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Paradise museum hopes Camp Fire exhibit deepens understanding

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Monday, Feb. 21.

Gold Nugget Museum gets failed utility equipment that caused Camp Fire

An inexpensive iron hook once helped suspend a high voltage power line running through the Feather River Canyon. After being overlooked for years by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., that hook deteriorated and snapped in November 2018, helping provide the spark that touched off the Camp Fire that killed 85 people.

The hook was a central piece of evidence in Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey's case against PG&E and will now be displayed at the Gold Nugget Museum in Paradise, along with other items in the investigation.

The museum burned down in the 2018 Camp Fire but plans to show the items in an upcoming exhibit at itsnew location. The hope is that the exhibit will help deepen the understanding of how the catastrophe happened.

— Dan Brekke (KQED), The California Report

Cold front expected in the Sierra, freezing temps in valley

A cold front is expected to bring scattered rain, wind, light snow and cooler temperatures to the Sierra Nevada.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for the west slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada above 2,000 feet starting at 7 p.m. today through 10 a.m. Tuesday. Conditions include high winds, freezing temperatures and snow, with areas above 4,000 feet receiving 6-12 inches.

In addition, freezing overnight temperatures are expected in the valley and surrounding foothills this week, with the coldest temperatures forecast for Thursday morning. People and pets should be sheltered from the cold. The NWS reports there could be some damage to crops.

Adia White, NSPR

California voters are increasingly turning to recalls

California voters are increasingly using the state’s recall system in an effort to oust politicians.

Thad Kousser, chair of the political science department at the University of California San Diego, said interest in recalls often comes in cycles, but they don’t always follow the same playbook.

“Every recall is driven by its own dynamics,” he said. “What are the political issues that motivate it? Do they actually resonate with voters? Do those voters turnout? And so we’re not seeing a consistent partisan pattern.”

Last fall, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom fended off an attempted recall. Earlier this month, voters in Shasta County successfully recalled a Republican supervisor, in part, for his support of some COVID-19 mandates. An effort to recall the mayor of Chico is underway. And last week, voters in San Francisco ousted three progressive school board members.

Kousser said state leaders are considering changes to the state’s recall laws. In the meantime, he expects voters will see more recall attempts in the months ahead.

— CapRadio Staff

California legislators aim to crack down on gun sales

Gov. Gavin Newsom is giving an early endorsement to a handful of bills that would crack down on gun sales. Among them, a bill that would let citizens sue assault weapon manufacturers and sellers.

Newsom said it’s inspired by a new law in Texas, which allows those who provide or get an abortion to be sued.

“If Texas can use a law to ban a woman’s right to choose and to put her health at risk, we will use that same law to save lives and improve the health and safety of the people of the state of California,” he said.

Other bills proposed this year would allow gun manufacturers to be held liable if their weapons are used in violent crimes. Another would ban certain weapons from being marketed toward children.

CapRadio Staff

Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.

In other news

  • California tribe confronts crisis of missing, murdered women: “The crisis has spurred the Yurok Tribe to issue an emergency declaration and brought increased urgency to efforts to build California’s first database of such cases and regain sovereignty over key services.” — The Associated Press
  • 8 Shasta County women die of COVID-19: “Their deaths bring the total number of Shasta County residents who died of COVID to 545 people, according to Public Health data.” — Redding Record Searchlight

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Sarah has worked at North State Public Radio since 2015 and is currently the station’s Director of Operations. She’s responsible for the sound of the station and works to create the richest public radio experience possible for NSPR listeners.
A graduate of California State University, Chico, Andre Byik is an award-winning journalist who has reported in Northern California since 2012. He joined North State Public Radio in 2020, following roles at the Chico Enterprise-Record and Chico News & Review.
Angel Huracha has been a part of the journalism field since 2006 and has covered a range of topics. He is a graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's degree in news-editorial and public relations with a minor in English.
Adia White is a broadcast journalist and producer with nearly 10 years of experience. Her work has appeared on WNYC, This American Life, Capital Public Radio and other local and national programs. She started at North State Public Radio as a freelance reporter in 2017 before leaving for a stint at Northern California Public Media in Santa Rosa.