Since Friday, there have been just over 30,000 recorded lightning strikes throughout California and part of Western Nevada, according to the National Weather Service.

While there were tens of thousands of lightning strikes, only about 10% of them were cloud-to-ground strikes. Of those 3,200 ground strikes, 450 of them were positive strikes, and 2,800 were negative strikes.

Positive strikes usually make up less than 5% of all strikes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but are considered to be more dangerous as they can have a higher peak charge and a longer flash duration.

"Since it originates in the upper levels of a storm, the amount of air it must burn through to reach the ground is usually much greater," NOAA explains. "Therefore, electric fields associated with positive Cloud-to-Ground (CG) strikes are typically much stronger than those associated with negative strikes."

Californians could see thousands more lightning strikes as more thunderstorms are expected throughout the weekend. Differentiating between positive and negative strikes with the naked eye may be hard, but one way to tell, according to NOAA, is if the lightning is flickering, it's likely a negative strike.

"A negative … flash consists of one or perhaps as many as 20 return strokes. We see lightning flicker when the process rapidly repeats itself several times along the same path," the NWS says.

Positive strikes usually consist of a single return stroke, according to NOAA. 

"Remember - 'Thunder roars, go indoors' or 'See a flash, dash inside,'" the NWS advises. 

A Natomas High parent called in to CBS News Sacramento late Friday afternoon to report that their child, who is a student at the school, had informed them that the campus was on lockdown due to a shooter.

CBS News Sacramento then reached out to the Sacramento Police Department, which confirmed that just after 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the school after learning of the shooting. Police have since confirmed the suspect is a current Natomas High student.

CBS News Sacramento obtained a letter Natomas Unified sent out to families following the shooting, which stated that the victim had died and was a former Natomas High student enrolled at another local high school. Officials previously stated that the victim was a student of Natomas High. Neither the victim nor the suspect has been identified.

"Our hearts are with the student's family, friends, and the entire Natomas High School community impacted by this devastating loss," the district said in the letter. "Natomas is a close-knit community, and when something like this happens, it affects us all. We know this news is difficult and may bring a range of emotions for our students, staff, and families."

City Councilmember Karina Talamantes, who represents the area, said the shooting happened after school got out for the day.

"Our hearts are with the victim and with the students, staff and families impacted," Talamantes said.

Natomas Unified stated in its letter that law enforcement officials said the victim was intentionally targeted and that this appeared to be an isolated incident.

Anthony Gamble, a spokesperson for Sacramento police, said no one has been detained at this time as the search continues for the gunman.

Talamantes confirmed the school was put on lockdown while law enforcement officials continued processing the scene.

Natomas High School is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Truxel and San Juan roads. Officers were also seen in the parking lot of the Natomas Village Apartments, directly across the street from the school. A Sacramento Sheriff's Office SWAT vehicle was also seen moving through the complex.

Micah Grant, a Natomas Unified School District board member, called it a "horrific tragedy" and said the district was working with police to have "a heightened safety presence on our campuses."

"We can never treat tragic situations like this as being unavoidable and we will never accept it," Grant added. "I've confirmed that the district has mobilized our safety and safe schools department as well as our school psychologists and counselors to support our kids, staff, and community through this difficult time."

California Senator Angelique Ashby, whose district includes Natomas, said her office would be cooperating with Sacramento's police and fire departments, as well as the Natomas Unified School District.

According to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, first responders were called to the Eagle Falls Trailhead around 2:30 p.m. for a reported climbing accident.

Deputies found a boy about 400 yards from the trailhead. It appears the boy had been rock climbing and fell, authorities say, leaving him with traumatic injuries.

First responders started life-saving efforts, but the sheriff's office says the boy died.

The boy's exact age and identity have not been released by authorities, but the Lake Tahoe Unified School District identified him as Noah Ortega-Pourol, a student of South Tahoe High School. The district said the family has launched an online fundraiser for support.

"Please continue to keep Noah's family, friends, and our school community in your thoughts," the district said.

Emerald Bay is an inlet of Tahoe noted for its steep trails and picturesque views of the lake.

Police said around 6 p.m. Thursday that there's a heavy police presence near the boat ramp in the area of Tuolumne Boulevard for a suspicious death.

On Friday, police said 37-year-old Juan Carreon of Modesto was found with multiple injuries near the Neece boat ramp along Neece Drive. He died at the scene, police said.

