In the wake of devastating floods that struck Shasta County during the late December 2025 storms, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration, unlocking low-interest loans for affected residents, businesses, and nonprofits. This federal assistance aims to help rebuild lives and livelihoods battered by heavy rains, flash flooding, and infrastructure damage across the North State.

As the holiday season ramps up, Mother Nature is delivering an early gift – or perhaps a soggy challenge – in the form of a classic Pineapple Express. This atmospheric river, named for its origins near Hawaii where it picks up tropical moisture, is set to drench the West Coast this week, bringing much-needed rain to drought-prone Northern California.