August 21, 2020

21Aug

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Merced City Council nixes proposed Black Lives Matter mural

San Joaquin Valley Sun

A proposed Black Lives Matter mural in downtown Merced was voted down by the city council. The proposition failed as the council voted 5-2 against the mural that would have been located on Canal Street south of Bob Hart Square. 

Central SJ Valley:

City of Fresno uses millions in funds to help essential workers during pandemic

abc30.com

The City of Fresno has put millions more toward fighting the coronavirus.

Fresno City Council approves COVID-19 rent help, CARES money 

Fresno Bee

The Fresno City Council on Thursday extended its rental assistance program and implemented contact tracing programs related to the coronavirus — but not before squabbling over one of the lead organizations. 

California pizza chain closes; Hospital numbers dropping

Fresno Bee

The central San Joaquin Valley added another 764 positive cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, according to data from state and county health officials. More than half of that number was reported in Fresno County, which added 482 cases for the day. 

Mendota mayor asking Gov. Newsom for additional COVID-19 resources

abc30

A few dozen cars showed up for Wednesday’s free COVID-19 testing in the City of Mendota, as the state tries to expand its reach into some of the more rural parts of California. Local health workers were on hand to screen residents right from their car as the city hosted its third drive-through event.

South SJ Valley:

Council discusses transit, outdoor dining

Porterville Recorder

“We continue to look for strategies to improve mobility within out community, as well as keep financially sustainable for the future,” said Transit manager Richard Tree during the regular meeting of the Porterville City Council on Tuesday.

As counties prepare to leave state COVID-19 watchlist, Kern’s numbers remain stubbornly high

Bakersfield Californian

Despite the sudden decrease in daily reported coronavirus cases, the Kern County Public Health Services Department still sees warning signs that a surge in COVID-19 infections persists locally.

State:

Gavin Newsom said he’d take a pay cut 3 months ago. He didn’t

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he and the rest of the state government’s workforce would take 10% pay cuts when he announced broad cuts to state spending in May because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Gov. Gavin Newsom cancels planned convention appearance as fires rage in California

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom has canceled a planned primetime appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday as fires rage across the state, threatening thousands of buildings and forcing tens of thousands of Californians to evacuate.

See Also:

Latinos pressure California governor on US Senate appointee

Bakersfield Californian

A Latino group openly pressured Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday to select a Hispanic replacement if U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ seat becomes vacant, saying it was time for a historic pick that would reflect the growing influence of Latinos in the nation’s most populous state.

Two-house tensions fuel dizzying Appropriations hearings full of fits and starts

POLITICO

Today’s end-of-session fiscal hearings featured unusually dizzying gamesmanship between the Assembly and state Senate, full of ‘coffee breaks’ and other surprises culminating in the biggest jolt of all: a take-back.

See also:

States Challenge FDIC Rule Change on Interest-Rate Caps

Courthouse News

Denouncing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for enabling unscrupulous creditors, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a federal lawsuitThursday to challenge its rule allowing more lenders to skirt interest rate caps.

Center for American Progress Discussion with Gov. Newsom & Democratic Members of Congress

C-SPAN.org

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and other Democratic members of Congress talked about progressive policy in a virtual discussion with the Center for American Progress. Gov. Newsom discussed how California has implemented progressive policies for the criminal justice system, climate change and social program spending. Democratic representatives talked about numerous House bills passed addressing funding for COVID-19 relief, police reform and climate change.

Federal:

Federal judge refuses to dismiss subpoena for Trump’s tax records

Los Angeles Times

President Trump’s latest bid to block a subpoena for his tax filing from the Manhattan district attorney has been dismissed by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero on Thursday rejected Trump’s claims that the subpoena, from a state grand jury looking into payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, was issued in bad faith and is overly broad.

Trump administration struggles to rally international support for new Iran sanctions

Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration notified the United Nations on Thursday that the U.S. will — on its own — reinstate numerous sanctions to punish Iran after failing to rally international support to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic Republic.

