POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Modesto Bee receives grant for new reporter to cover economic development
Modesto Bee
For the second consecutive year, The Modesto Bee has been awarded a grant from Report for America, which will help fund a full-time reporter in the newsroom to cover economic development in Stanislaus County.
Stanislaus County canât agree to contract with 911 dispatchers. Sides await mediation
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County declared an impasse in negotiations with emergency dispatchers at the Stanislaus Regional 911 center. The dispatchers who handle 911 calls have been working without a contract for five years.
California agriculture in 2050 â where we are headed and why
Turlock Journal
At its monthly meeting on Nov. 5, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture heard a cautiously optimistic appraisal of agricultureâs future through 2050 from economist Daniel Sumner, director of the Agricultural Issues Center at UC Davis.
Central SJ Valley:
Giuliani associate willing to testify Nunes went to Europe for Biden dirt
CNN
Lev Parnas, an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, would tell Congress that the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee met with an ex-Ukraine official to try to get information on Joe Biden, his lawyer says.
See also:
Top Dem says ethics investigation into Devin Nunes likely Politico
DCCC hitting Devin Nunes over alleged Ukrainian meeting Politico
Fresno Bee awarded grant to hire reporter to cover areaâs Latino communities
Fresno Bee
For the second consecutive year, The Fresno Bee has been awarded a grant to help fund a full-time reporter in the newsroom to cover Latino issues in the central San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
9 charts about Americaâs newsrooms Pew Research
EDITORIAL: Devin Nunes must stop suing fake cows and explain $60,000 Europe trip
Sacramento Bee
Rep. Devin Nunesâ decision to sue anyone who dares to criticize him â including a fictitious cow on Twitter â backfired spectacularly this week. Again.
See also:
Cows donât have fingers and canât insult Devin Nunes on Twitter, court filing says Sacramento Bee
South SJ Valley:
Receipts reveal Kern County Fair officials spent thousands at Las Vegas restaurants
abc23
Receipts have revealed new information about the state audit released in August that alleged the gross mismanagement of funds by an unnamed county fair organization.
Phil Wyman, former legislator known for conservative positions, dies at 74
Bakersfield Californian
Former state legislator Phil Wyman, frequent political candidate and relentless conservative died Friday at age 74. The longtime Tehachapi resident spent 18 years in the legislature
Chandler named publisher of The Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield Californian
Cliff Chandler has been named publisher of The Bakersfield Californian, effective Sunday. Chandler was promoted from the position of general manager, a role he had held since the July 1 purchase of The Californian by Sound News Media.
How Racism Ripples Through Rural Californiaâs Pipes
New York Times
In the 20th century, Californiaâs black farmworkers settled in waterless colonies. The history endures underground, through old pipes, dry wells and shoddy septic tanks.
State:
California DMV wants $2.2 million to register voters ahead of 2020 election
Sacramento Bee
Californiaâs Department of Motor Vehicles is asking lawmakers for a budget boost of $2.2 million to help it register voters ahead of the stateâs March 3, 2020 primary.
See also:
Wait times are dropping at the California DMV. How you can avoid getting stuck in line Sacramento Bee
The number of people fleeing California is growing. Is the Golden State too expensive?
Sacramento Bee
About 691,000 people left California to live in other states in 2018, new census estimates indicate. At the same time, roughly 501,000 people came to California from other states, creating a net loss of about 190,000 residents in 2018.
California is hardly âover.â But it does need to make two big changes
Los Angeles Times
Maybe itâs the fires, but the news seems filled with California apocalypse stories. One San Francisco based columnist recently wrote, âIâm starting to suspect weâre over.â
California Democratic leader says he will not seek re-election in 2020
Sacramento Bee
Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election next year in his Southern California district, saying he instead plans to spend more time with wife and young children.
Walters: The GOP's decline and fall
CalMatters
The very rapid decline of Californiaâs Republican Party â from near-dominance in the 1980s and early 1990s to its current irrelevance â has been one of the stateâs most dramatic political events.
Federal:
Trump dispenses billions of dollars in aid to farmers, hoping to shore up rural base
Los Angeles Times
Moving to offset the impact his trade war has had on rural America, President Trump has bypassed Congress to send some $20 billion in aid to farmers, mostly going to a bundle of states that are essential to his reelection chances next year.
