POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
California officials need to move faster on sea level rise, legislative study finds
Merced Sun-Star
In one of the most comprehensive assessments of the crisis that rising seas pose to California, an influential state panel issued a clarion call Tuesday, urging local officials to take ownership of the issue and lawmakers to move fast and consider much-needed legislation.
Modesto church opposed nearby cannabis outlet. The county vote was unanimous.
Modesto Bee
From an outlet on Lone Palm Avenue tucked away in an industrial zone in Modesto, the People’s Remedy has provided cannabis products for adults and patients with medical needs.
EDITORIAL: How Modesto unwittingly lifted minority candidates throughout California
Modesto Bee
Modesto’s regrettable role in a process that altered how voters over much of California choose city and school representatives surfaced in a recent university study looking at race in electoral reform.
Central SJ Valley:
New trade agreement with Canada, Mexico ‘is a big deal’ for California agriculture
Fresno Bee
An agreement between Democratic congressional leaders and the Trump administration to advance a proposed trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada will mean “significant long-term economic benefits” for farmers in Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley, a Fresno farm leader said Tuesday.
Civil rights icon Dolores Huerta backs this Fresno candidate for Congress over incumbent
Fresno Bee
Congressional candidate Esmeralda Soria picked up the endorsement of civil rights leader Dolores Huerta on Tuesday as both women said they’ll fight for the central San Joaquin Valley’s working families.
Will next Fresno mayor prioritize a streamlined development department?
Business Journal
When Mayor Lee Brand’s term concludes at the end of 2020, so too may the effort of two past administrations to reform and streamline what some have called “the worst city in the state to work with.”
City Hall Proposal Would Leave Guns to the Cops
GV Wire
Only law enforcement would be allowed to carry weapons at City Hall under a new proposal from the Fresno city manager’s office. The ordinance will be introduced to the Fresno City Council on Thursday.
South SJ Valley:
Three candidates to vie for Bakersfield mayor
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield residents will see familiar faces in the upcoming election for mayor. Of the three candidates who have qualified, all have run before, with varying degrees of success.
City hears residents' concerns about homeless shelter locations
Bakersfield Californian
Homelessness transcends everything. It is a growing crisis that impacts every segment of the community, and has become the most pressing issue the city of Bakersfield is facing. Much work has already been done, but much more still lies ahead.
County supervisors plan to counter governor's actions against California's oil industry
Bakersfield Californian
Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to shrink and possibly phase out California oil production won't go unchallenged by politicians in the state's petroleum capital, Kern County's Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.
Refinery near Bakersfield agrees to pay $500,000 to settle alleged environmental violations
Bakersfield Californian
A refinery in the Lamont area has agreed to pay half a million dollars to settle federal allegations it failed to properly monitor sulfur dioxide emissions from its main flare and neglected to report toxic chemicals leaking from its valves and other equipment.
Measure J’s first fruits: A place for BC vets to ‘feel a love that’s real’
Bakersfield Californian
Tuesday, the first completed project associated with Measure J, the Kern Community College District's $502.8 million bond, opened its doors to flags, fanfare and promise.
State:
Thousands of lawful California gun owners are being denied ammunition purchases. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
Tens of thousands of Californians have been turned away from buying ammunition at firearms and sporting goods stores, even though they appear to be lawfully able to do so, a Sacramento Bee review of state data shows.
Every lawmaker gets a window. Inside a new $423 million, no-bid Sacramento building
Sacramento Bee
In a rush to rebuild lawmakers’ offices, state officials last year waived a standard government construction process to put up a $423.6 million building in downtown Sacramento without soliciting bids from multiple contractors.
Newsom Revives Commission of the Californias
Voice of San Diego
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a memorandum of understanding with the governors of Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur in San Diego this week reviving the Commission of the Californias, a state commission that allows California officials to collaborate on issues with the Mexican government.