Details around the man's death are not immediately available, but police said a homicide investigation is underway. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police department.

Thunderstorm activity picked up by Friday afternoon, with a Tornado Warning issued for the Escalon and Farmington area of San Joaquin County. The Tornado Warning expired at 2:45 p.m.

Multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for areas in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Solano County Friday afternoon, producing hail and lightning. 

Throughout Thursday, roughly 3,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded in Northern California.

Storm hazards across the valley include gusty winds, brief heavy downpours, lightning and small hail, along with the potential for slick roads and ponding on area roadways.

Snow moved into the area late Friday afternoon, bringing chain controls to Interstate 80 over Donner Pass. 

The unsettled pattern will continue into the weekend, when a more organized system is expected to move through Northern California.

The CBS News Sacramento First Alert Weather team says multiple squall lines are expected to push onshore, with Saturday evening shaping up as the main event. That system could bring periods of heavy rain, poor drainage, flooding and embedded strong thunderstorms across the Sacramento Valley and surrounding areas.

The same system is expected to bring rain and heavy winds across the San Francisco Bay Area, with roughly three-quarters of an inch of rain possible throughout Saturday evening.

Thunderstorms are also likely in the Bay Area during this time, but early Sunday morning will bring an increased chance of that as the center of the system moves east over the region.

As the system moves into the Sierra Nevada, conditions are expected to develop quickly. Snow levels are forecast to drop quickly, leading to significant winter weather impacts.

Around 2 feet of snow is likely near Donner Pass, with up to 4 feet possible at higher elevations. Snow could also accumulate at lower elevations, with 2 to 6 inches possible down to about 4,000 feet.

Up to two inches of rain is expected across the valley floor, while as much as five inches could drench areas of the foothills like Grass Valley.

Waves of heavy rain and mountain snow are expected to continue through Sunday, before conditions begin to improve as the storm system exits the region.

A grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday revealed that Sam Machado, Kenneth Chee, Gary Chan Jr., Jack Lee and Douglar Tollefesen face seven charges of murder.

Ronald Botelho III, Craig Cutwright and the five defendants also face conspiracy charges, according to the indictment. Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity said the indictment alleges a decades-long conspiracy that turned Sam Machado's property "into the Northern California hub for an illegal enterprise that imports and sells illegal explosives on the black market." 

Nabity said it was more than just fireworks, saying they were explosives that were designed and packaged to be sold under private labels. The indictment alleges that Chee branded the fireworks as "Bean Day Ho" fireworks, Tollefesen labeled them as "For the Streets," Batelho labeled them as "Big Bully" and Cutright labeled them as "Double OG."  

The indictment alleges that Chee owned Devastating Pyrotechnics with Lee and Tollefesen, and help from Chan. Cutwright, a volunteer Esparto firefighter,  and Botelho were a part of Devastating Pyrotechnics, but focused on the company called Blackstar Fireworks, beginning in about 2023. 

Both companies operated from Sam Machado's property, a former Yolo County sheriff's lieutenant. Sam Machado's wife, Tammy, was also arrested on charges of mortgage fraud, willfully false return, child endangerment, and animal cruelty. She posted bail on Thursday. Tammy Machado worked as an administrative assistant at the Yolo County Sheriff's Office. 

Nabity said the indictment alleges that Sam Macahdo used his role at the sheriff's office "to shield the conspiracy as it expanded." Nabity added that the operations expanded from 13 storage containers in 2015 to more than 50 in 2025 and a 5,000-square-foot warehouse. 

Over the 10 years, more than 11 million pounds of explosives were imported to the property, the indictment alleges, with about 1 million pounds stored on the Machado property when the explosion happened. 

As for licenses, some of the suspects held licenses that were issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). But Nabity said that none of the storage containers were licensed by ATF and there are no licenses that allow for the storage of explosives near homes and public roads. 

Other charges against some or all of the seven suspects include a dangerous workplace, unlawfully causing a fire, insurance fraud, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and tax fraud.

Machado faces four counts of possession of an assault weapon after they were seized from the property following the explosion, officials said. 

Five of the defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Monday. The others were arrested out of the area, including Chee in Florida. They will be arraigned after they arrive in Yolo County. 

Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez said the Machados resigned from their roles. They were placed on administrative leave following the explosion. 

