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.
Episodes
42 episodes
09/03/26 - Zephyr News | Paradise Lake fuels reduction, Chico State lawsuit, Oroville City Council
This week on Zephyr News, we look at wildfire fuels reduction work near Paradise Lake and new developments in a discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit involving the former dean of Chico State’s College of Agriculture. Local coverage al...
08/27/26 - Zephyr News | Lindo Channel cleanup, Sister Soul Brunch, Shasta County elections
This week on Zephyr News, local reporting covers Chico’s emergency cleanup along Lindo Channel, developments from the Butte County Board of Supervisors, and a new behavioral health facility in Gridley. We hear from the Sacramento Observer about...
08/20/26 - Zephyr News | Sixth Street Center closure, ALPR, Oroville City Council
This week on Zephyr News: the closure of Chico’s Sixth Street Center for Youth, a look at Sacramento’s massive rail yards redevelopment, and continued concerns over Chico Police license plate reader data sharing. We also cover a $325,0...
08/13/26 - Zephyr News | Future of Bidwell Mansion, Oroville Hospital CEO lawsuit, Camp Fire recovery
This week on Zephyr News: Oroville Hospital sues its former CEO over a multimillion-dollar real estate deal, the Bidwell Mansion visitor center reopens as State Parks considers the site’s future, and Paradise officials provide an updat...
08/06/26 - 08/06/26 - Zephyr News | AI Data Center Concerns, Chico License Plate Readers, Paradise Grand Jury Report
This week on Zephyr News: concerns over potential AI data centers in Butte County, Oroville’s downtown business district budget, and Chico’s response to wildfire risks along the Lindo Channel. We also cover Chico Police license plate r...
07/30/26 - Zephyr News | Paradise Elementary Reopens, Park Fire Arson Conviction, Auto Insurance Telematics
This week on Zephyr News: Paradise Elementary prepares to reopen, Ronnie Dean Stout II is convicted of starting the 2024 Park Fire, and Butte County supervisors discuss local projects and public safety. We also examine proposed auto in...
07/23/26 - Zephyr News | Oroville City Council , Devotionals for trauma support, Update on Salem Street Bridge
latest from Chico Sol and the California Report, along with highlights from the Oroville City Council meeting, a look at a new devotional offering support for those recovering from trauma, an update on Chico's award-winning Salem Street B...
07/16/26 - Zephyr News | Chico City Council, Paradise Town Council, Cleanup Efforts in Bidwell Park, Update on Big Chico Creek
Zephyr News brings you stories from the California Report , highlights from the Chico City Council by Hopriana and Paradise Town Council meetings by Madi , updates on recent cleanup efforts in Bidwell Park by Hopriana and conditions along...
Zephyr News | 07/09/26 - Chico Compost facility closure, Oroville Youth in Action, farm Land summit, Oroville City Council , Local News
Stories from the Sacramento Observer and ChicoSol, including the closure of Chico's compost facility by Hopriana , Oroville Youth in Action by Madi Vannucci, highlights from the Farmland Summit by Hopriana , a recap of the Oroville City Council...
07/02/26 - Zephyr News | Sterling City school for sale, Paradise water quality , Oroville new oppotunity zone, Middle trail maintenance , & News releases
Zephyr News features stories from the Sacramento Observer, including the sale of the Sterling City School property, updates on Paradise's drinking water quality, Oroville's new Opportunity Zone, volunteer efforts to maintain the Middle Trail, a...
06/25/26 - Zephyr News | Board of Supervisors , Chico Unified school district , Juneteenth Celebration, Oroville Charter Schools
Zephyr News with news stories on the Butte County Board of Supervisors, the Chico Unified School District, Chico's Juneteenth celebration, and Oroville Charter School.
06/18/26 - Zephyr News | Commercial cannabis cultivation, Paradise Unified school district, Big chico creek, Oroville city council budget deficit
This week on Zephyr News, we bring you stories from the Sacramento Observer and The California Report, along with local coverage from across Butte County. We take a look at Chico's ongoing discussion over commercial cannabis cultivation by Hopr...