How push to break up PG&E could endanger major California housing bill
San Francisco Chronicle
Tension over the future of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is fracturing support among construction unions for proposed legislation to spur denser housing around public transit and in residential neighborhoods, potentially complicating state Sen. Scott Wiener’s efforts to revive the measure.
State offers scant funding to rape crisis centers
Capitol Weekly
California’s 84 rape crisis centers are in a funding crisis. While California has experienced a steady rise in the number of reported rapes (over 5% per year since 2015), the state’s annual General Fund contribution to rape crisis centers over the past decade has been a miniscule $45,000 — and all of that money has gone to just one center.
Powerful patrons duel over California projects in final spending package
Roll Call
The top Democratic and Republican House leaders are pushing for their own home-state projects in this year’s final spending bills — a spectacular park overlooking San Francisco Bay and a dam across the largest reservoir in California — but without agreement from each other in the negotiations’ final days.
California feud with Trump could impact budget surplus
AP News
California is preparing for a much smaller budget surplus next year because of its ongoing feud with the Trump administration, one of the state’s chief budget writers said Monday.
Walters: An epic Capitol power struggle recalled
CalMatters
Exactly 40 years ago today, a political power struggle erupted in the California Assembly, one that lasted nearly a year and fundamentally altered the Capitol’s culture.
Federal:
‘We ate their lunch’: How Pelosi got to ‘yes’ on Trump’s trade deal
Politico
On Tuesday, top trade officials from the U.S., Mexico and Canada finalized a sweeping agreement to update the old NAFTA trade deal in an unusual alliance that won the backing of the powerful AFL-CIO labor federation, President Donald Trump and House Democrats.
IMF Chief on the Cost of Trade Uncertainty Wall Street Journal
Revised Trade Pact Set for Likely Approval by Congress in 2020 Wall Street Journal
EDITORIAL: Trump has his new NAFTA. But is it any better than the original? Los Angeles Times
Democrats’ impeachment charges say Trump ‘betrayed’ US
Modesto Bee
House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Tuesday, declaring he “betrayed the nation” with his actions toward Ukraine as they pushed toward historic proceedings that are certain to help define his presidency and shape the 2020 election.
See also:
EDITORIAL: The IG, Nunes and Schiff Wall Street Journal
House leaders racing the clock on government spending bill
Fresno Bee
House leaders are racing the clock and bracing for inevitable blowback on an emerging government-wide spending bill that's likely to largely maintain President Donald Trump's tactical ability to fund his much-sought border wall.
See also:
EDITORIAL: Return of the Tax Games Wall Street Journal
Trump readies executive order on antisemitism, setting up First Amendment battle
Fresno Bee
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order this week directing the government to consider a specific definition of antisemitism in discrimination cases, circumventing Congress, White House and congressional sources told McClatchy.
Elections 2020:
Andrew Yang qualifies for last Dem debate of 2019 as lone candidate of color
abc30
Only two days before the deadline to qualify for the last Democratic presidential primary debate of 2019, entrepreneur Andrew Yang secured his last qualifying poll.
See also:
Yang Campaign Says He Has Qualified for Next Debate Wall Street Journal
Mike Bloomberg, trying to win converts in California, gets an event with Jerry Brown
San Francisco Chronicle
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg makes his first presidential campaign trip Wednesday in California, a state where few people support his White House run, many don’t know who he is, and those who do think little of him.
See also:
Mike Bloomberg set for first California campaign visit abc30
Bloomberg zeroes in on California housing crisis as he campaigns in Stockton, San Francisco Sacramento Bee
Mike Bloomberg to donate $10 million to House Democrats targeted by GOP Washington Post
Mike Bloomberg, trying to win converts in California, gets an event with Jerry Brown San Francisco Chronicle
Buttigieg releases names of consulting clients
Politico
Pete Buttigieg released a list of nine clients, including corporations and government agencies, he worked for during his tenure at McKinsey and Company, as his campaign tries to suppress attacks on his brief business record.
