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Articles by Anthony Vasek
Quick reads — Chico Parade of Lights canceled
A longtime Chico tradition kicking off the holiday season — the Parade of Lights — will not happen this year. This week, organizers announced on social media that they could not meet the city’s updated safety requirements around securing the downtown route. Organizers added that they don’t have the kinds of vehicles and barricades needed. They also can't pay the $19,000 fee to use the city’s equipment. NSPR reached out to city staff for comment but did not hear back by time of publication.
‘OpenAI is a scam’: Chico State protesters slam artificial intelligence in the classroom
Chico State students rallied against artificial intelligence in education on Wednesday, holding signs reading, “AI eats your tuition” and “OpenAI is a scam” during a campus protest. The protesters called for an end to a $13 million-a-year contract the California State University system renewed with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, that gave Cal State campuses continued access to ChatGPT Edu, an AI chatbot made for the classroom.
Paradise among communities at risk for wildfire power shutoffs, PG&E says
PG&E may cut power across the North State again starting Wednesday as gusty winds and dry conditions are expected to raise fire risk. Over 3,000 customers in Butte County could lose power, according to the PG&E forecast. The shutoffs could run into Saturday and affect parts of Magalia, Concow, Berry Creek and the south and east edges of Paradise. Parts of Shasta, Tehama and Plumas counties are also at risk. Customers canlook up their address on PG&E's website to check for shutoff updates.
Quick reads — Chico greenhouse gas emissions fall 36% as population grows
Chico’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 36% between 2017 and 2024, even as its population grew, according to a new city report. The report to the city's Climate Action Commission estimates emissions per person dropped by nearly half. City planner Molly Marcussen told NSPR that state climate and energy policies are among the main drivers of the decline. Those policies have helped reduce pollution from electricity and transportation fuels and improve energy efficiency, she said.
Chico State students rally against sexual assault amid Cornell controversy. See photos from the protest
Chico State students rallied Wednesday against sexual assault on college campuses, part of a nationwide outcry following rape allegations at Cornell University in New York. Kassandra Ramondo, a student organizer, said this is a moment to speak up. “I've been a victim of sexual assault," Ramondo said.
Quick reads — North State advocates push for more rural child care funding
Advocates are calling on California to invest more in affordable child care in rural North State communities, where they say a shortage of options is forcing some parents to leave the workforce or take on debt. Supporters of the statewide Choose Children 2026 campaign gathered Wednesday in Corning to highlight the shortage and its effect on rural families. Anais Durán, an organizer with the campaign, said finding an open child care spot can be especially difficult in places like Tehama County.
Five deaths in Tehama County bus crash ruled homicides, sheriff says
The pickup driver who crashed head-on into a public transit bus in Tehama County earlier this year did so intentionally, killing herself and five people on the bus, according to the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office. In a news release Monday, the Sheriff’s Office said the pickup driver, Christina Whittmore, was also under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the Jan. 14 crash with the Tehama Rural Area Express bus on Highway 99 West.
Quick reads — Election ballots are on their way to registered voters in Butte County
Ballots are now on their way to registered voters across California. Butte County elections officials say voters should expect theirs to arrive by Oct. 14. Voters can track their ballot through the Secretary of State’s “Where’s My Ballot?” service. It sends updates when a ballot is mailed, received and counted by the county elections office. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3 — to be counted.
Quick reads — Chico City Council to review free summer downtown parking program
There were more cars in Downtown Chico parking lots than usual during a recent three-month experiment that let people park free for two hours. The city says it’s hard to tell if the project actually drew business downtown. Plus more revenue was lost for the parking fund that's already been in the negative. The Chico City Council will discuss the results of the Park & Go program at its meeting on Tuesday. Council members could ask staff to find ways to keep it going or not renew it at all.
Newsom signs law to help Camp Fire survivors seek full settlement awards
Camp Fire survivors are celebrating a new law that could help them get their full PG&E settlement payments. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed Assembly Bill 2700, which requires state regulators to look at ways utilities can make up compensation shortfalls tied to fires they caused before July 12, 2019. A report from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is due by January 2028.
Quick reads — Chico State President responds to sexual assault on campus, nationwide
Chico State President Steve Perez says he has confidence in how the university handles sexual assaults. Perez sent a campus-wide email today responding to an alleged rape at Cornell University two years ago that has gotten national attention, as well as to a reported rape at a Chico State dorm on Sept. 19. Perez says how Chico State responds to reports of sexual assault depends on what the survivor wants to do.
Gallagher pitches federal redistricting rules | ‘Zone Zero’ wildfire rules approved | Tina Peters hiring plan in question
California 3 hours ago What does it mean to grow old in Berkeley? berkeleyside.org - by Daniel Ekonde • 3h One in five Berkeley adults will be 65 or older by 2030.
