President Joe Biden has ordered retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia groups after three United States servicemembers were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said one of the U.S. troops suffered critical injuries in the attack that occurred earlier Monday. The Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, under an umbrella of Iranian-backed militants, claimed credit for the attack. Biden, who is spending Christmas at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, was briefed on the attack Monday and ordered the Pentagon to prepare response options.

California's Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley Weber, is responding cautiously to Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis's request to remove former President Donald Trump from the presidential ballot. While acknowledging concerns about Trump's impact on public trust, Weber emphasized the importance of following legal processes. Kounalakis based her call on the Colorado Supreme Court's decision, citing a violation of the 14th Amendment's "insurrection clause." Weber did not commit to fulfilling the request, stating that decisions must adhere to California's laws and Constitution. The certified candidate list for the March primary is due by December 28th, and Trump remains the leading candidate for the Republican nomination.

Kevin McCarthy's Pick to run for his congressional seat will not be allowed to run. California Assemblyman Vince Fong was declared ineligible because he had already filed to run for re-election to the State Assembly. Fong, who originally said he was not going to put his hat in the ring for McCarthy's seat, filed to run on Monday, three days after filing for re-election as assemblyman. The California Secretary of State's Office said Friday in a statement that "state law prohibits any candidate" from filing for candidacy for more than one office in the same election. McCarthy announced earlier this month he is retiring from Congress at the end of the year.

The Chico Police Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) has been continuing the investigation into the fatal hit and run collision which occurred in the 1500 block of East Avenue last Sunday, December 10th Investigators identified the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian as Luis Murillo-Mosqueda, a 22-year-old Chico resident. It was determined that Wilson was at fault for crossing the road in an unsafe manner, Muriollo-Mosqueda fled the scene after striking and killing him. Murillo-Mosqueda was arrested for felony hit and run

One person died following a crash on Highway 99, just north of Highway 32, in Chico at around 11 p.m. on Saturday, according to CHP Chico. CHP said one of the drivers, identified as Shelby Alvarez, 26, of Chico, was driving the wrong way, southbound, on northbound Highway 99 when she crashed head on with a Corvette in the same lane. The crash caused the driver of the Corvette to be partially thrown from the car and sustained fatal injuries. Alvarez was determined to be intoxicated and was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on the multiple charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated,

The Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) confirmed the three suspects arrested in connection to a multitude of robberies across Chico Wednesday are connected to a shooting in Palermo early Wednesday morning. Chico Police report numerous armed robberies and Stolen Vehicles tied to the 3 suspects. After a Pursuit back to Oroville Butte County Sherrifs office was able to arrest the suspects. The suspects were identified as William Kevil, 18, and Kaitlynne Lewis, 20, both of Oroville. The third suspect was identified as a juvenile whose name has been withheld.

A landmark mental health law takes effect next year in California, but Butte County says it will delay implementation of it until 2026. Senate Bill 43 expands the definition of "gravely disabled" in the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to include those with substance abuse disorders, making a new group of people eligible for conservatorships or detention under a 5150 hold. Behavioral Health Director SCott Kennelly said "There's not enough infrastructure, there's not enough staff, there's no policies and procedures need to be developed and the trainings to make this law something that we can actually implement," The Board of Supervisors requested that the Behavioral Health Department return every few months for an update on their progress

Scientists testing burnt soil found an unwelcome ingredient - hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is known to cause cancer. Scientists think the intense heat from wildfires turns benign metals in soil into the carcinogen. Researchers previously detected dangerous metals from burned out cars and buildings. Now they say, we have to worry about toxic gas spewing into the air during fires containing toxins coming from the soil as well. The study showed that temperatures over 390 degrees can catalyze chemicals and turn them into their cancer causing versions. Researchers are concerned that wildfire smoke is spreading toxic metal pollution.

California is facing a multi-year budget crisis and the Newsom administration is already pinching pennies. The Department of Finance is calling for an immediate freeze on non-essential spending ahead of the anticipated 68-billion dollar deficit. The department was directed by the governor's office to notify all state agencies to start cutting back. Some of the "freeze" categories include new goods and services contracts, IT equipment, fleet vehicles and office supplies. Entities are also ordered to cancel all plans for non-essential travel, such as participation in seminars, conferences, and training both in-state and out-of-state.

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced an additional $4.8 billion in student loan debt relief, affecting more than 80,000 borrowers. The announcement brings the total approved debt cancelation by the Biden administration to nearly $132 billion for more than 3.6 million Americans.

Butte County Sheriffs Office have arrested a suspect who officials say tried to rob a local store in Chico on Wednesday. Officials say Anthony Macias is suspected of attempted armed robbery at Playtime for You located on Hwy 32 in Chico. Macias reportedly tried to rob the store by showing the clerk a gun in his waistband but then fled after the owner of the store chased him as he fled.. Butte County Deputies were able to get a description of the getaway vehicle and were able to locate Macias with the Vehicle .. They are currently searching for a possible second suspect seen in surveillance who fled the area on a motorcycle.

A Chico man pleaded no-contest Wednesday to two counts of assault with a firearm and admitted an additional enhancement for causing serious injury when he shot two people outside a Chico bar in March of 2023. Butte County DA Mike Ramsey says Heriberto Hernandez-Figueroa of Chico, pleaded in Butte County Superior Court to charges stemming from a drive-by shooting in March of this year that happened outside of Quakers on East Avenue in Chico. Ramsey says The plea included an agreement that he will receive a sentence of eight years in state prison when he returns to court for sentencing on January 31, 2024

California Democrat Eric Swalwell is predicting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be the next Republican to leave Congress. In a post on X, Swalwell said he expects McCarthy to be "gone by the end of the year," following last week's expulsion of New York Republican George Santos. Swalwell referenced an alleged incident in which McCarthy deliberately elbowed Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett as he walked behind the lawmaker last month, which McCarthy denies. The former House speaker will soon have to decide whether he'll run for reelection.

Chico City officials move for the Chico Complete Streets Project to improve roadways to move forward. The plan calls for wider walkways and bike lanes, changes in downtown parking, and landscape maintenance. Director of Public Works Engineering Brendan Ottoboni brought critical elements to the internal affairs committee. The most significant improvements suggested were moving from three driving lanes to two lanes on Main Street and Broadway and expanding the sidewalks. Two-way bike lanes will be added as well on those streets. The internal affairs committee decided to move forward and bring all those design plans to the city council for consideration in February.

A city council member is being accused of violating the Brown Act. Addison Winslow received a cease and desist letter that claims he violated closed-session rules by sharing confidential information discussed in the closed session. Winslow received the order in November saying that if he continued, he would face penalties. He says that he believes it concerns the amicus brief filed on behalf of the city concerning the clearing of public spaces and the homeless encampments.