News Briefs

Rep. Kiley Responds to Special Election to Gerrymander State

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature’s call for a special election to implement a new Congressional map for the state. 

The governor’s plan would bypass the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission, a nonpartisan body created to safeguard fair representation and instead hand the authority directly to the Legislature. Critics warn the effort is designed to benefit the majority party while weakening the voices of rural and agricultural communities across Northern California.

“California voters are overwhelmingly opposed to Newsom’s plan to sideline our state’s Citizens Redistricting Commission,” Rep. Kiley said. “Yet the Supermajority Legislature chose to ignore this and will now spend $250 million trying to convince voters to reverse themselves and return power to politicians. The political leadership of California has never been more out of touch with the people of California.

“Newsom’s scheme is an unprecedented assault on democracy and good government in our state. But gerrymandering is a plague on democracy wherever it occurs. I’m calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to advance my bill to safeguard democracy in California and end the redistricting war nationwide.”

In response, the Nevada County Republican Party announced the launch of a revitalized Get Out The Vote (GOTV) committee to ensure Nevada County residents are fully informed and engaged throughout this process. The committee will provide voters with critical election information, including dates, polling locations, and resources to protect the integrity of every ballot.

“The people of Nevada County will not be silenced by Gavin Newsom’s power politics,” Chairman Mac Young said. “We will continue working to protect equal representation and uphold the constitutional safeguards that guarantee fair elections.”

~ Rep. Kiley, Nevada County Republican Party press release

Resident Tests Positive For Plague

EL DORADO COUNTY

El Dorado County health officials have been notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that a South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague. The individual is currently under the care of a medical professional and is recovering at home. It’s believed that the person may have been bitten by an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area. Health officials are investigating the situation.

Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Plague bacteria are most often transmitted by the bites of fleas that have acquired the bacteria from infected squirrels, chipmunks, and other wild rodents. Dogs and cats may also bring plague-infected fleas into the home. People can get plague when they are bitten by infected fleas. Plague can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild rodents, and by keeping pets away from rodent burrows.

Symptoms of plague usually show up within 2 weeks of exposure to an infected animal or flea and include fever, nausea, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics if detected early. 

CDPH routinely monitors rodent populations for plague activity in California and closely coordinates with county health officials. To date in 2025, four additional rodents have tested positive. All these rodents were identified in the Tahoe Basin.

Human cases of plague are extremely rare but can be very serious. For more information about plague, visit the CDPH website at cdph.ca.gov/progras/cid/dcdc/pages/plague.aspx. 

~ El Dorado County press release

A Projected $6.7 Million Loss to Tahoe Forest Via Medicaid Cuts

TRUCKEE/TAHOE

The local hospital district is estimated to see a near $7 million drop in revenue due to the national One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed on July 3.

The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan federal agency, estimates a $1.02 trillion cut over the next decade in federal spending on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program as a result of OBBBA. 

While it could be 2 years before any changes to hospitals might be felt, an analysis performed by the nonprofit and advocacy group Third Way projected out Medicaid losses for hospitals across the country. Tahoe Forest Health System, it claims, will lose $6,714,999 annually. The system’s FY 2025 budget anticipates $315 million in net patient revenue.

The hospital district did not respond to Moonshine’s request for comment.

Further, the CBO estimates a reduction in Medicare spending by $5.1 billion over 10 years, increasing the number of uninsured people by 100,000 come 2034 — if a law requiring cuts to federal programs in reaction to an increased federal deficit isn’t mitigated. The California Hospital Association estimates between a 14% and 30% reduction in Medi-Cal revenue over 10 years.

TFHS CEO Anna Roth shared at a recent Good Morning Truckee meeting that the district is monitoring financials on a state and national level. On what impacts the hospital will see from OBBBA, she said there would likely be an increase in charity care, where healthcare services are provided to patients who are unable to pay their medical bills. Tahoe Forest’s Financial Assistance Program is detailed here in English.

Roth, who began her tenure as a healthcare CEO in 2008/09, and joined TFHS as such in March of this year, said she’s in her comfort zone amid healthcare reformation, though she called President Trump’s Administration the most “cataclysmic” one in her career.

~ AH

Public Utility District Celebrates Completion of West Lake Tahoe Water Treatment Plant

TAHOE CITY

The Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) announced the completion and grand opening of the new West Lake Tahoe Regional Water Treatment Plant. This project represents a transformative investment in TCPUD’s water system to provide a permanent, drought-resilient source for drinking water and fire protection for the West Shore of Lake Tahoe.

The road to this milestone began almost 2 decades ago when TCPUD began searching for a permanent solution to a temporary water treatment plant used to meet peak summer water demand.

Located near Chambers Landing, just north of Tahoma, the new state-of-the-art facility replaces the temporary seasonal plant and will now provide a year-round water supply sourced directly from Lake Tahoe. The project strengthens the public water supply, enhances fire protection capabilities, and improves the resilience of TCPUD’s interconnected water infrastructure.

Currently, the treatment plant can deliver almost 1 million gallons of water per day to West Shore customers. The treatment plant may be expanded to meet the needs of up to 2,400 customers from Tahoma to Timberland. 

The new water treatment plant is one of the largest capital investments in TCPUD’s history. Funding for the approximately $30 million project was made possible through more than $5.5 million in grant funding from the California Department of Water Resources, the El Dorado Water Agency, and the Placer County Water Agency, and a $19.7 million loan from the California State Water Resources Control Board.  

TCPUD Board of Directors and staff, along with project partners, will gather Sept. 10 to mark the official grand opening with a celebratory “first sip” of water from the new treatment plant. Later this fall, TCPUD will host guided public tours of the water treatment plant, with details coming soon. 

