Zephyr News
Zephyr News is KZFR’s weekly, volunteer-powered 30-minute local news program, created to inform, engage, and uplift the communities of the North State. Each episode features a mix of original reporting, interviews, and curated public affairs content drawn from KZFR’s long-standing news and community programming. The show focuses on the issues that matter most to our region, including local government, environmental and social concerns, Indigenous affairs, emergency information, and stories highlighting the people and organizations shaping life in Northern California.
Produced by KZFR volunteers in collaboration with the station’s News Coordinator and Public Affairs programmers, Zephyr News brings together diverse viewpoints, community voices, and hyperlocal reporting not found in commercial media. During emergencies, the program serves as a trusted source for essential updates on evacuations, road conditions, and public safety information—continuing KZFR’s long tradition of being there for the community in times of need.
Zephyr News
01-01-2026
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This week’s Zephyr News features local and statewide reporting from KZFR 90.1 FM Chico, with contributions from the Sacramento Observer, Public News Service, and KQED’s California Report.
The episode includes a roundup of Northern California headlines, a breakdown of new California laws taking effect in 2026, coverage of updated homelessness protections, and an overview of California’s minimum wage increase. We also examine gaps in Medicare Advantage coverage affecting Black seniors and how PTA food pantries are supporting families during school breaks.
Listeners will hear an update on Butte County’s decision to extend the Alert FM emergency warning system through 2031, explaining how the system delivers life-saving alerts over FM radio to rural and wildfire-prone areas when cellular and internet services fail.
Zephyr News airs Thursdays from 7 to 7:30 pm on KZFR 90.1 FM and is available wherever you get your podcasts.