See also:
Buttigieg Releases Client List From His Days at McKinsey Wall Street Journal
Elizabeth Warren's Journey From 'Pro-Business' Academic To Consumer Advocate
NPR
Through interviews with former colleagues and students, it's clear Warren arrived in Austin a moderate economic conservative, perhaps not an overtly political one, but a conservative nonetheless. She left far more ideologically confused.
See also:
Warren pushes back against more moderate path to White House Bakersfield Californian
Rahm Emanuel on a Future Warren or Biden Presidency
Politico
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks with WSJ's Nikki Waller about the attributes that would define a Warren or Biden Presidency on stage at CEO Council.
See also:
Rahm Emanuel: Next President Must Be Both Idealistic and Ruthless Wall Street Journal
'It hurt': Women of color from rival campaigns lament Harris' exit
Politico
Sen. Kamala Harris may have dropped out of the Democratic primary last week after skidding into a disappointing fifth-place spot, but that won't diminish the impact of her groundbreaking candidacy, Democratic campaign operatives said Tuesday.
See also:
Kamala Harris quit the presidential race just in time. Here’s what it means for her future Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Faculty Lounge Is Sanders Country
Wall Street Journal
Mr. Sanders is drawing significant support from university faculty members nationwide. But at some point the professoriate may have to acknowledge an issue with his candidacy, given the identity obsessions they currently enforce in campus dialogue.
Other:
New Sign at Visitor Center Turning Heads
Sierra News
The idea to update the existing sign at the Visitor Center first began in 2016. But what started off as a simple redesign of the existing plastic frame turned into a discussion about how to best represent the organization, the region and the gateway to Yosemite National Park.
How to Call B.S. on Big Data: A Practical Guide
New Yorker
Members of the species have, after all, been talking rot for millennia, and its warning signs are well known. Bullshit expressed as data, on the other hand, is relatively new outside scientific circles.
She Argued Facebook Is a Monopoly. To Her Surprise, People Listened.
Wall Street Journal
When Dina Srinivasan quit her job as a digital advertising executive two years ago, she wasn’t looking to retool antitrust law for the social-media age. She just wanted to spend some time reading in coffee shops.
America’s Top Foundations Bankroll Attack on Big Tech
New York Times
Critics of big tech companies are eager to keep up their momentum — and some of the country’s wealthiest foundations are providing the financial firepower.
BuzzFeed News
Facebook said it would not weaken end-to-end encryption across its messaging apps, despite pressure from world governments, in a letter to US Attorney General Bill Barr and UK and Australian leaders.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, December 15, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: Does Granny (Flat) Have a Solution to the Housing Crisis? - Guest: Monica Davalos, Aureo Mesquita and Adriana Ramos-Vamamoto from the California Budget and Policy Center. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, December 15, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: Recidivism: Statewide Data and a Local Program That Works - Guests: CSU Fresno Prof. Emma Hughes, Project Rebound Director Jennifer Leahy, and Project Rebound Rebound Arnold Trevino. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, December 15, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: Los Diez mas Importantes de California - Guest: Alexei Koseff, Reportero de San Francisco Chronicle. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
New trade agreement with Canada, Mexico ‘is a big deal’ for California agriculture
Fresno Bee
An agreement between Democratic congressional leaders and the Trump administration to advance a proposed trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada will mean “significant long-term economic benefits” for farmers in Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley, a Fresno farm leader said Tuesday.
No driver needed: 20 tons of butter takes road trip from California to Pennsylvania
Fresno Bee
Prepping your grocery list for the holidays? Pennsylvanians this year could have had their sticks of butter delivered from across the country by a self-driving truck.
Turlock cannabis permits taking longer than expected
Turlock Journal
When the Turlock City Council first approved a cannabis pilot program in May, City Attorney Doug White estimated that marijuana businesses would be fully operational by January. With that goal less than a month away, it’s no longer a reality.
