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KUNR Today: Cali. Gov. Newsom Expands Drought Emergency, Nevada Reaches 2 Million Vaccine Doses

A color-coded map showing the drought severity throughout the U.S.
U.S. Drought Monitor

Here are your local news headlines for the morning of Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

California Expands Drought Emergency To Large Swath Of State
By The Associated Press

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has expanded a drought emergency declaration to a large swath of the nation's most populated state amid "acute water supply shortages" in northern and central areas. Monday's declaration now covers 41 of the 58 counties, covering 30% of California's nearly 40 million people. The governor last month had declared an emergency in just two counties north of San Francisco. It comes as Newsom prepares to propose more spending on both short- and long-term responses to dry conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the state and a huge swath of the American West is in extensive drought.

South Lake Tahoe Boat Ramp Closed Due To Low Water Levels
By The Associated Press

At least one boat ramp at Lake Tahoe won't be opening to motorized vessels this summer due to low water levels caused by an unusually dry winter. The city of South Lake Tahoe, California announced on Friday the city's boat ramp at El Dorado Beach will remain closed to motorized boaters for the 2021 season. Non-motorized boats can access the lake at that ramp as long as they are "cleaned, drained and dry." Water level in the lake fluctuates from year-to-year depending on winter snowfall and snowpack. This winter, the Tahoe basin received about half of normal levels.

More Than 2 Million COVID-19 Shots Administered In Nevada
By Lucia Starbuck

More than 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Nevada. More than 47% of the state’s population over 16 have received their first shot, and more than 36% have completed vaccination.

The vaccination rate statewide is still slowing down. On average, fewer than 14,000 shots have been administered daily over the last two weeks. For comparison, 25,000 shots were administered per day on average in mid-April.

The state’s test positivity rate, or the percentage of COVID-19 test results returning positive, is steadily declining. That rate is now 5.5%. It was around 5.9% in late April. Washoe County’s test positivity rate is 5%.

State officials are also reporting an average of 233 daily cases over the last two weeks. Washoe County officials are reporting 28 cases per day during that same period.

You can learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations in Nevada here, along with the state’s COVID-19 dashboard here, and Washoe County’s here.

Lucia Starbuck is a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

Rare COVID-19-Related Condition Disproportionately Affecting Latino Children
By Madelyn Beck, Mountain West News Bureau

Hispanic or Latino kids made up nearly a third of the 74 children who were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, in Utah. At the same time, only 14% of Utah’s population is Hispanic or Latino.

Similar disparities recently showed up in Idaho and nationally. Hispanic and Latino kids had a greater chance of getting the syndrome than any other group.

“Those high rates...don’t surprise me,” said Sam Byrd, director of the Center for Community and Justice in Boise, Idaho. He’s been educating the Hispanic community there about the pandemic and benefits of the vaccine.

But to track those efforts, he said this continued data is important.

“I think it’s the only way that we can make sure that we’re achieving equitable distribution,” he said.

That is, equitable distribution of a vaccine that could likely prevent this potentially life-threatening side-effect in children.

California Governor Proposes Tax Rebate As Virus Relief
By The Associated Press

Millions of Californians would get tax rebates of up to $1,100 under a proposal unveiled by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. He's branding it as part of the state's response to the pandemic. Individuals and households making between $30,000 and $75,000 annually would get a $600 payment under Newsom's plan announced Monday. All households making up to $75,000 with at least one child, including immigrants who file taxes, would get an extra $500 payment. The payments are part of what Newsom is calling a $100 billion plan to boost the state's economic recovery. It also comes as Newsom faces a recall election.

Lucia Starbuck is an award-winning political journalist and the host of KUNR’s monthly show Purple Politics Nevada. She is passionate about reporting during election season, attending community events, and talking to people about the issues that matter most to them.
Madelyn Beck is a regional Illinois reporter, based in Galesburg. On top of her work for Harvest Public Media, she also contributes to WVIK, Tri-States Public Radio and the Illinois Newsroom collaborative.
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