News Briefs: Ongoing Megadrought in West Makes National Headlines

Reports of an ongoing megadrought — a prolonged drought lasting two decades or longer — in the American West continue to make headlines this summer. Some articles claim the West is drier than it has been in 1,200 years. Drought conditions now afflict 96% of seven Western states, which is the highest percentage since record keeping began in 2000, according to ClimateWire. Here are some recent and noteworthy articles:• Lake Mead is at historically low levels at only 37% capacity, and officials are expected to declare a “tier one” water shortage.• Utah farmers and ranchers are seeing water curtailments of up