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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Fire surrounds man in ppe spraying water outside in wooded area

El Niño is coming — What this could mean for California’s fire season

Michael Steinberg, Contributor // April 15, 2023

California’s 2022-2023 winter was nothing short of astounding. The Central Sierra Snow Lab recorded its second snowiest season since records began in 1946. Widespread flooding occurred over numerous...

man in all black with goggles and hat in snow on a bridge being filmed by a man with a large camera who is wearing a yellow jacket

Student storm chaser talks Valley’s Edge, safety and passion

Molly Myers, Editor-in-Chief // April 1, 2023

https://soundcloud.com/chicostateorion/student-storm-chaser-talks-valleys-edge-safety-and-passion From fires to flash floods, geography and planning major storm chaser Michael Steinberg covers it...

Heavy snow falling at Kohm Yah-Mah-Nee Visitor Center, Nov. 7, 2022. Photo by Michael Steinberg.

November snowstorm batters Cascades and Sierras east of Chico

Michael Steinberg, Contributor // November 15, 2022

An early season snowstorm impacted the mountains east of Chico last week, causing several spin outs on HWY 32 the night of Nov. 7. Several feet of snow fell on Mt. Lassen and the surrounding areas, while...

Hayrides are offered for a drive around the pumpkin patch. Photo credit: Olyvia Simpson

Chico High Future Farmers Of America pumpkin patch returns after five years

Olyvia Simpson // October 15, 2018

For the entirety of their summer vacation, anywhere from one to eight students came out to the field for a few hours every Monday through Friday, to individually pull out weeds growing between pumpkins...

Erosion damage on the bottom half of the Oroville Spillway prompted the Department of California Water Resources to reduce the outflow from the lake. Photo courtesy of the Department of California Water Resources.

Oroville Spillway crisis sheds light on failing infrastructure

Editorial Board // February 14, 2017

The Oroville Dam situation isn’t a sudden problem, it comes from years of neglect by California Governor Jerry Brown. Brown is not the only person who was responsible for the spill. Yes, he could...

Rainfall in Chico per inch over the last three years. Photo credit: Bianca Quilantan

California stuck in state of emergency

Victoria Rohrer // February 7, 2017

For over three years, California has been at a standstill because of widespread drought. California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency Jan. 17, 2014, due to lack of rainfall and soaring...

Photo credit: Dongyoung Won

Chico is getting expensive

Alex Horne // April 28, 2016
Chico is getting more expensive, but how much? Why? And how to handle it?
El Nino's warmer currents shift eastward in the Pacific Ocean causing changes in temperature across the United States. Photo credit: Christine Zuniga

El Nino brings warmer weather to Chico

Christine Zuniga // March 2, 2016
El Nino, along with other weather variables, may be the cause of warmer temperatures in Chico.
Chico creek flows through campus outside of Butte Hall.

Too hot California causing El Nino to chill out

Kayla Fitzgerald // February 14, 2016
Have you heard about El Nino lately?
Many trees may experience sudden limb drop— a phenomenon that usually happens during drought conditions where limbs can fall unexpectedly due to water build up. Photo credit: Sara-Elizabeth Whitchurch

Chico summers send tree branches crashing down

Austin Herbaugh // September 7, 2015
Tree limbs can come crashing down when you least expect it— it's a phenomenon called summer limb drop.
Brittney Patera, MS, RD Sports Dietitian and Chico alumna, discusses the importance of staying hydrated to avoid heat-related illnesses. Photo courtesy of Brittney Patera.

Avoiding heat-related illnesses

Sarah Strausser // August 30, 2015
Many college students experience heat-related illnesses, and in Chico's heat, staying healthy can be hard.
Chico State is making an effort to conserve water by not watering lawns and embracing the dead look. Photo credit: Alicia Brogden

Chico State reduces water usage by 43 percent

Austin Herbaugh // August 30, 2015
Chico State's campus-wide effort to conserve water has gone beyond mandatory water restrictions.
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