Free Republic

Amid a megadrought plaguing the American West, more rural communities are losing access to groundwater as heavy pumping depletes underground aquifers that aren’t being replenished by rain and snow.

<p>SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Nine months after casting the lone vote against authorizing President Bush to use force against terrorists, Rep. Barbara Lee is drawing praise from peace activists and disdain from critics.</p> <p>In the March Democratic primary, she received 85 percent of the vote. Her Republican opponent trying to block her bid for a third term to represent the Oakland-Berkeley area says he is lagging in his attempt to raise money.</p>