Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on Aug. 13.

Governor: New data show California is 'turning the corner'

Gov. Gavin Newsom says California is turning the corner in its fight against the pandemic. During his briefing Wednesday, Gov. Newsom cited a significantly lower number of confirmed new cases as California begins to clear back-logged cases caused by a technical error. The governor says he is also encouraged by the 21% decline in hospitalizations.

Weekly BCPH COVID-19 conference set for today

Butte County Public Health will be joined by several other county agencies - to offer updates regarding the coronavirus pandemic. This is a regular briefing, Action News Now will keep tabs on any new developments that come out of that meeting.

First-time jobless claims fall below 1 million for the first time since March

The release of new job numbers for the U.S. rolled in Thursday morning. Unemployment applications fell below 1 million for the first time since the pandemic intensified in March. The labor department said that applications for aid fell to 963,000 -- the second straight drop, from 1.2 million the previous week. The decline suggests layoffs are slowing, though last week’s figure is still above the pre-pandemic record of just under 700,000.

Northern California traffic alerts

Caltrans is warning motorists of up to 75-minute delays Thursday, Aug. 13, along Highway 299 near Junction City. The delays are part of the Burnt Junction Drapery Project. Caltrans said after that, expect 20-minute delays on that road Monday through Friday. The project is expected to be done by November.

Man hospitalized after hours-long negotiation with officers

An hours-long police standoff forced evacuations Wednesday in a Redding neighborhood. Redding police arrived Wednesday afternoon to bramble place near Victor Ave after receiving a call about a man threatening to burn down an apartment building. A couple of hours after evacuating the complex, police say that the man tried to hurt himself. He was taken to the hospital. It is not clear what led to the threats in the first place - but police are seeking an arrest warrant.

Paradise ex-vice mayor preliminary hearing set for today

Happening today, the attorney for Paradise town councilman, Mike Zuccolillo, will be in court - to learn the date of a preliminary hearing on felony charges of lewd behavior towards a minor. Investigators arrested the former vice-mayor of Paradise in April. Prosecutors say Zuccolillo thought he was corresponding with a 16-year-old girl. Turns out, that communication was with a former business associate whose relationship with Zuccolillio had soured. That person alerted authorities, they investigated and made the arrest.

Paradise Rebuilding and Recovery: Town surpasses 1,000 building permit issued

The Town of Paradise celebrated a milestone toward rebuilding after the Camp Fire. The town has now issued more than 1,000 rebuilding permits. Nearly 300 homes are approved for living in. The town launched an interactive mapping tool, where you can see which properties have turned in a survey certificate for a permit. To connect to that map, Click Here.