Reedley Biolab Cleanup Nears the End

State health officials will remove the last materials from Reedley’s illegal biolab on Monday and destroy them, nearly four years after the lab was discovered.

The California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch received court approval to destroy the remaining items, which include recalled pregnancy tests, COVID-19 tests, and ketone test strips at the former lab on I Street. Officials say the materials haven’t posed a threat to the surrounding community.

When code enforcement found the lab in 2022, it held samples of infectious agents including malaria and hepatitis, a freezer labeled “Ebola,” and nearly 1,000 bio-engineered mice.

Strawberry Grower To Close Six Farms

SoCal Berry Growers plans to close six strawberry farms in Ventura County in January, cutting about 572 jobs, mostly held by harvest workers.

The closures are set for Jan. 11 through Jan. 25, and all six farms grow strawberries for Driscoll’s, according to a notice the company sent to the Oxnard City Council. The United Farm Workers union says the company is closing because its workers voted to unionize in July, and a state labor board upheld that vote after the company challenged it.

Strawberries are Ventura County’s top crop, but production costs topped $815 million in 2025, leaving growers with an $8.1 million loss.

Navy Veteran Hopes for 100 Cards at 100

The Redding Veterans Home is asking the public to help a retired Navy senior chief petty officer, known as Bob D., collect 100 birthday cards before he turns 100 on Nov. 16.

Born in Columbus, Kansas, he enlisted in 1944 at 17 with his father’s permission, served aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific in World War II and later in the Korean War, and retired in 1963 after 20 years. Cards can be mailed to Bob D., c/o PIO, 3400 Knighton Road, Redding, CA 96002.

The request comes ahead of Veterans Day on Wednesday, as Trinity County joins the nationwide Operation Green Light effort to honor veterans.

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➤ San Francisco: ZooLights returned to the San Francisco Zoo on Friday with 14 themed light zones through Jan. 3, and it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays until Dec. 16. (More)

➤ Redding: The Good News Rescue Mission launched its 29th Stuff the Truck drive, collecting frozen turkeys and trimmings at the Churn Creek Road Save Mart and the Redding Walmart as demand for its Thanksgiving boxes surges. (More)

➤ Folsom: The Historic Folsom Ice Rink opened its 2026-27 season Saturday and runs through Jan. 18, with Saturday learn-to-skate classes through Jan. 16. (More)

➤ Santa Barbara: The Santa Barbara Half Marathon and 5K run is today, and roads and highway off-ramps near the waterfront will be heavily impacted between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m. (More)

➤ Bakersfield: Art Heist returned downtown Friday night, bringing more than 100 artists to dozens of businesses and historic buildings for a four-hour art crawl, and organizer Carrie Blind says the event will be back in 2027. (More)

➤ San Luis Obispo: Hundreds gathered at the Alex Madonna Expo Center on Friday for the annual Central Coast Economic Forecast, where speakers named Diablo Canyon, SpaceX launches at Vandenberg, premium wine, and high-end tourism as the region’s biggest economic drivers and affordable housing as its biggest challenge. (More)

➤ Baldwin Park: Three people died after a pursuit that began around 4:10 a.m. Saturday on the westbound 10 Freeway ended in a crash near the Francisquito Avenue exit. (More)

➤ Del Mar: The Bing Crosby Season is underway at Del Mar Racetrack, with dirt and turf racing through Nov. 29. (More)

➤ Huntington Beach: LAPD Officer Thomas Denton, a Metropolitan Division veteran who joined the department in 2006, died Thursday during a dive-team training exercise, and officials haven’t said what happened. (More)

➤ No. 8 UCLA improved to 9-0 with a 34-20 win at Minnesota as Ty Dieffenbach threw two 75-yard touchdown passes to Aidan Mizell in the fourth quarter. The Bruins went 3-9 last season. (More)

➤ The LA Galaxy entered Saturday’s MLS Decision Day able to clinch a playoff spot with a win at Real Salt Lake, while the San Jose Earthquakes could lock up first-round home-field advantage with a win or draw at Minnesota United. (See Scores)

➤ Myles Garrett is expected to return from knee surgery for his first game since Week 1 when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Washington Commanders. (More)

➤ Golden State’s Kristaps Porzingis announced that he’s stepping away from basketball because his body can’t perform at the level he’s used to after dealing with injuries. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NHL | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Castaic Lake’s free Winter Magic event returns Dec. 5 with 20 tons of snow, Santa’s Village, and a lighted boat parade after sunset. (More)

➤ The International Space Station is making visible evening passes over the Santa Barbara area through about mid-November. (More)

➤ A European-style Swiss Winter Village with an ice rink, raclette, and mulled wine opens on the Santa Monica Pier on Nov. 18 and runs through Jan. 3. (More)

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➤ Waking Up to Pee at Night? It’s Not Normal. If nighttime bathroom trips are disrupting your sleep, you’re not alone – but it’s not something you have to accept. A new report reveals the real reason so many adults wake up to pee and a simple way to support 24-hour bladder control, fewer urges, and fewer leaks. See what’s behind it and how to fix it. Read now.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ A 36-year-old tennis star went from beating the world’s best to calling it quits after a crushing loss. (Hear More)

➤ The latest home design trends revealed which exterior colors were making a comeback and which were falling out of favor. (Listen Now)

➤  Macy’s unveiled its newest Thanksgiving balloons, and one beloved character was returning after more than 40 years away. (Podcast Available)

Bakersfield just had its big art crawl. What’s your favorite way to make the rounds?

1. Art walk
2. Brewery crawl
3. Christmas caroling
4. Holiday lights tour
5. Taco crawl
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever seen a penguin up close?

1. Yes, at an aquarium or zoo: 68%
2. Yes, in the wild: 14%
3. Only on TV or online: 13%
4. No, but it’s on my list: 3%
5. Other: 2%

California’s state bird is a plump little ground-dweller, easily spotted by the curved black topknot that bobs above its head. What is it?

Show me the answer