Convenience Big Store: Devastating fires could damage Lake Tahoe’s iconic blue waters

Devastating fires could damage Lake Tahoe’s iconic blue waters –Smoke and ash from wildfires near Lake Tahoe — one of the deepest lakes in the world — is already clouding the lake’s famously clear water, researchers say. While the long-term effects are unclear, ash and soot are now coating the surface of the High Sierra lake and veiling the sun, which can disrupt the lake’s ecosystem and its clarity. More debris and sediment are likely to wash into the lake from runoff and rain this fall and winter. Researchers are now trying to figure out what the residue and flames from the Caldor Fire, which spread into the Lake Tahoe basin on Monday, could mean for the iconic cobalt-blue lake. (Rachel Becker, CalMatters)

Q & A: Answering your COVID-19 booster shot questions – As the highly contagious delta variant continues to spread across the country, top U.S. health officials are preparing to offer a third COVID-19 booster shot to all Americans, possibly as early as mid-September. Vaccine booster shots are typically given months or years later when immunity has waned. The third dose for those who are immunocompromised can be administered as early as 28 days after the second shot and is meant to give further immunity to those who may not have formed as strong an immunity from the first two doses. (Cristin Severance, KGW)

California moves slowly on water projects amid drought – California voters agreed to borrow billions of dollars during the last drought to build more water storage projects. But seven years later, none of those projects have even started construction. The delay has irritated some Republicans in the state Legislature who say it is a missed opportunity. But some experts say the slow pace isn't surprising given the complexities and environmental hazards involved. The biggest proposed project is the Sites Reservoir in Colusa County with a $3.9 billion price tag. (AP)

TIP OF THE DAY

Election fraud comments; true or false...Ahead of the Sept. 14 election, state and county election officials are emphasizing transparency — including allowing observers to watch the vote count — and ramping up messages to combat disinformation. (Sameea Kamal, CalMatters)

SMILE

Woman donates hair to charity...A woman in Virginia by the name of Zahab Kamal Khan had been growing her hair out for 17 years before she decided to chop it off. (Allison Seymour, WUSA)