LIVE UPDATES
Quick reads — Study links wildfire smoke in pregnancy to autism risk
Wildfire smoke exposure tied to autism risk
A new study from researchers at UC Davis and UCLA is raising questions about how wildfire smoke may affect child development.
Analyzing more than 8 million California births, they found intense smoke exposure during pregnancy was associated with a higher likelihood of autism.
The lead author cautions the study does not prove smoke causes autism, but says pregnant women may want to take precautions during heavy smoke events.
Chico man arrested after car chase, exchange of gunfire with deputies
A Chico man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car chase and exchange of gunfire with law enforcement Saturday.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office says deputies pursued Kristian Stevens, 32, from Magalia through Butte Creek Canyon. The chase ended when Stevens crashed on Centerville Road and ran from the scene.
Investigators say Stevens fired at deputies during the pursuit. A deputy returned fire. No one was injured.
Stevens was later located at an apartment in Chico and booked into jail.
The Butte County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
LaMalfa died from aortic tear complications
The cause of Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death has been released.
The Chico Enterprise-Record reports LaMalfa died during surgery from complications related to a tear in his aorta, the body’s main artery. His death was listed as natural.
LaMalfa was 65. He died Jan. 6 at Enloe hospital in Chico.
A special election will be held to fill the remainder of his term, which runs through early January 2027. The primary is scheduled for June 2.
Shasta, Lassen counties struggle with limited care and higher death rates
A new report from the California Health Care Foundation says Shasta and Lassen counties are facing what it calls “dire” health care access challenges.
The report finds that Shasta and Lassen counties have roughly two-thirds the number of doctors per capita compared to California overall, along with high rates due to chronic disease, suicide, firearms and substance use.
Shasta County’s overall death rate is nearly 60 percent higher than the statewide average; Lassen’s overall death rate is 31 percent higher.
Researchers also warn that potential federal cuts to Medi-Cal could hit rural providers especially hard.
State grants threatened status to select California mountain lions
Some of California’s mountain lions are now protected as a threatened species after a vote by the California Fish and Game Commission.
KQED reports that the designation covers about a thousand big cats from the Santa Cruz Mountains to Southern California.
Supporters say it gives the animals a chance to recover before their numbers drop further from wildfires, vehicle strikes and rodent poison.
Farm groups raised concerns about livestock and safety.
Measles cases rise to 8 in Shasta County
Public health officials in Shasta County say they’ve identified seven more people with measles, a highly contagious disease that causes a hallmark rash and fever.
The county’s Health and Human Services Agency announced today that all the new cases had close contact with the county’s first case reported on Jan. 30.
The health department says it found the new patients through contact tracing and got them to stay home before becoming contagious.
Shasta County has reported eight measles cases this year. That’s nearly half of California’s 17 total cases so far.
Editor’s note: NSPR will continue following developments on this story. Additional coverage — including What are measles symptoms? — at mynspr.org.
Critical access status restored for Glenn County’s only hospital
The federal government has restored Glenn Medical Center’s critical access designation. It’s a key step toward reopening the county’s only hospital.
The fix came through bipartisan legislation co-championed by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa, according to a press release.
The hospital closed last fall after losing the designation, leaving residents without a local emergency room.
Schiff says restoring the status gives Glenn County a real chance to get the facility back up and running.
Proposition 50 districts upheld, reshaping North State political landscape
The redrawn congressional maps in the North State will remain in place for this year’s midterms.
The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday upheld the gerrymandered districts that voters approved last year with Proposition 50.
They’re meant to help Democrats gain more seats in the House of Representatives. Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed the measure in response to redistricting in Texas that favored Republicans.
The California Republican Party tried to block the new voting map by claiming it illegally bolsters Latino voters.
The voting map restructured the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s district and will be in effect for the regular June primary and November general election.
It was redesigned to favor Democrats by getting rid of Redding and including parts of the North Bay.
The upcoming special election to serve out LaMalfa’s term will still use the old lines that spanned from Yuba County north to the Oregon border.
Kiley warns mileage tax study could lead to new fees. Newsom says claims are misleading
California hasn’t passed a mileage tax. But lawmakers are studying one, and that’s sparking political pushback.
CapRadio reports that Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley warns similar studies have led to new taxes layered on top of existing fees.
Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state bill only authorizes a study, not a new tax.
Assembly Democrats Monday rejected an amendment that would have barred adding a mileage charge to the gas tax.
Newsom fills vacant judgeship in Shasta County
Shasta County has a new judge.
Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Redding attorney Ryan Birss to the Shasta County Superior Court, according to a press release.
Birss has a law degree from UC Law San Francisco, and has operated his own practice since 2018.
He’s taking the spot left open when Judge Monique McKee retired.
Need emergency alerts? Butte County libraries can help you sign up
A new library service is helping Butte County residents sign-up for emergency alerts.
According to reporting by KRCR, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office is working with all six library branches to register more people following the recent switch to RAVE Mobile Safety’s Smart 911 system.
The office previously used CodeRED, but the service experienced an outage that led the agency to change the way it alerts residents.
Library staff are available to assist county residents with the online registration process, by phone or in person. No appointments are needed.
Rep. Kevin Kiley seeks federal review of fraud in California programs
A Northern California congressman is calling for a federal audit into financial mismanagement across California government programs.
CapRadio reports that Republican Representative Kevin Kiley says he’ll ask the Government Accountability Office to review pandemic-era unemployment fraud, financial aid fraud in the community college system and recent cases tied to homelessness and health care funding.
Kiley says the audit could help guide reforms in California and across the country.
Shasta County courthouses flagged in state review of immigration arrests
California's top judge wants to curb immigration enforcement at county courthouses.
According to reporting by CalMatters, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero worries the arrests by federal agents are impeding peoples’ access to justice and scaring off witnesses. She says the arrests cause a “chilling effect” by “instilling fear” into people who have business at court.
CalMatters reports that Guerrero’s office informally found that the most activity is being reported by the Shasta County Superior Court.
In April, the Judicial Council will consider officially keeping records of immigration arrests statewide. The new rule would aim to increase transparency and help clarify possible impacts on access to the courts.
Guerrero lists remote hearings and more education about the legal authority of local courts as ways to address immigration enforcement at courthouses.