Newsome places 3rd in Early Poll for 2028

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

Governor Gavin Newsom is polling in third place among Democrats likely to face off in the 2028 New Hampshire presidential primary. Emerson College Polling surveyed a thousand likely voters earlier this week. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is leading among Democrats, with more than 19 percent support. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is in second place, with more than eleven percent support, followed closely by Newsom. More than 23 percent of likely Democratic voters remain undecided. Vice President JD Vance is overwhelmingly leading the poll among likely Republican candidates, with nearly 43 percent support

Old Mill in Susanville Destroyed in Fire

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

An old lumber mill in Susanville was destroyed in an early morning fire Sunday, Authorities said the fire resulted in the loss of "an irreplaceable piece of the community's history," but no injuries to civilians or firefighters have been reported. First responders were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading beyond the mill site, limiting further damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Butte Co Inmate Sentenced 18 Years Prison after Attack on Deputy

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

A Butte County Jail inmate was transferred to state prison Monday to begin serving an 18-year sentence for attacking a correctional deputy last year, authorities said. Guy Dalrymple was sentenced for the August 13, 2025, assault that occurred while he was in custody at the Butte County Jail. Authorities said Dalrymple struck the deputy multiple times . During the struggle, the deputy suffered a dislocated shoulder and a fractured arm.

Governor Debate Cancelled Claims of Race Discrimination

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

One of the Republican candidates for Governor in California wants federal funding to USC cut, after the university canceled Tuesday's night's debate. Steve Hilton has written a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon asking for the funding cut while the reasons for the debate cancellation are reviewed. In the letter, Hilton says Democrats turned the whole thing into a mess, the public has a right to hear from the candidates, and there needs to be clear accountability about what happened. Hilton, Republican Chad Bianco, and four Democrats were supposed to be on the debate stage, but when the forum was announced, there was criticism that only white candidates were invited. USC has defended its selection criteria, but said it canceled the debate at the last minute because the criticism became too much of a distraction.

Gallagher Pushes Bill to Cut Energy Rates

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

Assemblyman James Gallagher has introduced A BILL that requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop recommendations to cut electricity rates by at least 30% by January 1, 2028, . The bill would further require the PUC to include in its report an assessment of verified restitution shortfalls for victims of wildfires caused by electrical corporations occurring before July 12, 2019 - including victims covered by the Fire Victim's Trust (FVT),

Chico State Cancels Caesar Chavez Day Events

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

CHICO STATE HAS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE CANCELLING THE CESAR CHAVEZ DAY EVENTS ON CAMPUS ON MARCH 31 ..USUALLY THEY HOLD A CATS IN THE COMMUNITY CLEAN UP DAY...UNIVERSITY OFFCIALS SAY THEY WILL NOT BE DOING EVENTS ON MARCH 31 BUT WILL HOLD VOLUNTEER EVENTS IN APRIL.

State Assembly Passes bill to Change Caesar Chavez Day

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

State lawmakers are moving quickly to rename Cesar Chavez Day. Yesterday, the State Assembly voted 67-to-nothing to approve AB 2156. That's the bill that proposes changing Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day. The State Senate is now considering the measure and it could be on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk by Thursday. Cesar Chavez Day takes place in California next Tuesday. The rapid legislative action is happening one week after the New York Times published a multi-year investigation. Several women say they were sexually assaulted by the late labor leader when they were as young as 12.