More California salad contaminated by E. coli bacteria, CDC says
Los Angeles Times
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that the latest multistate outbreak involves a different E. coli strain than the one involved in a previous set of illnesses announced before Thanksgiving. The outbreaks, however, share a common geographical origin: lettuce harvested in California’s Salinas Valley, according to the CDC.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
How sophisticated card skimmers were found within Modesto gas station’s pumps
Modesto Bee
Alerted by customers about bogus charges showing up on their credit card statements, the Circle 7 gas station in Modesto discovered six sophisticated card skimmers had been placed within its eight pumps, its manager said Tuesday morning.
6 California dioceses subpoenaed by state attorney general in child sex abuse case
Sacramento Bee
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, along with the other 5 dioceses in California, will be subpoenaed for additional records as the state attorney general continues to investigate whether dioceses complied with mandatory reporting requirements.
See also:
California attorney general to issue subpoenas to 6 Catholic dioceses in priest abuse inquiry Los Angeles Times
Surge of new abuse claims threatens church like never before AP News
Pretrial Risk Assessment in California
Public Policy Institute of California
Amid recent correctional reforms and ongoing challenges to the state’s bail system, pretrial risk assessment has emerged as a way to help countries make decisions about whether arrested individuals should remain in the community or be detained until any charges stemming from that arrest are resolved.
States confront the casualties of the war on pot
Los Angeles Times
Prosecutors in L.A. and Chicago are moving to expunge marijuana convictions from the records of tens of thousands of people using new state laws.
Public Safety:
Thousands of lawful California gun owners are being denied ammunition purchases. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
Tens of thousands of Californians have been turned away from buying ammunition at firearms and sporting goods stores, even though they appear to be lawfully able to do so, a Sacramento Bee review of state data shows.
Demonstrators demand justice, transparency for Servin
Stockton Record
A few dozen people gathered in front of the San Joaquin County Jail just after 4 p.m. Tuesday to demand justice and transparency for Jacob Servin, a Stockton man who says he was brutally beaten by correctional officers earlier this month.
China Lake expected to get more than $1 billion for earthquake recovery efforts
Bakersfield Californian
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake could receive $1.15 billion for restoration projects following two major earthquakes in July that caused significant damage to the Ridgecrest-based military installation.
Fire:
Hanford Fire Department starting first Explorer program
Hanford Sentinel
The Hanford Fire Department is starting its first ever Explorer program and is looking to recruit teens interested in becoming firefighters.
While California burns, researchers at Texas A&M offer technology that could save the state
Dallas Morning News
This year was a tough one for those poor souls who live in California. Not only did wildfires rage across the state, but a utility fell into the habit of shutting off the power to large areas in hopes of not sparking the next conflagration.
Commentary: How California can wake from the wildfire-blackout nightmare
CalMatters
To break the cycle of wildfires, blackouts, and electricity rate hikes, we need determined leadership by Gov. Gavin Newsom and help from an industry that California uniquely has at its disposal.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
US Federal Reserve could signal no rate hike through 2020
Fresno Bee
The Federal Reserve is set to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and will likely signal that it expects rates to remain low well into next year despite a robust job market. Many economists have said they think sluggish growth will even compel the Fed to cut rates at least once in 2020.
Jobs:
Ivanka Trump hopes next step in paid family leave will be a policy for all workers
Fresno Bee
Ivanka Trump says legislation guaranteeing paid parental leave for federal workers, expected to pass Congress, is a “monumental step” that she hopes will lead to the creation of a paid leave program for all Americans.
See also:
Owner of Modesto temp job agency is ordered to pay back nearly $1 million. Here’s why
Modesto Bee
The former owner of a Modesto temporary employment agency has been convicted of fraud and ordered to pay back nearly $1 million after underreporting about $4.9 million in payroll to get a lower workers’ compensation insurance premium from the state.
Businesses sue state officials over mandatory arbitration law
San Francisco Chronicle
California business groups have sued state officials over a new law that will criminally penalize employers who ask workers to sign mandatory arbitration contracts to get hired, calling it a “job killer.”
