California lifts water restrictions as storms alleviate drought

California Governor Gavin Newsom has ended some water restrictions due to a winter of relentless rain and snow that has replenished the state's reservoirs and eased fears of a shortage after three years of severe drought. However, Newsom did not declare an end to the drought, warning much of the state is still suffering from its lingering effects. Water shortage concerns remain for some areas of the state, including a sizeable chunk of Southern California that relies on water from the Colorado River — a basin that remains in drought.