Latest news with #Zavala
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Residents raise red flags as flood-stricken town teeters on edge of disaster: 'Had to use rain boots to walk around in my kitchen'
Residents raise red flags as flood-stricken town teeters on edge of disaster: 'Had to use rain boots to walk around in my kitchen' Rising sea levels are a major concern for many coastal communities, with widespread risks that can extend across vast regions and entire states. One example of an at-risk area is Pescadero, a small farming community on the California coast. What's happening? In Part 3 of a series on sea level rise from Bay Area-based public radio station KALW, an emergency and disaster preparedness reporter looked at how flooding is affecting an unincorporated town in San Mateo County. Although Pescadero's residents have been dealing with flooding for decades, as the mid-July audio episode demonstrates, the issue is worsening and highlighting disturbing socioeconomic divides. The town is situated on a floodplain, making its residents and businesses especially vulnerable. Home to large immigrant and agricultural communities, these populations can be disproportionately impacted. "Last January, the water was so high that I had to use rain boots to walk around in my kitchen," flower farmer Maria Juana Zavala Rizo shared. "I prepared dinner with my boots." Reporter Wren Farrell took a tour of the area with nonprofit leader Irma Rodriguez Mitton, whose organization is involved with community responses to climate change. Together, they observed some homes being raised off the ground to prevent future flooding. "If you're a property owner with means and you can raise your home. That's great. That's one home raised out of the floodplain," Rodriguez Mitton told KALW. "But the community isn't raised out of the floodplain." Why is this concerning? Marginalized communities can be disproportionately impacted by flooding and other extreme weather events. As flooding increases in frequency and intensity due to rising global temperatures, these communities can be repeatedly hit with dangerous conditions, life-changing home damage, and financial hardship. Dealing with these persistent worries can also take a toll on residents' mental well-being. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With great emotion, farmer Zavala told KALW that river waters had "entered [her] home during the rainy season for the past 28 years." She attended a Board of Supervisors meeting in 2023 to tell local officials about the ongoing challenges, which have included disruptions to road access and emergency response times. "Since that meeting," the public radio station reported, Zavala's landlord "installed cinder block walls in the lower parts of the home to keep the water out." Her house doesn't flood anymore. What's being done to protect towns from flooding? In California, the Resource Conservation District is working with property owners to facilitate floodplain restoration and sediment management, according to KALW. Coordinated efforts are underway across multiple agencies to prepare for droughts, heavy storms, and rising sea levels. Meanwhile, innovators have been developing the concept of "sponge cities" to absorb rainwater with parks, gardens, and other natural infrastructure. These techniques are already being implemented in cities like Los Angeles and Pittsburgh to mitigate urban flood risks. Individuals can enhance their personal storm resilience by taking steps to disaster-proof their homes and generate grid-independent power from cleaner energy sources. Installing solar panels with backup battery storage can help homeowners withstand grid outages caused by extreme weather. When prospective customers compare installer quotes using EnergySage's free online tool, they can save up to $10,000 on the upfront costs of going solar — reducing, in the process, the heat-trapping gases that can drive rising global temperatures and exacerbate floods. Meanwhile, as the recent storytelling from Pescadero residents makes clear, officials and advocates must collaborate to ensure that not only homeowners but property owners in general are supported in taking local actions that protect all residents. That means landlords too must be expected to deploy effective solutions equitably. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Mexico's election body probes alleged political interference before judicial vote
Mexico's electoral authority is investigating complaints that political groups, including governing party Morena, are trying to sway voters in the upcoming judicial elections, an official at the body said on Monday. Mexicans will head to the polls on Sunday to choose among about 5,000 candidates vying for more than 840 federal judge and magistrate positions, including all Supreme Court justices. They will be Mexico's first judicial elections. Electoral rules dictate candidates cannot use campaign materials that link them to a political party, participate in events organised by political parties or accept donations of any kind. Claudia Zavala, an electoral adviser at election body INE, told Reuters the institution is looking into two complaints. The first alleges the government of northern state Nuevo Leon and political party Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) asked civil servants to take voters to polls and shared pamphlets promoting the names of candidates. The second complaint, in Mexico City, the capital, raises similar allegations against civil servants and Morena. The investigations come after videos of people passing out the pamphlets circulated on social media. 'We must respect the people, the citizens, the women and men who have the right to go to the polls and freely decide who they want as their judges, magistrates and ministers, and no-one should be telling anyone how to vote,' Zavala said. The government of Nuevo Leon, Morena and MC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. INE will decide through its investigation whether there has been a violation of the rules, Zavala said, and will pass the information on to the electoral tribunal of the Federal Judiciary, which will rule on the case. Mexico's first judicial elections, the result of a reform proposed by former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have attracted criticism that they risk removing checks and balances on Morena and could allow organised crime groups greater influence over the judicial system.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mexico's election body probes alleged political interference ahead of judicial vote
