of choices.
• Keeping cities and communities together. The proposed Congressional map keeps more cities whole within a single district than the most recent map enacted by the commission.
“This is about more than drawing lines on a map, it’s about drawing a line in the sand to stop Texas and Trump from rigging the election,” said Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire. “This is about protecting the people of the Golden State, our Democracy, and making sure voters have a say. Access to health care matters. Reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood matters. Making life more affordable matters. So does keeping tariffs from killing California jobs. These are the stakes, this is what we will be voting on this week in the Legislature, and what the people of California will vote on in November.”
“Trump sparked this national crisis when he called Texas to rig the election,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. “California is fighting back. Democrats are empowering voters to protect working families and our democracy — with the most transparent process in the nation. Voters will see the maps and have the final say. The stakes couldn’t be higher, but I’m confident we’ll defeat this assault on our democracy and end Trump’s attacks on California.”
Overview of the legislation
The Legislature will consider three bills in order to call and facilitate the special election:
• A constitutional amendment which authorizes the replacement of the existing Congressional map.
• A statute which contains the new proposed Congressional map for voter approval.
• A statute to call the special election, appropriate funding for election administration, and make conforming changes to election calendars.
State leaders said Trump and Republicans continue to harm California’s families, workers and businesses in a number of ways:
• Trump’s tariffs are making family essentials and basic household items more expensive.
• Trump’s budget slashes billions of dollars in funding for social services, threatening access to health care and food for millions of Californians.
• Trump’s immigration raids are damaging California’s economy as they terrorize our communities.
• Trump is arbitrarily and capriciously cutting off grant funding for California’s research universities, along with K-12 funds, punishing California students and stalling resources for afterschool programs and teacher training.
• Trump and the federal government are playing politics with California’s requests for relief following the devastating January fires in Los Angeles.
Timeline of anticipated legislative action
• Monday, Aug. 18: Legislation into print in Assembly and Senate.
• Tuesday, Aug. 19: Assembly and Senate Elections Committees hear legislation.
• Wednesday, Aug. 20: Assembly Appropriations Committees hears legislation.
• Thursday, Aug. 21: Anticipated floor votes in both Assembly and Senate.
On Jan. 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will restore the asset test, as it existed in 2022, to determine a person’s eligibility to receive, or continue to receive, community based Medi-Cal and skilled nursing residential care Medi-Cal.
The restored asset test does not apply to the Expansion Medi-Cal created by the Affordable Care Act which has no asset test.
The asset test applies to both the community based and long term care Medi-Cal programs.
In 2026, the asset test means that individuals with countable, non-exempt assets worth more than $130,000 and couples with more than $195,000 in countable, non-exempt assets do not qualify for community based Medi-Cal.
Moreover, if there are additional family members living as part of the same household then each of these persons adds $65,000 (just like the spouse) to the exemption amount.
Next, if one spouse is institutionalized in a skilled nursing facility, the institutionalized spouse can have up to $130,000 in countable non exempt assets and the community (stay at home) spouse can also have a further $157,980 in non exempt assets as a “Community Spouse Resource Allowance” (“CSRA”). In certain circumstances, the CSRA may even be expanded due to spousal impoverishment.
Exempt assets are not counted as part of the $130,000/$195,000 reserve. This includes a person’s primary dwelling, retirement accounts, a burial plot, and household possessions.
During 2025, persons who apply for Medi-Cal do so without any asset test and may become eligible without disclosing assets.
But, when they file their periodic Medi-Cal renewal application their assets will be required to be disclosed and will then be considered for renewal.
During 2025, persons who transfer assets to reduce the total value of their non-exempt assets in anticipation of 2026, are not expected to be subject to the once all too familiar “look back” period that recommences in 2026.
Thus, transferring assets in 2025 is unlikely to result in any future “transfer penalties” which otherwise would delay a Medi-Cal applicant’s eligibility in 2026 onwards.