Previously, in December 2025, Botelho was arrested in Del Norte County in connection with the Esparto explosion investigation.

The arrests come weeks after a Yolo County Grand Jury report determined that numerous top local officials "knew about the fireworks businesses" and "none of them took action." The report found that various officials "were aware of illegal fireworks operations at the site for at least three years prior to the incident."

Last August, nearly two months after the explosion, CBS News Sacramento made a similar discovery through a Public Records Act request. Email exchanges between Yolo County building officials detailed that many people, including the Esparto fire chief, were aware of what was happening on the property.

Also earlier this year, Cal Fire completed its own investigation into the explosion, alleging illegal activities were uncovered.

"We are encouraged to see this case continue to proceed towards justice. We will remain engaged to support the Yolo County District Attorney's office as they bring this case to trial," State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said in a statement on Thursday. "As we approach the 4th of July, I must reiterate our zero tolerance towards illegal fireworks.  

The Esparto explosion claimed the lives of seven people who were working at the Devastating Pyrotechnics facility at the time:

Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton, CA
Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas, CA
Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco, CA
Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento, CA
Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco, CA
Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo, CA
Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo, CA  

The giant train, Big Boy 4014, was one of 25 built during World War II and is the only one still in operation.

"It's very special. This is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Kalen Caragan, who drove up from Fairfield.

Big Boy will be making five whistle stops in California, with two public display days in Roseville on April 10 and 11, as part of Union Pacific's coast-to-coast steam tour.  

"I would like to see this mighty machine moving with its mighty power, smoke, whistles, bells, all that kind of stuff," said Caragan.

Big Boy stopped in Marysville for about 20 minutes before continuing its journey. One couple even drove up from Santa Barbara to see it.

"You hardly get to see steam locomotives at all anymore. And to see this one, that's pretty special because it won't come around again for a while. So we thought, why not?" said Steve Dombek.

People of all ages lined the tracks, watching the steam locomotive chug through.

"What a thrill it'll be for the little kids. It'll just blow their mind, never seen anything like it," said Chris Branscum, the mayor of the City of Marysville.

Admission will be free for Big Boy 4014's public showcases in Roseville, which will take place from 1-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m to 3 p.m. on Saturday near Vernon Street Town Square. 

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office said in a statement released on Thursday that it is investigating the incident.

"This behavior does not reflect the standards, expectations, or policies of our department," the Sheriff's Office wrote. "We have initiated an internal investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings. The Sheriff's Office remains committed to professionalism and holding our employees accountable."

The hours-long standoff happened after an armed pursuit suspect crashed into a wall near a Jurupa Valley school. Aerial footage captured by CBS LA showed the deputy scrolling through his phone while taking cover behind an armored vehicle parked a few feet from the suspect's car. 

The suspect, who was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher during the standoff, refused to surrender after deputies deployed pepper balls and robots. After several hours, deputies approached the suspect and pulled his body out of the car. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office said the suspect had "injuries consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Riverside County Fire Department paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. Authorities have not identified him.

The standoff happened after the suspect led deputies on a stop-and-start pursuit for a few hours. After stopping at an intersection near Jurupa Valley High School, the driver sped away as a deputy closely followed. The deputy attempted to use a pursuit-ending tool called a Grappler, but it appeared to cause the suspect to lose control of the car, which then slammed into a brick wall. 

The development, planned for 2222 South Airport Way, will be a 76-unit, all-electric facility featuring one- and two-bedroom units and studios. Plans also include a community kitchen, outdoor recreation space, urban agriculture, and electric vehicle charging, according to the California Energy Commission.

City leaders say the project addresses a growing need. In Stockton, about 64% of the city's roughly 20,000 senior renter households are considered housing-cost burdened.

"To be able to have a place that they can call home that is affordable for them, that meets their needs, there's nothing better than that," Mayor Christina Fugazi said.

Fugazi said her office frequently hears from seniors struggling to make ends meet, including some who run out of food early in the month as housing costs continue to rise.

The project has been in development for nearly two decades. The city first began working on it in 2008 and sold the land to a developer for $1 in 2018. It has since grown into a $43 million project, with the City Council recently approving $2.8 million to help move it forward.

"It's been a long time coming," Fugazi said.

Advocates say the need for affordable senior housing is widespread across California, where many older adults live on fixed incomes that have not kept pace with rising costs.