Quick reads — Oroville residents question police use of Flock cameras
Weeks after Chico police came under scrutiny for sharing license plate reader data in violation of state law, another North State police department is addressing concerns about the technology. Oroville police held a community meeting this week to address privacy concerns about the city’s Flock cameras. City council records indicate Oroville has at least 50 cameras. Community members questioned how police use them, including whether they can track people’s movements.
Camp Fire survivors could get another chance at full settlements
California survivors of some utility-caused wildfires who say they’re still owed money could get another chance to recover it under a new bipartisan state bill. AB 2700 would require the state to compare survivors’ wildfire damages with the settlements they received, and recommend ways utility companies could make up the difference. The bill is nearing a possible Senate vote now. Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder recently travelled to Sacramento to advocate for it.
Will California investigate Chico police license plate data sharing?
The California Attorney General’s Office told NSPR in an email that it would neither confirm nor deny whether it’s investigating the Chico Police Department for sharing license plate data with out-of-state and federal agencies. The response comes after a ChicoSol investigation found the department had made the data available to agencies including ICE and Border Patrol, which violates California law. The data is collected by Chico police’s 27 Motorola-brand automated license plate reader cameras.
In depth — Chico police’s license plate reader controversy and ICE data sharing
An investigation by the media outlet ChicoSol found that for the last two years, the Chico Police Department shared data from automated license plate reader cameras — which track where vehicles travel — with out-of-state agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol. The findings have raised questions about whether Chico police violated a California law that prohibits sharing this type of data with out-of-state and federal agencies.
Lawsuits draw scrutiny as Chico finalizes city manager hire
The Chico City Council is expected to finalize the hiring of its next city manager on Tuesday, and the choice is already drawing scrutiny. The city announced July 1 that it selected Vallejo Assistant City Manager Gillian Haen for the position. During her time in Vallejo, Haen was named in two lawsuits filed by former city employees. In 2023, a former housing official alleged she was fired in retaliation after complaining about discrimination and bullying by Haen and other city staff.
Quick reads — Mathews Fire prompts evacuation order in Shasta County
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order Tuesday afternoon for a vegetation fire burning in the Redding area. The order is for Zone BEV-4490, which covers the area of Encanto Way and Portero Drive, according to the Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook post at 12:21 p.m. The Mathews Fire is burning in the area Bear Mountain Road and Mathew Lane, according to the post. The fire has burned about 40 acres, according to the county's Genasys website.
Quick reads — Online support center opens for those affected by Chico library shooting
Butte County has launched an online resource to help people affected by last week’s deadly shooting at the Chico library. The Virtual Family Assistance Center serves as a central hub for support following mass violence incidents. It includes links to local counseling services, California’s victim compensation program, national crisis hotlines and other mental health resources. The website also offers trauma guides for adults, families and children coping after witnessing violence.
Quick reads — Pentz Fire prompts evacuation warning in Butte County near Paradise
An evacuation warning has been issued in the Butte Valley area because of the Pentz Fire, according to the Butte County Sheriff's Office. The evacuation warning is for zone number 461, which generally runs along Pentz Road from the southern town limits of Paradise south to Messilla Valley Road, the Sheriff's Office reported at 2:25 p.m. Friday, June 26. The Sheriff's Office says residents should prepare to evacuate.
Quick reads — DA files murder charges against Chico library shooting suspect
The suspect in Monday's deadly Chico library shooting is due in court today, June 25, to face murder charges, according to online court records. The Butte County District Attorney's Office is charging Bradley Scott Sayer with two counts of murder in the deaths of two men at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library, according to the Butte County Superior Court website. The complaint also includes firearm enhancements and a special circumstance allegation for multiple murders.
Quick reads — Chico library shooting suspect held without bail; DA seeks life without parole
The man accused in Monday’s deadly Chico library shooting appeared in Butte County Superior Court on Thursday but did not enter a plea. Bradley Scott Sayer is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of two men at Chico’s public library. The complaint also includes firearm enhancements and a special circumstance allegation for multiple murders. A judge ordered Sayer held without bail.
Quick reads — Chico phones receive earthquake alert apparently linked to 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Mendocino County
An earthquake alert hit mobile phones in Chico on Wednesday, apparently related to a 5.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Mendocino County at 8:10 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was roughly 20 miles north of Ukiah. A 2.5-magnitude aftershock followed about seven minutes later. Weak shaking was reported throughout the North State, including Chico, Red Bluff and Redding, according to the USGS. State Sen.
Quick reads — Suspect's inexperience with shotgun may have limited deaths, DA says
The shooting at the Chico Branch of the Butte County Library that left two people dead and one person injured could have been far deadlier, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. Ramsey said suspect Bradley Scott Sayer, 18, of Chico, used a shotgun during Monday's attack and appeared to have little experience handling the weapon. “He did not know how to preload, so he was putting one shell at a time, so that substantially slowed him down,” Ramsey said.
