Category: Community

Protect free speech rights for Israel’s critics Legislation likely to produce "dangerous overreach"

Emily Alma

by Emily Alma
guest commentary posted June 18

Israel’s cruel and disproportionate response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks has elicited world-wide outcry, public horror at their actions, eclipsing our horror at the cruel Hamas actions against Israelis.

On the home front, popular uprisings continue unabated, spreading from action in the streets to union halls to university campuses to government employees resigning, to elected representatives in Congress – all demanding an end to hostilities, demanding an end to Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war, demanding an end to the flow of U.S. arms to Israel, demanding divestment from companies profiting from Israel’s war, demanding a permanent ceasefire and justice for Palestine. read more

Chico mom appeals gender identity lawsuit

Aurora Regino

by Natalie Hanson
posted May 31

A Chico mother has appealed her case against Chico Unified School District (CUSD), accusing it of inappropriate conduct and secrecy in a gender identity case.

Aurora Regino has argued that the district must out students who are trans or exploring their gender identity to their parents and that a federal judge denied her right as a parent to control the upbringing of her child. But a panel of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judges questioned whether Regino changed her case substantially – enough to send it back to the federal judge for reconsideration. read more

ChicoSol a finalist in five award categories Announcement reflects recognition for community focus and investigative reporting

photo by Leslie Layton
Several rows in the Marigold Elementary gym were occupied by protesting parents during a school board discussion on gender identity.

by staff
posted May 29

ChicoSol has been named a finalist in five categories in the prestigious annual journalism competition run by the California News Publishers Association (CNPA) for its 2023 coverage.

CNPA announced today that ChicoSol’s Natalie Hanson and Leslie Layton are finalists in the special Community Focus category across all divisions, placing this publication in competition with the San Francisco Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, Santa Barbara Independent, and the San Diego Union-Tribune. read more

North State Shelter Team hits landmark 2000th shower At City's Alternate Site for the homeless, volunteers provide relief

photo by Karen Laslo
Alternate Site residents Robert and Brenda Sallee.

photo essay by Karen Laslo
posted May 25

Every Friday, the North State Shelter Team (NSST) hauls its shower trailer out to the homeless camp on the corner of Eaton and Cohasset roads.

Along with a team of caring volunteers, NSST founder Charles Withuhn attempts to relieve some of the misery of living unhoused by offering hot showers. Withuhn built the shower trailer two years ago. On this Friday (May 24) the team was celebrating the marker of providing some 2,000 showers with cupcakes and coffee for the residents. read more

Chico State passes ceasefire resolution University acts to protect free speech and stop harassment

photo by Karen Laslo
Sam Tietz said he attended the May 6 walkout to stand against genocide.

by Leslie Layton
posted May 8

May 9 update: The Chico State Academic Senate approved a revised draft of the ceasefire resolution today, with only three votes in opposition.

The Academic Senate at Chico State University will consider a ceasefire resolution at its May 9 meeting that also supports what it calls “First Amendment Protections” for students opposed to Israel’s war in Gaza and for Jewish students.

The meeting of the Academic Senate – a policy-setting body with 32 voting members representing the university’s various colleges – will come after what is likely to be two days of rallies this week on the lawn in front of Kendall Hall. read more

Chico PD holds its first town hall Homelessness, de-escalation and diversity discussed

photo by Leslie Layton
Chief Billy Aldridge at Chico PD’s first town hall.

by Leslie Layton
posted May 2

In the first of two town halls to be held this year, Chico police addressed topics that emerged from the recent Community Survey as concerns, including homelessness and the department’s use of de-escalation techniques.

The May 1 town hall followed the recent release of results from the department’s Community Survey that received 797 responses from Chico-area residents. Most of the respondents were over 50 years old and a disproportionate number white. Almost 60 percent said the unhoused community was a major concern. read more