"Affordable senior housing is so important," said Meghan Rose with LeadingAge California. "In many cases, it's the only way older adults can live in a place they can afford, that's safe, that's clean, and that gives them the ability to live independently."

Rose added that a growing number of older adults are facing housing instability, with many experiencing homelessness for the first time later in life.

For Stockton resident John Saldivar, who is retired and on a fixed income, the project is a welcome development. He lives at the Oak Park Senior Center.

"They're all struggling," Saldivar said of fellow seniors, before later adding that "this is a good thing."

In addition to housing, the project is expected to include space for a local nonprofit, Stocktonians Taking Action to Neutralize Drugs, to provide services in the neighborhood.

City leaders and advocates say Fairview Terrace could help more seniors remain in the communities they've long called home while easing financial pressure in retirement.

For the first time since the shooting, Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez's fiancée, Cindy, and attorney, Patrick Kolasinski, were able to see him on Friday in person at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where he has been hospitalized since Tuesday.

They say that since then, they have been struggling to get basic information from authorities about what happened and even Hernandez's condition.  

"I am happy that I know that he's alive and he's in stable condition. Now I can confirm myself right by talking to him and looking at him directly," Cindy said on Thursday.

Kolasinski said Hernandez has undergone three surgeries and remains in the intensive care unit, with injuries to his face and arm.   They're also disputing ICE's version of events and point to court documents that they say tell a very different story.

Dashcam video captured the moments on Tuesday morning when Hernandez tried to pull away from agents who were attempting to arrest him as ICE said he is wanted for questioning in El Salvador in connection with a murder. Kolasinski speculated that his reaction may have been driven by fear.

"I wasn't with him, I can only imagine if you see what's happening in immigration detention and find yourself about to be detained," Kolasinski said. "It's normal to try and flee."

ICE claims Hernandez is a member of the 18th Street gang and is wanted in El Salvador. But his attorney says none of that is true. 

"Carlos is a family man who was on his way to work when he was detained by ICE. He has had no criminal contacts in the United States," Kolasinski said.

Court documents from 2019 show Hernandez was charged with aggravated homicide, which was later reduced to simple homicide. The court documents also show Hernandez was found not guilty.

"He was, in fact, acquitted, so he cannot possibly have a warrant out for his arrest," Kolasinski said.

CBS News Sacramento reached out to ICE regarding the court document from El Salvador, but has yet to hear back.

Kolasinski now also claims Hernandez was acting in self-defense when he attempted to drive away, alleging he was shot at before moving the vehicle.

"I think the problem is the training," Kolasinski said. "You have a not-dangerous person and when they try to flee. First of all, the car was way too far behind. When you do a traffic stop, you pull up close behind. If you've ever gotten a ticket, you'll see CHP is on your bumper. Why? So this can't happen."

However, a separate attorney not involved in the case, Justin Ward, said video of the incident does not clearly show officers firing before the vehicle moved. He said that without audio, it is difficult to determine what happened first.

Ward added that while Hernandez may not have initially posed a threat, the situation changed once the vehicle moved toward officers.

"As soon as he started to drive towards the officers, he then gave them justification to use their firearms to stop him," Ward said.

Cindy said she didn't hear from the authorities first, but from her sister. After arriving at the hospital, she said an FBI agent took her into a room.

"He said, 'I'm going to record you because I need to have this recorded, right?' So I was expecting him to talk to me about Carlos. I literally asked how he's doing, is he's in the hospital. He said, 'I cannot share any information. I'm not authorized.'"

CBS News Sacramento reached out to the FBI and is awaiting a response. 

Kolasinski said Wednesday evening that Hernandez is detained under the U.S. attorney's office. As of Thursday, Kolasinski now says Hernandez is not under arrest or formally detained, but remains in the hospital's care as the FBI continues its investigation.

He also confirmed Hernandez does not have legal status in the United States.

The family is asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has video to come forward as investigators continue to piece together what happened.

"Sheriff's office, no one, no one responded to me, being searching for answers," said Cindy, Hernandez's fiancée.

Cindy said she didn't hear from the authorities first, but from her sister. After arriving at the hospital, she said an FBI agent took her into a room.

"He said, 'I'm going to record you because I need to have this recorded, right?' So I was expecting him to talk to me about Carlos. I literally asked how he's doing, is he's in the hospital. He said, 'I cannot share any information. I'm not authorized.'"

