PG&E Settles For $55 Million, Avoids Criminal Charges in California Dixie Fire As Part of Settlement

REDDING, Calif. (KMJ/KRCR) – Pacific Gas and Electric Company has avoided criminal charges related to its role in starting the Dixie and Kincade fires as part of a settlement with California prosecutors. The District Attorneys of Plumas, Lassen, Tehama, Shasta and Butte Counties on Monday announced they have reached a settlement with PG&E over that company’s responsibility…MORE

Surface Transportation Board to Deal with Rail Issues

The Surface Transportation Board says it will hold public hearings on April 26 and 27 on recent rail service problems and recovery efforts involving several Class One carriers. The Board plans to direct several executive-level officials from many major railways to appear during the hearing. Rail network reliability is essential to the nation’s economy and…MORE

Officer on Leave After Killing a Woman Walking in Merced

(KMJ) – A woman is dead and a police officer on paid administrative leave after a deadly collision Thursday night in the city of Merced. Investigators say a Merced Police Officer was driving a marked cruiser on G Street near 5th when he struck a woman walking in the roadway around 10 p.m. That woman,…MORE

World Beef Demand Continues to Soar

U.S. beef exports turned in another strong performance in February. USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the strong month for beef was led by excellent value growth in key Asian and Latin American markets. Beef exports hit 108,500 metric tons in February, 5% higher than last year. Beef’s export value rose…MORE

USDA Strengthens Pollinator Research Support

The Department of Agriculture is expanding its commitment to advancing research and priorities that support pollinator health. USDA is soliciting nominations for members to serve on its newly formed USDA National Pollinator Subcommittee. The subcommittee is part of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. The board provides feedback to the Agriculture…MORE

Conway Advances to Congressional Runoff

(AP) — Former Trump administration appointee Connie Conway has advanced to a June runoff in a California special election to fill a U.S. House seat left vacant after Republican Rep. Devin Nunes resigned to lead former President Donald Trump’s media company. https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/special/us-rep/district/22 The race for the second runoff spot was too early to call, after…MORE

Cockfighting Ring Busted in Merced County

(KMJ) – About 40 roosters are now in the care of Animal Control after Merced County Sheriff’s Deputies busted up an illegal cockfighting ring. Deputies say they were called to a neighborhood on N Arboleda Drive, where they found a large-scale cockfighting operation. At the scene, investigators found a fighting ring, scales, and sharp spurs…MORE

USDA Says No To Allowing CRP Acres For Crop Production

A letter obtained by Politico indicates the Department of Agriculture will not open Conservation Reserve Program acres for crop production. In a letter to the National Grain and Feed Association, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “Quickly converting this land to crop production is clearly unfeasible.” Vilsack notes that most acres enrolled in CRP are largely…MORE

Elon Musk to Join Twitter’s Board of Directors

(KMJ) – The chief executive officer of Twitter confirms Tesla’s Elon Musk will join its board of directors after becoming the company’s largest individual shareholder with a 9% stake. Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal announced Musk’s addition in a tweet Tuesday morning. “I’m excited to share that we’re appointing (Elon Musk) to our board! Through conversations…MORE

More Skimmers Found at Bank of America ATMs in Tulare

TULARE, Calif. (KMJ) — The Tulare Police Officers recently found three ATM skimmers scattered across town. According to Officers, these skimmers were found at Bank of America ATM locations. Investigators add the skimmers are placed inside the frame and a small hidden camera is used to record the PIN of ATM users. The information is…MORE