See also:
CalChamber Files Legal Challenge to AB 51 CalChamber
National and State Trade Groups Sue to Strike Down California “Anti-Arbitration” Law Littler
California state workers can leave early on Christmas Eve or NYE. Here are the rules
Sacramento Bee
Regular state employees will receive up to four hours of “informal time off” that they may use on either of those days in most cases, according to the rules for using it.
New California law redefines who gets employment benefits. The lawsuits are just starting
Sacramento Bee
A new law that dictates which California workers must receive full employment benefits takes effect Jan. 1, but the latest battle over Assembly Bill 5 is playing out in courts and could take years to resolve.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Buses to dozens of Valley schools delayed due to fog
abc30
About three dozen schools reported foggy day schedules on Tuesday morning, many of them in the South Valley. A dense fog advisory was in effect until early afternoon. The National Weather Service in Hanford says visibilities ranged from below 200 feet to 800 feet.
Sunnyside High teacher surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
Fresno Bee
Sunnyside High teacher Katie McQuone Botello was surprised with the presentation of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award, during a special assembly Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019.
New mental health curriculum being piloted in Kern County
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County is the first area in California to receive this curriculum. Taft and Lost Hills were chosen for the pilot due to self-reported trauma students said they have experienced, explained Christina Rajlal, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services program supervisor.
California parents, preschool teachers learn to teach math through children’s books
EdSource
A group of California parents and preschool teachers are overcoming their fear of math and discovering new confidence to teach it to young children through an unexpected source: storybooks.
Education groups renew call for Newsom to put tax for schools to voters in 2020
EdSource
A coalition of education organizations and school officials on Tuesday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders to place one tax measure on the November 2020 ballot “solely focused on education: quality child care, pre-school, K-12 and higher education.”
Higher Ed:
Pentagon orders review of international student vetting
Fresno Bee
The Pentagon on Tuesday ordered a broad review of vetting procedures for international students who participate in training on U.S. military installations and demanded the process be strengthened, in direct reaction to last week's deadly shooting at a Pensacola Navy base by a Saudi aviation student.
Construction begins on new Fresno State student union building
abc30
The sound of construction fills the air at Fresno State. Just off campus, a new senior housing development is in the works near Chestnut. But all eyes are on one patch of dirt, where crews are putting up the new student union building.
CSUB programs that cater to formerly incarcerated students inspire change
Kern Sol News
Gonzales decided while incarcerated, he wanted to begin his educational pathway after coming across a pamphlet covering CSUB’s Project Rebound, a program that supports the success of the formerly incarcerated by offering the opportunity and resources needed to successfully transition and acclimate to a college campus.
Lawsuit: SAT, ACT are discriminatory
abc30
A lawsuit wants California universities to stop using SAT and ACT scores in the admissions process.
See also:
UC violates civil rights of disadvantaged students by requiring SAT for admission, lawsuits say Los Angeles Times
University of California sued over use of ACT, SAT scores New York Times
Lawsuit Claims SAT And ACT Are Illegal In California Admissions NPR
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rolls out new method for approving student debt relief claims
Washington Post
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is doubling down on a controversial policy of granting partial debt relief to students defrauded by their colleges, despite ongoing legal challenges and a congressional inquiry.
See also:
Dems Aim to Block DeVos Title IX Rule Changes, Say They Could Have 'Chilling Effect' on Students Newsweek
University of Phoenix agrees to $50M settlement over false ad claims
PBS
The University of Phoenix and its parent company have agreed to pay $50 million in cash and cancel $141 million in student debt to settle allegations of deceptive advertisement brought by the Federal Trade Commission.
‘Adulting’ is hard. UC Berkeley has a class for that
Los Angeles Times
So he signed up for a class on “adulting,” where he is learning to create and stick to a personal budget, build a resume and apply for jobs and navigate romantic relationships in a time when online interactions are eclipsing face-to-face encounters.