Commencing 2026, transfers of non exempt assets above the asset exemption value will again result in a transfer penalty measured in terms of months of skilled nursing long term care Medi-Cal ineligibility.
The ineligibility period is determined by dividing the amount transferred that is in excess of the Medi-Cal person’s $130,000 asset exemption amount by the “Average Private Pay Rate,” or APPR, in effect at the time of the transfer, presently $13,365 in 2025.
For example, if the total value of a person’s countable nonexempt assets is $150,000 and that person transfers $20,000 to a relative in order to qualify for Medi-Cal, then the ineligibility transfer period would be $20,000 divided by the 2026 APR. It is reduced down to the nearest whole number.
The typical Medi-Cal eligibility strategy is, first, to convert non exempt assets (e.g., cash and investments) into exempt assets by purchasing, improving, or paying-down such assets.
Second, if a person’s countable, non exempt assets still exceed the applicable threshold then the next approach is to transfer such assets in a manner that does not result in an ineligibility period.
A Medi-Cal eligible person is still subject to Medi-Cal’s special “Income” rules and its “Share of Cost” rules. That is, a person on Medi-Cal may still have a “Share of Cost” to pay for any type of Medi-Cal. Income includes all forms of income, including Social Security and other retirement incomes.
Lastly, when a Medi-Cal participant dies there is still the possibility of Medi-Cal asserting a Medi-Cal estate recovery claim.
However, since Jan. 1, 2017, Medi-Cal estate recovery is limited to estates that are in probate, and even then only if the deceased Medi-Cal recipient was not survived by a spouse. Nowadays, Medi-Cal estate recovery claims are infrequent.
The foregoing is not legal advice. Consult a qualified elder law attorney for guidance.
Dennis A. Fordham, Attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235.
The stark landscape of the Moon as viewed by the Apollo 12 astronauts on their return to Earth. NASA/The Planetary Society
The first space race was about flags and footprints. Now, decades later, landing on the Moon is old news. The new race is to build there, and doing so hinges on power.
While it might feel like a sudden sprint, this isn’t exactly breaking news. NASA and the Department of Energy have spent years quietly developing small nuclear power systems to power lunar bases, mining operations and long-term habitats.
As a space lawyer focused on long-term human advancement into space, I see this not as an arms race but as a strategic infrastructure race. And in this case, infrastructure is influence.
A lunar nuclear reactor may sound dramatic, but its neither illegal nor unprecedented. If deployed responsibly, it could allow countries to peacefully explore the Moon, fuel their economic growth and test out technologies for deeper space missions. But building a reactor also raises critical questions about access and power.
The legal framework already exists
Nuclear power in space isn’t a new idea. Since the 1960s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union have relied on radioisotope generators that use small amounts of radioactive elements – a type of nuclear fuel – to power satellites, Mars rovers and the Voyager probes.
Nuclear energy in space isn’t new – some spacecraft are nuclear-powered. This photo shows the nuclear heat source for the Mars Curiosity rover encased in a graphite shell. The fuel glows red hot because of the radioactive decay of plutonium-238.Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY
The United Nations’ 1992 Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, a nonbinding resolution, recognizes that nuclear energy may be essential for missions where solar power is insufficient. This resolution sets guidelines for safety, transparency and international consultation.
Nothing in international law prohibits the peaceful use of nuclear power on the Moon. But what matters is how countries deploy it. And the first country to succeed could shape the norms for expectations, behaviors and legal interpretations related to lunar presence and influence.
Why being first matters
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, ratified by all major spacefaring nations including the U.S., China and Russia, governs space activity. Its Article IX requires that states act with “due regard to the corresponding interests of all other States Parties.”
That statement means if one country places a nuclear reactor on the Moon, others must navigate around it, legally and physically. In effect, it draws a line on the lunar map. If the reactor anchors a larger, long-term facility, it could quietly shape what countries do and how their moves are interpreted legally, on the Moon and beyond.
