The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Tuesday, Feb. 8.
North State senator to announce bid for California governor
State Sen. Brian Dahle, who represents California’s 1st Senate District, will announce his candidacy for governor today, according to The Associated Press.
The AP reports Dahle is one of the first Republicans to publicly challenge Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who defeated a recall attempt last year. Dahle indicated on Facebook he will make a “special announcement” at noon at the Redding Civic Auditorium lawn.
Dahle’s candidacy “ensures Republicans will have someone on the ballot against Newsom, who soundly defeated a host of Republican challengers just five months ago in a recall election fueled by anger over his handling of the pandemic,” according to the AP.
The AP reports any Republican will have a tough time defeating Newsom in November. Republicans account for about 24% of registered voters in the state, which is heavily Democratic.
— Andre Byik, NSPR
Interview: Greenville resident on town’s needs 6 months after Dixie Fire
The massive Dixie Fire overtook the Plumas County community of Greenville six months ago Friday.
One Greenville resident, Cathy Buchanan, said her home survived the fire, but her mother’s home and the local bar her mother ran did not.
Buchanan recently spoke with NSPR in Greenville about the community’s needs — homes, jobs, school — and she recounted escaping the fire with her daughter as it approached the town.
“We went out into the valley,” she said, “and we literally watched the town burn.”
Listen to the interview in today’s Headlines.
— Andre Byik, NSPR
Monday marked 5 years since Oroville Dam crisis
Five years ago Monday, a crater-sized crack appeared in Oroville Dam's primary spillway after heavy rains. The potential failure of the adjoining emergency spillway, five days later, prompted Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea to issue mandatory evacuation orders for more than 180,000 residents. Honea said residents continue to deal with the trauma.
"The spillway incident left a lasting scar on our community,” he said. “And I suspect that for many, many years to come there will be people who remember that day like other significant events that collectively we all remember — 9-11, Pearl Harbor."
It took the state Department of Water Resources two and a half years and $1 billion worth of repairs before it began using the dam's main spillway again, releasing water into the Feather River. Listen to the full interview.
— CapRadio Staff
California to end indoor mask mandate Feb. 15
California is ending its indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people Feb. 15 as the omicron surge recedes for much of the state, but it will remain in place for the unvaccinated.
The mask mandate for indoor public places was put in place in mid-December to help stem a dramatic holiday-related increase in COVID-19 cases. But despite the requirement, the rapid rise continued into January. During its peak California averaged more than 110,000 new cases per day. The state says cases have since decreased by 65%.
Masks will still be required on public transit, in long-term care facilities, and health care settings. Read the full story.
— CapRadio Staff
California lawmakers approve additional paid sick leave
Workers will be able to get additional paid sick time if they come down with COVID-19 under a measure California lawmakers approved yesterday.
It requires some employers to provide up to 80 hours of paid pandemic sick leave. Workers can use that time if they need to quarantine, get a vaccine, or if they or a family member tests positive.
It’s retroactive to Jan. 1 and expires at the end of September.
Democratic lawmakers say it will take pressure off workers who have to balance their health with their pocketbooks.
After the first 40 hours of sick leave, employers can request proof of a positive test. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill.
— CapRadio Staff
Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.
In other news
- Hey national media, Shasta County hasn’t been taken over by the “militia” quite yet: “Simplistic and inaccurate media portrayals of Shasta County’s political process risk contributing to deepening polarization and extremism.” — Shasta Scout (Column)
- Regional Housing Authority cuts low-income programs: “For the past several weeks, jurisdictions in the region have been receiving notices from the Regional Housing Authority about its decision to cancel agreements meant to provide ways for low-income residents to improve their homes.” — The Appeal Democrat
- Red Bluff Bank of America branch to close permanently: “Bank of America announced its plans to permanently close its Red Bluff branch in the late spring.” — Red Bluff Daily News
- Coronavirus updates: 8 more people die of COVID-19 in County: “The number of COVID-19 cases is slowly dropping in February after January's spike in outbreak.” — Redding Record Searchlight
- Number of COVID-19 cases in Lassen County falls slightly: “The number of COVID-19 cases in Lassen County continues to fall, according to Lassen Cares, the organization that tracks COVID-19 in Lassen County.” — Lassen County Times
In case you missed it
- Sacramento man faces murder charges in Oroville mass shooting — NSPR, Headlines (Feb. 7)
- How are North State schools using restorative justice to discipline students? — Redding Record Searchlight
- Housing workshop provides pragmatic and creative ways to see a future Greenville — Plumas News
- Yuba County Jail inmate dies at hospital — The Appeal Democrat
- Tehama County reduces isolation and quarantine periods for covid exposure — Red Bluff Daily News
- Sheriff pleads for more staffing help — The Trinity Journal
- Oroville celebrates Chinese New Year — Chico Enterprise-Record
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