PG&E

The March snow survey at Phillips Station shows snowpack is nearly double the average for the area. Also, less than half of the state remains in a drought, and public health officials in California say they’re disappointed by the governor’s plan to slash funding for a program that would bring people into epidemiology, microbiology, and lab technician roles.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to the PG&E Fire Victim Trust to ask for lower attorney fees for vulnerable Camp Fire survivors. Also, politicians in the North State are lobbying for a federal bill that would provide tax relief for victims of wildfires, and the National Weather Service is forecasting possible snow in lower elevations in the northern Sacramento Valley.

A bobcat found dead in Butte County was found to have died from avian flu. Also, a bill introduced in the California Legislature could prohibit law enforcement from asking tech companies to hand over large amounts of location or search data, and a state lawmaker wants to further restrict so-called “ghost guns.”

Some Native community members say their voices are being ignored in plans to develop riverfront land in Redding. Also, PG&E pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the 2020 Zogg Fire, and a California bill would set the minimum wage for health care workers at $25 per hour.

PG&E faces 11 felony and misdemeanor charges over its role in the Zogg Fire in 2020. Also, Chico State is holding an open forum today to allow community members to weigh in on the search for a new university president, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is backing a bill that would restrict concealed carry weapons.

Pacific Gas & Electric faces four counts of manslaughter for its alleged role in starting the Zogg Fire in Shasta County. Also, President Joe Biden toured storm-damaged areas of California’s Central Coast, and the federal government announced an investment of $930 million to address wildfire concerns in the West.

Ten public entities in the North State announced a settlement agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric for damages incurred in the 2021 Dixie Fire. Also, FEMA has added more counties to its major disaster declaration in the wake of recent winter storms, and experts are skeptical California’s electric grid can handle the planned phaseout of gas cars.

Unhoused residents in Chico are calling for more aid to protect campgrounds from flooding. Also, some Butte County residents remained without power following this week’s storm, and Gov. Gavin Newsom will take the oath of office for his second term as governor today in Sacramento.

The National Weather Service is predicting high winds of around 50 miles per hour, which have the potential to cause widespread power outages that last for several days.

As we head deeper into the winter season, residents should be prepared for potential power outages due to high winds or snow storms.