AS General Elections: The two candidates for Executive Vice President
Categories: The Associated Students General Election will take place all-day Wednesday and Thursday Two students are running to become Executive Vice President next year. The position leads the Government Affairs Council and assists the president with their duties, filling in when necessary. Jordan Johnson is a political science major who has previously served as president of a similarly sized college.
AS General Election: The three candidates for Commissioner of Student Engagement and Advocacy
Categories: The Associated Students General Election will take place all-day Wednesday and Thursday Three students are running to become Commissioner of Student Engagement and Advocacy next year. The role is to serve as the voice of students, collect a variety of feedback and chair the Campus Engagement Council. Gianna Gonzalez noted that the position has been vacant for the past year and the student body needs someone to fill it. Amon Andrews was not available for an interview before deadline.
AS General Elections: The four candidates for Vice President of Facilities and Services
Categories: The Associated Students General Election will take place all day Wednesday and Thursday Four students are running to become Vice President of Facilities and Services next year. The main role is to oversee the aesthetics, functionality, and budget of the buildings owned by Associated Students, including the WREC, Bell Memorial Union, Estom Jamani Dining Hall, and other campus dining facilities. Michael Parzieau’s main focus is on food waste, particularly in the dining hall.
Owners of Momo’s Poke open new Thai food truck on campus
Nearly two years ago, a new poke shop opened up right around Chico State. One of the owners, Cassandra Srisruanpunt, didn’t expect the immense support it received from the community. Momo’s Poke quickly became an iconic location among students, including many of my friends.
University asks community to “refer, not interact” during a potential ICE raid
Skip to Content Two days ago, ICE agents arrested someone in downtown Chico.
Final chance to apply for Wildcat Scholarship coming up Sunday
Over 1,000 scholarships for next year are available through a short application: the Wildcat Scholarship. It closes Sunday at midnight. There are only two questions to fill out, one asks about educational goals and the other focuses on financial need. This year, for the first time, most scholarships don’t require a recommendation letter.
“In the face of extraordinary loss”: How did Chico State respond to the Camp Fire?
The Camp Fire — started by a PG&E powerline — killed 85 people and burned down over 18,000 structures Seven years ago to this day, Chico State stepped up to support the community as the deadliest wildfire in California’s history burned next door. The Camp Fire began tearing through Concow on Nov. 8, 2018, at about 6 a.m. The area is a rural, vegetation-filled landscape with most people living spread out from one another. Chico State was only a 30-minute drive away.
Student Center expected to go offline this evening
The system outage should last from 6 – 9 p.m. as a “major update” to risk and security is made Chico State’s Student Center will go offline for an anticipated three hours Tuesday evening because of a scheduled system-wide update.
The Orion takes first place in national journalism contest
Another story also received an honorable mention in the editorial category Two stories from The Orion have earned “Story of the Year” recognition in the Associated Collegiate Press’ yearly contest.
Chico State’s Chicanx club bands together at start of semester
Categories: Almost 40% of Chico State’s population is Hispanic or Latinx Chico State’s Chicanx advocacy club met for the first time this semester with hopes of strengthening its relationship with other chapters as the Trump administration continues to focus on deporting more immigrants. “Because of the ongoing political and social issues around the US, we would like to get more involved statewide,” said Miriam Jimenez, MEChA President.
University is pissed about the pisser on campus
University police seek information on the Tiktok account ‘Chicostatepisser’ A TikTok account with the handle “Chicostatepisser” began posting point-of-view streams of urine coating various locations across campus last Thursday. There are a total of four videos currently posted, and the account has gained a follower count of 1,448 and amassed nearly 100,000 views as of Wednesday.
Man served charges for hate crime against Chico State student
The student was working his job as a local reporter when the man allegedly shouted racial slurs and destroyed the journalist’s camera A man has been charged for a hate crime against local reporter and Chico State student Nathan Espindula. Kiano Saechao, 23, was arraigned on Sept. 9 on a felony count of damaging property based on another person’s race. Espindula is a reporter for Action News Now and The Orion.
President Perez emphasizes enrollment and budget during welcome speech
Amidst Chico State’s recent budget and enrollment concerns, President Steve Perez highlighted the progress from last year at his welcome speech. The 2025-2026 academic year initially faced a “worst case scenario” deficit of $32 million. This was the result of several combined factors, including $12 million of funding cut by the state, and an expected $8 million leftover deficit from the 2024-2025 academic year.
Wildfire map and evacuation alerts: are you ready?
Get the alert. Know your zone. Wildfire season is here, but did you know emergency alerts likely won’t reach you unless you sign up? Do you know your evacuation zone map number? Sign up and find your zone map below. Thousands still haven’t signed up for emergency alerts — is your county ready? This visual shows what percentage of residents in each North State county are signed up for emergency alerts. Some counties are better prepared than others, and the gaps may surprise you.
