How could Newsom’s proposed redistricting impact Lake Tahoe?

by n Katelyn Welshn kwelsh@tahoedailytribune.comn | Aug 20, 2025 | Uncategorized

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a legislative package that could turn certain red congressional districts blue through redistricting amid what has become a national redistricting tit-for-tat. Lake Tahoe lies within one of those impacted districts. Currently red, District 3 could shift from republican to democratic with the proposed map.

The Governor’s proposed framework is a constitutional amendment, which will be known as The Election Rigging Response Act if passed. It is in response to what his office calls President Trump’s power grab in Texas, accusing the President of influencing the Texas legislature to redraw the state’s congressional lines to insulate congress’ republican majority. The Texas legislature is currently considering a map that has potential to add five GOP seats.

“We have got to meet fire with fire,” Gov. Newsom said in his campaign to counter the Texas power grab. “Donald Trump, you have poked the bear and we will punch back.”

California’s proposed congressional map could potentially counter those five Texas seats, shifting five of California’s currently republican districts democratic.

It would ultimately come down to California state voters through a special election on Nov. 4 where they could adopt the proposed state constitutional amendment.

While the Texas legislature can determine these congressional lines, the California decision must go to the voters due to a 2010 ballot measure that gave that power to California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan citizen commission.

The Governor’s office explains the initiative would retain the commission, but would temporarily adopt the new California congressional districts for use in congressional elections through 2030.

His proposal states it would preserve California’s current map if Texas and other states keep their original maps. The bill could be triggered if other states engage in redistricting.

Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley of District 3 has been outspoken against Newsom’s announcement, calling it especially undemocratic, and is opposed to any state’s gerrymandering, expressing concerns for the health of representative government in general.

“This fails the test of kindergarten logic,” Rep. Kiley expressed. “Two wrongs does not make a right. We keep hearing him (Gov. Newsom) say we’re going to fight fire with fire. When you fight fire with fire, the whole world burns.”

Rep. Kiley has introduced a bill to congress that would ban mid-decade redistricting. Redrawing district lines is traditionally done every decade with the national census.

The California Legislature is expected to vote before the end of this week to put that map on the ballot in a statewide special election on Nov. 4. However, a lawsuit filed by California republicans may delay that.

Editor’s Note: The Tribune is awaiting comment from local leaders regarding redistricting.

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55-year-old sets new Tahoe width swim record

by n Katelyn Welshn kwelsh@tahoedailytribune.comn | Aug 18, 2025 | Uncategorized

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./ Nev. – Alex Kostich didn’t originally set out to break any records on the morning of Aug. 5, but he now stands the fastest person to have swam the True Width of Tahoe, from Homewood, Calif. to Glenbrook, Nev. His swim of four hours, 28 minutes and 55 seconds over those 12 miles outpaced the prior record by nearly 15 minutes.

The impressive accomplishment was born out of loss and heartbreak after Kostich says his husband of 26 years abandoned the marriage in January after meeting someone else.

The Tahoe swim was a part of an effort to heal and rebuild. The record was an unexpected surprise.

“I hope that the record shows resilience in the face of adversity and heartbreak, while also serving as a reminder that life isn’t over at 40, 50, or 60,” Kostich says. “We are capable of groundbreaking achievements and exceptional feats regardless of age, gender, sexuality, etc.”

In the effort rebuild, he set out to accomplish 3-4 pillars this year. But this Tahoe swim wasn’t initially on that list.

After visiting Tahoe for the first time in June, Kostich wanted to find his own personal connection with the lake and began to ponder what that could look like. Around the same time, Pacific Open Water Swim Co., a company that escorts swims and is typically booked out months in advance, happened to have a cancellation.

“I impulsively grabbed the date and committed to the act of doing something outside my comfort zone, for better or worse,” he said. “I’m happy it turned out for the better!”

The seasoned swimmer, with three decades under his belt and many podium finishes around the world, was still struck with some concern before the swim. That’s because he did not do any cold water acclimatization leading up to it.

It was a combination of adrenaline, a pace that maintained a core body temperature and his mantra of “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable,” that got him through it. In fact, he reports the cold actually didn’t bother him much at all.

Imperative to his success was not only mental and physical preparation, but also a team. That included Lexie Kelly, observer Suzanne Heim‑Bowen, and a pilot from Pacific Open Water Swim Co., with whom he says he shares the record.

In what he describes as close to an out-of-body experience, he forged a deep connection with the lake and surrounding area in his healing swim.

“There was always a beautiful mystique about it, but it wasn’t until I saw it with my own eyes and swam in it for the first time,” he says, “[that] I really felt the magic take hold.”

Within those four and a half hours, starting in the dark at 4:45 a.m., he shed tears as he contemplated the last 8 months, which were often clouded by heartbreak and loss.

“But I also shed tears knowing that this was but a small step in rebuilding the self-esteem and worth that I had lost along the way,” he said.

It wasn’t just the water that left a mark, but also the people.

“I healed through time spent with others and the hospitality and friendship they showed me,” he said.

That included Kevin Sloane of Fly Truckee Tahoe, who took Kostich on two scouting trips across the lake in his seaplane. Ally Griffith at the Travel North Tahoe Nevada Welcome Center hosted a Thunderbird Lodge tour and rock climber, Jordan Cannon, shared Tahoe’s history with Kostich and inspired his mantra.

The new record holder celebrated with a post-record dinner at Chrissy Hill and made more than one stop at Morelos Tacos and Little Truckee Ice Creamery during his visit.

Kostich says he left it all out there in the deep blue and although this summer was his first time in Tahoe, he is confident it won’t be his last.

“It was cathartic, and healing, and my life story with Lake Tahoe,” he says, “has only just begun.”