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Politics

Last Updated: Aug 26, 2026 09:00AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Gridley Commits More Money to Sports Complex Lights

Aug 26, 2026 09:00AM ● By Susan Meeker

After repeated setbacks and mounting costs, Gridley is pressing ahead with another attempt to get seven light poles installed at its sports complex.

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Live Oak Council Updates Nuisance Codes

Aug 26, 2026 08:56AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

At the Aug. 19 meeting, the Live Oak City Council held a public hearing to consider repealing two chapters of the municipal code regarding nuisance abatement and the neighborhood and community preservation program, to be replaced by one comprehensive chapter.

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Gridley Buys Cedar Street Property

Aug 26, 2026 08:43AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council approved the $125,000 purchase of a former Butte County Public Works property to secure a site for a future sewer lift station as the city plans for growth and the eventual replacement of aging infrastructure.

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Butte County Begins Replacing Ballot Tabulators

Aug 26, 2026 08:36AM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County is beginning to replace aging equipment used to count ballots, approving the purchase of two new tabulators as election officials prepare for the Nov. 3 general election.

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Gallagher Challenges California Harbor Regulations

Aug 25, 2026 09:49AM ● By MPG Staff

Rep. James Gallagher has introduced a congressional resolution seeking to overturn federal approval of California emissions requirements for commercial vessels, arguing the regulations will increase costs for businesses, fishing guides and consumers.

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Gay Bar Data Harvesting Cameras Mark Turning Sentiment

Aug 17, 2026 06:17PM ● By Josh Cook

The last few weeks have seen some amazing instances of a growing policy problem that you face, whether you want to face it or not, just because you have a face.

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You'll Keep Paying for Wildfires on Your Electric Bill Until California Fixes Its Forests

Aug 11, 2026 10:12AM ● By Josh Cook

If you live in California, you've probably seen the ads: "Home insurance rates skyrocket." "The FAIR Plan is broken." They urge you to call your legislator and demand a fix. What they don't mention is who paid for them.

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Gallagher Urges State to Protect Goat Grazing

Aug 05, 2026 09:01AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Rep. James Gallagher is joining three other California members of Congress in urging Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders to restore an overtime exemption for commercial goat herders, arguing that the policy change could weaken one of California's established methods of reducing wildfire fuel.

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Gallagher Introduces Water Reliability Bill

Aug 05, 2026 08:44AM ● By MPG Staff

Rep. James Gallagher has introduced legislation in Congress that would expand federal support for water storage projects, habitat restoration and infrastructure improvements throughout the Sacramento River Basin.

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Doug Arnold Ends Final Chapter of Public Service

Aug 05, 2026 08:40AM ● By Susan Meeker

Vice Mayor Doug Arnold has resigned from the Biggs City Council, bringing to a close decades of public service that included eight years on the Planning Commission and 14 years as an elected official.

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Biggs Corrects Compliance Oversight

Aug 05, 2026 08:20AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Biggs City Council approved several measures last week to strengthen the city's compliance with state requirements, including adopting an updated renewable energy procurement plan after discovering a required update had been overlooked for five years.

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Butte Water Commission to Review AI Data Center Policies

Aug 03, 2026 12:04PM ● By Lloyd Green

The Butte County Water Commission will discuss permitting and zoning for AI data centers during its Aug. 5 meeting, along with drought planning, well regulations and FERC relicensing.

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The Ukraine Effect: Cheap High-Tech Weapons and California

Jul 31, 2026 08:12AM ● By Josh Cook

The California congressional delegation should treat advances in high-tech warfare as both economic development and a national security opportunity.

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Council Pursues Grant Funding for Key Projects

Jul 28, 2026 01:17PM ● By Susan Meeker

More than a dozen grant-funded projects are moving forward or awaiting funding decisions as Gridley seeks outside money for infrastructure, parks, transportation, public safety and other community improvements.

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Gridley Invites Sister City to Butte County Fair

Jul 28, 2026 01:13PM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

The City of Gridley is continuing a tradition of international friendship by inviting officials from its Sister City, Comala, Colima, Mexico, to attend the 2026 Butte County Fair.

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Gridley Revives Smoke-Free Parks Effort

Jul 28, 2026 12:50PM ● By Susan Meeker

Gridley is moving forward with a renewed effort to increase awareness of its existing smoke-free parks ordinance after community partners secured funding to install bilingual signs throughout the city's parks.

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City Seeks Opportunity Zone Status

Jul 28, 2026 12:24PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council endorsed seeking Opportunity Zones 2.0 designation for both eligible census tracts, a step intended to encourage private investment in economically distressed areas.

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Jones Challenges Thompson to Debates

Jul 28, 2026 10:41AM ● By MPG Staff

Congressional candidate Eric Jones has challenged U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to participate in nine debates across California's 4th Congressional District, including one in each of the district's nine counties and at least one televised debate.

