Ken Devol
All Things Considered Anchor & ReporterKen came to NSPR through the back door as a volunteer, doing all the things that volunteers do. Almost nothing – nothing -- in his previous work experience suggests that he would ever be on public radio.
His resume is nearly Frankensteinian with one disparate job sutured to another: California Department of Parks and Recreation, marina employee, archaeological field technician, electrician, woodworker, furniture import, and 20 years in manufacturing management. He was an English major.
He’s traveled some. He likes to sail and writes fraudulent poetry. And now he’s in radio -- another unlikely part is sewn into the whole. And he loves it.
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The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, April 17, 2025. -
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
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The woman shot and killed in Chico during last week’s police chase drew dozens of family members, co-workers, and friends to mourn the loss. Also, amid ongoing cuts to federal funding nationally, Butte County’s public health department is also bracing for impact, and Woofstock is this Saturday.
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With increasing food prices and food insecurity throughout the nation, the need for food in Chico is also increasing. Some organizations hold consistent distributions despite ongoing costs. Also, the Chico State student killed in a murder-suicide last week will be remembered at vigils in Chico and Redding, and the Thursday Night Market is back in Chico again this evening.
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Following citizen complaints, City of Chico staff have been looking into streets that need more lights, and where funding for lighting projects would come from. Also, Yuba, Sutter, and Tehama counties will not receive anticipated federal funds for levee maintenance and improvement projects, and California wildlife officials say beavers reintroduced to their native watersheds are working on restoring the wetlands.
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Safe Space is ramping up its services with more case management and new day classes to help unhoused residents in Chico build life skills. Also, Butte County and the fire safe council could enter into an agreement to reduce wildfire risk near roadsides, and council members in Yuba City have endorsed a grant-funded program to incentivize commercial property owners to save water by replacing existing landscaping.
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The Chico Police Department will hold a public meeting next week about the use of surplus military equipment. Also, a new alert system is a sophisticated hi-tech tool giving disaster managers the information they need when bad things happen, and Butte County Humane Society is at capacity and asking residents to foster a dog.
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Chico State will host a two-day symposium dedicated to making communities more resilient and better adapted to wildfires. -
Gridley High School is now dealing with the emotional aftermath of a student stabbing on campus Wednesday morning. Also, a panel of subject experts presented details about water management in Butte County at a panel discussion in Chico, and Chico State could face a budget deficit of over $30 million this year.
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The Plumas Unified School District board passed a resolution this week authorizing the layoff of 22 employees. Also, a credit will be automatically added to the bills of PG&E customers for the month of April, and burlesque matron Hurricane Fran discusses performing with The Stardust Revue in Chico while balancing life and mentoring the next era of performers.
