Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Alec Stutson
Quick reads - California, other western states issue update to reaffirm vaccines not linked to autism
A coalition of western states are reaffirming that vaccines are not linked to autism. The West Coast Health Alliance is made up of California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Officials say public health guidance on immunization must be grounded in evidence-based science. The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week updated its website to suggest a link between vaccines and autism. That’s despite there being decades of scientific studies showing no link.
Quick reads - Shasta County voters faced delays after electronic poll books were eliminated
The elimination of electronic poll books to check in voters in Shasta County this election led to longer wait times and voter access issues. According to reporting by Shasta Scout, poll workers were told to use a paper check-in process for voters and reported wait times between two and 22 minutes. Some community members left before casting a ballot. The county’s top election official removed the electronic check-in system after expressing concern about the technology.
Butte County sees high voter turnout | Interview: Shasta County rejects Prop 50, Measure A | Red Bluff protester assaulted
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Friday, November 7, 2025. 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. Headlines StateButte CountyChico, CaliforniaState GovernmentProp 50ElectionRedding, CaliforniaMeasuresShasta CountyRedding City CouncilRed Bluff, CaliforniaButte County Clerk RecorderCalFreshSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Yuba County
Shasta County looks for residents' input on its first 5-year strategic plan
Shasta County is asking residents to complete an online survey ahead of the creation of its 5-year strategic plan. The "Your Voice, our Future" survey is a way for residents to give their thoughts about quality of life in the county, and areas of concern like public safety, housing and the economy.
Quick reads - Despite pushback, True North behavioral health plan advances in Shasta County
A proposal to build a behavioral health facility in Shasta County is moving forward despite opposition from county supervisors. The board voted three to two in favor of issuing a letter against the site at a special meeting last week. The vote came after hours of debate and public comment, with a majority of speakers supporting the facility. The Redding Record Searchlight reports the site's company Signature Healthcare is applying for $150 million in state grants to start the project.
North State residents brace for CalFresh delays as federal shutdown continues
The ongoing federal government shutdown is threatening to delay CalFresh payments, known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the shutdown continues, November's benefits won’t be distributed leaving millions of Californians who rely on the program to find other ways to pay for food. "If I didn't have SNAP, then I wouldn't have something better to rely on.
North State residents fear losing food aid | ACLU says deportations violate settlement | Illegal copper buy leads to arrest
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Monday, October 27, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaCalFreshFood InsecurityState GovernmentOroville, CaliforniaImmigration
Quick reads - Homelessness rises in Shasta County, but drops across most of the North State
The number of people experiencing homelessness in the North State has decreased. That’s according to the draft report of the latest point in time count from the NorCal Continuum of Care (NorCal CoC), which is an annual survey used to estimate how many unhoused people are living in a community. This year’s survey counted more than 2,300 unhoused people across Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.
Incarcerated firefighters gain pay raise | New laws to help California's student housing | Shasta sees increase in unhoused residents
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, October 15, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaFirefightersEducationGovernmentRedding, CaliforniaCaliforniaGavin NewsomGovernmentState GovernmentShasta County
Health officials recommend vaccination as COVID-19 numbers rise in Tehama County
Tehama County health officials say there's been a spike in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. Cases of influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are also expected to start rising soon, as we enter the fall and winter seasons. "The key thing with both COVID-19 and the flu is you want to start those antiviral treatments as soon as you possibly can," said Tehama County Public Health Officer Tim Peters. He recommends everyone to get a flu-shot.
COVID-19 surge hits Tehama County | PG&E undergrounds 1,000 miles of cable | FAFSA help still open
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, October 8, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaCovid-19State GovernmentGovernmentFAFSAPG&EGavin NewsomSocial Security
Quick reads - Chico to consider moving its sanctioned encampment for unhoused residents
Tehama County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a county employee in connection with alleged sexual activity with an inmate. Investigators last month became aware of the incident involving contracted employee Charlotte Peery who works in the youth rehabilitation program at the detention facility. After investigating, Peery was arrested and booked into the Tehama County Jail. The probation department says it screens all entrants for criminal history.
Quick reads - Judge questions Chico’s request to dissolve homelessness settlement
A federal judge is reviewing the City of Chico’s latest effort to dissolve its settlement agreement in the Warren v. City of Chico case — the lawsuit that reshaped how homelessness is addressed in the city. Lawyers representing the City argued today that the agreement should only apply to the individual unhoused plaintiffs who originally sued the City, not to all unhoused residents in the region. The City previously tried to exit the settlement last year, but that request was denied.
Quick reads - Red light cameras coming to Chico intersections
Chico is getting its first red light camera system. Construction started this week along Mangrove Avenue. The City and Chico Police Department say five high-risk intersections will get cameras. Each will be marked with signs to alert drivers they’re being filmed. The City hopes the project will help reduce accidents. The system was approved by the Chico City Council in April. The cameras won’t be turned on until construction wraps up in several months.
