Re: Voter Guide: June 2026 Primary
The two-ballot situation for CD1 residents is exactly the kind of detail that’s easy to miss — I had no idea the orange and purple packets needed to be kept separate to count. Really appreciate CalMatters putting this together.
–T. Tone 5/24/2026
I think voting by mail is a practical step forward because it makes it easier for busy people or those living far away to participate in elections. However, the more convenient it is, the more detailed the voter guidance needs to be, because even a small mistake, like placing the wrong ballot, can directly affect the value of a vote.
–Helen Dam 5/14/2026
Remember when the board of supervisors convinced you to vote for a sales tax increase (Measure H) because they claimed they didn’t have enough budget money to fund the Butte County library? That same board then voted themselves a 100% salary increase with your tax dollars. Peter Dufree is one of those board members and his term is finally up. We can stop conservative men from exploiting their political positions for personal profit by NOT voting for them. Vote for Marianna Paiva instead!
–Alicia Trider 4/15/2026
Re: Memories of the Tule Lake Internment Camp
The film “Mr. Tanimoto’s Journey” was directed and produced by Jesse Dizard (professor of anthropology at CSU Chico) and nominated for a San Francisco regional Emmy Award. It can be viewed here:
–Jesse Armstrong 5/23/2026
A timely and informative piece considering the United States is interning people again. Ken Magri’s article made me want to read more about this tarnished moment in U.S. history and the Japanese that endured.
–Daniel Bernick 5/22/2026
Really appreciated this piece on such a dark time in American history. Amazing to be able interview someone, who at 102, can clearly remember.
–Dave Marquis 5/20/2026
Re: CN&R interview with Assemblyman James Gallagher
Wow, what an unlikable politician! Based on my conversations with real people in Butte County, the masses seem to have woken up to the GOP LGBTQ distractions. People now actually have real issues effecting their lives. It seems this smarmy politician didn’t get the memo? Embarrassingly still fighting the last election.
The last thing District 1 needs is another “farmer”. The 21st-century welfare queens of our time, these people (in their current form) are detached from the common man. This guy radiates insincerity to a degree I don’t think I’ve seen in north-state politics. What a mistake it would be to send him to Congress. I wonder what the actual odds are this time? You would think people would have had enough.
If there’s any silver lining in his presumable win, it’s the fact that (with re-districting chaos unleashed) he will most likely only serve a few short months of lame-duck status. I expect that (based on Virginia and other states) California will keep the “new” district well past 2030 and this smarmy man will miss out on what would have been his “golden ticket.” Ouch! There’s always “farming”!
–Bob Smith 5/11/2026
Re: How will California’s next governor handle homelessness?
In my opinion, California’s homelessness crisis cannot be solved by focusing only on housing or law enforcement. People experiencing homelessness also need access to mental health care, addiction treatment, and long-term support to truly rebuild their lives.
–Sfhyaga Holamyn 5/22/2026
The [Chico] City Council and general public should recognize and address the larger number of homeless people not being served under Warren v Chico. Sweeps exacerbate the problem when campers are driven from their chosen sites and repeatedly pushed out into residential areas. Managed temporary camps that are located away from neighborhoods that provide services for health, sanitation, safety and access for social services can minimize the imposition on residents and the high cost of police actions. Our national economy doesn’t include everyone. Money is hoarded by billionaires and doesn’t circulate through the entire economy as it would in a healthy capitalist system. Prices rise and wages have stagnated since the 70s. The dollar is worth 1/10th what it was. Rents have risen and people, especially disabled and elderly, end up on the street. A large number of Camp Fire refugees remain on Chico streets. Senior poverty is expected to triple soon. AI Is coming soon with 30% unemployment. Jesus’s teaching and common decency require us to help. We must change our systems and our behavior.
–Robin McCollum 5/4/2026
Re: CN&R’s interview with State Senator Mike McGuire
[I would] not vote for Mike McGuire for Congress. H[e] would be just another leftist embarrassment from California. He spews typical democrat party dogma without really knowing what he is speaking of. I have relatives who were lucky to escape from actual fascists in Nazi Germany in 1938. He would not know actual fascism from horse-shit.
–LR Ehresman 5/10/2026
Re: Fear of ICE leaves Hmong Californians less likely to report hate incidents
California has a long history of reckoning with the Asian American community, and Oroville is no exception. Tule Lake Segregation Center to the north and Arboga Assembly Center Memorial site, to the south, serve as a reminder of how racism, fear, and suspicion have shaped California’s relationship with Asian immigrants.