Judge denies Chico Motion to withdraw Warren Settlement

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

A federal judge has denied the City of Chico's motion to withdraw from or modify the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement, a 2022 deal that restricts the city's ability to enforce anti-camping laws against homeless individuals. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Drozd keeps the agreement in place until its scheduled expiration on January 14, 2027. The city sought to exit the settlement, arguing that the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson-which gave cities greater authority to enforce anti-camping laws-superseded the local agreement. The court found that the city voluntarily entered into the settlement, which provides stronger protections for the unhoused than the minimum constitutional requirements. The judge noted that challenges in enforcement and the legal landscape were foreseeable, and the city cannot unilaterally break the contract

BCSO Inmate Injury Investigation

Posted About Three Weeks Ago

The Butte County Sheriff's Office is investigating a in-custody medical emergency that occurred at the Butte County Jail on Monday afternoon. Authorities say at around 2:32 p.m. A correctional deputy at the Butte County Jail was conducting a routine security check inside of the housing unit discovered a 35-year-old male inmate who was unresponsive inside of their single-occupancy cell. The Sheriffs office reports the inmate had a bedsheet around his neck, which was attached to the interior of the cell. Staff was able to obtain a pulse for the inmate, who was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Chico Aquatic Center Moving Forward

Posted About One Month Ago

Chico's new 30 million dollar aquatic center is slated to open later this year Two of three pools have been delivered and work is underway. Chico Area Recreation and District General Manager Scott Schumann says that included water park will include a 50 meter competition pool and a 25 yard leisure pool Shumann says two of the pools will be heated so they can be used during the winter months for recreation and rehabilitation purposes. The center is expected to open this September

North State Hispanic Chamber Cancels Chavez Event

Posted About One Month Ago

The North State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NSHCC) has canceled its planned Cesar Chavez Celebration event in Chico, after the New York Times reported allegations of sexual misconduct against Chavez. The event was set to take place at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Sunday March 29. The Chamber says it can no longer move forward in supporting the event in its current form.

New Poll Shows GOP Leading in Gov Race

Posted About One Month Ago

A new poll shows Republicans have a strong chance of upsetting Democrats in the race for California's next governor. UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies released the poll today. It shows Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading their Democratic opponents by slim margins. Hilton, a conservative commentator, has the support of 17 percent of likely voters. Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff, has the support of 16 percent of likely voters. They are going against eight top Democrats, none of whom have emerged as a clear frontrunner. California has a top-two primary system, meaning the top two vote-getters in the June primary, regardless of party, advance to the November general election.

Plans to Raise Shasta Dam gets Federal Funding

Posted About One Month Ago

The Trump administration is giving 40 million dollars to a plan to raise Shasta Dam, a move backed by California farmers. Supporters say it will help supply water to hundreds of farms, but critics warn it could flood sacred land, harm the McCloud River, and threaten endangered salmon. Shasta Dam, just north of Redding, is California's tallest dam and creates the state's largest reservoir, holding over 40 percent of the water used to irrigate Central Valley farms. California has tried to stop the project before. State law blocks state help if the project would harm the river or fish.

Cesar Chavez allegations of Abuse of Young Girls & Women

Posted About One Month Ago

Sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader Cesar Chavez are leading to shock and anger. Chavez founded the United Farm Workers in 1962, and now that group is cancelling many events designed to honor the labor icon. The UFW released a statement Tuesday saying it has become aware of "disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors" during his time as President of the union. The UFW said the allegations are "shocking, indefensible and something we are taking seriously."

Chico Council Approves 5 year Sewer Rate Hike

Posted About One Month Ago

The Chico City Council is advancing a plan that will significantly increase sewer rates over the next five years. The plan, approved during a recent council meeting, will see a 180% increase in sewer bills in the first year. A typical family can expect their monthly bill to rise from $38 to $98 in the first year, followed by 3% increases annually over the next four years. This results in a total 215% increase over five years. City staff explained that these hikes are crucial for upgrading the sewer system, which has suffered from years of underfunding.

Butte Co Elections 2 Ballot Primary

Posted About One Month Ago

The Butte County Elections Division has sent out a reminder regarding the Statewide Primary Election and the Congressional District 1 Vacancy Election, both scheduled for June 2. Ballot packets for both elections will be mailed to voters on May 4. Each voter will receive two separate packets: a purple packet for the Statewide Primary and an orange packet for the Congressional District 1 Vacancy. Both packets will include an official ballot, a voter information guide, and a return envelope. Voters are advised to ensure each ballot is returned in the correct return envelope.

