California is considering a new law to help control how much rent can go up each year. Right now, there's a limit of ten percent on rent increases for most renters, but that will disappear in 2030. The new plan, called the Affordable Rent Act, proposes to lower the maximum increase to five percent and would also include single-family homes. They were previously exempt from the rules. Unlike the current law, the new measure would not have an expiration date, meaning it could provide long-term protection for renters.

Governor Newsome and First Lady to visit Chico state as part of the Earth Day Celebrations. The Governor's office says its to Join Students promoting Environmental Priorities.

Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,? Ferrell said.

TRAUMA FROM CLIMACTIC EVENTS IMPACTS HOW OUR BRAINS WORK. NEW RESEARCH FROM UC SAN DIEGO. THE RESEARCHERS STUDIED THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE FROM THE 2018 CAMP FIRE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. TWENTY-SEVEN PEOPLE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE FIRE, 21- INDIRECTLY AND 27 NOT EXPOSED AT ALL. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THOSE DIRECTLY IMPACTED SHOWED A DECLINE IN COGNITIVE ABILITIES OF DECISION MAKING AND UNDERLYING BRAIN FUNCTION. RESEARCHERS ARE NOW TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW CLIMACTIC TRAUMA AFFECTS DECISION MAKING AND THAT COULD LEAD TO NEW TREATMENTS.

A 30-year-old Chico woman was sentenced to state prison today for running down a former Chico mayor in a crosswalk as she was driving under the influence of alcohol last year. Lexy Anne Cosper, 30, was sentenced today in Butte County Superior Court to four years and four months in state prison after having previously pleaded no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol with an enhancement for causing great bodily injury. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the April 27, 2024 felony DUI crash seriously injured former Chico mayor Randall Stone and nearly struck his young son, who was following his father in the crosswalk.

The man charged with starting the Thompson Fire appeared in Butte County Superior Court on Wednesday, to set a date for his jury trial Spencer Anderson is accused of igniting the Thompson Fire in July 2024, in which investigators allege he discharged a firework from his moving vehicle in the area of Cherokee Road in Oroville. The blaze grew rapidly, burning over 3,700 acres and prompting the evacuation of around 13,000 residents. According to Cal Fire Butte County's Damage Inspection Team, 13 homes were destroyed as a result. Anderson faces a potential sentence of 21 years in state prison due to a prior felony strike conviction of felony threat. The jury trial is now scheduled to begin on August 25.

A former Butte College police officer was held to answer in Butte County Superior Court Friday on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, and the possession of an illegal assault rifle. A Butte County Superior Court judge found there was sufficient evidence to hold Allen Charles, 48, to answer on the charges and bound him over for trial. . cyber tips received by the Butte County Sheriff's Office The investigation revealed Charles was in possession of child pornography images and videos but had also distributed some of them to two separate individuals. His next scheduled court appearance is on May 14, for the setting of a jury trial date.

A Chico woman, previously twice sentenced to prison, was convicted by a Butte County Jury for attempting to run down a Chico Police officer on a downtown sidewalk. Lorayna Gonsalves, was convicted Friday after a jury found her guilty following a car chase in downtown Chico in September of 2023 where she attempted to run down the officer . She faces 25 years to life in state prison. her sentencing set for June 4,

Democrats in the California Assembly are striking down a bill that would have imposed voter identification requirements for the state's elections. The bill was introduced by Republican Assembly member Carl DeMaio of San Diego. It would have required a government-issued ID when voting in-person, along with documentation proving citizenship when registering to vote. Voters would have had to put the last four digits of their Social Security number on vote-by-mail ballot envelopes. It would have also required officials to count votes within 72 hours of an election. On Wednesday, DeMaio presented the bill to the Assembly Elections Committee, which voted it down. Democrats say DeMaio relied on a partisan report when making his points about election security. They also argued that the state's elections are already secure.

PG&E has announced a 3-year plan to reduce the risk of wildfires that could be caused by its own infrastructure. However, the plan will cost you more on your energy bill. PG&E's new wildfire mitigation plan will implement new technology to reduce the risk of their equipment causing wildfires. The plan includes the use of AI for weather forecasts, drones for power line inspections, and even sensors that can detect a spark on a power line and shut the line down. PGE says they hope to have the mitigation plans in place in 2026

The Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) is making significant progress on its much-anticipated aquatic and recreation facility. The CARD Board of Directors has awarded the construction contract to local contractor Slater & Son for the estimated $30 million project. The facility, to be built on a 10-acre parcel on Garner Lane, at the former site of Sunset HIlls Golf Course. The project's groundbreaking could take place as early as the end of April. The facility is set to open by the fall of 2026. The Park will feature water slides, a lazy river, a 50-meter swimming pool and more.

Wednesday, the City of Chico was served with a summons by Believe in Chico, LLC, with claims that the City of Chico violated California law by allowing the March 2024 public referendum to go through. The legal action seeks to reinstate the city's project approvals related to the Valley's Edge project that was reversed. The lawsuit alleged that the referendums violate the California Housing Crisis Act Government Code 66300 and are null and void, and the project approvals remain in place. The Chico City Council will be meeting with its legal team during a closed session meeting on Tuesday, April 15, to discuss the lawsuit and how the city will respond through the legal process.

Investigators have located supporting evidence that the male suspect kidnapped the female victim at gunpoint and fired his handgun at her while in the 2700 block of Eaton Rd yesterday morning. The suspect left with the female in his vehicle and shot the victim while he was driving. He then shot himself prior to being contacted by law enforcement.near 5th and palm avenues Law enforcement used loud distraction devices while attempting a hostage rescue of the victim, but law enforcement did not discharge any firearms during this incident..

A Federal Judge has ruled that the City of Chico must continue following the Warren Settlement Agreement in regards to the Homeless Encampemnts in Public Spaces.  The Judge ruled that the Agreement trumps the Supreme Court Ruling that Allows Cities to enforce anti-camping ordinances.    The City will now have to continue with

the agreement thru January 2027.  City offcials are reviewing the ruling and have yet to respond.