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's electoral authority is investigating complaints that political groups, including ruling party Morena, are trying to sway voters in the upcoming judicial elections, an official at the body said on Monday. Mexicans will head to the polls on Sunday to choose among roughly 5,000 candidates vying for more than 840 federal judge and magistrate positions, including all Supreme Court justices. They will be Mexico's first-ever judicial elections. Electoral rules dictate that candidates cannot use campaign materials that link them to a political party, participate in events organized by political parties, or accept donations of any kind. Claudia Zavala, an electoral adviser at election body INE, told Reuters the institution is looking into two complaints. The first alleges that the government of northern state Nuevo Leon and political party Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) asked civil servants to take voters to polls and shared pamphlets promoting the names of candidates. The second complaint, in Mexico City, the capital, raises similar allegations against civil servants and ruling party Morena. The investigations come after videos of people passing out the pamphlets circulated on social media. "We must respect the people, the citizens, the women and men who have the right to go to the polls and freely decide who they want as their judges, magistrates and ministers, ... and no one should be telling anyone how to vote," Zavala said. The government of Nuevo Leon, Morena and MC all did not immediately respond to requests for comment. INE will decide through its investigation whether there has been a violation of the rules, Zavala said, and will pass the information on to the electoral tribunal of the Federal Judiciary, which will ultimately rule on the case. Mexico's first-ever judicial elections, the result of a reform proposed by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have attracted criticism that they risk removing checks and balances on the ruling Morena party and could allow organized crime groups greater influence over the judicial system. (Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Mexico's election body probes alleged political interference ahead of judicial vote
MEXICO CITY - Mexico's electoral authority is investigating complaints that political groups, including ruling party Morena, are trying to sway voters in the upcoming judicial elections, an official at the body said on Monday. Mexicans will head to the polls on Sunday to choose among roughly 5,000 candidates vying for more than 840 federal judge and magistrate positions, including all Supreme Court justices. They will be Mexico's first-ever judicial elections. Electoral rules dictate that candidates cannot use campaign materials that link them to a political party, participate in events organized by political parties, or accept donations of any kind. Claudia Zavala, an electoral adviser at election body INE, told Reuters the institution is looking into two complaints. The first alleges that the government of northern state Nuevo Leon and political party Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) asked civil servants to take voters to polls and shared pamphlets promoting the names of candidates. The second complaint, in Mexico City, the capital, raises similar allegations against civil servants and ruling party Morena. The investigations come after videos of people passing out the pamphlets circulated on social media. "We must respect the people, the citizens, the women and men who have the right to go to the polls and freely decide who they want as their judges, magistrates and ministers, ... and no one should be telling anyone how to vote," Zavala said. The government of Nuevo Leon, Morena and MC all did not immediately respond to requests for comment. INE will decide through its investigation whether there has been a violation of the rules, Zavala said, and will pass the information on to the electoral tribunal of the Federal Judiciary, which will ultimately rule on the case. Mexico's first-ever judicial elections, the result of a reform proposed by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, have attracted criticism that they risk removing checks and balances on the ruling Morena party and could allow organized crime groups greater influence over the judicial system. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
De Loera recognized as 'Champion of Hope'
