Discount retailer Big Lots will be closing all of its locations in the North Bay. The company says it will be shuttering several of its locations, including the one in Ukiah, later this year. Big Lots blames financial issues and declining sales. The company reported a net loss of 205 million dollars in the first quarter of this year. Speaking with employees, the Press Democrat reports the stores could close at the end of September. Big Lots currently has 109 locations in California.
The California Democratic Party has voted to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as its 2024 presidential candidate. That could have a major impact on Harris securing the nomination next month. California has 496 delegates, making it the largest delegation in the nation. Christine Pelosi, the executive committeewoman of the California Democratic Party, says Monday’s vote to nominate Harris was unanimous. The nomination is not official until the party holds a formal vote at the Democratic National Convention next month.
Cal Expo officials are considering changing the start date of future California State Fairs due to extreme July heat. Last year’s fair had ten triple-digit days. This year’s fair has had seven and there’s still a week to go. A recently conducted survey shows more than two-thirds of fairgoers are in favor of moving the event away from July, which is the hottest month of the year. The state fair used to be held near Labor Day but was moved to mid-July in 2009.
Several wildfires continue to burn in the area. The Hill Fire in nearby Humboldt County is 7% contained as of the latest update. It has burned just over 6,000 acres since it started a week ago. The Ridge Fire burning in Colusa and Lake Counties has burned just over 2,700 acres in the last 3 days, near Walker Ridge Road and Highway 20. At the last update, CalFire says it’s 30% contained. The Pepperwood Fire in Mendocino County is burning north of Covelo and East of Buck Mountain. Since it started on Saturday, it has burned about 13 acres and is 85% contained.
Police in Kelseyville are looking for someone they say randomly shot a bull near the County Park. According to Kelseyville PD, the shooting happened on July 16th just before 9pm. Police say surveillance video shows a white sedan stop near the pasture where the bull was. Shots can reportedly be heard on the video, and the car was seen leaving. The next day, the owner of the bull found it dead. During an investigation, birdshot was removed from the bull, and police say it may have been shot several times with a shotgun. Deputies are following up leads and ask anyone in the area who may have information to come forward.
A new study shows artificial intelligence is identifying cancer with more accuracy than doctors. Research done by UCLA shows an AI tool identified prostate cancer with 84% accuracy, compared to 67% accuracy for cases detected by physicians. The software called Unfold AI, made in California uses an AI algorithm to visualize the likelihood of cancer based on certain data. Experts say that AI could lead to more accurate diagnoses and more targeted treatments. Someone in Northern California is holding a 54-million-dollar winning Superlotto Plus ticket. Lottery Officials say the ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven Store near Sacramento. The store owner will also get a bonus for selling the jackpot ticket.