State Senator proposes Bill to Suspend Gas Tax

Posted About One Month Ago

The California Senate Energy Committee will vote next week on a bill that would suspend the state's gas tax. The bill was introduced by Republican State Senator Tony Strickland of Huntington Beach. California has the highest gas prices in the nation with the average at five-34 a gallon. California also has the highest gasoline tax burden in the nation, at about 71 cents per gallon. USC Professor Michael Mische will be in Sacramento next Wednesday to testify in support of Strickland's bill. He has projected the average gas price in California rising to eight dollars per gallon by the end of this year.

State Leaders Downplay FBI report on Iran Threats

Posted About One Month Ago

State Officials are downplaying the threat after the FBI reportedly warned California police about Iran targeting the West Coast to retaliate for U.S. attacks on the country. The alert issued at the end of last month said the FBI had information about Iran wanting to launch unmanned drones in a surprise attack in the event of U.S. strikes. It went on to say the threat was specifically against unspecified targets in California. Law enforcement sources now tell multiple outlets there was no specific threat that underpinned the alert. Governor Gavin Newsom said in a post on X that authorities are not aware of any imminent threats, but they remain prepared for any emergency.

Oroville Woman Sentenced on Elder Abuse Charge

Posted About One Month Ago

Wednesday, a judge handed down a sentence of nearly 30 years for a In Home care worker who abused her elderly client over the course of several months. The Butte County District Attorney's Office says that Desiree Herrera of Oroville previously pleaded guilty to elder abuse and felony assault charges. Authorities say the abuse involved a man in his 70s whom Herrera was supposed to assist through the state-funded In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.

Crowded Dem Field could lead to GOP Win for Governor

Posted About One Month Ago

Eight Democrats are running for California governor, despite concerns from party leaders about a crowded primary field. Democratic leaders worry that multiple candidates could split the vote in the state's top-two primary system. Political experts say that scenario could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. If that happens, analysts say it would guarantee a conservative governor even though Democrats make up the majority of registered voters in California.

Man dies after crashing Bicycle into Parked Car at Chico State

Posted About One Month Ago

A man died after colliding with a parked car while riding a bicycle in the WellCat Health Center parking lot at Chico State.Campus Police responded to the scene just before 2p . Officers found the man unresponsive on the ground. Despite efforts to save him by both officers and medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. no foul play is suspected. The man's identity is being withheld until his next of kin is notified.

Gallagher Running for Dist 1

Posted About One Month Ago

Assemblyman James Gallagher says he is filing paperwork to run for the seat of late Congressman Doug LaMalfa ..first up the June Primary Gallagher says if he is able to win 50% + 1 of the votes in June that will serve as the "Special Election" and it will then make the August election mute and he then would be seriving out the remainder of LaMalfas term until the election in November.

Lawmakers want to Speed up Home Building

Posted About One Month Ago

California lawmakers want to speed up and cut the cost of building new homes. They're looking at solutions like prefab, modular, and manufactured homes, which can be built in factories. Experts say factory-built homes could lower costs by up to 20 percent and cut construction time in half, helping the state meet its goal of two and a-half million new homes by 2030. Last year, lawmakers made it easier to build homes by some changing rules and speeding up approvals. But challenges like financing and complicated regulations remain. Lawmakers are now preparing new bills to help streamline the process.

Hwy 70 Collision injuries drivers

Posted About One Month Ago

A head-on crash has blocked State Route 70 in the Cherokee area, according to Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP said dispatchers received a report of a head-on crash on State Route 70 near Cherokee Road—roughly 10 miles west of Jarbo Gap—around 3p CHP said a FedEx delivery truck was traveling west on SR-70. At the same time, a truck towing a trailer was traveling east on SR-70. For reasons still under investigation, CHP said the FedEx truck entered the oncoming lane directly in the path of the pickup truck, resulting in a head-on crash. , both drivers sustained moderate injuries and were transported to local hospitals in stable condition.

