Sunny’s podcast: Sept. 16-17
Police Chief Billy Aldridge proposes that the seven-member City Council get ALPR (automated license plate reader) training. “We train you in the system, have you dig into it yourselves,” Aldridge tells the Council.
Sunny’s podcast: Aug. 27-Sept. 1
Reporter Chris Hutton discusses the latest in the Stock lawsuit against Chico State and the CSU and how he put together his story. He also reports on the Sept. 1 City Council meeting, including the proposition for an ad hoc committee to review Chico PD’s ALPR data sharing.
Outcry at City Council over camera data sharing
Local citizens fill the Council chamber, and the City says it will hold a special City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 for discussion of license plate reader data sharing. “These license plate readers, they’re just not reading the license plates, they’re video cameras basically,” said Chico resident Dan Pantry. Chico’s Mary Kay Benson, who has been distributing “pre-filled CPD complaint forms” (see comments), says she’s submitted more than 60 of the forms.
ALPR cameras: a “cultural shift”
Reporters Elias Myers and Ryan Sabalow spoke about the Chico Police Department sharing of Automated License Plate Reader data with federal agencies on NorCal Public Media’s North Bay 101 podcast. Myers broke this story for ChicoSol; Sabalow studied journalism at Chico State University and is digital democracy reporter at Cal Matters. In addition to broadcasting North Bay 101 on KRCB, Sonoma County’s NPR station, NorCal shares its podcast with media outlets throughout Northern California. Listen to the interview here.
Sunny’s podcast: July 25-Aug. 4
Patrice discusses ChicoSol’s investigation that suggests the sharing of data from Chico PD’s automated license plate reader cameras might violate state laws. She also covers the worries about fire danger in the Lindo Channel area and the Democracy Defenders Roadshow that came to Chico Aug. 1.
Sunny’s podcast: July 20-22, 2026
Cal Matters reports on restrictions on power shut-offs; the upcoming closure of the Alternative Camping Site; former city manager Mark Sorensen and Jesus Center CEO Amber Abney-Bass discuss homelessness at the May 19 Chico City Council meeting; and Professor Aaron Quinn on public records legislation.