May 9—After completing The Holdsworth Center's two-year leadership program, Ector County ISD Principal Intern Denise De Loera has been named a "Champion of Hope" and was honored with five other alumni at the Austin-based nonprofit's gala May 7 in Houston. Holdsworth says it transforms education through its leadership development programs to strengthen principals, superintendents, administrators and teachers. De Loera, who is at Pease Elementary currently, was recognized for her efforts to close achievement gaps, mentor teachers and inspire students to dream big and break generational cycles of poverty through educational success. She will be principal of Zavala Elementary next year. She estimated that there will be 700 to 800 students attending. Being named a Champion of Hope was an honor and humbling. "Holdsworth has seen in me what I strive to bring to my work every day, and that's hope and belief in people and a commitment to transformational leadership. ... This recognition reminds me that the work we're doing matters and that it energizes me to keep pushing forward." De Loera is very excited and honored to be able to serve as principal of Zavala next fall. The campus will be going back to a kindergarten through fifth grade campus. "I feel that with this experience of being a principal intern, I have received the proper training of being able to shadow a principal and work side by side to see how she handles day-to-day situations. That allows me to be reflective on how I will lead Zavala this upcoming year," she said. She spent her first day on campus in April with students on hand, which she said was a really neat experience. "My biggest goal right now, since I have the rest of this semester and the summer, I want to be able to meet the students and start remembering their names, because I think it's important to be called by your name instead of just hey friend and not something so vague. I think it makes an impact when they know that you know their names," De Loera said. She added that she will be able to get guidance from Pease Principal Micah Arrott and Zavala Principal Tanya Galindo. "The beautiful thing about this is, I feel that I've built a good network with leaders at the previous campus that I was at, at this campus, and even Zavala's current principal. They've all told me that I can reach out to them in case I have any questions. There's evident mentorship in the district, even though it's not assigned. They're willing to guide me through this transitional year," De Loera said. She added that the Holdsworth experience has been game-changing. "I've worked with them for two years through the campus leadership program, and I've also have worked with them through the aspiring principal pilot year. Through the two years that I participated in the intensive leadership training and the executive coaching, it's really pushed me to grow, both personally and professionally. The program challenged me to reflect deeply, to lead with vision and clarity and to prioritize systems that build strong school culture. The Holdsworth program does a really good job at taking all of the elements that are part of leadership and breaking it down and give you that opportunity to find your areas of strength, your areas of weakness and give you the tools to grow as a leader," De Loera said. Winning the award means she's an example to others in her position or who aspire to be in her position. "But most importantly, I think it's valuable for the students. I think it's important for them to see representation, and I feel that with this grand honor of being awarded a Champion of Hope, and to be able to tell my story, students see a little bit of themselves in me, and that it inspires them to dream big and achieve and not to see any limitations, " De Loera said. She added that she didn't plan to become a principal. It happened organically. "I don't take this responsibility lightly, and I hope that I'm able to ... make an impact on on these students, on the community," De Loera said. Her first year of teaching was 2018 and her first year in administration was 2022. She said the mentoring she's received has been amazing. "Not only have I been paired up with incredible leaders, but also an amazing staff who has allowed me to learn from their approach when it comes to the learning of students, and what they focus on ... I've learned a lot about different programs," De Loera said. Pease is known for Blended Learning and Zavala will be implementing it next fall. Blended Learning enables students to learn with electronic and online media as well as face-to-face learning. "I'm really blessed that I was given this opportunity to see it fully implemented on this campus. That way, I'm better prepared to guide teachers in the implementation at Zavala," De Loera said. Something that stood out to her about Zavala was the pride students, teachers and staff have in the school. "I think this school is well established. It's a school that serves families that have been in Odessa for multiple generations. When I first met the faculty ... it felt like a family. I was welcomed with open arms. One of the things I told them was I'm here to support you, and in return, they said, we're here to support you. That was very neat to experience. ... I'm eager and I'm excited to be part of that," De Loera said. She earned an associate degree at Western Wyoming Community College and a bachelor's degree in microbiology from the University of Wyoming. De Loera got alternatively certified from University of Texas Permian Basin, and a master's degree in educational leadership, also from there. Melissa Ludwig, senior communications manager with the Holdsworth Center, said De Loera was an example of someone spreading hope, cultivating hope in their community and doing whatever it takes to "walk alongside people and help them, especially teachers ... be effective in their roles. "Just by being there for them and encouraging them, she has really sparked a sense of hope within the school community that she's in now. I have no doubt that she'll do the same when she's principal of Zavala next year," Ludwig said. Those chosen for the award are principals, assistant principals and superintendents.
