Federal emergency declaration | State budget cuts | Drought relief

The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, Jan. 11.

The White House announced an expanded emergency declaration Tuesday to include more California counties for federal aid due to ongoing winter storms. The amendment was expanded to include Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Marin, Orange, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Solano, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, and Yuba counties.

— Adia White, NSPR

California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out his plan to address a projected deficit in the state budget this year. The governor’s budget proposal includes a mix of cuts and spending delays to offset a nearly $23 billion deficit. Newsom’s spending plan also includes nearly $4 billion in trigger cuts, or money that would be restored next year if state finances don’t worsen.

— CapRadio Staff

Environmentalists are slamming Gov. Gavin Newsom for proposing $6 billion in budget cuts for state climate initiatives in the spending plan he unveiled Tuesday. More than half of the climate budget cuts come from the state's clean transportation initiatives, like building out charging stations for electric vehicles and other infrastructure projects.

— Nadia Lopez, CalMatters

Experts say the series of winter storms hitting California will partially help relieve the drought. The Associated Press reports that some areas of the state will benefit more from recent rainfall. It remains to be seen how much winter rainfall will help replenish the state’s reservoirs. According to the state Department of Water Resources, Lake Oroville is at 88% of the historical average for this date. Lake Shasta is at 70% of the historical average.

— Adia White, NSPR

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

• Berry Creek residents say they weren’t notified about decision to close fire station — NSPR
• Opponents of Valley’s Edge development launch referendum campaign — NSPR
• Newsom expected to reveal budget proposal today — CapRadio
• California gas prices remain steady amid storms — CapRadio
• Storm sweeps across North State today through tomorrow — NSPR
• Newsom says winter storms deadlier than recent wildfire seasons — CapRadio
• California workplace safety regulators cite for-profit prison company — The California Report
• Noise control experts push for laws to address public health concerns — Kaiser Health News

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