See also:
Richard Spencer: I was fired as Navy secretary. Hereâs what Iâve learned because of it.
Washington Post
It is highly irregular for a secretary to become deeply involved in most personnel matters. Normally, military justice works best when senior leadership stays far away. A system that prevents command influence is what separates our armed forces from others.Â
Religious Freedom Commission: Proposed Changes Divide Lawmakers and Bureaucrats
National Review
In September of this year, the Senate put forward a bill that would change the mission of the USCIRF to include opposition to the âabuse of religion to justify human rights violations,â and would adjust the roles of USCIRFâs nine commissioners.
State lawmakers acknowledge lobbyists helped craft their op-eds attacking Medicare-for-all
Washington Post
Lobbyists either helped draft or made extensive revisions to opinion columns published by three state lawmakers in a way that warned against the dangers of Medicare-for-all and other government involvement in health care.
Elections 2020:
âI know Joeâs heartâ: Why black voters are backing Joe Biden
Fresno Bee
After Kamala Harris challenged Joe Bidenâs past opposition to school busing in a Democratic presidential debate, the former vice president who prides himself on strong relationships in the black community was in an unfamiliar place, playing defense on race.
See also:
On âNo Malarkeyâ Tour, Joe Biden Appeals to Rural Iowans Wall Street Journal
Sanders: Scripture calls for renewed focus on justice in US
Fresno Bee
As he vies for the chance to replace President Donald Trump, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he is running a campaign that, like Scripture, calls for a renewed focus on justice in the way all people should be treated.
Harris faces uphill climb amid questions about who she is
Washington Post
It was typical of Harris and her campaign, which has often displayed a desire to be everything to everyone that has instead left voters with questions about who she is, what she believes and what her priorities and convictions would be as president.
See also:
How Kamala Harrisâs Campaign Unraveled New York Times
Michael Bloombergâs chances to become president seem slim. But never say never
Los Angeles Times
Michael R. Bloomberg canât possibly win the Democratic nomination for president, right? Thatâs the conventional wisdom. And it makes sense. But political wisdom has become pretty shaky in recent years.
See also:
California looks at billionaire Michael Bloomberg with skepticism and indifference Los Angeles Times
Tom Steyer to Michael Bloomberg: Back a wealth tax or drop out of 2020 presidential race USA Today
Can Michael Bloomberg convince California voters he should be president? Los Angeles Times
Bloomberg Joins Eclectic List of Self-Funding Presidential Candidates Wall Street Journal
Andrew Yang seems invisible to the mainstream media â just like most Asian Americans
Los Angeles Times
Asian Americans are often invisible in American culture, and judging by the experience of presidential candidate Andrew Yang, even more so in politics.
New Hampshire voters to Steyer: Make it stop!
Politico
The billionaire candidate is flooding New Hampshire with online ads. One reporter sat through 17 of them in an hour of YouTube viewing. Even some of Steyerâs local staff privately acknowledge the volume of ads has gone overboard.
O.K., Mayor: Why 37-Year-Old Pete Buttigieg Is Attracting Boomers
New York Times
Calling himself the âretirement guyâ and pitching a âGray New Deal,â Mr. Buttigieg has crafted a message that resonates among older white Americans, helping him rocket past other candidates in some polls.
See also:
Buttigieg has a serious Latino problem, too Politico
Mayor Peteâs Senior Vote Plan Wall Street Journal
Washington Post
Warren had pleased many on the left with proposals to take on entrenched corporate and political power. But she was being warned that support for Medicare-for-all could cost her support among Democrats looking for the strongest candidate to take on President Trump.
See also:
Warren Has the Remedy for Health Costs Wall Street Journal
Joe Sestak Ends Democratic Presidential Bid
Wall Street Journal
Former Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania said Sunday he is ending his 2020 presidential campaign after failing to build support in the crowded Democratic field. Mr. Sestak, age 67, failed to qualify for any presidential debates.
Montana Gov. Bullock Ends Democratic Presidential Campaign
Wall Street Journal
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who campaigned for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination by emphasizing his record of winning in a conservative state, said Monday he was dropping out of the race.
See also:
Whoâs In and Whoâs Out of the 2020 Presidential Race Wall Street Journal
Trump has turned the suburbs into a GOP disaster zone. Does that doom his reelection?
