Sierra Snow at 18% as Drought Looms

California’s Sierra Nevada snowpack stands at about 18% of the seasonal average, with no measurable snow at a key survey site, after a warm winter and early spring reduced snowpack levels, state water data shows.

The snowpack historically supplies about 30% of the state’s water. While reservoirs are above average from early-season storms, reduced snowmelt runoff could lead to water supply challenges for farms and cities this summer.

Water managers and officials are already preparing for reduced allocations. The March snow drought update from federal officials warned that seasonal water supply forecasts dropped significantly after a late-winter melt event.

The squeeze extends beyond the Sierra. Seven Western states, including California, are still deadlocked on new Colorado River water-sharing rules, with the current agreement expiring in September.

Trump Order Targets Mail Voting

President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to more tightly regulate mail-in voting, including requiring the use of state citizenship lists and tracked ballot envelopes.

The order directs federal agencies to compile state-by-state citizenship data and instructs the U.S. Postal Service to begin rulemaking on ballot tracking and mail standards. The administration says the changes are aimed at improving election integrity and preventing fraud.

California, which sends mail ballots to all registered voters, could be among the most affected. Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state is “prepared to stop him again,” referring to past legal challenges against similar election actions.

Eight states and Washington, D.C., currently mail ballots to all voters automatically.

Raw Farm Rejects Recall Request

An E. coli outbreak tied to Fresno-based Raw Farm’s raw cheddar cheese has grown to nine confirmed cases across California, Florida, and Texas, with more than half involving children under five.

Three people have been hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. The FDA and CDC say Raw Farm is the likely source of the outbreak.

Owner Mark McAfee is refusing the FDA’s voluntary recall request, calling it a “pivotal moment for raw cheese in America.” Federal inspectors have been on-site at the Fresno County dairy, but the FDA says it is not aware of any positive E. coli tests in the cheese so far.

Members of Congress in the Food Safety Caucus have urged the FDA to force a mandatory recall. Raw Farm was also linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 171 people.

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➤ Solano County: Two people died after a Napa County sheriff’s pursuit ended in a fiery crash at the main gate of Travis Air Force Base early Tuesday, temporarily closing the entrance. (More)

➤ San Francisco International Airport: A six-month runway project and new Federal Aviation Administration safety rules requiring staggered approaches could slow arrivals by about a third, with up to 25% of flights delayed by as much as 30 minutes. (See Details)

➤ Berkeley: The Trust for Public Land agreed to buy the former Golden Gate Fields racetrack for $175 million and transfer the 161-acre bayfront site to the East Bay Regional Park District, creating a new waterfront park. The track closed in 2024. (More)

➤ Gaviota Coast: Sable Offshore has begun selling oil after restarting its pipeline along the Santa Barbara County coast, marking the first crude to flow since a major spill shut it down in 2015. Chevron will purchase about 20,000 barrels per day. (More)

➤ Fresno: Police increased rewards to $3,000 each for two at-large murder suspects as the city’s homicide count hit nine, more than double the four at this point in 2025. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo: Cal Poly graduate Victor Glover is piloting NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years, with a Wednesday launch from Kennedy Space Center. (More)

➤ Palm Springs: A Marine was detained after TSA found a live 25mm explosive round in his checked bag at Palm Springs International Airport. Authorities say he believed the round, which he found about a year ago, was not live. (See Details)

➤ South San Diego: Elevated hydrogen sulfide levels from cross-border sewage flows prompted an air quality advisory, with officials urging residents to limit outdoor exposure. (More)

➤ Santa Monica: Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was attacked by a woman who threw an unknown substance at him outside an appointment. He was not injured and police identified the suspect. (See Details)

➤ Former LA Sparks star Candace Parker is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, according to reports. (More)

➤ The LA Rams’ 2026 NFL Draft hat leaked online via an Australian retailer, fueling speculation the team may shift to an all-yellow LA logo. (More)

➤ The San Francisco Giants traded outfielder Luis Matos to the Brewers for cash after designating the former top prospect for assignment earlier this week. (More)

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➤ James Beard Awards finalists include several LA chefs and restaurants, with Holbox’s Gilberto Cetina and n/naka’s Niki Nakayama nominated for Outstanding Chef. Nancy Silverton received the Lifetime Achievement Award. (See List)

➤ SeaWorld’s parent company is being sued by the Department of Justice over a ban on wheeled walkers at its parks, with federal officials alleging the policy violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. (More)

➤ Madera County broke ground on a $27 million crisis stabilization and sobering center designed to support residents facing mental health and addiction crises. (More)

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➤ Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will roll through Northern California as part of a nationwide tour. (More)

➤ Pip watch is officially underway at Big Bear, where a well-known bald eagle pair is incubating two eggs with hatching expected any day. (More)

➤ California landed three spots on a national ranking of the best buffets in America, including one cracking the top 20. (See List)

➤ Merced County student Akshara Thummala of Merced Scholars Charter School won the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee and is heading to nationals. (More)

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When’s the last time you went to a buffet?

1. This week
2. This month
3. It’s been a while
4. Buffets aren’t my thing

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you a native Californian?

1. No, and I don’t live here: 27%
2. Yes, but moved away: 26%
3. Yes, and I still live here: 24%
4. No, but I live here now: 23%

What California county is the largest in the entire contiguous United States by area?

Show me the answer