Bruce Ross, the county Republican committee secretary, offered a local perspective on Simpson’s victory — “The voters of the district who cared enough to pay attention wanted less of the drama.” “Sometimes the transgender woman is your sober, boring pick in an election,” he said.

Late last month, an unnamed company approached the city of Mount Shasta with questions related to developing a data center. This week, Siskiyou supervisors said they’ve had no such inquiries, while encouraging a town hall to discuss public concerns.

Financial issues at Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency have led to talks of cutting some of the essential programs that California requires, like housing supports and food assistance. The state said doing so could result in legal action to protect mandated services.

Interviews with about two dozen sources — including former, current and future county leaders — suggest the result of Shasta County’s June election was less a rejection of conservatism than of a tumultuous leadership style that emerged during the pandemic. shastascout.org/shastas-rece...

Current bylaws require Shasta County Office of Education Board approval for training and conferences. A proposed update would remove that approval process, a move one trustee warns could risk becoming an “open checkbook.”

In a surprise announcement, Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis shared the news during an interview yesterday. Curtis fired Francescut from the same position last year. His current assistant ROV hasn’t confirmed plans to vacate the role.

Supervisor Matt Plummer believes implementing an external audit to address specific areas within HHSA finances may be needed.

In an announcement today, the city said three police captains will rotate through chief responsibilities this summer until an interim chief takes over in August. The mayor said a new police chief may start in September or October. shastascout.org/redding-says...

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has named the City of Shasta Lake a 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community. The recognition acknowledges the city’s efforts to prevent wildfire risk, and could provide potential insurance benefits for residents.

Supervisor Kevin Crye united with community members over how long to retain county emails. His fellow board members voted to pass an amended policy which allows for auto-deletion of county emails after two years, instead of one.

The state’s lawsuit against the county was initially filed in appellate court, in what the state said was an attempt to expedite a ruling. After the court determined the suit should be considered in trial court first, it was refiled yesterday, here in Shasta. shastascout.org/state-tries-...

In a celebration of Native culture and community, the Redding Rancheria’s seventh annual Big Time featured three-days of traditional dance performances, music, and Indigenous vendors. Eighteen different tribes across California gathered for the celebration.

Chief Brian Barner will finish his 34-year career with the Redding Police Department today. The city has initiated a process to recruit the next police chief, City Manager William Tarbox said, with interviews likely starting in July. shastascout.org/redding-poli...

Some in the small Siskiyou community were incensed by recent news of an unnamed company inquiring into the possibility of building a data center near Mount Shasta. Chief Robert Gibson said city staff and officials have been threatened over concerns about the project.

As part of the Lions Dance Across America initiative, Red Bluff’s Historic Chinatown will join Tehama County’s July 4 parade to honor the Chinese American community’s history in the county. shastascout.org/heres-how-re...

Supervisors will decide whether to implement the new document retention policy tomorrow, June 30. They’re also scheduled to support a bill that would update California public records law in ways that advocates say would reduce public access.

A California appeal court has declined to hear the merits of the case against Measure B, saying the state should refile in another venue. With the mid-terms only months away, the attorney general’s office said it plans to move quickly. shastascout.org/state-faces-...

The state attorney general’s office has given a local community member the green light to sue Jackie LaBarbera over her dual roles on school boards. California said LaBarbera could be breaking state law by holding her two school board seats at once, but a judge will make any final determination.

On June 8, Shasta supervisors voted to move towards passing a local law restricting the county from contracting with nonprofits that spend more than 18% on administrative costs. The county’s elected auditor-controller has pushed back. shastascout.org/some-supervi...

At a recent board meeting, election activists — some of whom now work for the county elections office — alleged fraud on statewide voter rolls, demanding that Shasta’s election official not certify the vote.

This week, the Mount Shasta city manager revealed that the city had received an inquiry from an entity interested in building a data center at the former Crystal Geyser facility in Siskiyou County. The discussion comes amid ongoing concerns about water shortages across California.

The changes amount to a reduction in public access beyond what’s required by Senate Bill 707, the new state law which triggered the board’s discussion.

Supervisors expressed conflicting perspectives on the idea of censure during today’s brief discussion. The board plans to reconsider whether to issue a formal rebuke against the county’s top elections official in July.

Today, supervisors unanimously passed a resolution to encourage the implementation of AI into county processes. Public feedback was mixed.

James Gallagher, a former state assembly member from Yuba City, will represent Shasta in its final months as a part of congressional District 1. But new Prop. 50 lines will pose a significant challenge to Gallagher’s bid to retain the seat moving forward.

Russ Wenham has served on the city’s planning commission for about two years and previously spent over two decades working for CalTrans. There are three spots on the city council up for election in November.