Learn more about the project at tcpud.org/watertreatmentplant.

~ TCPUD press release 

Three Major Hospital Expansion Projects Will Meet Growing Needs

TRUCKEE

Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS) has officially launched three large-scale expansion projects designed to address the growing demand for healthcare services in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe. With patient needs on the rise, these projects aim to enhance access, reduce wait times, and ensure the long-term sustainability of care for the region.

The developments include three separate sites: Sierra Center (located in the former Rite Aid building in Truckee), Gateway, also in Truckee, and the brand-new North Shore Clinic in Dollar Point. Together, the projects will add more than 60 exam rooms and significantly increase the system’s capacity to provide high-quality, local care.

To explore renderings, timelines, and project updates, visit tfhd.com/construction.

~ Tahoe Forest Health System press release

Business Briefs

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Debuts Limited-Time Day Pass

INCLINE VILLAGE

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino announced day pass opportunities for late-summer getaways available for a limited time. 

When locals book a day pass, they will have access to the resort’s world-class amenities including its lagoon-style mountain-side pool and tranquil hot tubs. They will also receive complimentary towels, wi-fi, and self-parking for their visit. 

Daycationers can also purchase delicious food and beverages available at the resort’s poolside restaurant and bar. No outside food or beverages are allowed. 

The day passes are available through Sunday, Sept. 7, and can be purchased by visiting resortpass.com/hotels/hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort. They are $50 for adults and $25 for children.

For more information or to book a late-summer getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit hyattregencylaketahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

~ Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association newsletter

Take Advantage of Liberty’s Electric Vehicle Charging Rebate Program

LAKE TAHOE

Time is running out to take advantage of Liberty’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Rebate Program, a key initiative in the company’s commitment to advancing transportation electrification across its service area. Liberty (CalPeco Electric) has been offering rebates for EV charger purchase and installation since April 2021. While the program is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025 due to state program changes, customers are encouraged to act now while funding is still available.

Eligible customers can receive:

• Up to $1,500 in rebates for residential customers who own or lease a plug-in or plug-in hybrid vehicle
• Up to $2,500 for small business customers installing public-access EV chargers

The rebate covers approved smart EV chargers, installation by a licensed California contractor, and associated costs, including labor, materials, panel upgrades, and permits (if required) up to the maximum amount. As part of the program, participants must allow Liberty to collect charging data anonymously to help inform future infrastructure planning.

For more information, eligibility details, or to apply for Liberty’s EV Charger Rebate Program, visit libertyutilities.com/driveelectric/ or call (530) 543-5286.

~ Liberty press release

FlyTahoe Electric Flying Ferry Highlighted in Regional Transportation Plan

LAKE TAHOE

FlyTahoe’s planned cross-lake electric flying ferry, the Candela P-12, has been highlighted as a key environmental improvement project in the Lake Tahoe Regional Transportation Plan. The proposed project offers a potential solution to cut traffic, lower emissions, and protect the lake.

With more than 15 million visitors each year, Lake Tahoe faces mounting traffic congestion, especially during peak seasons and winter road closures. At the same time, emissions and road sediment from such traffic threaten the lake’s world-renowned clarity, adding environmental pressure to the region’s mobility challenges.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) adopted the Connections 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in July, which highlights FlyTahoe’s sustainable water transit network with the centerpiece P-12 cross-lake ferry as a key concept for waterborne transit in the Tahoe Region. Previously listed by the TRPA as an Environmental Improvement Project (EIP), FlyTahoe’s inclusion in both the EIP and RTP reflects the project’s potential to achieve regional environmental goals, including reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), road sediment, and emissions while preserving lake clarity and better connecting shoreline communities.

Subject to regulatory approval, FlyTahoe aims to balance accessibility, inclusivity, and equity for both locals and visitors while supporting the RTP’s goals, including environmental protection, multimodal mobility, safety, system performance, economic prosperity, and infrastructure resiliency. The Candela P-12 is set to serve as FlyTahoe’s flagship vessel as they work to build a more connected, resilient Lake Tahoe.

Read Moonshine’s previous reporting on FlyTahoe here.

~ FlyTahoe press release

Reno-Tahoe International Airport Prepares for Burning Man Crowds

RENO

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is gearing up for one of its busiest travel periods of the year as the annual Burning Man event and Labor Day weekend overlap. Passenger counts are expected to soar on Aug. 24, 28, 29, and Sept. 1.

RNO is encouraging passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time. Parking and roadways will be especially congested this year due to the combination of increased passenger traffic, Burning Man activity, and construction.

New This Year:

• Burner Express activity is moving curbside, creating heavier foot traffic in close proximity to the main terminal.
  • Burner Express Pick-Up: Boarding for the Burner Express will now be outside baggage claim, a familiar location used in years prior to 2023.
  • Burner Express Drop-Off: Returning Burners will be dropped off on the south end of the loop road, just before Southwest Airlines check-in.
• It is especially important that when drivers are on the loop road, they do not wait curbside, which will be heavily congested.

Travel Tips for All Passengers:

• Arrive early: Arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
• Plan parking in advance: Reserve a parking spot online or consider rideshare options and claim $5 off each ride at renoairport.com/parking.
• Use the free waiting lot.
• Respect restrictions: No oversized vehicles are permitted on airport property.
• Check out the Burning Man exhibition, Tiny Titans: The Power of the Maquette on display in the depARTures Gallery.
• Help keep RNO and our community clean: Returning Burners will find receptacles for unwanted items at the south end drop-off location, bike donation opportunities, luggage dust bags at their airline check-in counter, and foot coverings.

~ Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority press release