Apprenticeships:
Fresno EOC and Habitat for Humanity partner for student success
abc30
Fresno EOC's Valley Apprenticeship Connection prepares willing students for a career in construction and now thanks to a partnership with Habitat for Humanity participants are learning the skills they need right in the field.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Air quality spikes to hazardous levels in Valley. Stay indoors, officials advise
Fresno Bee
Air quality has become hazardous in the central San Joaquin Valley and residents should avoid outdoor activity, according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
See also:
California officials need to move faster on sea level rise, legislative study finds
Merced Sun-Star
In one of the most comprehensive assessments of the crisis that rising seas pose to California, an influential state panel issued a clarion call Tuesday, urging local officials to take ownership of the issue and lawmakers to move fast and consider much-needed legislation.
See also:
Without urgent action, California’s sea-level rise a threat to housing, economy, report says CalMatters
Building an ambitious US climate policy from the bottom up Brookings
Refinery near Bakersfield agrees to pay $500,000 to settle alleged environmental violations
Bakersfield Californian
A refinery in the Lamont area has agreed to pay half a million dollars to settle federal allegations it failed to properly monitor sulfur dioxide emissions from its main flare and neglected to report toxic chemicals leaking from its valves and other equipment.
Washington Post
The Arctic is undergoing a profound, rapid and unmitigated shift into a new climate state, one that is greener, features far less ice and emits greenhouse gas emissions from melting permafrost, according to a major new federal assessment of the region released Tuesday.
Energy:
County supervisors plan to counter governor's actions against California's oil industry
Bakersfield Californian
Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to shrink and possibly phase out California oil production won't go unchallenged by politicians in the state's petroleum capital, Kern County's Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.
Chevron will write down $11 billion in assets after natural gas prices slump
Los Angeles Times
Chevron Corp. expects to write down as much as $11 billion in the fourth quarter, more than half of it from its Appalachia natural gas assets after a slump in prices.
See also:
Chevron, Facing Fossil Fuels Glut, Takes $10 Billion Charge Wall Street Journal
PG&E diverted millions from putting lines underground, audit finds
San Francisco Chronicle
Over the course of 10 years, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. “consistently and significantly” shifted money away from efforts to bury power lines underground, likely causing such projects to take longer and cost more than they would have otherwise, according to a recently completed audit.
Unions Join Companies to Oppose Richmond Coal Ban
East Bay Express
"Jobs vs. environment" argument poses a challenge to proposed measure, but supporters say the familiar dichotomy represents a false choice.
EDITORIAL: New York’s Stranded Exxon Case
Wall Street Journal
Well, that was embarrassing. After spending nearly four years trying to nail Exxon Mobil for myriad climate-change deceptions, New York’s attorney general was excoriated Tuesday by a state judge for making “hyperbolic” claims and essentially trying to deceive the court.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Flu activity in California ramping up early this season, public health officials say
Fresno Bee
California’s 2019-20 flu season started off early – and with a bang. According to the state Department of Public Health, clinical and commercial laboratories have not reported influenza activity this high this early in the flu season since the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009.
See also:
Flu activity on the rise in California Turlock Journal
California considers calling THC in pot a risk to moms-to-be
Fresno Bee
More than three years after California voters broadly legalized marijuana, a state panel is considering if its potent, high-inducing chemical — THC — should be declared a risk to pregnant women and require warnings.
California anti-vaccine activists abandon initiative to roll back new law
Sacramento Bee
Anti-vaccine advocates abandoned plans for an initiative that would undo a new law restricting exemptions for vaccines and complained that state officials made their effort more difficult by using “grossly misleading” language to describe their referendum to voters.
Better Data for Better California Health Policy
Public Policy Institute of California
For over a decade, California lawmakers have tried to establish a comprehensive resource on health care costs. To address this problem, recent legislation allocated $60 million to develop a health care payments database (HPD) for the state.
See also:
Extending Medicaid After Childbirth Could Reduce Maternal Deaths
Pew Trusts
Nationwide, drug overdoses, suicides and pregnancy-related chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure are contributing to a rise in deaths among women during pregnancy, childbirth and the first 12 months after delivery.
