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Latest News Digest – January 2, 2026
The HHS has paused federal childcare funding nationwide after videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) exposed apparent fraud in Minnesota program. States must now provide receipts, photos, attendance records, and inspection data before funds resume. Independent journalist Nick Shirley last week posted videos that he claims expose $110 million in fraud, after he went to several daycare centers in Minneapolis.
In case you have a question about the legality of Measure B
Now I hear that there are a more than a few folks in Shasta County who want to vote on a bill to make our elections more secure. They want Shasta County to adopt things like hand counted ballots and voter ID. Can you believe it? Now I’m not sure why anybody would get hot-under-the-collar about making elections more secure. Seems like a good thing to me. But some, including one of our county supervisors, have said that they shouldn’t do it because they’re breaking the law. A l
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California Closing Fifth Prision
California's criminal justice system has been ravaged by a decade of radical progressive reforms that prioritized leniency over public safety, leading to surging crime, strained resources, and a deliberate reduction in incarceration. Four prisons closed to date and a fifth is scheduled
Rex Ballard
5 hours ago5 min read
Unsubstantiated Allegations of Corruption Swirl Around Redding Police Chief's Sudden Administrative Leave
Redding Police Chief Brian Barner was abruptly placed on paid administrative leave effective December 30, 2025, amid a vague "personnel matter," city officials announced. No further details have been provided by the City of Redding, which has declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the decision. Captain Brian Cole has been named acting chief during Barner's absence. Amid the official silence, unsubstantiated claims of departmental corruption have resurfaced online
Rex Ballard
5 hours ago4 min read
"Safe and Effective" COVID-19 Vaccine Narrative Unraveling
Data Manipulation at the CDC and Defense Department Being Investigated -
The “safe and effective” narrative about the COVID-19 vaccines is unraveling and civil and criminal cases are being pursued, aided by several whistleblowers and new audits that have been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the President Donald J. Trump administration.
Elisa Ballard
8 hours ago9 min read
Organized Crime -- Congressional Stock Trading
In the hallowed halls of Capitol Hill, where laws are crafted and secrets whispered, a select group of politicians has turned public service into a personal jackpot.
Rex Ballard
12 hours ago6 min read
MISSING PERSON – PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Redding Police Department urgently needs your help in locating a missing at-risk woman. Trena Borello , age 61, has been missing since approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 25, 2025 . Description: - Height: 5'4" - Weight: 110 lbs - Hair: Gray - Eyes: Brown Last seen wearing: - Long black leather coat - Gray pants - Black-and-white striped shirt Ms. Borello was last seen at the Walmart located at 1515 Dana Drive in Redding, California . She spoke with family member
Kari Chilson
14 hours ago1 min read
Maduro Captured by US Forces
In a dramatic escalation of U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, American special forces conducted a large-scale military operation in Venezuela early this morning, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The raid, which involved airstrikes on key military and infrastructure sites
Rex Ballard
14 hours ago4 min read
Open Carry in California?
In a pivotal ruling that underscores the inviolability of the Second Amendment, a federal appeals court has declared California's broad prohibition on openly carrying firearms unconstitutional.
Rex Ballard
1 day ago5 min read
PG&E Under Fire
In a state already grappling with soaring living costs and climate-driven disasters, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)—California's largest utility, serving over 16 million residents—has come under intense scrutiny for what critics describe as predatory pricing tactics reminiscent of the Gilded Age's Robber Barons.Since 2020, PG&E's residential rates have surged by an estimated 60% on average (ranging from 50-70% across customer classes)
Rex Ballard
1 day ago5 min read
When Corruption Whispers Doubt, Let Faith Roar Back
To that brave woman in the video, and to all of us feeling the weight: don't let the shadows win. Let faith prevail, and watch as it reshapes not just our hearts, but our culture. In the end, it's not the corrupt who inherit the earth—it's the meek, the faithful, the ones who refuse to break. Hold on; the dawn is coming.
Rex Ballard
1 day ago3 min read
Another Company Heads to Texas
Leprino's exit fits a troubling pattern of businesses fleeing California, where high taxes, burdensome regulations, and utility costs make sustainability challenging—even for established giants. While Leprino retains other non-manufacturing operations in the state, this closure signals a stark choice many businesses are facing: adapt to mounting pressures or relocate for survival.
Rex Ballard
1 day ago4 min read
Latest News Digest – January 2, 2026
The HHS has paused federal childcare funding nationwide after videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) exposed apparent fraud in Minnesota program. States must now provide receipts, photos, attendance records, and inspection data before funds resume. Independent journalist Nick Shirley last week posted videos that he claims expose $110 million in fraud, after he went to several daycare centers in Minneapolis.
Elisa Ballard
1 day ago6 min read
Shasta County Crime Blotter Report
December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 This report covers notable incidents, arrests, and enforcement activities reported by the Redding Police Department, Anderson Police Department, Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Northern Division for the period December 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Data is compiled from publicly available sources including agency press releases, social media posts, and daily logs. Names are included where publicly disclosed.
Rex Ballard
2 days ago3 min read
The California Exodus Continues
As of January 2026, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, California—a community landmark since 1976—is preparing for its imminent closure, scheduled between February 9–22. The decision by the global brewing giant to shut down the facility has stunned locals, particularly coming just 18 months after a $7 million upgrade.
Rex Ballard
2 days ago4 min read
Shasta County DA Stephanie Bridgett and the Zogg Fire Settlement
The 2020 Zogg Fire, ignited by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) equipment, killed four people and destroyed hundreds of structures in Shasta County. In May 2023, District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett negotiated a $50 million civil settlement with PG&E, dismissing remaining criminal charges in exchange for $5 million in civil penalties and $45 million in charitable contributions for fire prevention, community recovery, and local nonprofits. Notably, none of the settlement funds w
Rex Ballard
2 days ago7 min read
California Wants Your Property
As California baby boomers enter their retirement and end-of-life years, a seismic shift is underway in the state's real estate landscape. Proposition 19, passed in 2020 and effective for intergenerational transfers since Feb 16, 2021, has dramatically restricted the ability of families to pass down homes without massive property tax hikes. What was once a generous exclusion allowing parents to transfer low property tax bases to children—preserving family legacies for generat
Rex Ballard
3 days ago7 min read
Latest News
Upcoming & Ongoing Events AROUND TOWN
Gold Rush Winter Wonders
Imagine bundling up your family crew in cozy scarves, hitting the open road with a playlist of holiday jingles, and stepping back into the wild days of the 1849 Gold Rush—all while chasing twinkling lights and festive cheer. Welcome to California's Gold Country, where historic Highway 49 winds through charming towns that once buzzed with fortune-seekers. This 3-night, 4-day loop can start in either Redding or Sacramento. It clocks about 200 miles of scenic drives through rol
Rex Ballard
Dec 13, 20255 min read
2025 Shasta County Christmas Lights Winners Are Here – Grab the Family and Go!
The results are in! The Shasta Association of Realtors has announced the winners of the 2025 Home Decorating Contest, and the Contemporary / Lights Synchronized to Music category is absolutely stacked this year. If you love over-the-top, radio-tuned, dancing light shows that make you feel like you’re inside a Hallmark movie on steroids, these are the three displays you cannot miss. Nightly shows typically run from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (hours may vary—check the Redding Lights pa
Kari Chilson
Dec 11, 20252 min read
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