California lawmakers are proposing new legislation to protect streams and wetlands. This follows a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that weakened federal clean water protections. Supporters claim the bill is essential as relaxed standards could increase pollution and harm water quality. The court ruling limits protections to wetlands and streams directly connected to larger water bodies, a change welcomed by some developers and farmers. However, officials and environmental advocates warn that this could threaten vital water sources and ecosystems. The proposed bill aims to reinstate protections by requiring permits for pollution discharges and establishing stricter state standards. It also aims to include protections for wetlands and ephemeral streams that are dry most of the time.
The legal drama involving Mendocino County Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector Chamise Cubbison continues even though she and former county payroll manager Paula Kennedy were absolved of felony misappropriation of funds. It took 17 months to wrap up, but now the civil case is moving forward. At issue is the lack of compensation for Cubbison over those months of legal battles. Mendocino County CEO Darcie Antle’s sworn testimony during the criminal case is now being challenged and Cubbison's attorneys are suggesting a cover up took place. They say Antle, District Attorney David Eyster, and other top county leaders learned months earlier about the extra $68 K pay than was claimed in court testimony and in public statements. Those new disclosures were made in a sworn deposition given last week by former CEO Carmel Angelo. The Ukiah Daily Journal says Angelo’s testimony directly contradicts the narrative laid out by Antle, and DA Eyster earlier. Another court date is set for next month. The city of Ukiah is holding a special meeting this afternoon. On the agenda, a mid-year departmental budget and objectives progress review for FY 2024-25. There will also be a closed session regarding property negotiators led by City Manager Sage Sangiacomo. The meeting starts at 3:15 in the City Council chambers or online. The regular meeting begins at 5:15. We're getting another round of rain today. The National Weather Service says expect the rain to begin sometime after 11 this morning.Up to half an inch is possible today, along with winds with gusts of more than 20 miles per hour. That rain should clear up tomorrow, but don't put those umbrellas away just yet. We've got a chance of rain again on Friday. The risk of serious flooding from a tsunami along our coastline may be higher than expected. Recent maps from the California Geological Survey indicate that some areas in Southern California could see flooding up to 15 feet, while Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda in Northern California might face up to 18 feet. Areas like Humboldt Bay and Eureka could experience up to 30 feet of flooding, and Crescent City and Cayucos could see levels as high as 50 feet. On the North Coast, people may only have about ten minutes to get to safety after an offshore earthquake. Fyi, tsunami preparedness week kicks off this Saturday. The deficit in the state’s Medi-Cal budget seems to be bigger than what officials reported just last week. California health care officials told the Legislature earlier this week that the state will need another $2.8 billion in order to pay Medi-Cal providers through the end of the fiscal year. Calmatters says that’s on top of a nearly $3.5 billion loan that the Newsom administration told lawmakers it needed last week. Combined, that’s $6.2 billion in spending above what was projected Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget, signed last summer. Many attribute the lack of funds to the number of illegal immigrants that signed up for the program, once Newsom said it was open to all. Good news for PG&E customers. Officials with the utility say you’ll receive a credit on your April energy bill. Here are the numbers: Electric-only residential households will receive a credit of just over $58. Gas only residential households will receive a $67 credit. Households that have both gas and electric will receive a total credit of $125.