Other articles in the Outer Space Treaty set similar boundaries on behavior, even as they encourage cooperation. They affirm that all countries have the right to freely explore and access the Moon and other celestial bodies, but they explicitly prohibit territorial claims or assertions of sovereignty.
At the same time, the treaty acknowledges that countries may establish installations such as bases — and with that, gain the power to limit access. While visits by other countries are encouraged as a transparency measure, they must be preceded by prior consultations. Effectively, this grants operators a degree of control over who can enter and when.
Building infrastructure is not staking a territorial claim. No one can own the Moon, but one country setting up a reactor could shape where and how others operate – functionally, if not legally.
Infrastructure is influence
Building a nuclear reactor establishes a country’s presence in a given area. This idea is especially important for resource-rich areas such as the lunar south pole, where ice found in perpetually shadowed craters could fuel rockets and sustain lunar bases.
These sought-after regions are scientifically vital and geopolitically sensitive, as multiple countries want to build bases or conduct research there. Building infrastructure in these areas would cement a country’s ability to access the resources there and potentially exclude others from doing the same.
Dark craters on the Moon, parts of which are indicated here in blue, never get sunlight. Scientists think some of these permanently shadowed regions could contain water ice.NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Critics may worry about radiation risks. Even if designed for peaceful use and contained properly, reactors introduce new environmental and operational hazards, particularly in a dangerous setting such as space. But the U.N. guidelines do outline rigorous safety protocols, and following them could potentially mitigate these concerns.
Why nuclear? Because solar has limits
The Moon has little atmosphere and experiences 14-day stretches of darkness. In some shadowed craters, where ice is likely to be found, sunlight never reaches the surface at all. These issues make solar energy unreliable, if not impossible, in some of the most critical regions.
A small lunar reactor could operate continuously for a decade or more, powering habitats, rovers, 3D printers and life-support systems. Nuclear power could be the linchpin for long-term human activity. And it’s not just about the Moon – developing this capability is essential for missions to Mars, where solar power is even more constrained.
The United States has an opportunity to lead not just in technology but in governance. If it commits to sharing its plans publicly, following Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty and reaffirming a commitment to peaceful use and international participation, it will encourage other countries to do the same.
The future of the Moon won’t be determined by who plants the most flags. It will be determined by who builds what, and how. Nuclear power may be essential for that future. Building transparently and in line with international guidelines would allow countries to more safely realize that future.
A reactor on the Moon isn’t a territorial claim or a declaration of war. But it is infrastructure. And infrastructure will be how countries display power – of all kinds – in the next era of space exploration.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lake County Vector Control reported that three sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus this week.
The chickens are part of a flock of sentinel chickens near Upper Lake, the district reported.
A sentinel chicken is a chicken used for the early detection of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. Vector Control said any breed of chicken can be a sentinel chicken.
These chickens are housed in coops in various locations and serve as an early warning for West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalomyelitis viruses. Unlike humans and other animals, Vector Control said chickens do not get sick from West Nile virus. Because they can be infected with these viruses without getting sick, it makes them ideal for monitoring.
“West Nile virus shows up every year throughout California, including Lake County,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director for the Lake County Vector Control District. “It’s shown up a little later than usual this year, likely because of the relatively mild summer temperatures we’ve had so far.”
Dr. Scott recommends that people protect themselves from mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent, especially if you are out at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are most active. She recommends visiting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Repellents page to learn more about repellents and find the one that is right for you at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents.
Vector Control encourages residents to protect themselves with these steps:
• Eliminate mosquito habitat: Empty and clean any containers that hold water, such as tires, buckets and planters. • Maintain swimming pools: Just one neglected swimming pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away. • Consider mosquito fish: For water sources that cannot be drained, such as ornamental ponds or unmaintained swimming pools, the LCVCD offers free mosquito fish to help control mosquito larvae. • Use insect repellent: Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent according to label instructions whenever outdoors. • Wear protective clothing: When outside during peak mosquito biting times (dawn and dusk), wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. • Report dead birds to the toll-free state hotline: 1-877-968-2473 or online at https://westnile.ca.gov/report.
