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Chico picks election map | Mass shooting updates | Calls for public safety spending

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, April 7.

Chico City Council sets new election districts for councilors

The Chico City Council Tuesday adopted new district boundaries governing council member elections for the next 10 years.

In a 5-2 vote, the council picked a district map submitted by the public instead of one drawn by a demographer hired by the city. Council members Dale Bennett and Alex Brown were the two no votes.

Brown, the only progressive member on the panel, expressed embarrassment at the council’s map choice, raising questions about its compliance with the state’s FAIR MAPS Act and highlighting the shapes of the seven newly drawn districts.

“I wrote ‘lip,’ ‘lip,’ ‘shelf,’ ‘loop de loo,’ ‘island,’ ‘appendage,’” Brown said during this week’s council meeting. “These are words that have been provided to us by members of the public because they have eyes. And they can see this map. And they can see that this map is not fair.”

The demographer hired by the city, Claudio Gallegos, told the council he believed all the maps under final consideration were legal.

Council seats in districts 2, 4 and 6 are up for election in November.

— Andre Byik, NSPR

Oroville mass shooting suspect appears in court

The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Oroville appeared in court Wednesday for mental competency proceedings.

Court documents show, however, more time is needed to evaluate the mental health of suspected shooter Asaahdi Coleman.

The Sacramento man is charged in connection with the February Greyhound bus shooting that left one person dead and four others injured.

A Butte County judge scheduled Coleman’s next hearing for May 11. Meanwhile, criminal proceedings remain suspended in the case pending the outcome of Coleman’s examination, which will determine whether he is competent to stand trial.

Coleman remains in custody without bail.

— Andre Byik, NSPR

Sacramento police believe at least 5 people fired guns during Sunday’s mass shooting

The Sacramento Police Department says the public has played a major role in assisting the investigation into the mass shooting in downtown Sacramento this week that left six dead and 12 injured.

Chad Lewis, spokesperson for the department, said people have submitted videos, photos and other evidence through an online portal.

“It's kind of an unprecedented tool for us to use, and at this point, in 72 hours or so, we've had slightly over 200 submissions through that portal,” Lewis said.

Police now believe at least five people fired guns during the shooting.

Two suspects in custody face charges directly related to the shooting and a third faces a charge of illegally possessing a gun police believe was not fired during the incident.

The department said it believes gang violence is at the center of this tragedy but would not provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.

— CapRadio Staff

Sacramento mayor calls for $3B in public safety, mental health spending

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is calling for huge investments in public safety and expanded mental health treatment in the wake of Sunday’s mass shooting in downtown Sacramento.

Steinberg joined advocates for criminal justice reform in calling for nearly $3 billion for behavioral health treatment, as well as increased substance abuse treatment in and out of prisons.

That money would also include new funding to support crime victims and those leaving prison or jail.

Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said he’s open to discussing the money Steinberg and others are asking for.

“Certainly, as Republicans, we do believe in rehabilitation,” Gallagher said. “But we have to have accountability, and that’s what the real issue here is.”

Gallagher said it’s unacceptable that one suspect was reportedly granted early release this year despite objections from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

—  CapRadio Staff

Indigenous activists protest plans to log redwoods in Northern California forest

Indigenous activists late last month led protests at the state Capitol against Cal Fire’s proposed logging of redwoods in Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Mendocino County.

Michael Hunter organized the rally. He’s the chairman of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

We decided to bring our community out here to Sacramento to show everybody how dedicated, how committed we are to saving our forests,” Hunter said.

Jackson Demonstration State Forest is in a rural area between the Mendocino coast and Highway 101. It’s California’s largest state-owned forest. And it's also part of the ancestral territories of the Pomo people.

This area has a long history with logging and testing methods of land management. Hunter said the tribe wants to co-manage the forest to protect their cultural resources.

Cal Fire has plans to respond to community concerns during an advisory group meeting on May 2. Read the full story

—  CapRadio Staff

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

In other news

  • Chico offers Pallet shelter cost breakdown: “With the Warren v. Chico settlement still a living, breathing document, the city released the latest information regarding its new Pallet shelter with a breakdown of costs, including a $553,132 contract with the Jesus Center.” — Chico Enterprise-Record
  • Cal Fire responds to fire above Concow in the Canyon: “Cal Fire and local crews responded quickly to a fire above Concow in the Feather River Canyon. Plumas News is reporting on this event as a reminder that conditions are already ripe for a wildfire and anyone who is burning yard debris must beware.” — Plumas News
  • Yuba County Library opens its doors again: “After previously only being open to the public by way of an appointment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yuba County Library in Marysville dropped that policy on Tuesday.” — The Appeal-Democrat
  • New Tuesday Night Market in Corning draws hundreds: “Hundreds of Tehama County residents gathered in the streets of downtown Corning Tuesday as the city and the Corning Chamber of Commerce held the first ever Corning Tuesday Night Market, combining Food Truck Tuesday and the farmers market, formerly held Thursdays.” — Red Bluff Daily News
  • California eyes citizen lawsuits over illegal guns: “On Tuesday, a key legislative committee voted 8-1 to advance a bill — sponsored by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta — that co-opts the structure of Texas’ abortion ban by giving private citizens the right to sue manufacturers, sellers and distributors of illegal assault weapons, ‘ghost’ guns and certain other firearms and to collect at least $10,000 in civil damages per weapon.” — CalMatters

In case you missed it

Headlines is published every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and NPR One. Theme song Borough is courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions

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.