‘Like Armageddon’: Rotting food, dead animals and chaos at postal facilities amid cutbacks

Los Angeles Times

Six weeks ago, U.S. Postal Service workers in the high desert town of Tehachapi, Calif., began to notice crates of mail sitting in the post office in the early morning that should have been shipped out for delivery the night before.

See also:

US Census watchers are worried about earlier deadline and USPS delays

Business Insider

US census watchers are worried that some communities in rural and sparse areas could be under-counted because of a new cutoff date for counting paper forms and USPS delivery challenges, NPR reported. The Census Bureau says it will only process paper forms that are postmarked by September 30 and arrive at one of the two data processing centers by October 7. Twenty percent of respondents, especially those in rural areas use paper forms. Not counting reports could mean that communities could miss.

Coronavirus Trackers:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California

Covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

See also:

Elections 2020:

Pro-life student supporters rally against Kamala Harris in Fresno

Fresno Bee

Students For Life Action and Pro-Life Generation supporters rally against Kamala Harris outside Robert E. Coyle Federal Building Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 in downtown Fresno.

Takeaways From Night Four of the Democratic National Convention

WSJ

Less policy, more personal. On the final night of the convention, Democrats framed the election as a vote for Joe Biden’s character. Four takeaways.

See also:

How Kamala Harris Forged Close Ties With Big Tech

NY Times

Silicon Valley has enthusiastically backed Ms. Harris since she first ran for state attorney general in California a decade ago.

See also:

Fact Check: Trump repeats false claim that Obama spied on his campaign

PolitiFact

On night three of the Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama charged that President Donald Trump has shown “no interest” in taking his job seriously.

See also:

Postmaster General Acknowledges Delays But Vows USPS Can Handle Ballots

VPR

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his leadership of the Postal Service on Friday and sought to reassure senators his agency would be able to deliver the nation’s election mail “securely and on time” calling it a “sacred duty.” The hearing marked DeJoy’s first public remarks since walking back his plan for operational changes, which drew heavy criticism. 

See also:

Facebook can’t appease either political party ahead of the election

Axios

Efforts by Facebook to appear politically neutral are growing complicated as critics on the left allege the company is over-pandering to conservatives and critics on the right allege the tech giant is biased against them.

See also:

Walters: Presidential race will put California’s foibles on trial

Modesto Bee

Joe Biden’s selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate is a source of great pride for California Democrats, understandably so. Their reactions generally project that a Vice President Harris will be the odds-on favorite to succeed Biden in either 2024 or 2028, so California will have an advocate in high places for many years to come.

Column: Don’t pay any attention to Trump. Voting by mail in California is safe, secure and reliable

Los Angeles Times

President Trump probably would prefer that our mail ballots be delivered by ox cart. Or carrier pigeons flying through flocks of raptors. Unless we voted for him. Then he’d dispatch the military to “harvest” the ballots. Hey, it’s not that far-fetched. After all, this is the president who tried to withhold disaster relief money from Northern California wildfire victims because the state opposed him politically, according to Miles Taylor, the former chief of staff at Trump’s Department of Homeland Security.

Editorial: The Trump Campaign Accepted Russian Help to Win in 2016. Case Closed.

NY Times

“Cooperation” or “collusion” or whatever. It was a plot against American democracy.

Other:

Opinion: Legislature must address internet access inequities in state

Sac Bee

Even as millions of Californians use cutting-edge technology to manage the challenges brought on by COVID-19, more than 20% of us live in impoverished or remote areas that are unconnected or under-connected to the Internet.

Trump asks Supreme Court to let him block critics on Twitter

TheHill

The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that found President Trump violated the First Amendment by blocking his critics on Twitter.

See also:

Opinion: Newsom’s leadership needed for special legislative session to focus on recovery 

CalMatters

Several revenue proposals are on the table for California to confront the crises created by systemic inequities compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OPINION: Legislature has to close digital divide, address inequities due to lack of internet access

Modesto Bee

Even as millions of Californians use cutting-edge technology to manage the challenges brought on by COVID-19, more than 20% of us live in impoverished or remote areas that are unconnected or under-connected to the Internet.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Heatwave causing dead cow emergency in Fresno-area farms

Fresno Bee

Several central San Joaquin Valley counties have issued emergency proclamations to prevent a pile-up of cow carcasses killed from the recent stretch of scorching temperatures.