Human Services:
Deadline notification: Four days left to enroll
Healthcare.gov
Many areas of the country are seeing more plan choices and lower premiums this year compared to last. New, better or more affordable plans may be available to you for 2020.
Valley Children's receives State Treasurer recognition
Business Journal
Valley Children’s Hospital has received official state recognition for provisions of care, courtesy of State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Ma visited the hospital on Monday, presenting officials with a resolution recognizing the quality of care, programs and services.
Diabetes report shows we must lower drug prices
Fresno Bee
Can you imagine having to choose between having enough food or the medicine that keeps you alive? One out of four people in California’s 21st congressional district who live with diabetes say they have had to make just that choice.
See also:
Drug prices are too high. What is Congress trying to do about it? Roll Call
Commentary: My son died from rationing insulin. Democrats' drug pricing plan still wouldn't help him. USA Today
Diabetes drug investigated for possible cancer-causing contaminant Sentinet
Another price increase? Some with CalPERS long-term care insurance face sticker shock
Sacramento Bee
Long term care insurance was new in the 1990s, and CalPERS, like many other insurers, used assumptions to set prices on the plans that turned out to be far too low for the premiums to cover costs over time.
Californians with no health insurance face penalties. Not everyone has to pay
Los Angeles Times
California’s penalty is modeled on the one originally in the Affordable Care Act. Congress eliminated the federal penalty, effective this year.
Kaiser names new CEO a month after unexpected death of previous leader
San Francisco Chronicle
Kaiser Permanente has named Gregory Adams its new chairman and CEO, one month after the unexpected death of the health care giant’s previous chairman and CEO Bernard Tyson.
State offers scant funding to rape crisis centers
Capitol Weekly
California’s 84 rape crisis centers are in a funding crisis. While California has experienced a steady rise in the number of reported rapes (over 5% per year since 2015), the state’s annual General Fund contribution to rape crisis centers over the past decade has been a miniscule $45,000 — and all of that money has gone to just one center.
IMMIGRATION
With Trump backing, Border Patrol contract significantly increases union staffing
Washington Post
President Trump urged his top border security official to finalize a new labor contract with the Border Patrol union, an agreement that significantly increased the number of union officials allowed to collect a government salary without performing patrol duties.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Hanford Sentinel
The “Save Our Parkland 93230” citizens group held a rally Saturday in support of keeping the 18 city-owned acres west of Hidden Valley Park.
Supervisors approve plans for community at Grapevine
KGET
Tejon Ranch was given the go-ahead on Tuesday to move forward with its plans for a new community at the Grapevine. The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved plans from Tejon Ranch for an 8,000-acre master-planned community adjacent to the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center off Interstate 5.
California pension fund financing its $281 million riverfront tower with green bonds
Sacramento Bee
California’s teacher pension fund wants to pay for a $300 million office tower on the Sacramento River with green bonds, a type of investment used to finance projects that meet environmental sustainability standards.
Housing:
City hears residents' concerns about homeless shelter locations
Bakersfield Californian
Homelessness transcends everything. It is a growing crisis that impacts every segment of the community, and has become the most pressing issue the city of Bakersfield is facing. Much work has already been done, but much more still lies ahead.
Supervisors reapprove Tejon Ranch Grapevine community plan after making minor changes
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County Board of Supervisors have unanimously reapproved the development of Tejon Ranch Co.’s proposed residential and commercial community at the foot of the Grapevine.
Stockton leads nation in rent increases
Stockton Record
Unrelenting demand from Bay Area transplants seeking housing they can afford on this side of the Altamont has placed Stockton in the No. 1 position nationwide for rent increases over the past five years among large cities with more than 250,000 residents.
How push to break up PG&E could endanger major California housing bill
San Francisco Chronicle
Tension over the future of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is fracturing support among construction unions for proposed legislation to spur denser housing around public transit and in residential neighborhoods, potentially complicating state Sen. Scott Wiener’s efforts to revive the measure.
