Quick reads — Two Chico City Council members investigated over potential conflicts of interest

The California Fair Political Practices commission is investigating two Chico City Council members over potential conflicts of interest.

The pair of complaints allege Addison Winslow and Bryce Goldstein should have recused themselves from voting on a controversial downtown revitalization project because they leased offices in the project area.

The complaint against Goldstein also argues she should not have voted because she was working for CalTrans, which would have funded the project.

Butte County's most valuable crop — walnuts — is seeing a smaller harvest this year.

The Butte County Farm Bureau says growers are harvesting 15 to 20% fewer walnuts of the Chandler variety, likely because of heat earlier this spring.

But the smaller crop could actually benefit farmers. Last year's abundant harvest drove prices down, while this year's tighter supply could mean higher prices for growers.

Butte County voters are returning their mail-in ballots faster than during the last midterm election. In Shasta County, the pace is about the same.

State figures released over the weekend show about 30% of mail ballots have been returned in Butte County. That's compared with 25% in Shasta County.

But that's only the early voting picture: Voters can still cast ballots through tomorrow evening, and mail ballots arriving after Election Day will also be counted.