Good morning, Santa Rosa.

Santa Rosa man Brandon Dawson, a North Bay engineer and gardening fan, won the top prize at the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay on Monday—his giant pumpkin weighed 2,346 pounds and earned him a $20,000 prize.

Rick Allen, Def Leppard’s drummer who credits first responders for saving his life after a 1984 accident, will speak on Nov.

1 at a fundraising gala in Rohnert Park to support the health of local first responders via his Raven Drum Foundation—sharing his personal journey and honoring lifesaving heroes. He aims to boost resources for mental and physical wellness among emergency workers.

The Redwood Empire Food Bank settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed earlier this year by former executive Lisa Cannon against its ex-CEO David Goodman to avoid a trial next month, *with undisclosed terms* as its board confirmed *its focus on hunger relief*.

New state test scores show Napa and Sonoma county students improved in English, math, and science after the pandemic though gains were small and still below the state average — data reveals that Latino and low-income students scored lower.

Local education officials are starting new programs to help close the gap — they expect these efforts will boost student achievement.

Cal Fire lifted the burn suspension starting today so residents in Sonoma, Napa, Marin and four other counties can resume burning with proper permits on approved days—agricultural burns now require a Cal Fire inspection until the end of peak fire season.

Sonoma State University advised students and staff to stop using campus water this weekend after tests showed unsafe chlorine levels — water for drinking, cooking, showering and handwashing was halted until levels were lowered.

Operators reduced the chlorine by Sunday morning and provided bottled water while clearing select buildings for safe use.

Health care workers will start a five-day strike at 7 a.m. today at Kaiser sites across California and Hawaii, with 31,000 workers leaving their posts to demand a new contract amid claims of understaffing and reduced benefits.

Kaiser said its facilities will remain open while it brings on 7,600 extra workers + roughly 1,000 volunteers to care for its members.