As smoke fills the air, California farmworkers still labor to put food on the table

San Francisco Chronicle

Yellow, ash-filled skies blanketed the Salinas Valley fields that supply much of the nation’s lettuce, strawberries and other fresh produce as wildfires from all sides blazed.

Curbside Pickup Is a Lifeline for Eateries. How Long Can It Last?

PEW

At least 100 cities have set up curbside pickup zones for restaurants.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Steve Bannon is arrested and charged with fraud by federal prosecutors

Los Angeles Times

Stephen K. Bannon, who guided President Trump’s 2016 campaign in its final months and served as a senior White House advisor, was charged Thursday in New York with fraud for his role in an online fundraising scheme, We Build the Wall, which raised $25 million.

Public Safety:

COVID-19 outbreak at Folsom Prison spreads through 10% of inmates in two weeks

Los Angeles Times

Amid an overall statewide decline in the average number of coronavirus infections in recent weeks, several prisons have reported massive spikes in infections as testing has expanded.  At Folsom State Prison, the number of COVID-19 cases has skyrocketed in the past 14 days after more than three-quarters of the inmate population was tested for the virus.

California police reform push could shift the national conversation

POLITICO

Supporters of the reforms say they are determined to convert a historic surge of advocacy into enduring change.

2 major police reform bills die, but other proposals move forward

POLITICO

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday dealt a major blow to a package of police reform bills, holding proposals that would have required officers to physically intercede when a fellow officer uses excessive force and allowed victims and families to receive compensation when death or injury is caused by law enforcement.

Fire: 

Weather helping crews but LNU fire in Vacaville, Napa, Sonoma tops 131K acres

Fresno Bee

The LNU Lightning Complex Fire is continuing to surge through the North Bay area on Thursday after scorching more than 131,000 acres of Solano, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties. The fire jumped Interstate 80, burned through dozens of Vacaville and Fairfield homes and forced the partial evacuation of Travis Air Force Base on Wednesday.

See Also:

How to keep smoke out of your house, car during wildfires

Sac Bee

Hundreds of wildfires across California are creating poor air quality conditions throughout most of the state. And wildfires are burning in Washington and Idaho.

See also:

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Some Fresno County businesses in open rebellion against coronavirus emergency order

abc30

Several Fresno County businesses are in open rebellion against the state’s coronavirus emergency order. Salon Posh is welcoming clients into its Tower District building even though owners know it’s not allowed because of Fresno County’s large coronavirus outbreak.

Bethany Clough: This north Fresno pizza chain restaurant has closed, blaming the coronavirus pandemic

Fresno Bee

California Pizza Kitchen in Fresno has closed. The popular restaurant on north Blackstone emailed its customers Wednesday evening with the news.

Jobs:

California’s weary firefighters are working double shifts. When will backup arrive?

Fresno Bee

Exhausted and working double shifts on nearly 400 wildfires, California firefighters were still waiting for many of the relief crews that were trickling into the state Thursday. On Wednesday, officials announced they had requested 375 fire engines from out of state to join the 6,900 firefighters battling lighting-sparked fires that have destroyed nearly 200 buildings and are threatening 50,000 more. Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate.

See Also:

Uber and Lyft won’t suspend California operations after court gives them time to fight law

Fresno Bee

Uber and Lyft pulled back from their warning that they would suspend their services in California by Friday morning after an appeals court gave the companies a legal reprieve allowing them more time to figure out how to comply with a new state labor law.

See Also:

US jobless claims jump back above 1 million as pandemic continues

abc30

The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose to 1.1 million last week after two weeks of declines, evidence that many employers are still slashing jobs as the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. economy.