State Dems nervous of Governor race

Posted About One Month Ago

The chair of the California Democratic Party wants candidates to drop out of the governor's race if they're low in the polls. The letter by Rusty Hicks reflects a growing concern in his party that two Republicans could grab the top two spots and therefore guarantee a GOP victory in November. Governor Gavin Newsom tells CBS Sacramento that he agrees with that concern. Three Democrats and two Republicans are in a virtual tie for first place in the latest poll. Multiple Democrats are polling below five percent, but they're collectively pulling in a big chunk of Democratic voters. They include former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and former State Controller Betty Yee.

Newsome threatens to Pull CARE funds

Posted About One Month Ago

Governor Newsom is threatening to take funding from counties not using his CARE Court program. The program, launched in 2023, is designed to get people with severe mental illness off the streets. It uses the courts to get people into mental health treatment. Newsom called out ten counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Yolo, Monterey and Fresno. He says they "haven't gotten it done" and blames them for the slow implementation of the program. He also told leaders of those counties "don't make any more excuses."

Chico Downtown Plaza Closed for repairs

Posted About One Month Ago

The City Plaza in Downtown Chico was officially closed down Monday..City offcials say there are much needed repairs needed in order to get the plaza ready for summer events 26 people who were camped on the premises were removed. City Officials say the City's Public Works and Outreach programs did offer shelter to each individual who was removed from the area both on Monday and last week, ahead of the closure.

New State Education Rankings

Posted About One Month Ago

California ranks 14th nationwide for K-12 education. The state did well on ACT scores and graduation rates but had larger class sizes and lower SAT scores. According to a Go Au Pair study, only about eight percent of students reported regular bullying, the lowest rate in the U.S. Massachusetts tops the list for K-12 education, followed by Virginia, North Dakota, Connecticut, and Iowa. New Mexico ranks last, just below Oklahoma, Arizona, Nevada, and Alaska.

SCOTUS Blocks State Law on Parental Notification

Posted About One Month Ago

The Supreme Court has blocked California from enforcing rules that limit when schools can tell parents if a student identifies as transgender. In a 6-3 ruling, the justices said parents seeking religious exemptions are likely to win their case, letting a lower court's decision stand. The state's policy requires teachers to use a student's preferred pronouns and, in some cases, keep a child's gender identity confidential. The court's liberal justices dissented, criticizing the majority for acting without full arguments and relying on the "shadow docket." California officials say the rules are meant to balance parental rights with student privacy as the legal fight moves forward.

Paradise Evacuation Route Project Meeting

Posted About One Month Ago

The Town of Paradise is taking a significant step toward improving its evacuation infrastructure through the Roe Road expansion project, and is hosting a community meeting about the plaN. The initiative, based in the town's Transportation Master Plan , emphasizes roadway connectivity along the southern border of Paradise between Pentz Road and Skyway. The town is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Paradise Town Hall to present the current project scope and gather input from residents.

US Iran Strikes

Posted About One Month Ago

Protests and celebrations have followed the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation that killed the supreme leader of Iran over the weekend. President Trump says Americans should expect more casualties after U.S. Central Command confirmed Sunday that three U.S. service members have been killed, and five others seriously injured as part of the operation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Shumer were quick to call on the administration to explain why they launched the strikes. Members of Congress are now scheduled to receive classified briefings on Tuesday from several high-ranking officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Chico Woman v Social Media

Posted About One Month Ago

The plaintiff in a landmark social media addiction trial says she became hooked on the apps as early as the age of six. The 20-year-old woman from Chico is suing Google and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram. On Thursday, she took the stand in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, testifying that her social media dependence contributed to years of anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia. She also said not receiving likes, comments or subscribers on the platforms had an emotional impact. Her lawsuit accuses tech companies of intentionally engineering social media platforms to become addictive for kids and teens. TikTok and Snapchat were initially named as defendants in the lawsuit but settled before the trial started.