One of our very first podcast episodes on CCW laws turned out to be one of our most popular. After receiving numerous emails and follow-up questions from listeners, we decided it was time to dig deeper into the Second Amendment and the complex world of CCW laws. In this episode, Sheriff Honea is joined by attorney and author C.D. “Chuck” Michel, who is on the front lines of shaping and challenging CCW laws and regulations.

This podcast explores the many facets of the criminal justice system, and defense attorneys play a crucial role. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea speaks with Butte County Defense Attorney Nicole Diamond. They discuss the complex world of public defenders, highlighting the compassion, dedication, and commitment they bring to their clients and the justice system as a whole.

In part two of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk with Sheriff Honea, the Sheriff continues his interview with lobbyist Cory Salzillo, about the legislative processes in Sacramento and the complex issues that impact public safety locally.

Our primary role as law enforcement officers is, of course, to enforce the law, but those laws must be created long before they reach us. The legislative process is complex, involving countless steps and stakeholders who shape public policy. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with lobbyist Cory Salzillo to discuss how legislation is made, and the process that determines which laws move forward and which do not.

Assembly Bill 109, passed in 2011, and Proposition 47, approved by voters three years later, brought significant changes to California’s county jail system and the populations housed within it. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with professor and author Dr. Jon Caudill, to discuss the far-reaching impacts of AB 109 and Prop 47, and the consequences felt in jails across the state.

Navy veteran, firefighter, convicted felon, and author, Stephen Arrington’s life has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with Stephen to explore his remarkable journey through service, hardship, and transformation,  and how he’s using those experiences to inspire and help others.

Homelessness continues to be a challenge throughout Butte County and across the nation. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with Amber Abney-Bass, Executive Director of the Jesus Center in Chico, to discuss this complex issue and the efforts being made to help individuals move from the streets toward stability and a better future.

For over 60 years, the Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team has been dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Butte County. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Kory Honea sits down with Search and Rescue Captain Dan Newman for an inside look at the team’s mission, the challenges they face, and the vital role these highly trained volunteers play in supporting emergency response and saving lives across our community.

Over the past decade, California has been hit hard by devastating wildfires, and Butte County is no exception. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with Nick Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Watch Duty, to discuss how the app is transforming wildfire response. Learn how Watch Duty’s team of volunteers delivers real-time, accurate updates to keep communities informed and safe during emergencies.

Some of the most heartbreaking cases that we investigate in law enforcement are when people are the victims of scams, particularly elderly people. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with BCSO Detective Kevin Hass to break down common scams, share the warning signs, and talk about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims.

The media, whether local or national, plays a vital role in keeping our community informed. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea is joined by David Little, former editor of the Chico Enterprise-Record, to talk about the important partnership between law enforcement and the media, and why working together is essential during times of crisis.

In law enforcement, it is not uncommon for our deputies to respond to calls involving people having a mental health related issue or suffering from addiction. In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea discusses the important topic with Scott Kennelly, director of Butte County Public Health, and how our two agencies often work together to help those in crisis.

California Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), which was signed into law in September 2023, significantly revised California's laws regarding concealed carry permits (CCW). In this episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with CCW expert, Deputy Joe Pinder from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, to discuss all the places CCW holders are now restricted from carrying, and the challenges this law imposes on lawful gun owners.

In December 2024, Butte County faced an unthinkable tragedy. The moment the radio call came in—two children shot at Feather River Adventist School—every available law enforcement officer in the county responded without hesitation to stop the threat and protect innocent lives. In this powerful episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with lead investigator Sgt. Tristan Harper to discuss the events of that devastating day. Together, they walk through the investigation, the cowardly actions of the shooter, and the tragic events that shook our community to its core.

Sheriff Honea sits down with Shawn Webber to talk about his road  to recovery and how he hopes to inspire others by sharing his story.

Some cases strike at the heart of a community—and the arson fire at Bidwell Mansion in December 2024 was one of them. In a new episode of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk, Sheriff Honea sits down with Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey to break down the investigation. Together, they discuss how detectives identified the suspect and meticulously retraced his actions in the days and months leading up to the fire.

Butte County has been no stranger to wildfires, and because of that, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office has established a great working relationship with our firefighting partners at CAL FIRE. In episode three of Sheriff’s Mic: Cleared to Talk with Sheriff Honea, he sits down with CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department Chief Garrett Sjolund to discuss the severity of the wildfires we’ve experienced in our county, what he thinks is the reason for the increase in fires, and how critical decisions are made in the first few minutes after a fire ignites.

Recruitment has been a problem plaguing law enforcement agencies nationwide for quite some time now, and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office is no exception. We currently have 68 vacancies at BCSO and are actively working on filling those positions; particularly in the Butte County Jail as our Jail Expansion Project is set to be complete in just a few short months. In this episode, we talk with Alex Johnston, the co-owner of Epic Recruitment, the nation’s leading law enforcement recruiting agency. Alex walks us through the process and how his team develops professional, strategic campaigns designed specifically for law enforcement, and the proven results from these efforts.

In its inaugural episode, Sheriff Honea sits down with someone who’s walked the walk and now talks the talk, former Sacramento County Sheriff and KFBK radio host, John McGinness. Sheriff Honea and John discuss several topics, including how community engagement has evolved, how important public trust is in law enforcement and the shift in the pendulum over the years, and the challenges with traditional media engagement and why podcasts have become an important tool in communicating with a broader audience. Feel free to share your comments, thoughts or suggestions for future podcasts at SheriffsMic@ButteCounty.net.