“West Nile virus is a serious threat, but by taking these simple precautions, residents can significantly reduce their risk of infection,” Dr. Scott concluded.
No other West Nile virus has been detected in Lake County in 2025. Statewide, 27 California counties have detected WNV this year in mosquitoes, dead birds or sentinel chickens. Nine Californians have been sickened by West Nile virus this year, including one resident who died from the infection.
The Lake County Vector Control District provides mosquito control services to our community. If you need help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or have an in-ground yellowjacket nest on your property that you want treated, please contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or submit a service request on their website at www.lcvcd.org.
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at an event on Thursday, August 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.
Alongside state leaders and advocates representing the Golden State, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday officially announced the launch of a statewide redistricting effort to respond to what he said is President Donald Trump’s attempted power grab in Texas.
Newsom’s office said the effort “will enable Californians to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to rig Texas’ elections next year — gerrymandering democratically elected representatives out of office to immunize Trump from the unpopularity of his policies and keep Trump’s power unchecked by Congress.”
“California will not sit idle as Trump and his Republican lapdogs shred our country’s democracy before our very eyes,” Newsom said Thursday. “In just six months, Trump’s unchecked power has cost Americans billions and taken an ax to the greatest democracy we’ve ever known. This moment calls for urgency and action – that is what we are putting before voters this November, a chance to fight back against his anti-American ways.”
As part of Thursday’s announcement, Newsom unveiled the framework for the proposed constitutional amendment — which will be known as The Election Rigging Response Act — that would go before California voters this November.
The key provisions are:
• Retains California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission and declares state policy supporting the use of fair, nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide.
• Temporarily adopts new California congressional districts for use in congressional elections through 2030.
• Preserves California’s current congressional maps if Texas or other states also keep their original maps.
The legislative package announced Thursday will also include: 1) a bill calling a special election on Nov. 4 for the voters to decide whether to adopt the corresponding proposed constitutional amendment and establish timelines and procedures for that election; and 2) a bill that established the new congressional map that could be triggered to take effect under the proposed constitutional amendment if other states engage in redistricting; and 3) a bill authorizing reimbursement of costs to administer the election.
In July and in August, Gov. Newsom hosted Texas state leaders to discuss the special session currently underway in the Lone Star State, the real threats to democracy Governor Abbott is pursuing behind closed doors at the request of President Trump, and the need for real action to help survivors of the deadly storms earlier this summer — the original intent of the special session.
However, President Trump has publicly and repeatedly pressured an uneasy state legislature to redraw their congressional map — mid cycle — to more favorably support Republicans. And, recent polling found 63% of likely Texas voters view its Trump-backed redistricting plan as unnecessary.
Earlier this week, Gov. Newsom offered President Trump an off-ramp, a chance to de-escalate.
“Rather than put this country and our founding values first, Trump chose personal power, and Californians will now be presented with the chance to nullify any gains he seeks from Texas, or any other state that tries to rig its congressional maps. In the coming week, Governor Newsom will work closely with state legislative leaders to ensure California voters have a voice in this fight to defend our nation’s democracy,” Newsom’s office said.
"California Democrats will not allow Trump’s Republican Party to rig the system and take permanent control of the U.S. House of Representatives," said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. "We are prepared and we will fight fire with fire. We will do whatever it takes to defend our democracy. We will do whatever it takes to protect the voices, the votes, and the rights of every American."
"President Trump and Texas Republicans are responsible for all of this. This is not a fight California chose, but it’s a fight California can’t run from," said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire. "Trump chose to rewrite the rules and Texas Republican leaders are all too happy to do his dirty work. We’ve seen this playbook. When Trump doesn’t have the votes to win an election, he orders others to manufacture them. Trump’s cynical ploy is rotten to its core. It is our sacred responsibility to defend the people of California and our democracy from this madness, so if Texas moves forward, we will be forced to do the same.”