Los Angeles Times
For decades, there was an unvaried rhythm to life in Americaâs suburbs: Carpool in the morning, watch sports on weekends, barbecue in the summer, vote Republican in November. Then came President Trump.
See also:
To defeat Trump, Dems rethink the Obama coalition formula Politico
Politiciansâ Abuse of Language Is a Trend, Not a âNarrativeâ Wall Street Journal
Pro-Trump Ads Wonât Bother Sanitizing Image
Wall Street Journal
âWeâre not going to try to rehab the presidentâs image.â Instead, future ads will portray Trump as a fighter who is trying to get things done despite Washington obstinance.
See also:
Trump campaign, Republicans blast Google for political advertising changes Politico
Whoâs Afraid of Political Ads? Wall Street Journal
Donât Buy the Outrage Over Digital Ads Wall Street Journal
How old is too old to be president? We are entering uncharted waters
Los Angeles Times
In the entire history of the United States, we have had only two presidents who finished their terms in office after the age of 70. In 2020, however, we could well have an election in which both of the major party candidates are septuagenarians.
What Happens When You Hold an Election and Nobody Runs? Confusion Wins
Los Angeles Times
Although the Democratic field for president is so crowded it is difficult to fit all the candidates onto a debate stage, small municipalities are having trouble persuading anyone at all to run for some positions.Â
Other:
Is it still worth getting to know your neighbors?
Visalia Times Delta
Polls show that most of us Californians love our neighborhoods, but we are less sure about our neighbors. Californians are less likely than other Americans to work with our neighbors to improve the community.
Maderaâs cemetery district honored
Madera Tribune
Madera cemeteries are being honored as runner-up to a very prestigious award. Madera Cemetery District has been named runner-up in the 2019 American Cemetery Excellence Award.
âNothing on this page is realâ: How lies become truth in online America
Washington Post
A new message popped onto Blairâs screen from a friend who helped with his website. âWhat viral insanity should we spread this morning?â the friend asked. âThe more extreme we become, the more people believe it,â Blair replied.
See also:
How to Call B.S. on Big Data: A Practical Guide
The New Yorker
To paraphrase the philosopher Harry Frankfurt, the liar knows the truth and leads others away from it; the bullshitter either doesnât know the truth or doesnât care about it, and is most interested in showing off his or her advantages.
See also:
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Valley citrus growers welcome rain despite inconvenience
abc30
Recent rains created some sloppy conditions in Valley citrus groves, putting any picking operations on hold for now. But it's a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits growers see with the current weather conditions.
Dairy Council of California welcomes four new board members
Hanford Sentinel
Dairy Council of California, a quasi-state government nutrition education organization committed to elevating the health of children and families, welcomed four new members to its board of directors on November 1, 2019.
Trump dispenses billions of dollars in aid to farmers, hoping to shore up rural base
Los Angeles Times
Moving to offset the impact his trade war has had on rural America, President Trump has bypassed Congress to send some $20 billion in aid to farmers, mostly going to a bundle of states that are essential to his reelection chances next year.
See also:
California agriculture in 2050 â where we are headed and why
Turlock Journal
At its monthly meeting on Nov. 5, the California State Board of Food and Agriculture heard a cautiously optimistic appraisal of agricultureâs future through 2050 from economist Daniel Sumner, director of the Agricultural Issues Center at UC Davis.
Farmers Rushed Into Hemp. Now They Face a Glut.
Wall Street Journal
A rush of farmers seeking to grow hemp, which became legal to cultivate in the U.S. last year, is creating a glut, damping prices and leaving some farmers struggling to unload their product.
CRIMINAL JUSTICEâ â/â âFIREâ â/â âPUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Are sex traffickers marking targets with zip ties on cars? Hereâs what police say
Fresno Bee
From the Montauk Monster to fairy sightings in England, outlandish internet hoaxes have been quickly and easily debunked. Itâs the more realistic fakes that are harder to spot.Â
Supervisors to Hold Special Meeting Monday to Choose Inmate Health Care Provider
Sierra News
The Madera County Board of Supervisors will hold a rare special meeting on Monday to choose a health care services provider for adult and juvenile inmates in county correctional facilities.
Their kids died on the psych ward. They were far from alone, a Times investigation foundÂ
Los Angeles Times
A Times review identified nearly 100 preventable deaths over the last decade at California psychiatric facilities.