Former elections official challenges Shasta registrar | Water officials warn of storm-and-drought cycle | ‘Fire Beast’ weekend hits Chico
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, October 2, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaGovernmentState GovernmentShasta CountyWaterShasta CountyBonfire Storytelling
Quick reads - Shasta leaders oppose Prop 50 redistricting shift
Shasta County supervisors have officially come out against Proposition 50. Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose the measure which would redraw California’s congressional districts to add additional Democratic seats. If Prop 50 is approved by voters next month, Shasta and some nearby counties would move California’s 1st congressional district to the state’s 2nd district, which stretches down to Marin County. Politically, the two counties look very different.
Glenn supervisors say they hit ‘brick wall’ trying to save hospital from closure
The Glenn County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing this week, ahead of the closure of the county's only hospital. There they heard an update on the logistics of its closure, and the future of medical care in the area. Glenn Medical Center is losing its designation as a "Critical Access Hospital,” which brought in critical Medicare funding. Without it, the hospital will close.
Glenn hospital closure frustration | North State hospitals prepare for more patients | The Lost Bus opens today
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, September 25, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaGlenn CountyRedding, CaliforniaShasta CountyGlenn Medical CenterGlenn CountyGlenn Medical CenterFilmThe Lost Bus
Quick reads - Proposal would give Californians the right to insurance coverage if homes are fire-proofed
A California consumer advocacy group is pushing a ballot initiative that would guarantee homeowners the right to insurance coverage, as long as they meet statewide standards for fire-proofing their homes. According to reporting by The California Report, the proposal from Consumer Watchdog would also prevent insurers from dropping policyholders who file claims. Homeowners would be given time to make repairs or improvements needed for policy renewal.
Quick reads - Glenn County’s only hospital and ER to close Sept. 30, weeks earlier than expected
Glenn Medical Center in Willows is closing about a month sooner than expected. It’s the only hospital and emergency room in Glenn County and was set to shut down in October after losing critical federal funding. But the hospital announced on Facebook it will now close at 7 p.m. Sept. 30. After that, people with emergencies should go to the nearest hospital. A on the closure is set for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Glenn County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Quick reads - Storms bring lightning risk to Redding, Sierra foothills
California officials are predeploying emergency resources ahead of forecasted heavy rain, dry lightning and increased fire threats. Cal Fire says it’s adding reserve engines and hand crews in its Northern Region, which includes the North State. Incarcerated firefighter teams will be fully staffed, and crews from the California Conservation Corps and Military Department will be on call 24 hours a day.
All eyes on Shasta County murder case | New affordable housing in Paradise | California expands COVID-19 shots
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Thursday, September 18, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaButte CountyChico, CaliforniaShasta CountyCaliforniaState GovernmentRedding, CaliforniaParadise, CaliforniaHousingMurderCovid-19
All eyes on Shasta County murder case tied to Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain’s disappearance
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the preliminary hearing was extended. Last May, Shasta County resident Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain went missing before she could testify in a domestic violence case against her husband. Tyler McCain was arrested last month and charged with her murder. His preliminary hearing is underway this week. Annelise Pierce, managing editor of Shasta Scout, has been covering the case from the courthouse.
Quick reads - California, West Coast states expand COVID-19 vaccine access this winter
California and three other states in the new West Coast Health Alliance announced updated vaccine recommendations for the winter. The guidance expands access to COVID-19 vaccines beyond federal recommendations. The San Francisco Chronicle reports, the alliance says anyone six months and older who wants a COVID shot can get one. A new state law also ensures Californians will still have access to the vaccines and that insurance will cover them.
Quick reads - Bomb threat forces evacuations in downtown Chico
Multiple businesses in downtown Chico were evacuated this morning due to a bomb threat. The Chico Police Department was contacted by a neighboring law enforcement agency, which received the threat from an anonymous caller. Officials say the caller indicated there would be an explosion at Chico’s Greyhound Bus Line. Officers searched an area along Orange Street while other agencies gathered more information about the call. Nearby businesses were evacuated during the investigation.
Quick reads - Why is Big Chico Creek brown? Officials say storm runoff - what do you want to know?
The historic Bidwell Bowl amphitheater is ready to be used again after extensive renovations from Chico State. According to reporting by Action News Now, the university replaced the benches, removed fallen trees and cleared graffiti from the site. The amphitheater is nearly 90 years old and the restoration used the same materials as the 1938 original. The area is outdoors, tucked away along the bank of Big Chico Creek bordering the Chico State campus.
