"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighting the dramatic decline of the Salton Sea’s water levels. Newsom made the remark while announcing the creation of the Salton Sea Conservancy, a new state agency tasked with restoring the shrinking lake, improving air quality and protecting public health. The Salton Sea — California’s largest and most polluted lake — has receded significantly over decades, exposing toxic dust and environmental hazards for nearby communities. (CalMatters)

Colorado state Sen. Rod Pelton criticizing the role of social media in local government disputes. Pelton made the remark as lawmakers consider a bill to streamline how abandoned towns are declared and managed, following turmoil in Hartman, Colo. The town’s entire leadership resigned after years of infighting, leaving critical infrastructure, including its failing water system, without oversight. He said online pressure and harassment helped drive the town’s officials to resign and warned that other local leaders are facing similar social media dynamics, raising concerns about governance and public service in small communities. (The Denver Post)

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum describing the difficult negotiations over Colorado River water. Burgum said the federal government is pushing the seven basin states to reach a deal before current water-sharing rules expire, warning that a shrinking water supply will require painful compromises from all sides. He emphasized that a negotiated agreement is preferable to a lengthy legal battle that could end up at the U.S. Supreme Court and cost taxpayers millions. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Alex Dizengof, chief technology officer and cofounder of Carbyne, a company that makes software for emergency call centers, explaining a key flaw in traditional 911 systems. The comment comes as New Orleans rolls out AI-assisted call triaging to manage heavy demand on its emergency lines. During peak times, hundreds of callers often report duplicate incidents, such as traffic crashes, overwhelming operators and delaying urgent calls. By using AI to identify and filter duplicate reports, the city aims to free up call takers and prioritize life-threatening emergencies, while also introducing AI for non-emergency 311 information calls. (NOLA.com)