See Also:

Amazon unveils distribution center, begins mass hiring

Bakersfield Califn

Politicians gushed and a company official crowed but it was the little blue robots that stole the show Thursday as e-commerce giant Amazon pulled back the veil on the massive distribution center it has been working on in Oildale for close to two years. John Cox for The Bakersfield Californian

California is asking Trump administration for new $300-a-week jobless benefit

Los Angeles Times

California is asking the federal government for a $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit for jobless Californians, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. The move comes after the Trump administration said states would not have to put up billions of new matching dollars, which the governor said last week made the plan unworkable.

Paying the bill for the pandemic-related unemployment benefits

AEI / The Bulbark

Will federal unemployment taxes rise to pay for additional unemployment benefits? No. And here’s why.

U.S. Jobless Claims Rose to 1.1 Million in Latest Week

WSJ

Data indicate layoffs remain elevated as labor market slowly improves.

EDUCATION

K-12:

As teachers enter schools, Stanislaus Office of Education will test its online strength

Modesto Bee

With distance learning starting this week in at least four Stanislaus County school districts, and about 15 more joining next week, a stress test will be conducted Friday to ensure schools’ internet performance is up to snuff.

What Modesto parents want to know about getting kids off screens, in classrooms, more

Modesto Bee

In Modesto City Schools’ online community forum Wednesday evening to get feedback on distance learning, families shared a range of questions and concerns. They wanted to know, among other things, how long it will take to reopen schools once state and county officials deem it safe to do so.

Students in Stanislaus County could be headed back to class soon. Here’s how.

Modesto Bee

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is inviting school districts apply for waivers

Visalia CA school will reopen despite coronavirus watch list 

Fresno Bee

A private Christian school in Visalia will open its campus to students on Sept. 8, operating under the rules of a day camp, despite the state order requiring public and private schools on California’s coronavirus watchlist to remain closed.

California could soon require ethnic studies class for high school graduation

San Francisco Chronicle

Aniyah Story, a junior at Oakland High School, says she’s always felt like an outsider reading textbooks about American history in class. She rarely sees positive depictions of people who look like her, a person of Black and Filipina descent. What’s more, Story says, the unsavory facts of history are repeatedly glossed over to emphasize a “Eurocentric” viewpoint and minimize the enslavement of people of color.

Trump administration classifies teachers essential workers during pandemic

Reuteurs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday classified teachers as essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic as the Trump administration presses schools nationwide to bring students back to class.

The hard truth about remote learning this fall

National Review

When the public health situation warrants it, remote learning is better than nothing. But it’s crucial to appreciate just what a dismal substitute today’s remote learning really is.

California schools ordered to close in-person instruction after counties were put on watch list, creating confusion

EdSource

Some small schools in Northern California, which had already opened for in-person instruction, were plunged into confusion this week when their county was placed on the state’s Covid-19 monitoring list. 

Higher Ed:

Check out what’s happening at UC Merced: 2020 campus expansion completed

Fresno Bee

UC Merced’s 2020 project has been completed. The campus expansion, which cost a billion dollars, allows the California university to add more students with space for housing, classrooms, recreation and more.

Fresno State anticipates largest-ever incoming class

Fresno State News

“For generations, Fresno State has provided families throughout our region and beyond with a high-quality education at an affordable cost,” said President Joseph I. Castro. “I am gratified to see that our talented students are continuing to pursue their educational goals with boldness, optimism and determination, much-needed qualities needed in our leaders.”

CSUB sees record number of returning students; awards nearly $40 million in aid

Things To Know Today CSUB 

When CSU Bakersfield begins its 2020-21 academic term on Monday, some 11,694 students will begin or continue a journey to their life-changing degrees during a revolutionary time for education in this country. History is being made as we transition to entirely new ways of delivering high-quality instruction remotely.

Perenchio Foundation gifts $5.5M to support student success for generations

Fresno State News

Fresno State students facing a financial hardship on the road to academic success will soon be able to apply for more grants and scholarships thanks to two gifts totaling $5.5 million from the Perenchio Foundation.

No tuition cuts and other takeaways from Cal State chancellor

CalMatters

In a virtual town hall event hosted by CalMatters, Cal State Chancellor Tim White answered questions about COVID-19 testing, tuition, faculty preparedness, and more.