Quick reads - ‘Chico State Pisser’ claims videos were fake, Chico State isn’t done investigating
The person behind a TikTok account showing someone urinating throughout Chico State's campus says they'll cease operations due to police and university involvement, asserting that all the posted videos depicted incidents that were conducted with water. The announcement comes after Chico State has been working to find the identity of the person, known online as the "Chico State Pisser." The videos have reached more than 100,000 views.
Quick reads - Suspected golden mussels found on boat at Lake Oroville
Suspected golden mussels were spotted at Lake Oroville last week. Boat inspectors found what they believed to be invasive mussels on a pontoon boat. The California Department of Water Resources says the boat was previously moored at the Pittsburgh Marina and had been power washed before getting to Oroville. It was prevented from launching and has been quarantined. It won’t be allowed to launch until the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms it’s free of mussels.
Quick reads - Chico reporter accosted, threatened with racial slurs at local event
A Chico reporter was allegedly accosted and racially threatened. Nathan Espindula of Action News Now was covering an event at the Chico Elks Lodge yesterday when a man approached and verbally attacked him with racial slurs. According to reporting by Action News Now, Espindula ran to his car, but the man followed. The confrontation escalated until police arrived. Espindula said he recorded the altercation on his cell phone and was also able to provide police with video from his news camera.
Quick reads - Study shows home hardening, defensible space reduce wildfire losses
Wildfire mitigation strategies like home hardening and creating defensible space buffers are paying dividends. A new UC Berkeley study looked at five of California’s most destructive wildfires between 2017 and 2020 — including the 2018 Camp Fire — and found those efforts made a difference. The study determined that using things like fire-resistant siding, ember-proof attic vents and double-pane windows significantly increases a home’s survivability.
Quick reads - Butte County libraries end late fee accrual for a year
People who have overdue library books in Butte County could be saved from late fees. The county’s board of supervisors have approved a one-time library fee amnesty month for September, and a year-long program that gets rid of late fee accruals. According to reporting by the Chico Enterprise-Record, the program is meant to allow people to return materials without having to worry about paying fees. It will also encourage more library staff and patron interactions and improve return rates.
Quick reads - COVID-19 cases climbing again in California as new ‘Stratus’ variant spreads
Chico State’s graduate programs are earning national recognition. The university ranked sixth among 585 institutions in Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide for master’s degrees. The magazine defines “master’s universities” as schools that grant a significant number of master’s degrees but few or no doctoral degrees. Chico State offers 25 master’s programs and is noted for its small class sizes and faculty mentorship.
Quick reads - Butte County may erase library fines through 2027
Library users in Butte County may soon be free of fines. The Butte County Board of Supervisors today will consider making September a fine and fee amnesty month. It would forgive fees and also eliminate library overdue material fines until 2027. The library says the cost to replace lost items ends up being more than the revenue from fines.
Quick reads - New study finds wildfire smoke deaths are far higher than official counts
New research suggests smoke from wildfires is killing far more people than the flames themselves. According to reporting by Grist, Researchers at Boston University studied January’s Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. While 30 people were confirmed to have died directly in the fires, the study estimates smoke exposure may have contributed to more than 400 additional deaths — a toll more than 14 times higher.
Quick reads - Redding repeals controversial lift assist fee for fire calls
The Redding City Council voted to rescind a controversial first responder fee ordinance this week. They also directed staff to stop all current billings and issue refunds to people who had already paid the fee. The fee charged people nearly $500 when they called the city’s fire department for lift assists. Those are non-emergency calls where crews help someone who has fallen get back up.
Triple-digit heat returns to the North State this week
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat warning starting Friday as triple-digit heat is forecast to return to the North State. "We're forecasting high temperatures between 95 and 106 degrees," said NWS Meteorologist Sara Purdue. "We're expecting widespread moderate heat risk with areas of major heat risk as well." Overnight lows won’t bring much cooling.
Quick reads - Chico school lockdown ends after police arrest woman with brass knuckles
Republican lawmakers have filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court to block Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan. They say Democrats violated the state constitution by fast-tracking bills to redraw congressional districts without a required 30-day review. According to reporting by CalMatters, Democrats used a “gut-and-amend” tactic — rewriting existing bills — which under a 2016 rule requires only 72 hours’ notice.
Chico says homeless settlement blocks fire safety work
The City of Chico is trying, for the second time, to exit the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement. That was the result of a lawsuit filed against the City by a group of unhoused residents, claiming Chico’s anti-camping laws were cruel and unusual punishment. Now, the City's filing for Rule 60 relief, which allows court rulings to be overturned if they were filed in error, or if the laws around the ruling have changed. It filed a similar request last year, which was later denied by a federal judge.