“The damage the Trump administration is causing to our country is clear: masked agents terrorizing communities, tax dollars wasted on military stunts, allies alienated, and loyalists hired to replace public servants," said Senator Alex Padilla. "This administration is out of control — and the Election Rigging Response Act is how California defends our democracy and fights back. I am proud to stand alongside Governor Newsom and California leaders in supporting this critical measure.”
“Donald Trump is terrified of facing voters in the midterms after taking away their food and healthcare, and failing to bring down prices. In a fair fight, he knows he will lose his majority in Congress," said Senator Adam Schiff. "That’s why he’s demanded that Republicans in Texas further gerrymander their lines in a state that is already badly gerrymandered. California will not stand idly by while Donald Trump tries to dictate the result of the next election in advance. If Texas moves forward with their new lines, California must respond. We will ask voters to fight fire with fire, and ensure they are not made irrelevant by the pernicious actions of Trump and Texas Republicans.”
"Republicans know their agenda is unpopular, but rather than responding to the voices of the voters, Donald Trump and Republicans in states like Texas are engaging in a blatant power grab to rig the 2026 election before a single vote has been cast. I am proud to stand strongly to resist this power grab with our state legislative partners, the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation and our Governor," said California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Rep. Zoe Lofgren. "If Republicans continue along this path, they will be met with the full force of California. We are united in this because we know what is at stake. California cannot stand idly by and watch as Republicans and Donald Trump strip food programs from California schools, cut millions of Californians from their health insurance, do permanent damage to California's clean air and clean water, make life more expensive for working Americans through their hairbrained tariff scheme, and defund Planned Parenthood. If Texas and other Republican states move forward with their efforts to redraw the maps mid-cycle, so will California. We are ready to fight back.
“President Trump has said that Republicans are ‘entitled’ to five more congressional votes in Texas. Well, they aren’t entitled to steal the 2026 election. California’s unions refuse to stand by as democracy is tested,” said Lorena Gonzalez, President of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. “California Labor is unified in our resolve to fight back against President Trump’s anti-worker agenda. We are 2.3 million union members strong and we will use our collective power to campaign for this redistricting effort and win.”
“Over the past several months, we have seen the Trump administration freeze funds for critical education programs, cut healthcare for millions of our students and their families, attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, and pass a new voucher program designed to destroy public education entirely,” said California Teachers Association (CTA) President David B. Goldberg. “It is clear that we are also now facing an unprecedented power grab by Texas and other states to steal congressional seats and rig the 2026 election in favor of the current federal administration. This is a direct and urgent attack on our democracy. If this power grab goes unchecked, we will only see more drastic cuts to public education, healthcare, and other critical services and a further erosion of basic civil and human rights in our communities. California union educators will fight back against any and all attacks on our democracy and public education.”
“Trump and his MAGA loyalists are trying to steal the next election and establish one-party rule, but California has a way to respond, and SEIU members stand ready to defend our rights," said SEIU California President David Huerta. "We did not choose this path, but we’re not going to let Texas and Trump manipulate our Democracy. We will fight fire with fire. SEIU members and our communities have worked too hard to protect and strengthen our democracy to stand by while President Trump attempts to silence our voice – we are ready to move forward now and lead this fight for California and every American whose voices and votes are at stake.”
“The reality is reproductive freedom and abortion access in California is on the line every election, every time. Just six weeks ago, the Trump administration and its backers in Congress ‘defunded’ Planned Parenthood — severely threatening sexual and reproductive health care access in our state," said Jodi Hicks, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. "If Republicans continue to consolidate federal power, a nationwide abortion ban is not off the table. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is all in on supporting the state’s plan to counter Texas’ redistricting efforts and stop Republicans’ unprecedented power grab. As a reproductive freedom state that values democracy, we simply have no other choice.”
“In the current mid-decade redistricting battle, we recognize that President Trump and Republican leaders are pursuing a calculated, asymmetric strategy to redraw districts mid-decade in states like Texas, to lock in unaccountable power and silence voters,” said Common Cause. “This is not an isolated political tactic; it is part of a broader march toward authoritarianism, dismantling people-powered democracy, and stripping away the people’s ability to have a political voice and say in how they are governed."
“I stand with Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, and legislative colleagues in supporting redistricting efforts and its importance in protecting our democracy. We didn't ask for this fight and need to be prepared to fight back against President Trump’s power grab. This is more than lines on a map—it’s about defending our democracy and making sure every voice counts. This is our chance to stand up, raise our voices and defend the future of fair representation. The stakes couldn’t be higher: President Trump and Congressional Republicans are denying wildfire relief, targeting our diverse immigrant communities, and pulling millions off health care. We will stand up and defend the Voting Rights Act and protect historically marginalized communities,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong, Chair of the California Legislative AAPI Caucus.
“California will not sit idly by while Republicans attempt to rig the electoral system to continue pushing the policies of an administration that has made life less affordable, worsened public health, weakened our educational system, and made it harder for our most vulnerable communities to get ahead,” said State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. "Instead of proving to voters that its policies are working, the Trump administration is trying to silence dissent by directing Texas to gerrymander the state and create five new Republican congressional districts. That is why California is responding to this attack on our democracy by giving voters the opportunity to weigh in, protect our democratic process, and preserve the will of the people."
“The Californian Latino Caucus has always fought to ensure a fair redistricting process that respects voter interests and promotes greater opportunities for greater Latino representation," said Senator Lena Gonzalez. "We will continue to work hard to further these goals, uplift Latino voices regardless of immigration status, and fight to protect hard fought gains in every corner of California.”
"As Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus, I believe that any redistricting effort must ensure our Latino communities are not just represented on paper, but truly empowered at the ballot box," said Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus. "With more than 22 million voters in California, these changes must re-engage our communities, strengthen our voice, and protect the progress we’ve fought for."
This historic response by the Golden State comes as key leaders from across the country have voiced interest in fighting back as well.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego: “It’s time for Democrats to understand the existential threat.”
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin: “I’m not going to … fight with one arm tied behind my back”
NY Governor Kathy Hochul: “All’s fair in love and war. We are following the rules. We do redistricting every 10 years, but if there are other states that are violating the rules and trying to give themselves an advantage, all I say is I’ll look at it closely with Hakeem Jeffries.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: “We all ought to stand up against it”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy: “if that’s the way we’re going, we’re from Jersey, baby, and we won’t be laying down.”
Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon: “I’m introducing legislation to redraw Maryland congressional districts if any other state cheats & draws new maps outside of the census period.”
Supporters at an event on Thursday, August 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, in which Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan to respond to Texas’ efforts at redistricting. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.
“Auto.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has dogs that are ready and waiting for new homes.
The shelter has 48 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Auto,” a male American pit bull terrier mix with a brown and white coat. Staff said he has been neutered.
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 email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This 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.
Artificial intelligence is a lively topic of conversation in schools and workplaces, which could lead you to believe that only younger people use it. However, older Americans are also using AI. This raises the questions of what they’re doing with the technology and what they think of it.
I’m a researcher who studies older age, disability and technology use. I partnered with the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging to survey nearly 3,000 Americans over the age of 50. We asked them whether and how they use AI and what concerns they have about using it.
Of the older people we surveyed, 55% responded that they had used some type of AI technology that they can speak to, like Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, or type to, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot. Voice assistants were overwhelmingly more popular than text chatbots: Half of them reported using a voice assistant within the past year, compared to 1 in 4 who used a chatbot.
