WASHINGTON ― Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning Jan. 28, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the ...

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first Phillips Station snow survey of 2019. The manual survey recorded 25.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 80 percent of average for this location. Statewide, the Sierra snowpack is 67 percent of average. The results confirm that despite early winter ...

YOSEMITE – As the federal government shutdown drags on into the new year, Yosemite National Park remains open, however reports have been flooding in of people using the roadsides as bathrooms, discarding trash everywhere and endangering natural resources. Park officials announced today that there will now be limited access to the park along the Highway 41 corridor from the South ...

CALIFORNIA — Here are a handful of the hundreds of laws that go into effect on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019: FAMILIES Employment: lactation accommodation AB 1976 Requires employers to make private space available for women who are breastfeeding at work, other than a bathroom. The law previously required space other than a toilet stall. FOOD Food facilities: single-use plastic straws AB ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park is open, however visitor services are limited due to the lapse in federal appropriations. During the government shutdown, national parks are working to remain as open and accessible to the American people as possible, say park officials. Unfortunately, Wawona Campground and Hodgdon Meadow Campground are closed due to impacts from human waste and public safety ...

YOSEMITE – With the federal government shut down, you will still be able to visit Yosemite National Park, but there will be some areas and services that are not available. Visitor services in the park may be diminished or areas may be closed due to environmental, public safety, or other unknown factors. Also, road and weather information will not be ...

MARIPOSA – Cooler weather and recent rains have prompted the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) to transition into winter staffing levels as of Monday, Dec. 17, at 8 a.m. The transition to winter preparedness allows Cal Fire to release some seasonal firefighters, reduce staffing on fire engines and close certain wildland fire stations. ...

YOSEMITE – Motorists headed into Yosemite on Highway 41/Wawona Road should be prepared for delays as work begins along the Ferguson Fire burn area. Weather permitting, crews will begin repairing the Wawona Road between Chinquapin Junction and the Rostrum on Monday, Dec. 10. During the project there will be single-lane traffic control with up to 30-minute delays, and park officials ...

ARLINGTON, VA. – Across America, national wildlife refuges offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the great outdoors amid scenic beauty. And they do it on awe-inducing landscapes that range from Oregon’s rocky cliffs to Texas lagoons, from Maine wilderness to woods and fields inside the city of Philadelphia. Thirty refuges that normally charge entrance fees will offer free admission on these ...

YOSEMITE – The public meeting for the Replace the Big Oak Flat Welcome Center Complex Project and Environmental Assessment (EA) scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Rush Creek Lodge has been cancelled due to the National Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush and the Federal Government Closure. Although the meeting will not be rescheduled due to ...