Quick reads - ICE agents spotted at Chico hotel, prompting community protest
Butte County supervisors will soon see their salaries double. Supervisors will make nearly $133,000 annually, beginning in October. They approved the increase in a 3-2 vote today. Over the last several years, other county employees have seen salary increases of up to 36%, but supervisors have seen lower raises of just 3% in the same amount of time. The agenda item’s staff report says supervisors’ jobs have become more demanding.
Shasta elections official pushes for new building, plans to film ballot processing
The Shasta County Registrar of Voters, Clint Curtis, wants to move the elections office to the building that used to be Joann Fabrics. To do this, he's asking for an additional $2.6 million to his office's budget, and wants to fund the move from money the county has set aside for improving its jail.
Quick reads - Butte County seeing smaller Covid-19 increases than rest of California
Tehama County has been roped into the ongoing redistricting battle between California and Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a suit in the county’s superior court last week. It’s part of an attempt to return six democratic legislators who fled the state during redistricting talks. The suit claims the group is in California and Texas is asking for help to bring them back. The suit doesn’t say the lawmakers are in Tehama County, but lawsuits can be filed in any county.
Quick reads - U.S. lawmakers from California push to extend disaster rebuilding deadline
Red tape can delay recovery in cities after disasters. Now two California lawmakers want to fix that. Republican U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa [and Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla are working across the aisle to give states and local governments more time to use federal emergency funds for rebuilding infrastructure after disasters. They’re cosponsoring companion bills that would extend the deadline for states to begin projects for repairing and rebuilding things like roads and bridges.
Investigations into causes of Pleasant Valley High School fires completed
Pleasant Valley High School caught on fire two times in one night in April of this year. Now Chico Fire Department investigators say they know what caused at least one of them. "The first fire, the probability is that it was electrical in nature," said Fire Marshal Paul Ricketts. "We [found] a few items in that area, and we were not able to definitively identify which item it was." The second fire started over an hour later in a nearby attic. Investigators have two theories as to how it started.
Quick reads - Triple-digit temperatures expected across the North State this weekend
It’s heating up again in the Sacramento Valley and foothills this weekend. Many cities could see triple-digit temperatures, with places like Redding reaching about 107 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will pose a moderate heat risk which can affect sensitive people and those without air conditioning or who aren’t well hydrated. The high temperatures are expected to last until Monday.
Quick reads - Chico State University Farm to host annual u-pick peaches day this week
Chico residents can pick their own peaches from Chico State’s orchard this week. Friday is the annual u-pick day at the university’s farm south of Chico. Visitors can also buy sweet corn, watermelon, honey and other university-made produce. Funds from the event support the university’s orchard program, which gives students hands-on learning experience and advances agricultural research. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Transparency note: Chico State owns NSPR’s broadcast licenses.
Thousands of lightning strikes spark nearly 60 fires in Shasta-Trinity forest
Lightning has struck the Shasta-Trinity National Forest over 5,000 times in the last 35 days. "This is probably historically unprecedented to have this amount of lightning strikes in the North State in a one month period," said Tom Stokesberry, public affairs officer for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The strikes caused almost 60 fires, he said, but most only reached up to two acres in size. All have been contained, except the Green Fire, which started on July 1.
Quick reads - Thousands of students go to schools in high fire danger zones
Internal affairs documents and other police-misconduct records from nearly 700 California law enforcement agencies are now publicly available. The Police Records Access Project was created by UC Berkeley and Stanford University and contains about $1.5 million pages of records from 12,000 officer misconduct and use of force cases. The database is the first of its kind in the country and allows people to search for particular types of misconduct or uses of force.
5,000 lightning strikes hit North State | $450K seized in Redding cannabis bust | Bills to dip, PG&E says
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Tuesday, August 5, 2025. 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. Headlines CaliforniaNational Weather ServiceButte CountyWeatherRedding, CaliforniaShasta CountyButte CountyPG&E
Delayed federal funding adds pressure to North State school budgets
The U.S. Department of Education has begun releasing money it had threatened to withhold from schools earlier this month. The funding being distributed is coming nearly a month late, and will go to English learning classes, teacher training and afterschool programs. In the meantime, districts have had to pay for the cost of those programs out of pocket. "We have enough reserves to shore that up until the money actually gets here," said Rich DuVarney, Tehama County Superintendent of Schools.
Quick reads - Parents sue Shasta County after deputies fatally shoot their son
Parents of a man who was shot and killed in Redding by sheriff deputies have filed a lawsuit against Shasta County. The suit claims the man’s rights were violated when he was shot in January. William and Shirley Littlefield also filed a claim against the county for damages, but the motion was rejected. The Littlefields claim their son, William Clark Littlefield, 52, had started new medication that caused psychosis around the time of the shooting.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Alec
Contact Alec, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack