Negotiations are underway between the two groups looking to move the Sites Reservoir forward.... The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Sites Project Authority met this week to continue work on their partnership. So far more than 200 million dollars has been spent it getting the project under way. The Sites Authority will own the reservoir and the negotiations will determine the Bureau of Reclamation's role. Officials believe a signed agreement between the two sides will allow the Sites Authority to acquire loans for construction costs which are estimated to be between 6-point-2 and 6-point-8 billion dollars. The two sides met at the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority offices

Governor Newsom's redistricting campaign has cost over 35-million dollars in advertising so far. Supporters of Proposition 50, which allows the legislature to redraw congressional maps and could help Democrats gain five seats, have invested 20 and a-half million dollars. Opponents have spent about 15 million. Voters will decide on the measure on November 4th, potentially influencing House control in 2027. Meanwhile, Texas Republicans have approved new maps that may secure them five additional seats for the GOP.

Chico State University has been placed among the nation's top universities, according to the 2026 Best Colleges Rankings from US News & World Report. The university climbed to No. 9 in the Top Public Schools (West) category, improving by two slots from last year, and reached No. 16 Overall in Regional Universities (West), up four slots from the previous year. Chico State has also been listed as a top destination for Social Mobility at No. 30 (West) and Best Value Schools at No. 21 (West). Chico State also ranked amongst the best universities according to Money Magazine's list of "Best Colleges in America" for 2025 with 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the legality of President Trump's tariff plan in November. The focus will be on Trump using a law meant for times of emergency to impose the duties without the help of Congress. The high court scheduled oral arguments for November 5th after it agreed to fast track the case. The tariffs will stay in place until the court makes a decision.

A Red Bluff Town Councilman is facing calls for his removal after a social media post in the wake of the Charlie Kirk killing... Cody Strock is facing pressure after his post regarding Kirk's killing last week. Strock said on his Facebook page QUOTE "At least Kirk died doing what he loved, making sure there were guns in schools." END QUOTE Strock did not attend the council meeting on Tuesday night but four residents asked town leaders to reprimand him, one asking for his removal. Town Mayor Kris Deiters said leaders need to mindful of the words they use and town leaders need to speak with moral clarity. Strock says he deeply regrets his insensitive comments

A Chico couple pleaded no contest to charges of child and animal abuse in Butte County Superior Court on Thursday. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the couple's two non-verbal special-needs children, ages 8 and 10, were identified as victims of the child abuse. Officers investigated the couples home and discovered over 30 animals inside the home in deplorable conditions. Ramsey says both face up to six years and eight months in state prison. they were charged with the same crimes in 2023...

North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State has announced a $1.2M award to invest in regional irrigation and rangeland projects. This award is part of a broader project, where Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council are allocating $80 million to support eleven projects across the state. The funding awarded to Chico State will allow rural California farmers to have new tools for fighting drought, improving grazing and boosting sustainability. The North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State says they will use the funding to support two projects and then manage the overall implementation of the grant. One in Siskyous County and the other a Virtual Fencing project thru the Hopland Rangeland Virtual Fencing Demonstration.

A Chico man was taken into custody on Thursday after leading officers on an extended foot pursuit. The Chico Police Department says that at around noon , dispatch received multiple calls for a naked adult male who was seen wandering around the Horseshoe Lake area of Upper Bidwell Park. The man, identified as 23-year-old Thomas Niles of Chico, ran from officers on foot, leading authorities on a 16-minute chase through the creek near 5 Mile. Niles was arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of resisting a peace officer.

New fencing has been installed outside Chico City Hall as part of an initiative to enhance security and protect public spaces. Three fences were added, with the most recent surrounding the dancing trout fountain in front of the Chico City Council chambers. The fence stands only a few feet tall. City officials explained that the decision to install the fence was largely due to repeated vandalism of the fountain, which is considered public art. A sign now restricts access beyond the fence to city employees only.

The Butte County Department of Public Health (BCPH) announced the first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) on August 14. BCPH has now received confirmation that the individual, between 30 and 40 years old, died due to complications of their WNV illness. The individual developed a severe WNV illness with neurologic symptoms. BCPH extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.