A ballot prop that could boost racial equity among university faculty

CalMatters

Repealing the ban on affirmative action will make it easier for public colleges and universities to target underrepresented groups for faculty positions.

Commentary: California colleges need better online tools to steer students to optimal math courses

CalMatters

A new study found that California colleges are doing a middling job of directing students toward optimal and up-to-date options for math courses.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Excessive heat: No end in sight for triple-digit Valley temperatures, wildfire smoke

Fresno Bee

An excessive heat warning is in effect for the central San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills until at least Thursday night as California wildfires have worsened air quality across the state. There is no end in sight for daily triple-digit temperatures in Fresno, forecast to continue for at least another week.

‘Climate change is real.’ Gavin Newsom checks into Democratic convention from California wildfires

Sac Bee

He spoke from outside an evacuation center.

See also:

The Atlantic Is Awash With Far More Plastic Than Previously Thought, Study Finds

VPR

Scientists are trying to understand how much plastic humans are pumping into the ocean and how long it sticks around. A study published this week says it may be much more than earlier estimates. By some measures, the plastic trash that’s floating on the surface of the water only accounts for about 1% of the plastic pollution that humans generate.

Commentary: Solving California’s heat-induced rolling blackouts with clean energy innovation 

CalMatters

The solution to rolling blackouts is to shift industrial demand to when our grid can handle it and rapidly expand our clean energy resources.

Commentary: Asm Adam Gray: Reclassify hydropower now – as renewable energy

CalMatters

If we are going to meet California’s urgent power needs, we cannot relegate hydropower, our most affordable and reliable clean power, to second-class status.

Editorial: Climate change will devastate California’s Joshua trees. The state needs to protect them

Los Angeles Times

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change, development and other environmental stressors are so dangerous to the survival of California’s Joshua trees that one of the main iterations of the plant could be nearly wiped out by the end of the century. It’s possible that Joshua Tree National Park could eventually have no Joshua trees.

Energy:

As excessive heat tapers off, threat of rolling blackouts wanes

Los Angeles Times

With a near weeklong heat wave tapering off and successful energy conservation efforts, California managed to stave off rolling blackouts for the third consecutive night, and officials said power outages are not expected through the weekend.

Poor Planning Left California Short of Electricity in a Heat Wave

NY Times

Scores of power plants were down or operating below their capacity just as hot weather drove up demand.

Commentary: ‘Mad Max’ in California? Energy crisis is avoidable 

CalMatters

If we are serious about avoiding blackouts and continuing our progress toward an emission-free grid, we must expand nuclear and hydroelectric power.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno County adds 472 new coronavirus cases — but hospital numbers appear to be dropping

Fresno Bee

Fresno County added 482 new positive patients to what is now 21,798 cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began in March, state health officials reported Wednesday. Health officials did not add any deaths to the total of 205. Of its infected, Fresno County has seen 9,172 recoveries.

See Also:

This face mask can also help you with wildfire smoke, experts say. If you can find one

Fresno Bee

People have been wearing masks to curb the spread of COVID-19, but as wildfires burn in California, resulting in elevated levels of pollution, you also may need a mask to protect yourself from smoke.

Multiple wildfires bring toxic smoke to Fresno area. Here is who’s at risk

Fresno Bee

Multiple wildfires burning throughout California are sending billowing clouds of toxic smoke into the central San Joaquin Valley, prompting a warning to residents from the air pollution control district.

See Also:

Amid COVID-19, don’t ignore the links between poor air quality and public health

Brookings 

There is growing evidence that poor air quality impacts health outcomes, especially for communities of color that are also exposed to a multitude of socio-economic factors affecting their health. Jennifer Perron and Samantha Gross argue that the Trump administration’s attempts to roll back regulation and enforcement of air quality protections risks making the problem even worse.

Want herd immunity? Pay people to take the vaccine

Brookings  

With a recent poll showing that over 1/3 of Americans will not take a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available, Robert Litan says it’s not too early for policymakers to begin thinking about incentives. In an opinion piece, Litan proposes a plan that would pay individuals to get the vaccine. 