CA’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program Works
Streetsblog Cal
The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program was formulated in 2014 to solve multiple statewide problems. Its ambitious aims are to build much-needed affordable housing that makes it easy and inexpensive for its residents to get where they need to go without relying on cars.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Measure J’s first fruits: A place for BC vets to ‘feel a love that’s real’
Bakersfield Californian
Tuesday, the first completed project associated with Measure J, the Kern Community College District's $502.8 million bond, opened its doors to flags, fanfare and promise.
Education groups renew call for Newsom to put tax for schools to voters in 2020
EdSource
Acoalition of education organizations and school officials on Tuesday called on Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders to place one tax measure on the November 2020 ballot “solely focused on education: quality child care, pre-school, K-12 and higher education.”
TRANSPORTATION
Several Fresno Co streets likely to have lower speed limits
abc30
Several Fresno County streets could see lower speed limits next year under a new ordinance. Nine different areas have been identified, including Academy between Highway 180 and California in Sanger and Conejo Avenue near Bethel in Kingsburg.
Dense fog affects flights at Fresno Yosemite International Airport
abc30
Dense fog has caused several flight delays and cancelations at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Airport officials say the weather caused nine arrivals from multiple airlines, both domestic and international, to be diverted after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Millions available to help expand electric vehicle charging stations
Stockton Record
More than $15 million is being made available beginning Wednesday to help businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies cover some of the costs associated with installing electric vehicle charging stations for public use in San Joaquin, Fresno and Kern counties.
Why you will soon see less trash along Modesto roads, highways
Modesto Bee
Modesto is working with Caltrans to pick up fast-food wrappers, plastic coffee cups and other litter left along some of the city’s major thoroughfares in the state transportation agency’s clean sweep program.
Caltrans Is Trying To Prepare California Highways For Climate Change
Capital Public Radio
Nearly three miles of prime beach views from Highway 1 near San Luis Obispo were recently moved inland by Caltrans, and the state’s Department of Transportation is considering doing the same on other highways.
California needs a bolder electric-truck standard
San Francisco Chronicle
For decades, the California Air Resources Board has looked for and implemented rules to cut pollution from diesel trucks to protect health.
Virgin Trains updates timeline for Las Vegas-to-Southern Cal train
Las Vegas Review-Journal
While construction on the long-talked about high-speed train between Las Vegas and Southern California is slated to begin next year, work probably won’t start in Nevada until the following year.
Amtrak: New Acela trains a boost to nation's economy
Progressive Railroading
The Amtrak-Alstom partnership to produce the next generation of Acela trains that will operate between Boston and Washington, D.C., is contributing to the nation’s economy, Amtrak officials announced last week.
California High-Speed Rail 2019 Year in Review
California High-Speed Rail
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued a video highlighting some of the major construction milestones that happened this year on the high-speed rail project.
WATER
It’s almost 2020, and 2 million Americans still don’t have running water, according to new report
Washington Post
Wagner is one of more than 2 million Americans who do not have running water and sanitation. Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing; blacks and Latinos are twice as likely.
“Xtra”
See Yosemite become a winter wonderland
Fresno Bee
Yosemite National Park is amazing any time of year, but seeing it with snow on the ground is truly a magical experience.
Fresno’s low-budget film festival puts friends and neighbors into blockbuster movies
Fresno Bee
Over its 11 years — the 19th installment happens Friday at the Tower Theatre — Swede Fest gained some national recognition and spawned several sister festivals.
Field of Light in Paso Robles extended by ‘popular demand.’ Here’s how long you can go
San Luis Obispo Tribune
If you still haven’t visited the Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, you’re in luck — the attraction will remain open through June 2020.
Rock Steady is a knock-out solution to Parkinson's
abc30
Rock Steady Boxing is an international program where people with Parkinson's disease can come together as a class and participate in different physical activities centered around the concept of boxing.
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