Lieu gets fed funding for Rolling Hills Estates stormwater infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D–Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach) announced that the recently signed federal funding bill included money to improve stormwater infrastructure in and around Rolling Hills Estates following years of unprecedented rainfall and flooding.
Southern California has been heavily impacted by recent severe storms that have stressed critical infrastructure designed to mitigate flooding in the area. This project will help Rolling Hills Estates repair storm drains and install a dry-well system to divert stormwater from entering the Los Angeles Harbor.
“Southern California has been getting hammered by severe rainstorms, which is stress testing our region’s critical infrastructure,” said Lieu “Heavy rains in communities like Rolling Hills Estates can lead to dangerous and destructive flooding and land movement. This is why I fought for and secured the federal funding for Rolling Hills Estates to improve their stormwater infrastructure. By repairing old storm drains and installing a new system to divert storm water, we can curb the harmful impacts of the unprecedented rainfall and flooding we’ve seen in the last few years.”
“This project reflects the City’s commitment to both public safety and environmental stewardship,” said Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Debby Stegura. “By investing in our stormwater infrastructure, we are reducing flood risks, preventing system failures, and protecting waterways from storm-driven pollution. We are proud to advance this work with strong federal partnership and are grateful to Congressman Ted Lieu for his leadership in securing funding for this project in Rolling Hills Estates.”
Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Stegura lauds Metropolitan Water District
Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Debby Stegura last week lauded the Metropolitan Water District after it unveiled a new helicopter dip tank on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that will provide firefighters with a quick-filling, strategically located water source for aerial fire suppression.
The new facility was developed in collaboration with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department and installed at Metropolitan’s Palos Verdes Reservoir to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure in the surrounding community – an area highly vulnerable to wildfire.
“Today’s dedication of the new helicopter dip tank demonstrates partnership in action for the safety of our communities,” said Stegura at the unveiling. “With the support of Metropolitan and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, we are making the Peninsula safer and more resilient to the threat of wildfires.”
The nearly 4,000-gallon tank can be filled in about five minutes and automatically refilled during use. Helicopters can hover overhead, fill directly from the open-top tank, and return to the fire line in moments. This is Metropolitan’s second helicopter dip tank.
The first was unveiled earlier this month at the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda. These facilities are part of Metropolitan’s efforts to plan for and adapt to climate change and the increasing threat of wildfire.
Metropolitan’s new facility, which cost $895,000 for design and construction, complements an existing helicopter dip tank at the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Civic Center that was developed by the fire department and California Water Service.
Waters receives award at NAACP Event
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Lomita), ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, received the Marcy Church Terrell Award at the NAACP of Henry County, Georgia Branch 25th Annual Freedom Fund Gala.
The award honors fearless advocates whose lifelong commitment to justice and equity reflects the legacy of a founding member of the NAACP and a pioneering civil rights leader who fought for racial and gender equality.
“As a lifetime member of the NAACP, I would like to express my deep gratitude for being a part of such an incredible legacy”, said Waters. “For 113 years, the NAACP has been on the front lines of every major fight for Black freedom and equality, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the fight for equity in education, housing, and the workplace. The Freedom Fund Dinner is a celebration of an institution that has given us 113 years of courage, sacrifice, and victory. The Marcy Church Terrell Award belongs to the voiceless many who came before us, and to all those who followed. Those who marched, protested, voted, and sacrificed so that we could stand here free”.
Waters’ address energized attendees and bridged both legacy and rising generations of community activists, in the presence of many distinguished guests, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Mrs. Billye “Hank” Aaron, Lonnie Jackson, and Mack Wilbourn.
“For more than 30 years, Congresswoman Maxine Waters has led with courage, compassion, and an unshakable love for our people, said Candace Walker, Branch President of NAACP Henry County. “She has always taken care of her community, lifted others as she climbed, and stood boldly on the front lines of justice. She did exactly that at our Freedom Fund Gala by encouraging us to stand and fight for justice. I am deeply proud to call her my friend and “Auntie.”
Additionally, during the event, Mayor Sandra Vincent proclaimed November 15th Maxine Waters Day and presented the Congresswoman with Keys to the City of McDonough.
Chu urges strong final FY26 appropriations for space science and exploration
U.S. Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena) and Don Bacon (R-NE) led a group of bipartisan colleagues in sending a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders urging them to protect federal funding for space science and exploration in the forthcoming final Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) funding bill.
“We write to thank your Committees for their continued bipartisan commitment to advancing American leadership in space science and exploration. The uncertainty surrounding the future of our national science programs […] has now given way to renewed congressional support that ensures America continues to reach higher, explore further, and achieve more,” the Members write. “Now, it is on Congress to finish the job.”
Specifically, the Members urge Appropriators to enact compromise language in the final FY26 funding bill that both: 1.) provides the Senate CJS bill’s proposed flat funding levels for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, and the National Science Foundation (NSF); and 2.) includes the language from the House CJS bill that ensures that not less than the appropriated amount is spent on NASA SMD’s five science divisions: Planetary Science, Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Biological & Physical Sciences.
The letter details the strong returns on federal investment in space science and exploration—from spurring whole new industries, to uncovering technological and medical breakthroughs, to protecting communications and defense infrastructure, to supporting more than 300,000 high-skill jobs and driving over $75 billion in economic activity each year, to building the pipeline of talent that will ensure America remains the world leader in aerospace, advanced technology, and scientific research.
“Congress has already acted in a bipartisan way to advance appropriations bills that sustain investments in scientific preeminence. The path forward is clear: enact the Senate’s proposed funding levels for NASA SMD, the NASA Office of STEM Engagement, and NSF, and pair it with the House CJS bill’s requirement that no less than enacted levels are directed to each science division.
“Doing so will protect ongoing research, secure America’s economic and national security interests, and guarantee that the benefits of science continue to flow to every community in the United States,” concluded the lawmakers.