06/11/26 - Zephyr News | Board of Supervisors, Paradise town council meeting, Iron canyon fish passage project
Zephyr News with stories on the Sacramento observer , California report , Butte county board of supervisors meeting, Iron canyon fish passage project, & A Report on paradise town council meeting and local news happenings.
06/04/2026 - Zephyr News | Chico city council meeting, Election results and local news , Helping veterans
This week's coverage included stories from ChicoSol, the Sacramento Observer, and the California Report, highlighting local election results, Chico City Council discussions, and other important community news. The week also featured a look at p...
05/28/26 - Zephyr News | Oroville table mountain lights project , Glassy winged sharp shooter, butte views and beyond show, board of supervisors , local news, Cal report
On this episode, we cover a proposed lighting project at Oroville's Table Mountain by Mary, concerns over the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter by , and the latest discussions from the Butte County Board of Supervisors by Hopriana . Plu...
05/21/26 - Bidwell Mansion , News Releases, Chico City council, Chico sol. Sacramento Observer
Coverage this week includes reporting from Chico sol and the Sacramento observer along with updates from the Chico City Council and recent local news releases. Stories focused on ongoing discussions surrounding the future of Bidwell Mansi...
04/14/26 - Board of supervisors , news releases , paradise council , chico state orion , california report
Coverage this week includes reporting from The Orion, the CalMatters and The California Report, along with highlights from the Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting, local news releases, a CAL FIRE wildfire preparedness segment focused on d...
05/07/26 - Chico city council, Chico homeless camps, News releases
Coverage this week includes reporting from The Orion, ChicoSol, The Sacramento Observer, and The California Report, along with updates from the Chico City Council, local news releases, and ongoing coverage surrounding homeless camps in Chico.
04/30/26 - Upcoming primary election , News releases , Board of Supervisors, Interview with Amy goodman
Coverage this week on Zephyr news draws from The Orion, ChicoSol, and The Sacramento Observer, highlighting key local and regional developments. Stories include updates from the Board of Supervisors, recent news releases, and an interview with ...
04/23/26 - Oroville fire service recovery , Chico public works, Chico city council meeting, news releases
Coverage from the Chico State Orion, ChicoSol, and the California Report highlights a range of local issues, including Oroville’s proposed fire service cost recovery program, updates from Chico Public Works, recent Ch...
04/16/26 - Board of Supervisors , Fish Passage Project , Goats returning to bidwell park, Interview with Peter Durfee, Chicos 2026 Construction season
The Butte County Board of Supervisors covered several key updates, including the return of goats to Bidwell Park through Paradise Grazing Company to help with vegetation management, and ongoing work on a fish passage project to support local ec...
04/09/26 - Zephyr News | Revitalization Project, Chico Sol, Jesus Center treatment center project funding, Orion News, Support local news at KZFR with a donation
Chico Sol and The Orion cover key local stories, updates on the Downtown Revitalization Project and funding for the Jesus Center treatment facility. Support local independent news by donating to KZFR.call 530.895.0131 or www.kzfr.org/don...
04/02/26 - Zephyr News | Chico No Kings march, Chico state fraternities , Board of Supervisors, Chico sol, Chico orion, & The California report
The Chico “No Kings” march drew a large, peaceful crowd advocating for democratic values, while coverage from outlets like ChicoSol, The Orion, and The California Report also highlighted local updates including Chico State fraternity news and r...
03/26/26 - Zephyr News | Board of Supervisors , News releases , Segment on Pregnancy Clinics , Cal matters, Chico state Orion, Chico sol, & California report
Zephyr News roundup highlights regional government updates from the Board of Supervisors alongside broader reporting, including ongoing debate over federal funding linked to pregnancy clinics, with additional coverage and local context drawn fr...
03/19/26 - Zephyr News | Chico city council, Oroville City council, Funding towards Jesus center, California report, Chico State Orion, Chico sol
Local coverage from Chico City Council and Oroville City Council highlights ongoing decisions around housing, infrastructure, and community services, including funding support for Jesus Center programs. Regional reporting from Chico State Orion...