Flavored tobacco ban heads to Assembly floor amid industry-backed opposition campaign

POLITICO

Legislation designed to reduce youth smoking by banning most flavored tobacco products cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday amid an opposition campaign that has targeted the bill as discriminating against Black smokers.

Trump administration bars FDA review of some coronavirus tests

TheHill

The Trump administration will allow coronavirus tests developed by individual laboratories to be used without Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, the administration announced Wednesday. 

New Coronavirus Cases Below 50,000 in the U.S. for Sixth Straight Day

WSJ

Covid-19 death toll tops 174,000 as total infections exceed 5.5 million in the U.S.

See also:

Evidence grows that children may play a larger role in transmission than previously believed

Wash Post

Latest study is small but shows high viral loads, high positivity rates among kids.

See also:

Covid cases are linked to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, but the full impact may never be known

Wash Post

As hundreds of thousands flocked to rural South Dakota for a motorcycle rally this month, sparking fears of a coronavirus superspreader event, photos captured people crowding the streets without masks and packing local businesses in the city of Sturgis — including a bar on Main Street, One-Eyed Jack’s Saloon.

Can you get coronavirus via secondhand smoke? The smell is a warning sign.

Wash Post

The primary way the novel coronavirus spreads, according to health experts, is through close contact with people who are infected. Being in proximity with someone who has the coronavirus exposes you to the respiratory droplets emitted when the person coughs, sneezes or even speaks.

Human Services:

California wildfire victims don’t need your old stuff. Here’s the best way to help

Fresno Bee

It might feel good to organize a donation drive or drop off clothes, cleaning supplies, food and pallets of bottled water to disaster relief organizations responding to the fires roaring across the state. But it really isn’t helpful.

How do you keep wildfire smoke out of your house and car? Here are some tips

Fresno Bee

Hundreds of wildfires across California are creating poor air quality conditions throughout most of the state. And wildfires are burning in Washington and Idaho. If you can smell smoke or it makes your eyes sting, you should limit your outdoor time as much as possible because it can be harmful to your respiratory health.

Dentists reassure patients despite WHO warning

Bakersfield Californian

Worried their patients may be needlessly putting off important checkups and cleanings, local dentists are trying to clear up confusion about cautionary guidance issued earlier this month by the World Health Organization.

Stanislaus County turns to help, moves COVID-19 patients to downtown Modesto facility

Modesto Bee

Local leaders are looking for positive signs that the surge in coronavirus cases has flattened out. But Stanislaus County hospitals are still contending with a relentless outbreak, even after a special unit was created to take some of the patients.

How a rush to reopen drove Los Angeles County into a health crisis

LA Times

After flattening the curve in L.A. County, officials’ decisions to reopen led to record-breaking surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Covid-19 Data Will Once Again Be Collected by CDC, in Policy Reversal

WSJ

Hospitals will return to reporting new cases to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Trump administration says, after shift to Health and Human Services led to delays and data problems.

Birx Stokes Hopes That Key Hospital Data Tracking Will Soon Return To CDC

VPR

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working “to build a revolutionary new data system” for COVID-19 hospital data collection that the CDC will run upon completion, according to Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. 

IMMIGRATION

Crowdsourced Border Wall Donors Disturbed By Fraud And Money Laundering Charges

VPR

On June 24, 2018, former Trump adviser Stephen Bannon stood on a ridge in Sunland, N.M., kicking off a 3-day telethon with a view of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico in the distance. “That is what separates it,” he says, pointing to a tall metal fence climbing the hillside, “the wall, built by private money.” That half-mile stretch of wall had been completed with money donated to “We Build the Wall,” an online crowdfunding campaign.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

California fires force closure of CDFW properties

Hanford Sentinel

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is temporarily closing some of its public lands in response to multiple active fires in Colusa, Lake, Lassen, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties. The closures will help ensure safety and accommodate the needs of fire crews.

Montana governor presses to remove Trump’s public lands boss

Bakersfield Californian

Montana’s Democratic governor asked a federal judge Thursday to take swift action to remove the Trump administration’s chief steward of public lands, as the former industry attorney hangs onto the post despite the White House saying Saturday that his nomination would be withdrawn.

