Assemblymember James Ramos’ (Serrano/Cahuilla/D-CA) legislative package for the year includes continued efforts to address missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) in the state.

He spoke this week at an MMIP tribal policy summit held in Pala, Calif.

Asm. Ramos highlighted the Feather Alert system, in its second year being used in the state, to notify the public and law enforcement about missing Native Americans.

He says getting tools like this, requires tribal advocacy and representation in the legislature.

Ramos is the first and only California Native American currently serving.

“Being in the state legislature and with all your support, we’ve been able to start to bring pieces of legislation forward. Legislation that focuses on the Department of Justice to start to build that statistical data so that we go out and we ask for resources. That data is there, something that hasn’t been there for California Indian people. We continue to look at those issues moving forward and gaining allies in the state legislature and within law enforcement. Gaining allies to bring forward the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women.”

One of his bills, AB 31, authorizes the state Department of Justice to grant tribal police from three California tribes state peace officer status, if they meet the same requirements and standards as other police officers in the state.

It would also assist law enforcement by clarifying jurisdiction, permitting tribal police to assist communities close to reservations, and allowing participating tribes to enter into agreements to share liability and collaborate on MMIP cases.

AVO flew over the summit crater of Mount Spurr on February 7 and used a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera to measure the temperature of the steam and gas vents (fumaroles) at the summit, with the highest temperatures exceeding 320 degrees F (160 degrees C). (1/3) pic.twitter.com/brJlgKKDVu

— Alaska AVO (@alaska_avo) February 18, 2025

Officials are keeping a close eye on a volcano near Anchorage, Alaska, for chances of eruption.

KNBA’s Jill Fratis has more.

According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, K’idazq’eni, which is also known as Mount Spurr and is located about 80 miles west of the city, has shown signs of heightened activity.

This has promoted the elevation of the alert level to “watch,” which increases the potential for an eruption.

David Schneider is a Research Geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO).

“We increased our alert level back in October of last year, increasing the aviation color code, as well as the volcano alert level to yellow for aviation and advisory for ground hazards.”

The advisory comes after increased seismic activity and minor ash emissions observed over the past few months.

Schneider says when it comes to a possible eruption, there is no way to tell at the moment.

“I hate to say this, but the volcano is either going to erupt, or it’s not. There’s no escalating trend, where the volcano is presenting like this, can go on and it can die away, and no eruption. So we’re kind of in that stage right now of just sort of watching and seeing what the volcano is going to do.”

K’idazq’eni last erupted in 1992, sending ash as high as 65,000 feet and causing disruptions to air travel and local communities. As far as what to do in the near future, Schneider says the focus is on preparedness.

“Right now, I would say we are in the preparedness stage, which is a good place for people to be. Both as scientists and observatories who are reaching out to emergency managers, segments of the economy that can be impacted like the airport. And just to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

When all is said and done, Schneider wants to remind the public that a possible volcanic eruption is just another natural hazard to be prepared for in Alaska.

“Living in Alaska, we should all have some basic level of preparedness for natural hazards. We have wind storms that knock out power for days at a time. We have earthquakes that can happen. So we’re kind of used to that level of preparedness, and for volcanic ash, it’s really not a whole lot different than sort of being ready for any other natural hazard that you can face.”

Updates and safety information are being listed on AVO’s website.

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