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Quick reads — North State advocates push for more rural child care funding
North State advocates push for more rural child care funding
Advocates are calling on California to invest more in affordable child care in rural North State communities, where they say a shortage of options is forcing some parents to leave the workforce or take on debt.
Supporters of the statewide Choose Children 2026 campaign gathered Wednesday in Corning to highlight the shortage and its effect on rural families.
Anais Durán, an organizer with the campaign, said finding an open child care spot can be especially difficult in places like Tehama County.
“One in six parents can't find childcare that they need and are forced into impossible choices,” Durán said. “That stress that parents feel, their children feel it too.”
The economic impact of the shortage was also raised at the event, with speakers saying greater access to child care could help more parents return to the workforce.
Election ballots are on their way to registered voters in Butte County
Ballots are now on their way to registered voters across California. Butte County elections officials say voters should expect theirs to arrive by Oct. 14.
Voters can track their ballot through the Secretary of State’s “Where’s My Ballot?” service. It sends updates when a ballot is mailed, received and counted by the county elections office.
Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — to be counted.
Supervisors discussion on possible Shasta County lawsuit canceled
Shasta County canceled a closed-session discussion today about a potential lawsuit over public records.
Shasta Scout reports the county has refused to release a subpoena served on its top elections official, Clint Curtis. The subpoena orders Curtis to testify in federal court about ballots he has called suspicious.
An attorney for Shasta Scout had threatened to sue the county if it did not release the subpoena. The county declined to say why today’s closed session was canceled.
New wolf law gives California ranchers more protections
California is taking new steps to help ranchers deal with the impacts of a growing gray wolf population.
The measure establishes a program in state law that pays ranchers when wolves kill or injure livestock. It also allows guard dogs to chase wolves away from livestock, and creates a statewide advisory board to help guide future wolf management.
State Senator Megan Dahle — who represents much of the North State — says the law doesn’t solve all the challenges facing ranchers, but calls it a step in the right direction.
CA remains fourth-largest economy in the world
California remains the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The state produced more than $4.5 trillion in economic output last year.
California also led the nation in several major industries, including agriculture and manufacturing. The Golden State produces more than 40% of the country’s computers and electronics, half its vegetables, and more than three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. Wages in California also grew by more than 5% last year.