Here's your daily briefing...
FBI joins search for missing Shasta County woman — It’s been two weeks since 34-year-old mother Sherri Papini disappeared without a trace near Redding. NSPR’s Kelly Frost reports that now the FBI is getting involved. Papini was last seen Nov. 2 taking a jog near her home off of Old Oregon Trail in Mountain Gate. In an interview with NSPR, Keith Papini says he is still holding on to hope that she is still out there somewhere.
North Staters stage pipeline protest - Demonstrators opposing the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline staged events across the country yesterday including in the North State. According to NSPR’s Marc Albert, in Chico, about 30 people turned out to pressure Wells Fargo and US Bank, two institutions helping facilitate the pipeline. Elsewhere in California, thousands marched down Market Street in San Francisco and a few hundred picketed a Corps of Engineers office in Los Angeles. The protests, led by Native Americans in North Dakota, are trying to block or at least re-route the pipeline, which they say, poses risks to local drinking water.
Chico community leaders call for calm after bias-related incidents — This morning Chico community leaders met and called for peace after bias-related incidents increased following last week’s election. According to NSPR’s Marc Albert, Chief of Police Mike O’ Brien is leading the call saying he doesn’t want to see a community that erupts into violence or hate crimes. Incidents reported in the region include a Redding high school student handing out fake deportation letters and an African American pedestrian in Chico being jeered by someone in blackface from a passing car. O’Brien said he and other law enforcement agencies will not tolerate bias-related incidents and that they’re attempting to get out in front of the issue.
Medicaid and Covered California safe for now — Many Californians in the state are worried about whether or not they will continue to have health coverage in 2017, now that Donald Trump has been elected president. According to Capital Public Radio’s health care reporter Ja’Nel Johnson, there’s no need to be worried as of now. Johnson reports that Dr. Patrick Romano, a professor with the UC Davis Center for Health Care Policy and Research, said nothing should change this year. In terms of 2018, however, no one knows, he said. Romano’s advice? Continue renewing or signing up for your health insurance policy through Covered California or Medi-Cal. January 31st is that last day to enroll for 2017.
Redding City Council approves department head raises —Two City of Redding department heads received substantial raises at Tuesday night’s council meeting. NSPR’s Kelly Frost reports the City Council voted to give the finance director an additional $500 a month, and the community services director an additional $1,000 a month in compensation.