California

A wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city on behalf of a man fatally shot by Chico police and a security guard can proceed toward trial. Also, community members will soon have a chance to give input on how the state plans to use grant funding to aid recovery efforts from 2020 wildfires, and a law requiring corporations to include a certain number of women on their boards has been ruled unconstitutional by a California judge.

The city of Chico designates three locations for unhoused residents to avoid enforcement of anti-camping laws. Also, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other agencies held a briefing last week to explain current drought conditions, and Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to use a chunk of the state’s budget surplus to offset high prices.

Cal Fire has been facing staffing shortages for years. While most municipal fire stations have three firefighters per engine, Cal Fire has an average of 2.7, requiring employees to work forced overtime and causing severe mental health issues.

The governor’s revised budget proposal is an update to the spending plan he released in January, using new tax revenue data. It’s just a wishlist, part of a lengthy process in which state leaders decide how to use Californians’ tax dollars.

Chico’s new shelter site now has around 60 residents. Also, Chico’s Paegent Theatre overcomes COVID-19 challenges, and skywatchers in the North State can view a lunar eclipse this weekend.

Gaps in COVID vaccination rates among the state’s Medi-Cal population persist. Five Medi-Cal plans still have vaccination rates under 50%.

Prosecutors say the Oroville bus shooting suspect is competent to stand trial. Also, Cal Fire Local 2881 president says firefighter staffing shortage didn't happen overnight, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report drug overdoses have set another record.

State Sen. Mike McGuire introduces a bill to bolster Cal Fire staff. Also, a firefighter from Red Bluff dies while working in Tuolumne County, and despite urgent pleas from water officials, California’s water use in March is the highest since 2015.

Ignoring urgent pleas from water officials, Californians used substantially more water after a record-dry three months gripped the state.

Shipping companies are finding more profit bringing back empty containers than filling them with almonds and other American exports. Growers statewide are looking at hundreds of millions of pounds on hand.