On this episode of North State Rocks, host Perry Thompson brings together three distinct perspectives on the wolf crisis devastating Lassen County: Wyatt Hanson (rancher at Willow Creek Ranch, facing 10 confirmed wolf kills), Richard Egan (rancher and former Lassen County Administrator), and John McGarva (current Lassen County Sheriff).

The conversation exposes a critical gap in law enforcement. While sheriffs can issue public safety directives for mountain lions and bears, wolves are "double protected" by state and federal law, leaving communities vulnerable as wolves become increasingly habituated to human presence and exhibit aggressive behavior that runs counter to official wildlife narratives.

Listeners will gain insight into the policy handcuffs strangling law enforcement and ranchers alike, discover why misinformation about wolves persists, and hear urgent calls for lethal control tools and delisted zones as necessary management strategies. This episode represents a turning point in the North State wolf conversation, raising voices that official channels have been designed to silence. Learn more at northstaterocks.com.

On this episode of North State Rocks, we sit down with Jessica Vigil, a North State native who grew up on Dixie Valley Ranch and now works for Elwood Ranch, to discuss the devastating impact of wolves on northeastern California ranchers. Jessica shares firsthand accounts of livestock predation, the emotional and financial toll on ranching families, and the stark policy differences between California and neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. Jessica reveals the challenges federal trappers face in confirming kills, the wolves' increasing habituation to human presence, and why these packs pose a different threat than California's original wolf population. Learn more at northstaterocks.com.

On this episode of the North State Rocks podcast, we sit down with Angela Reed, Executive Director, and Brett Lindsey, Housing Coordinator of Lassen Family Services, the region’s leading nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and other traumas across rural Northern California. The conversation dives into the organization’s 45-year history: from its grassroots beginnings in 1977 to its current role as a comprehensive crisis response and community resource hub.

Angela and Brett share how Lassen Family Services provides 24/7 crisis intervention, safe housing, legal advocacy, and wraparound support that helps survivors rebuild their lives. The discussion highlights the unique challenges of serving rural communities, the importance of trauma-informed care, and the organization’s leadership in local coalitions such as the NorCal Continuum of Care and Youth Action Board.

Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, learn about the power of community collaboration, and discover how local businesses are stepping up to support Domestic Violence Awareness Month through creative fundraising campaigns.

This episode offers valuable insights into how Lassen Family Services empowers survivors, fosters hope, and strengthens the social fabric of the North State…proving that even in the most rural corners of California, compassion and collaboration can change lives.

LEARN MORE: NorthStateRocks.com