Popular, among some
Independent living continues to be a major goal of older Americans as they either do not want to or are unable to afford to live in long-term care communities, and AI may be a tool to support this goal. Our findings show that older adults who use AI in their homes find it helpful for living independently and safely.
They mostly used these technologies for entertainment or searching for information, but some of their responses show more creative uses, such as generating text, creating images or planning vacations.
Nearly 1 in 3 older adults reported using AI-powered home security devices, including doorbells, outdoor cameras and alarm systems. Nearly all of those people – 96% – felt safer using them.
While there has been some concern about privacy when using cameras indoors to monitor older people, cameras aimed outdoors seem to provide a sense of security for those who may be aging in their homes alone or without family nearby. Of the 35% of older adults who reported using AI-powered home security systems, 96% said they were beneficial.
However, when we dove into which older adults are using AI, we saw that demographics matter. Specifically, those in better health, with more education and higher incomes were more likely to have used AI-powered voice assistants and home security devices in the past year. This pattern seems to follow adoption trends of other technologies such as smartphones.
Trusting AI is tricky
As more information about AI’s accuracy emerges, so do questions about whether people can trust it. Our survey results show that older Americans are split on whether to trust content that was generated by AI: 54% said they trust AI, and 46% said they do not. People who trusted AI more were more likely to have used some type of AI technology within the past year.
Further, AI-generated content can sometimes look correct but be inaccurate. Being able to identify incorrect information from AI is important for assessing whether and how to use AI-generated search results or chatbots. However, only half of the older people surveyed were confident that they could identify whether content from AI was incorrect.
More educated users were more likely to say they felt confident they could spot inaccuracies. Conversely, older adults who reported lower levels of physical and mental health were less likely to trust AI-generated content.
What to do?
Together, these findings repeat a common cycle of technology adoption that is pervasive even among younger demographics, where more educated and healthy people are among the first to adopt and be aware of newer technologies. This raises questions about how to best reach all older people about the benefits and risks of AI.
How can older people who are not AI users get support for learning more so that they can make informed decisions about whether to use it? How can institutions develop better training and awareness tools so that older people who trust AI avoid trusting it too much or inappropriately using AI to make important decisions without understanding the risks?
Our survey results highlight potential starting points for developing AI literacy tools for older adults. Nine in 10 older people wanted to know when information had been generated by AI. We are starting to see AI labels on search engine results, such as Google search’s AI snippets.
Some AI-generated content, like this Google AI Overview search summary, is clearly labeled as AI, but not all are.Screenshot by The Conversation
Michigan and other states have adopted policies for disclosing AI content in political ads, but these notices could be made more visible in other contexts, such as nonpolitical advertising and on social media. Further, nearly 80% of older people wanted to learn more about AI risks – where might it go wrong and what to do about it.
Policymakers can focus on enforcing AI notices that signal content was generated by AI, particularly at a critical time when the U.S. is considering revising its AI policies to do just the opposite – removing language about risk, discrimination and misinformation – based on a new executive order.
Overall, our findings show that AI can support healthy aging. However, overtrust and mistrust of AI could be addressed with better training tools and policies to make risks more visible.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall, or MATH, will discuss public power generation and get reports on recent meetings.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Middletown Community Meeting Room/Library at 21256 Washington St., Middletown. The meeting is open to the public.
On the agenda is a presentation from Sonoma Clean Power regarding exploring the option of public power generation.
There also will be presentations by South Lake County Fire and from Ben Rickelman of the county of Lake and Jeff Lucas of Community Development Services regarding economic development.
There also will be reports on the special meeting for the Guenoc Valley project, the July 24 Lake County Planning Commission, the Aug. 5 Board of Supervisors meeting during which they discussed a proposed moratorium on cannabis and approved the MATH bylaws, and a Caltrans meeting on Aug. 7.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Email Elizabeth Larson at This 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. AFDC-453C-4DA7
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