Marc Albert

Reporter, Morning Edition Host

North State Public Radio reporter Marc Albert joined the staff in 2010 as a morning program host. Formerly a reporter at the Oakland Tribune, Alameda Sun, Berkeley Voice and other publications, Marc is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz and attended the University of California at Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. A California resident since 1987, Marc has lived in Kyoto, Japan, Georgetown, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand. He originally hails from New York City. His first public radio experience was at age 16, answering phones during pledge drives at the storied WBAI. He later served as a volunteer reporter at KUSP-Santa Cruz, WBAI-New York and KPFA-Berkeley before embarking on a decade plus sojourn in print journalism. He has proudly called Chico his home since 2008.

Power Outage Affects 79,000 In Butte County

By • Apr 7, 2015

 

The start of the workweek was delayed in parts of Butte County after electricity service was interrupted for most of Monday morning. 

About 79,000 households, mainly in Butte County, lost electrical power Monday morning after a major transformer failed at Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s Table Mountain substation near Oroville. 

The malfunction knocked out power to Chico, Paradise and Magalia at about 8:15 on Monday. Parts of Oroville and Durham also went dark, disrupting routines and causing traffic delays.

Chico High School Raises Autism Awareness

By • Apr 3, 2015
Marc Albert / NSPR

 

In an effort to raise awareness and understanding, students at Chico High School made a special effort Thursday as they marked National Autism Awareness Month. 

With upbeat ’80s pop blaring in the background Chico High School teacher Caitlin McCandless was marshalling her class of autistic students as they handed out small blue ribbons and blue Jolly Ranchers to students making their way through the school courtyard during lunch period.   

Man Injured In Suspicious South Oroville Shooting

By • Apr 3, 2015

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of an African American man in South Oroville, early Wednesday afternoon.

According to information provided by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was struck in the leg as he and another man jumped out of a car, being driven by two other men. The car was described as a green, four-door sedan with a tan interior of an unknown make or model. The car reportedly had a child safety seat in the back. The incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m.

Number Of Registered Voters Falls Statewide

By • Apr 1, 2015
Keith Ivey / Flickr, Creative Commons

 

Statewide voter registration trends were largely mirrored in the North State, with the number of registered voters falling, according to data released Tuesday by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. 

Art Helps Drive Local Economy, Advocates Say

By • Mar 31, 2015
City of Chico

Performances, art shows and public art are more than mere cultural enrichment, they also fuel the local economy. 

That’s the summation of a long-awaited report that arts organizations hope will convince political leaders in Chico to restore some funding to the arts, artists and art-related events. 

Direct city funding was largely eliminated due to budget shortfalls in the wake of the implosion of housing bubble.

Economist Points To Conservation Issues, Possible Solutions

By • Mar 30, 2015
Marc Albert / NSPR

Dozens of water utilities across California will be notifying residential customers of new water restrictions in coming weeks as the grip of California’s epic drought tightens. But some of the most common strategies taken by utilities don’t always pay the highest dividends, according to Kurt Schwabe, associate professor of environmental economics and policy at UC Riverside. He delivered the lecture at Chico State Friday.

Meth Tops Drug Arrests; Butane ‘Hash’ A Growing Concern

By • Mar 27, 2015
Marc Albert / NSPR

 

Despite its destructive powers, meth remains the most widely abused drug in the North State. While not nearly as prevalent, Butte County authorities warned Thursday of the growing proliferation of another substance. Perhaps less dangerous to users, it still presents tremendous risks to local amateur chemists attempting to produce it.  

Butte County Adopts State Groundwater Rules

By • Mar 25, 2015

 

Regardless of how scarce groundwater becomes in Butte County, local officials will have some manner of control. Reacting to new statewide regulations requiring California to start monitoring groundwater, the Butte County Board of Supervisors moved to name the county as the local Groundwater Sustainability Agency. 

Butte County Supervisors Prepare To Regulate Groundwater

By • Mar 24, 2015
Quinn Commendant / Flickr, Creative Commons

 

Even the longest journey, begins with a first step. The Confucian trope may best encapsulate what’s ahead for officials in Butte County, and California’s other counties as they slowly prepare to regulate the state’s vast but diminishing groundwater supplies.

On Tuesday, supervisors in Butte County will be asked to establish a lead local agency ultimately responsible for assuring that local groundwater supplies are wisely used. 

Initiative Aims To Bring Industry To Oroville

By • Mar 23, 2015
Public Domain

 

Oroville’s civic boosters believe they have a secret worth spreading. The secret, of course, is Oroville and all they’ve lined up to encourage industry to relocate there. 

The people behind a new website, Oroville: California’s Business Oasis, are trying to promote Oroville and surrounding communities as places turning the state’s reputation on its head. The site — aimed at so-called location consultants, hired by manufacturers on the hunt for sites to expand — focuses on potential pluses for businesses. 

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