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With State H2O On Hold Due To Drought, How Local Water Districts Are Planning To Meet Demand

Houseboats sit in a narrow section of water in a depleted Lake Oroville in Oroville, California on September 5, 2021.
(
JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP
)
Listen 1:41:07
Today on AirTalk, we look at the tightening water supply across California. Also on the show, the latest on COVID-19 and FilmWeek.
Today on AirTalk, we look at the tightening water supply across California. Also on the show, the latest on COVID-19 and FilmWeek.

With State H2O On Hold Due To Drought, How Local Water Districts Are Planning To Meet Demand

Listen 27:59
State Water Supplies 12.3.21

Water districts in California that rely heavily on the State Water Project for drinking water got some bad news this week: the state won’t be rationing out any of the wet stuff the districts have requested beyond what is needed for health and safety. The State Department of Water Resources made the announcement Wednesday, the earliest date a 0% allocation has ever been issued by DWS. A total of 29 districts are served by the State Water Project, and those districts are allowed to request up to a certain amount of water each year. The state then portions out water to each of the districts based on supply. Other districts are able to pull some of their water supply from the Colorado River, thereby reducing the amount needed from the state. But other districts aren’t able to draw from the Colorado River, and have to rely on the State Water Project as a primary source of drinking water.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll look at what this means for the state and the water districts that rely on the State Water Project for potable water with Felicia Marcus, visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Director of Water Resources David Pettijohn and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District General Manager David W. Pedersen, whose region relies heavily on the State Water Project for water.

COVID-19 AMA: L.A. Sees First Omicron Case, Natural Immunity Offers Little Protection Against Omicron, And More

Listen 24:08
COVID Update 12.3.21

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. 

Topics today include:

  • L.A. County records first case of Omicron variant; Officials urge more testing
  • Rapid test site at LAX international terminal starts today 
  • Most COVID vaccines will work as boosters, study suggests 
  • Germany locks unvaccinated out of public life, vaccine mandate looms 
  • Why Omicron cases weren’t detected sooner in the United States 
  • Scientists say prior COVID-19 infection is little defense against the Omicron variant
  • With the Omicron variant emerging ahead of the holiday season, is it safe to travel
  • F.D.A. aims for quick review of vaccines and drugs for the Omicron variant 

FilmWeek: ‘Flee,’ ‘Drive My Car,’ ‘Try Harder!’ And More

Listen 30:32
FW Reviews 12.3.21

  • Flee,” The Landmark Theater (West LA); AMC Sunset 5 (West Hollywood); Laemmle’s Playhouse (Pasadena) starting January 7
  • "Drive My Car,” Landmark’s Nuart Theatre (West LA)
  • "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," Disney+
  • "Try Harder!,” Laemmle’s Playhouse (Pasadena) & Laemmle’s Royal (West LA)
  • "Benedetta," Wide Release
  • The Hand of God,” The Landmark Theater (West LA); Netflix on December 15
  • Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas,” Netflix
  • Silent Night,” The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (DTLA); Laemmle’s NoHo, Playhouse (Pasadena) & Monica Film Center (Santa Monica); LOOK Cinemas (Glendale); Streaming on AMC+
  • Encounter,” Laemmle’s Town Center (Encino) & Laemmle’s Playhouse (Pasadena); The Landmark Theater (Westwood); Harkins (Cerritos); Amazon Prime Video on December 10

The Director Of ‘Flee’ On Using Animation To Tell A Personal Story And The Freedom To Be Who You Are

Listen 19:02
FW Jonas Poher Rasmussen Interview 12.3.21

The new documentary “Flee” follows a gay Afghan refugee and tells his harrowing story of survival. The documentary is brought to the screen through animation. Danish filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen wanted to tell his friend’s story but needed to protect his identity. Rasmussen talked with KPCC’s John Horn about the process and some of the benefits and challenges. The film won the Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Documentary Feature. It’s in select theaters and rated PG-13.