The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Friday, April 29.
Water cutbacks in Redding to take effect May 1
The city of Redding is implementing new water restrictions. City officials said in a press release Thursday that customers will soon be required to limit their use by 10-20%.
Landscape watering will be limited to three days a week between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Even-numbered addresses will be permitted to water only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses will be permitted to water only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Hoses will need to be fitted with an auto-shutoff nozzle, and decorative fountains must have recirculating systems.
At restaurants, customers can only be served water upon request. Hotels and motels will be required to offer customers the option of not having their linens laundered daily.
The Redding City Council voted unanimously in mid-April to implement the new restrictions. The rules will go into effect Sunday, May 1.
— Adia White, NSPR
Platina Fire 90% contained; Cal Fire says escaped burn pile is to blame
Favorable conditions helped fire firefighters in Shasta County increase containment on the Platina Fire west of Redding.
According to the latest update from Cal Fire this morning, the fire was 10 acres and 90% contained. No injuries have been reported and no structures were damaged or destroyed.
Cal Fire reported the fire was started by an escaped burn pile in a remote area.
— Adia White, NSPR
California lawmakers propose suspending gas tax
A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is pushing to suspend the gas tax for a full year.
The proposal from the Legislature’s Problem Solvers Caucus would pause the 51-cent-per-gallon tax and backfill lost money for roads from the state’s expected surplus.
Republicans have been pushing to suspend the tax as fuel prices skyrocket.
Top legislative Democrats have been reluctant to change the gas tax and instead are pushing for tax rebates to address rising prices. They want to send $200 dollars to every taxpayer and dependent.
— CapRadio Staff
California attorney general probes fossil fuel industry
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday his office is investigating the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries. He’s looking into their roles in worsening the plastic waste pollution crisis.
Speaking at a Los Angeles County beach between an oil refinery and sewage outflow, Bonta said the first-of-its-kind investigation would determine if the industries violated any law when they pushed oil-based plastics onto consumers.
“The truth is the recycling rate has never surpassed 9%,” Bonta said. “The truth is the vast majority of plastic products — by design — cannot be recycled, and 91% end up in landfills, are burned or are released into the environment.”
Bonta added that his office has subpoenaed Exxon Mobil Corp., seeking information about the company’s role in global plastics pollution.
— CapRadio Staff
Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.
In other news
- Chico’s housing site rules finalized—enforcement may begin when judge issues order Friday: “A legal dispute is settled over five issues regarding the rules and expectations of Chico’s emergency non-congregate housing site after a dispute resolution hearing Thursday afternoon.” — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Drier and dire: “Domestic well users will be hit the hardest as Northern California continues to suffer from severe-to-extreme drought conditions in 2022. That is one of the key takeaways from a Drought Impact and Analysis Study being prepared for Butte County by Luhdorff & Scalmanini Consulting Engineers.” — Chico News & Review
- Will California sidestep federal ‘work first’ welfare rules?: “Last year more than 606,000 Californians received cash aid, about 461,000 of them children. For single-parent households, the typical recipient family receives aid for 23 months, state data show.” — CalMatters
- University of California will waive tuition and fees for many Native American students: “The University of California system will waive tuition and fees beginning in fall 2022 for Native American students who are state residents and members of federally recognized tribes.” — NPR
- Tehama County Probation crew makes repairs to Kelly Griggs House Museum: “A pleasant Thursday morning provided the Tehama County Probation Department an opportunity to continue its ongoing maintenance and repair project of the Kelly Griggs House Museum.” — Red Bluff Daily News
- Resilience represented in Hayfork mural: “After a year of creation, Hayfork welcomed a giant mural which beautifully depicts the diversity and resiliency of Hayfork.” — The Trinity Journal
- Yuba Sutter Taco Festival returns to Marysville: “The third annual Yuba Sutter Taco Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, from 1 to 8 p.m. in downtown Marysville. The event will encompass five city blocks between 1st and 3rd Street and is anticipated to host over 3,000 guests.” — The Appeal-Democrat
Stories from NPR partner stations are edited by NSPR Staff for digital presentation and credited as requested.
In case you missed it
- Platina Fire burns 8 acres in Shasta County; forward progress stopped — NSPR (Headlines, April 28)
- Butte County’s interim health officer gets multi-year contract — NSPR (Headlines, April 28)
- Stonewall Alliance wraps up Trans Month events — NSPR (Headlines, April 28)
- Rosedale Elementary vice principal and equity leader says she has been suspended — ChicoSol
- Chico shelter outreach, move-in continues — Chico Enterprise-Record
- Two candidates for sheriff answer questions at Quincy forum — Plumas News
- Spring releases raise Trinity River — The Trinity Journal
- Tehama County continues to uncover illegal cannabis grows — Red Bluff Daily News
- Stonyford Rodeo kicks off 79th year on Friday — Colusa Sun-Herald
- Lassen Land and Trails Trust hosts annual homebrew competition — Lassen County Times
- Lower cost, slower gains: California prepares controversial new climate strategy — CalMatters
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