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The United States Congress this past weekend approved the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians Water Rights Settlement Act. Written by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act was included in broader water resources and infrastructure legislation that was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 360-61 and by the Senate with a vote of 78-21. Both votes were held last week.  The measure now heads to President Obama for signature.

There’s something unusual in the mix in Southern California this weekend, along with the usual rain-caused traffic gridlock and airport delays, according to one climatologist — a sense of optimism. The storm that moved though the region on Wednesday and Thursday provided a good 24 hours of mostly steady rain, dropping more than an inch in some parts of Southern California.

The new leader of the region’s leading watchdog group for water quality is putting elected officials on notice that pollution from businesses could land local governments in court. “We get screwed because the cities are not doing enough to control the industrial pollution,” said Matt O’Malley, executive director of San Diego Coastkeeper, referring to the intractable problem of stormwater runoff contaminating the region’s streams, beaches and other waterways.

The new leader of the region’s leading watchdog group for water quality is putting elected officials on notice that pollution from businesses could land local governments in court. “We get screwed because the cities are not doing enough to control the industrial pollution,” said Matt O’Malley, executive director of San Diego Coastkeeper, referring to the intractable problem of stormwater runoff contaminating the region’s streams, beaches and other waterways.

You can stop dreaming about a white Christmas. We’re going to have one. The second storm of the week will arrive in San Diego County Friday night and will drop 4’’ to 6’’ of snow above the 4,500-foot level by noon on Saturday — Christmas Eve. The National Weather Service says lower regions — including Julian — will get an inch or two of snow. Most of the white stuff should still be on the ground on Sunday — Christmas Day. The system will push ashore from the northwest and deposit an inch or more of rain along the coast, and 1.5’’ to 2’’ across the eastern foothills.