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Gridley Delays Waste Management Liens

Jul 22, 2026 08:36AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council on Monday delayed placing liens on properties with delinquent Waste Management accounts after residents raised concerns about billing errors, ownership changes and a lack of notification.

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Live Oak Advances Delinquent Account Collections

Jul 21, 2026 04:21PM ● By Shaunna Boyd

At the July 17 meeting, the Live Oak City Council held a public hearing on forwarding overdue water and sewer accounts to Sutter County for collection through the property tax roll.

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Citizen Grand Jury Wraps Year of Investigations

Jul 14, 2026 11:38AM ● By Susan Meeker

Most Butte County residents will never serve on a civil grand jury, but every year a panel of ordinary citizens is tasked with one of local government's broadest oversight roles, investigating public agencies, inspecting detention facilities, and recommending improvements where needed.

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Statewide Measures Carry Local Impacts for Rural Communities

Jul 14, 2026 10:21AM ● By Susan Meeker

Fourteen statewide propositions will appear on California’s Nov. 3 ballot, and several could bring direct changes to small communities in the North State.

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Remote Access Rules Reach Select Agencies

Jul 14, 2026 10:11AM ● By Susan Meeker

Yuba City Meeting Interrupted by Online Troll

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Chico Parking Kiosks Get Mixed Grand Jury Review

Jul 07, 2026 01:57PM ● By Susan Meeker

Chico's downtown parking kiosks have become more reliable, less expensive to maintain and easier to use than the city's previous parking meter system, but the Butte County Civil Grand Jury concluded the city failed to adequately educate the public about the transition.

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Biggs Council Adopts Surplus Budget

Jun 30, 2026 02:24PM ● By Susan Meeker

The City Council adopted a $7.6 million budget for the 2026‑27 fiscal year, approving a spending plan effective July 1 that maintains essential services and increases the citywide fund balance to $17.4 million.

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Supervisors Approve Gridley Parcel Agreements

Jun 30, 2026 02:07PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Board of Supervisors on June 23 approved a series of compensation agreements with the City of Gridley, clearing the way for the city to retain several former redevelopment agency parcels for future municipal development.

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Butte County Budget Facing Deep Cuts

Jun 30, 2026 01:20PM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County’s $1.08 billion recommended budget for 2026‑27 shows shrinking revenue, deep staffing cuts, and rising pressure on health and safety services.

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Biggs Council Approves New Employee Agreements

Jun 30, 2026 01:17PM ● By Susan Meeker

The City Council approved two employee agreements last month for the 2026‑27 fiscal year, adopting identical wage and benefit changes for both represented and unrepresented staff. The new agreements took effect July 1.

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Local Agencies Align on Tort Reform Plan

Jun 30, 2026 08:52AM ● By Susan Meeker

Cities and counties across the region, including Butte County, Biggs, Live Oak and Sutter County, are joining a statewide push for tort reform as public‑entity liability costs continue to climb and strain local budgets.

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Gridley Eyes Tougher Fireworks Rules

Jun 24, 2026 08:48AM ● By Susan Meeker

Gridley officials are considering stricter regulations on the use of legal "safe and sane" fireworks, including limits on when they can be used, $1,000 administrative fines for violations and expanded liability for parents and social hosts.

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Council Votes to End Future Health Benefits for Members

Jun 24, 2026 08:45AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

At the June 17 meeting of the Live Oak City Council, Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine proposed eliminating city-paid health, dental, vision, life insurance and related benefits for councilmembers as their current terms expire.

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Gridley Adopts Budget Amid Revenue Gap

Jun 24, 2026 08:16AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Gridley City Council adopted a $27.5 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 on June 15, approving a spending plan that maintains city services, funds major infrastructure projects and continues to address a projected gap between General Fund revenues and expenditures.

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Healthcare Access in Rural Counties Is Already at Risk — H.R. 1 Makes It Worse

Jun 18, 2026 06:31PM ● By Kent Boes, California State Association of Counties

Colusa County Supervisor Kent Boes warns proposed federal healthcare changes could jeopardize Medi-Cal coverage, strain Colusa Medical Center, and threaten access to rural healthcare.

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Butte Backs State Mandate Reimbursement Reform

Jun 16, 2026 03:24PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously support state legislation aimed at changing how California reimburses local governments for state-mandated programs, backing a proposal county officials said would provide greater fiscal flexibility for counties.

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Butte County Defends Williamson Act Charge

Jun 16, 2026 11:10AM ● By Susan Meeker

Butte County officials are recommending no changes to the county's Williamson Act direct charge, saying the revenue remains an important part of the county's budget as officials work to maintain public safety and library services.

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