The Hmong community has worked tirelessly, despite overcoming immense odds as refugees and the residual oppression that still thrives in American immigration policies. Many communities also continue to challenge stereotypes and public perception of immigrants through their dedicated nonprofit work, like the Hmong Cultural Center [in Oroville].
As American immigration policies continue, it is important to learn from our past mistakes, like the Chinese Immigration Exclusion Act and Executive Order 9066, which forcibly incarcerated 120,000 Japanese Americans. We must ask ourselves if the cycle of violence is worth the reward of being an American.
We were once known for “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” yet we have not always extended that promise equally. It is time for the “nation of immigrants” to stand up for those who are yearning to breathe free.
–Amber Salazar 5/11/2026
Downtown Chico concerns
Councilmembers worked themselves into a false dilemma, wasting planning dollars and precious time rejecting City Manager Sorensen’s revitalization plans. Preserving the current design is itself a policy choice—and it is a choice to keep downtown oriented around vehicle throughput rather than downtown vitality. Likewise, this is not about conflict of interest, recusals, or who has the most economically or personally to gain or lose. Mayor Reynolds’ place of business appears on the City of Chico’s Downtown Revitalization web page thumbnail map for the project. Councilor Van Overbeek has a large commercial building downtown on Park Ave. If ethically appropriate, they then both—as business owners and elected officials—should champion the proposed revitalization efforts, for their own and the public’s interest. If deemed inappropriate because of personal financial gains to be had, then, again act in the public’s interest and abstain from voting on a plan. Stalemating the whole process is counterproductive and, possibly contemptible.
–Brian Pope 5/1/2026
Thanks for the information, articles and all you do! I hear a lot about struggling downtown businesses of all kinds. I would love to go downtown more. We moved to this area about five years ago to be near our daughter, who went to school here, and her family. She is a teacher here in Chico. I am a senior, post spinal surgery with balance issues. I would love to see more parking, drive-in type as opposed to parallel spaces, which are never open. Thank you.
–B. Freitas 4/18/2026
I have been reading how great downtown will be with the revitalization project. I have also attended informational gatherings and talked to many business owners, past and present planners and many locals.No one has an answer to this question. How will traffic get through town? There are over 20,000 car trips per day going through downtown on Main and Broadway. Are we to believe that the side streets like Salem or Orient can handle the overflow or are we to go to the freeway, or maybe Bruce, Pine and Cypress, or Nord. Good luck.
How about leaving the third lane and slowing traffic down by changing the speed limit to 25 mph, changing the timers on the traffic lights, and putting in cameras. Also remove the kiosk to provide free parking along with more living units.
–Steve Kasprzyk 4/17/2026
Reply to Mark Kessler letter: Though Ital Imports and Melody Records aren’t on the list of businesses you’ve supported, we’ve been here in downtown Chico 43 years and 46 years [respectively]. I haven’t attended the public meetings but have followed the debate on the local news and other local media and I wonder if your statement that plan 1 has overwhelming support includes the business owners? From what I’ve heard many are worried that just the process will be the death of their business in lost revenue, just from the mess it will create by tearing up the streets for months. It would be safer for the bicyclists but there aren’t very many and removing the car lanes would create so much congestion that I think many will avoid downtown altogether (the parking kiosks have already done this). You also say more plantings but I’ve heard the opposite, trees being removed to create bike paths. As for safer sidewalks I walk all over town multiple times a week and except for special events the sidewalks are never crowded, I often walk a full block with no one else on the sidewalk. I feel like constantly rising rents and fees, and the parking and homeless problems are much bigger negative impacts then bike lanes.
–Scott Hodgkinson (DBA Ital Imports Inc.) 4/28/2026
Re: Guest comment: Your nonprofit needs an AI policy
Interesting point about needing an AI policy. I wonder how nonprofits are currently managing privacy and data security.
–Jordan Ekasinoceske 4/21/2026
Re: Call in the goats
In the mid 90’s me and students at CSUC pressured the city parks dept. to stop using herbicides and utilize IPM [Integrated Pest Management] practices and goats, as the Campus Arboretum Club worked with Facilities and Grounds Management with similar policies. I am still on the Campus Arboretum Committee.
–Rob Katz 4/24/2026
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