Washington, DC...The United States joins the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day. Information and knowledge are powerful tools, and a free and independent press is the core institution connecting publics to the information they need to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and hold governmental officials accountable. The United States advocates for press freedom online and offline, and for the safety of journalists and media workers worldwide.
Heading Into Its 75th Year, the Calaveras County Water District Adopts a 2021 – 2026+ Strategic Plan
Posted by: thepinetree on 05/03/2021 07:16 PM
San Andreas, CA...After several months of development and a broad outreach campaign that included three Board workshops, the Calaveras County Water District Board of Directors adopted a new strategic plan last week. The 2021-2026+ Strategic Plan embraces the District’s rich 75-year history while also providing a roadmap for the District’s work over the next five years and beyond. Despite the challenges facing modern water agencies, the District’s directors and staff expressed unity and optimism as the plan was adopted.
Crew-1 Astronauts Safely Splash Down After Space Station Mission
Posted by: thepinetree on 05/02/2021 11:26 AM
Panama City, FL...Four astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday, completing NASA’s first commercial crew, long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. The return comes nearly six months after the crew members arrived at the microgravity laboratory and also marks the longest-duration mission of a crewed American spacecraft to date.
NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, left, Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, right are seen inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft onboard the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after having landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, Sunday, May 2, 2021. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission was the first crew rotation flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
CAL FIRE Urges Personal Responsibility in Protecting Against Wildfire
Posted by: News_Desk on 05/02/2021 11:40 PM
Sacramento, CA... Do Your Part to Protect Your Community - Create Defensible Space and Harden Your Home “Wildfire Preparedness Week” is May 2-8” Being proactive and prepared for wildfire is crucial to making our communities more resilient to the impacts of wildfire. You can dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your home by preparing well in advance of a wildfire. This week marks California’s annual “Wildfire Preparedness Week,” CAL FIRE and our partner agencies are raising awareness and encouraging families and communities to take a hands-on approach in wildfire preparedness.
California Partners with Local Cultural Artists to Remind Californians “Your Actions Save Lives”
Posted by: thepinetree on 04/30/2021 08:31 PM
Sacramento, CA...The State of California’s “Your Actions Save Lives” campaign, which provides Californians with information about how to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, is partnering with local artists to reach disproportionately impacted communities throughout the state. The program features a variety of artwork with empowering public health messages of protecting one another, resilience and community.
Washington, DC...Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2021 (table 1), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2020, real GDP increased 4.3 percent.
Common Sense Makes Common Ground ~ Senator Tim Scott's GOP Response
Posted by: thepinetree on 04/29/2021 09:42 AM
Washington, DC...Good evening. I’m Senator Tim Scott from the great state of South Carolina. We just heard President Biden’s first address to Congress. Our President seems like a good man. His speech was full of good words. But President Biden promised you a specific kind of leadership. He promised to unite a nation. To lower the temperature. To govern for all Americans, no matter how we voted. That was the pitch. You just heard it again. But our nation is starving for more than empty platitudes.
Attorney General Bonta Announces Expansion of Bureau of Environmental Justice
Posted by: thepinetree on 04/29/2021 01:02 PM
Sacramento, CA...California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an expansion of the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Environmental Justice. Established in 2018, the Bureau was the first of its kind in a state attorney general’s office and created to protect people and communities that endure a disproportionate share of environmental pollution and public health hazards. When the hiring is complete, the Bureau will house 11 attorneys who are solely focused on fighting environmental injustices throughout the state of California and giving a voice to frontline communities who are all too often under-resourced and overburdened.
Sacramento, CA...Governor Gavin Newsom released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated outdoor masking recommendations: “California has made incredible progress in controlling the spread of COVID-19, resulting in the lowest positivity rate in the country. And we have administered more than 28 million vaccine doses, including almost 6 million to those who live in our hardest-hit communities. After reviewing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s masking recommendations, and with science and data as our guide, we are moving to align California’s guidance with these common-sense updates. While more than half of Californians 16 and older are partially or fully vaccinated, many others are still not vaccinated, and the threat of variants remains. We need to remain vigilant and continue public health prevention measures – like wearing masks when appropriate and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”
Washington, DC.....America’s workers are the backbone of our economy. In every State, territory, and Tribal land, they leave their homes and families and head to work — applying their grit and skill to create, serve, and service all those things that make our world turn. Even during our Nation’s most difficult periods, American workers have always persevered, ensuring that our communities remain resilient and that our Nation stands ready to confront the unforeseen challenges of each new generation. Though workers make tremendous sacrifices — especially essential workers who selflessly serve their communities during times of crisis — none of them should have to risk injury, illness, or death in order to provide for themselves and their families. Tragically, thousands of workers are killed and millions more are hurt or fall ill every year in the workplace — incidents that are often preventable. On the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, we reflect on the workers who have tragically lost their lives or have been harmed in the workplace, and we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every American worker has a safe and healthy work environment.
