It looks like graduation rates are stalling at California State University. Numbers remain the same as last year at 35-percent for first-time students earning a degree in four years. The goal is 40-percent by 2025. But it jumps to 70-percent for those graduating in six-years. Right now, it's still at 62-percent. The CSU chancellor says there's a greater need now to expand access and affordability to serve students of all ages.

Gov. Gavin Newsom had a surprise meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday after being warmly welcomed by other senior leaders in a display of friendliness that stands in sharp contrast to the dialogue between the United States and China in recent years. Newsom in opening remarks ahead of his meeting with Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, spoke of "renewing our friendship and reengaging foundational and fundamental issues" with China. Newsom is on a weeklong tour of China to push for climate cooperation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will try to reinforce the state's role as a global leader on climate change as he begins a weeklong visit to China on Monday, Newsom's tour begins in Hong Kong before he continues on to Beijing, Shanghai and other provinces. He'll visit the first Chinese city to deploy an all-electric bus fleet, tour an offshore wind facility and see a wetlands preserve. He'll sign agreements with leaders of Chinese provinces to set mutual commitments on a host of climate goals. California has already signed dozens of such agreements with subnational governments.

The City of Chico plans on handing out the notices to HOmeless encampments, this is the final step before Crews will clear the sites. The first location is along Alba Avenue from White Avenue to the bike path. The city says 16 people are camping there. The second location is the Little Chico Creek between Cedar Street and Broadway Street. There are two campers there. and 1 camper is at Eaton and Jersey Brown Circle

Two crucial pieces of legislation authored by Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) have been signed into law by Governor Newsom, addressing pressing local needs within the 3rd Assembly District. Assembly Bill 556 and Assembly Bill 570 aim to provide additional funding for fire protection and support the recovery of Camp Fire survivors. Survivors of disasters like the Camp Fire in California can avoid property tax hikes by transferring the assessed value of their previous homes when they rebuild or acquire new properties within five years. AB 556 addresses the challenges many faced in meeting this five-year deadline due to the scale of destruction and compensation uncertainties, extending the timeframe by an additional three years for survivors to retain their home's base value as they rebuild.

A Chico man was charged Monday in Butte County Superior Court for an attempted robbery that left the intended victim paralyzed by a bullet through his face. Jaden Hollowell was arraigned in court on a charge of attempted robbery along with a sentence enhancement of shooting and gravely injuring the victim. He was also charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. As charged, Hollowell is facing 25 years to life in state prison.

The City of Chico removed 11 tons of waste and refuse from Big Chico Creek and the Lindo Channel this week, according to the Public Works department. they say enforcement and cleanup was completed on a section of the creek between Rose Avenue and Cherry Street. They also say crews completed a section of the Lindo Channel, between Montego Way and Holly Avenue.

A Chico woman has been sentenced to two years in state prison after violating her probation on two separate occasions, according to the district attorney's office. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey says Gail Hemmingsen, 63, of Chico, previously pled no contest to four separate charges of driving under the influence and a misdemeanor for attempted criminal threats. Ramsey says the multiple DUI offense, and criminal threats, stem from a string of drunken incidents Hemmingsen accumulated between September and November 2022.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that expanded workers' paid sick leave, guaranteeing five paid sick days per year and increasing the the ability to earn and keep them. Newsom signed SB 616 by Senator Lena Gonzales (D-Long Beach) which guarantees workers at least five paid sick days per year. Newsom also announced that he signed AB-969 by Assembly member Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) a bill to limit hand vote counts in election. AB 969 was drafted in response to Shasta County's decision back in January to hand count ballots in future elections and cancel its contract with the Dominion Voting Systems.

A national emergency alert test will blare out across the U.S. this week. According to FEMA, every TV, radio and cellphone will be interrupted with an emergency message at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. The test is scheduled to last approximately one minute. Officials say the alert is similar to that of an Amber Alert or warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The alert is being issued because federal emergency management coordinators need to make sure the system is still an effective way to warn Americans about emergencies

Kevin McCarthy is no longer the Speaker of the House. 8 republicans unhappy with McCarthy's performance joined Democrats in voting for the California Republican's removal. It's the first time in U.S. history that a Speaker has been ousted by a "motion to vacate" the position. North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry is now Acting Speaker overseeing the chamber until a new Speaker election is held.