Quick reads - Officials advise against swimming at Sycamore Pool in Bidwell Park due to bacteria
If you see new warning signs at Sycamore Pool in Bidwell Park, it’s because the City of Chico has issued a swim advisory. Officials say bacteria levels in the water are elevated, though they didn’t say what kind of bacteria, just that it could pose health risks. In a press release, the City urged people not to swim, to keep pets out of the water and to wash thoroughly if you come in contact with the creek.
NSPR may return to Chico State | Hawk Fire near Feather Falls contained | California bill might help honey bees
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Wednesday, June 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 WildfireCaliforniaButte CountyChico StateChico, CaliforniaLocal GovernmentBeesAgriculture
Supervisors consider new use for tax funds | Survey released for new Chico park | Bacteria infecting Feather River salmon
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Tuesday, June 24, 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 Feather RiverCaliforniaButte CountySalmonChico, CaliforniaLocal GovernmentButte County Supervisors
Quick reads - Trinity Alps could be sold if Senate bill passes
Thousands of acres of federal land in Trinity and Siskiyou counties could be sold if a new Senate reconciliation bill passes. According to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight, the legislation includes a provision that would allow over three million acres of public land in 11 Western states to be stripped of its protected status and sold. The land is currently managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
Quick reads - Hawk Fire in Feather Falls expected to be contained soon
A small fire that sparked in Feather Falls around noon today is expected to be contained soon. Cal Fire reports the fire was near the Enterprise Maidu Rancheria. It's reached about two acres and resulted in one evacuation warning. Cal Fire Captain Jacob Gilliam told NSPR that one structure was initially threatened, but several fire engines, dozers, hand crews and aircraft were able to protect it. The evacuation warning remains in affect for BUT-FF-665 as crews begin mop up operations.
Quick reads - Chico City Council to consider 4 options for road rehabilitation in Lower Bidwell Park
The Chico City Council is set to weigh four options to reduce vehicle hazards on a well-used stretch of road in Lower Bidwell Park. South Park Drive runs from Cypress Street to Caper Acres. It's currently open to cars, but one proposal would close it off entirely to vehicles. Two other options would add a separated pedestrian and bike path — one with and one without more parking. Another proposal is the simplest, just repave the road. Nearby residents favored the least invasive option to repave.
Quick reads - Redding Regional Airport expects month-long closures for runway upgrades
People in the Redding area looking to book a flight later this year might need to look to other airports. The Redding Regional Airport is expected to close for nearly a month this fall. According to reporting by the Redding Record Searchlight, the city received almost $32 million in federal grant funding to resurface the main runway and upgrade runway lighting. The current plan is to close the airport Sept. 23 and reopen it on Oct. 21.
Quick reads - ‘No Kings Day’ demonstration planned in Chico, Redding
Protestors from around the North State will gather on Saturday morning to demonstrate against actions taken by the Trump administration. 'No Kings Day' is a nationwide event pushing back against what many see as a rising threat to democracy. In Chico, participants will gather at the 'Our Hands' sculpture at 10 a.m., then move on to the city plaza. Dissenters in Redding will meet at city hall from 9 to 10 a.m. 'No Kings Day' coincides with Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday.
Domestic violence growing driver of homelessness in Butte County | Paradise undergrounding update | Bloodsugar brings emo-grunge revival to Chico
The latest North State and California news on our airwaves for Friday, June 13, 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 Paradise, CaliforniaCaliforniaButte CountyMusicChico, CaliforniaArtsHomelessnessEventsDomestic Violence
SWAT mistaken for ICE: Corning police chief dispels rumors
Armed officers in tactical gear were positioned outside the Corning Police Department this morning. Many residents mistook them for federal immigration officials while passing by, spurring online rumors and panic in the community. Corning Police Chief Craig Bassett said it was a misunderstanding. The armed officers were actually members of Butte and Tehama County SWAT teams, Bassett said.
Quick reads - Are you signed up for wildfire alerts?
A new skate park in the city of Shasta Lake will have its grand opening this weekend. was built for people of all ages and skill levels. It was designed by a company specializing in skate parks, and features a clover-shaped bowl inspired by pro skater Lance Mountain. Funding for the $1.6 million dollar project came from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Caltrans Clean California Local Grant Program. The city says the grand opening will be a family-friendly event.
Federal budget could pave way for Shasta Dam expansion
Raising the height of the Shasta Dam has been under consideration for at least a decade. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation wants to expand it by 18 feet, adding an additional 13% storage capacity to the largest reservoir in California. This extra storage would allow for more water to be delivered to farmers in Southern California during dry seasons, which is something that President Donald Trump has worked toward during both his terms.
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