The proposed bill’s proponent says it would reduce “frivolous” public records requests. A transparency group says it would “chill” public access. In Shasta, California’s mandated public records process is already under scrutiny by local government officials who say it’s costing taxpayers too much.

“Aside from clothes and food, sometimes we’ll hear from people who don’t feel connected to their families or need to talk to someone and don’t have anyone else they can go to. People are finding their community here at the center and that keeps me motivated when I’m working here.”

Shasta’s new five-year strategic plan prioritizes several projects, including a corrections and rehabilitation campus and local medical school. But a lack of clear funding sources may keep Shasta from following through. shastascout.org/new-shasta-s...

The Shasta Coalition of African Americans for Community Health, Education and Empowerment is hosting a community celebration in Downtown Redding to celebrate and educate about Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. shastascout.org/juneteenth-c...

Two years ago, dual ballot measures related to land rights and filing midterm vacancies both failed to gain the 50% of votes needed to pass. Supervisor Kevin Crye wants to try again. He may have enough support to do so. shastascout.org/two-measures...

Shasta’s board voted today to let the state’s lawsuit against the county take its course, without waging a defense. California sued Shasta over Measure B last week just days after it was approved by 56% of voters.

The district attorney’s and public defender’s offices asked for higher salaries and more manageable caseloads to address ongoing staff shortages. As a temporary solution, the board gave all attorneys a $10,000 retention bonus. It’s “a meaningful first step,” DA Stephanie Bridgett said.

In April, after the county substantiated findings of misconduct by Curtis against staff, supervisors promised to circle back to a decision about a vote of censure after the June 2 primary. As election results begin to finalize, questions remain about whether supervisors will act on their word.

Shasta County is already using artificial intelligence, but so far, without an official AI policy. District 4 Supervisor Matt Plummer is looking to change that. He’s leading an initiative to implement AI use into county processes for increased efficiency and cost savings.

Near-final ballot numbers show Resner as victor. The current Redding City Council member has beat out incumbent Supervisor Kevin Crye, who’s part of a three-person group on the board that often votes together.

With years of experience working local elections, Joanna Francescut has emerged victorious against former Florida attorney Clint Curtis, who was appointed by supervisors last year. Here’s what she had to say about implementing Measure B, and how she’ll address changes Curtis has put in place so far.

Sixty-seven percent of Shasta voters cast their ballots for California Assemblyman James Gallagher. Shasta’s election office has certified the vote for the special congressional election. The rest of the races on the June 2 ballot are not yet certified.

The ballot initiative, which has just been approved by voters, set out to impose voter ID and eliminate mail-in voting. The state had previously warned it was prepared to act if Shasta County attempted to circumvent state authority over elections. Today it did.

A three-acre fire that started in Redding just before 1 p.m. has already prompted evacuations. shastascout.org/linden-fire-...

Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis is using the same method he chose last November — randomly selecting precincts via ping-pong balls — to conduct the tally. It’s a hand count of a statistically significant sample of votes that’s used statewide to confirm machine counts.

The Health and Human Services Agency is facing serious financial shortages in its social services fund. Discussions during the agency’s budget proposal indicated that the county may be leaning towards extreme measures to cut costs.

During a budget presentation to supervisors this week, outgoing ROV Clint Curtis asked for almost a million more than his last budget, describing plans to lease a new office space and conduct in-house printing. His successor has other priorities.

Measure B establishes multiple changes to local election procedures that contradict state law. As ballot counting nears its end, proponents are celebrating. The state says it’s ready to push back. shastascout.org/as-shasta-vo...

In Shasta county, suicide rates are among the highest in California. So are gun ownership rates — and most local suicides involve the use of a firearm. Widespread availability of gun locks and gun safes, experts say, could prevent deaths. shastascout.org/in-rural-nor...

The incident involved Shasta’s election official removing copies of documents that “may have” included confidential voter information, the county said in a press release today. Shasta won’t be initiating legal charges because the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State.

Candidates Joanna Francescut and Erin Resner continue to hold a strong margin of success. So does Measure B, a controversial ballot initiative likely to prompt legal action. Mike Gallagher is still ahead — but lacks the more than 50% of votes needed to win in the primary.

The lawsuit, which claims Francescut was wrongfully terminated from her position as assistant registrar of voters in 2025, also cites incidents of alleged harassment, retaliation, and discrimination by county officials, dating back to 2024. shastascout.org/joanna-franc...

“The need for health care, behavioral health treatment, and food assistance will not disappear because federal funding drops. The burden simply shifts downstream to counties — forcing cuts to emergency rooms, food banks, sheriff’s deputies and already-overwhelmed local systems.”

The Shasta County Elections Office has until June 11 to certify the special election for deceased congressman Doug LaMalfa’s vacancy. A new ballot filming process implemented by Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis has complicated the timeline. Curtis remains confident. shastascout.org/with-deadlin...