Housing:

There is $3.5 million to come in phase two of Fresno Retention Grant. Phase one left renters feeling frustrated.

Fresno Bee

Fresno families are unable to get through the lines to apply for the Retention Grant, leaving them desperate for help. City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria says the next round could look different.

Two-house tensions fuel dizzying Appropriations hearings full of fits and starts

POLITICO

Today’s end-of-session fiscal hearings featured unusually dizzying gamesmanship between the Assembly and state Senate, full of ‘coffee breaks’ and other surprises culminating in the biggest jolt of all: a take-back.

See also:

PUBLIC FINANCES

Biden’s Wealth vs. Work Tax Idea Animates His Policies

WSJ

Live updates from the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention, as Joe Biden formally accepted his party’s presidential nomination to unseat President Trump.

Reading the inflation tea leaves

AEI

Depending on how you interpret recent data on inflation, it might be premature to dismiss the possibility that problematic inflation may soon return.

Why California’s Latest ‘Soak the Rich’ Tax Proposals Are Likely to Backfire

National Review

In a comical yet revealing turn of affairs, New York governor Andrew Cuomo is so desperate for wealthy New Yorkers to return to his state that he has resorted to personally calling them and offering to cook for them if they come back.

Opinion: California Wealth Tax Proposal Will Likely Backfire 

National Review

In a comical yet revealing turn of affairs, New York governor Andrew Cuomo is so desperate for wealthy New Yorkers to return to his state that he has resorted to personally calling them and offering to cook for them if they come back. The governor finds himself in this situation because New York’s sky-high taxes, restrictive business environment, and abysmal COVID-19 response have prompted many successful citizens to move elsewhere. No matter how many martinis Cuomo offers to buy them, many won’t be coming back.

TRANSPORTATION

Airline to start flying from Fresno to Mexico City. When will the service begin?

Fresno Bee

International nonstop service to and from Fresno Yosemite International Airport is expected to expand this fall with direct flights to Mexico City. Volaris, a low-cost airline based in Mexico, announced it will begin offering nonstop flights twice a week between Fresno and Mexico’s capital starting Nov. 12. Tickets for the year-round route went on sale earlier this week.

Authorities charge former Uber CSO with hacking cover-up

POLITICO

The Justice Department said Thursday that it has charged former Uber chief security officer Joseph Sullivan with his role in the company’s cover-up of a hack that exposed information on 57 million users.

WATER

Coliform bacteria shuts down water in Tulare County’s main Visalia offices

Visalia Times Delta

The Tulare County Civic Center is on a boil-water notice after a bacteria that commonly lives in human feces was discovered in the county’s wells. Officials discovered coliform bacteria during a routine test of wells that serve the Tulare County Superior Court, the Main Jail, Human Resources & Development, General Services Agency (GSA), County Counsel, the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Office.

Some California cities think they’re safe from sea level rise. They’re not, new data show

LA Times

Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, yet a world away from San Francisco, in an unincorporated and oft-overlooked area known as Marin City, sea level rise is rarely the first worry that comes to mind.

“Xtra”

Hanford prepares for fun with National Night Out

Hanford Sentinel

Hanford Parks and Recreation, the Hanford Police Department and the Hanford Fire Department are teaming up to make sure that National Night Out still takes place. It was a topic of debate if they should even have the event, Hanford Cpl. Jason Gustin said. But after speaking with city leaders and their own chief, they decided it was important to have it, even amide current COVID-19 pandemic.

Kern County Fair going virtual for 2020

Bakersfield Californian

This year’s Kern County Fair may have been physically canceled, but that doesn’t mean the show can’t go on in some form. While the Kern County Fair Board of Directors voted to cancel the two-week event last month, now organizers have planned to take a portion of the fair experience online.

After 5 months, AMC Theaters reopens its doors, cautiously

Modesto Bee

The doors to the AMC Waterfront 22 were locked. They had been for five months, along with most indoor theaters in the U.S. because of COVID-19. But in 20 minutes that was about to change and four people in masks were already gathered outside the theater 8 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in eager anticipation.