CBS Sacramento reached out to the FBI and is awaiting a response.

As they wait for answers, she said this goes beyond just one case.

"Right now it's me and that's the reason I'm here. I'm also representing our community," Cindy said. "I don't want this situation to continue and continue blaming these people, in this case, Carlos."

Right now, his family and his attorney say they're still attempting to find out his condition.

Kolasinski said Wednesday evening that Hernandez is detained under the U.S. attorney's office. Kolasinski added that Hernandez underwent a medical procedure, but the family doesn't know his condition.

The project would install and operate a human crematory inside a business suite located in an industrial park. Regulators say the process is expected to emit toxic air contaminants identified by the California Air Resources Board, including chromium, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and other substances associated with cremation.

According to the Sac Metro Air District, emissions are evaluated before any approval is granted, and crematory equipment must include pollution control technology such as an afterburner. The system is designed to reduce volatile organic compounds, toxic air contaminants, and particulate matter, and can achieve an estimated 98% or greater reduction in certain emissions.

In the written notice, Sac Metro Air District says it reviewed the project's emissions and found the public health risks from toxic air contaminants to be within acceptable levels. The agency says the proposal complies with all applicable air quality regulations. 

Neighbors, concerned about the potential toxic air contaminants, contacted CBS News Sacramento for answers about the permit process. 

"They can't be doing this," said Russell Read, who lives within 1,000 feet of the crematorium and has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years. 

Read says he's even more concerned for his granddaughter, who is a student at the elementary school nearby. 

CBS News Sacramento spoke with members of a nonprofit behind the funeral home and they said they have followed the guidelines set by the state and city to open the crematorium. 

The City of Sacramento approved a tenant improvement permit in December 2025, allowing the former church to be converted into a funeral home with crematory units. Officials say the property is zoned M-1, meaning the use is allowed "by right," and no additional city approvals are required.

The Sac Metro Air District says the project remains open for public comment through April 21, 2026, and all comments within its jurisdiction will be considered before a final decision is made.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office said deputies were in the area of Newcomb and Grand avenues around 10:20 a.m. when 60-year-old David Morales allegedly opened fire, striking one deputy.

The wounded deputy was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The sheriff's office identified him as 35-year-old Randy Hoppert, a six-year veteran of the department. 

Morales was able to flee the area and remained outstanding for hours. Officials said shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday that shots were still being fired in the area.

Around 6 p.m., Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said Morales died when he was run over by deputies driving a SWAT vehicle.

Boudreaux urged residents in the area to shelter in place. Schools in the area were also placed on lockdown as a precaution.

This is a developing story.

Towards the end of the hour-long conversation, University President Jim Gash presented the last audience question for the burger chain heiress.

"What does the era of automation mean for employees at In-N-Out? Would you ever transition to mobile order pickup?"

Snyder-Ellingson answered, "We have for sure had that put in front of us, and the answer is no. And the main reason is because what's part of what makes the In-N-Out experience so special is the interaction and the customer service that we're able to give. The smile, the greeting … that warmth and feeling that culture."

She continued to say, "and there is also the freshness factor …"

In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder, the grandparents of Snyder-Ellingson. During the university event, Snyder-Ellingson said one of her passions in leading is preserving the legacy of her grandparents and her parents.

"I want to make them proud. I want to champion everything they would want, and especially in today's world," she said, acknowledging menu simplicity.  

"We won't compromise our quality, we're not going to do things the quicker, easier way, because it's easier for us, we want to do what's best for our customers."

A Southern California native, Snyder-Ellingson began working as an associate in the family's burger business in 1999.

During the Pepperdine event, Snyder-Ellingson talked about her childhood, her family, the business, her faith, and her evolution to CEO. 

Gash refers to her book, "The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger: The Inside Story of California's First Drive-Thru and How It Became a Beloved Cultural Icon," released in 2023. He noted the book mentions the importance of considering restaurant location.

"What do you think about our location here in Malibu?" he asked. "It's a beautiful location, just not for the store," Snyder-Ellingson quipped.

He did get down to the nitty-gritty -- yes, there is a secret In-N-Out menu, and there is fried mustard on the "Animal Style" burger.

What's Snyder-Ellingson's go-to In-N-Out order? "Double meat with fried mustard, extra spread pickles and chopped chilies only," with a bun, she said.