See also:
How to reduce suicides on the psychiatric ward Los Angeles Times
This government price-fixing case makes the tuna industry sound like the mafia
Los Angeles Times
The three brands involved are household names: Bumble Bee, StarKist and Chicken of the Sea. The first two have pleaded guilty to criminal price-fixing, agreeing to fines of $25 million and $100 million, respectively. Chicken of the Sea has been awarded amnesty for blowing the whistle on the two others.
With state executions on hold, death penalty foes rethink ballot strategy
San Francisco Chronicle
California advocates of abolishing the death penalty got a jolt of momentum in March, when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he would not allow any executions to take place while he was in office.
New 2020 law #3: California limits when police can use deadly force
CalMatters
Starting Jan. 1, police can legally use deadly force only when ânecessary in defense of human life.â Thatâs a higher standard than prosecutors apply now, when officers are permitted to use such force when it is âreasonable.âÂ
See also:
How new laws offer a real chance at reducing fatal officer-involved shootings Modesto Bee
How California got tough on guns CalMatters
EDITORIAL: David Weidert buried a disabled man alive. Now Gov. Newsom must keep him in prison
Fresno Bee
There is justification for the recent trend in criminal justice of lowering penalties for low-level crimes and reviewing long sentences on people who might have been wrongly convicted. However, convicted murderer David Weidert does not evoke any sympathy.
EDITORIAL: Newsom must start planning to close a California prison now
San Francisco Chronicle
Though some aspects of the stateâs nearly decade-long effort to reform sentencing and reduce severe overcrowding in its prison system have been controversial, they have also proved to be a model for other states seeking to reduce the financial and social toll of incarceration. So Gov. Gavin Newsomâs idea to close one of the stateâs prisons is an intriguing next step.
Public Safety:
Festival of Trees fundraiser helps victims of human trafficking
abc30
The Festival of Trees at River Park is a raffle fundraiser to win a fully decorated tree. All proceeds benefit Made for Them, an organization combating human trafficking in the Valley. The goal is to build a new facility in downtown Fresno to help survivors of trafficking, including children.
CHP serving up safety for the holidays
Madera Tribune
As millions of motorists head out for the Thanksgiving holiday, the California Highway Patrol is prepared for one of the busiest travel weekends in America. Unfortunately, in the past, Thanksgiving has also been one of the deadlier holidays on our roadways.
Stanislaus County canât agree to contract with 911 dispatchers. Sides await mediation
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County declared an impasse in negotiations with emergency dispatchers at the Stanislaus Regional 911 center. The dispatchers who handle 911 calls have been working without a contract for five years.
A thief evaded police. So a wealthy Sacramento-area community installed license plate readers
Sacramento Bee
Cities and communities in suburban California install license plate readers to help police catch burglars, car thieves and other criminals. The ACLU raises privacy concerns about surveillance.
Taft Correctional Institution to remain open at least through March 31
Taft Midway Driller
Taft Correctional Institution got a new lease on life, at least temporarily. The United States Department of Justice announced Friday that the federal prison that employs nearly 350 people will stay open through at least March 31, 2020.
Controversy follows Arvin Police Chief
Bakersfield Califorinian
Arvin police chief Scot Kimble appears to have had his share of controversy during his career. Kimble became Arvin's top cop in April and before that he was police chief in McFarland.
EDITORIAL: How new laws offer a real chance at reducing fatal officer-involved shootings
Modesto Bee
The seeming recent trend of lawsuit settlements involving officers who killed local people probably is more coincidence than anything else. All are reminders that each life taken is a tragedy, regardless of whether victimsâ actions contributed to their demise or they were entirely innocent.
Fire:Â
PG&E says blackouts limited fires despite 1 likely failure
Fresno Bee
The nationâs largest utility said Friday that its distribution lines havenât sparked any major wildfires since it began shutting off power to Northern California customers during periods of high fire risk.
See also:
Power shutoffs kept downed trees and limbs from creating fire risk 190 times, PG&E says Sacramento Bee
'We Need The Food That We Lost'; Low-Income Families Still Reeling From Blackouts Capital Public Radio
Judge Rejects PG&E Challenge To California Law Requiring Utilities To Pay For Wildfire Damage
Capital Public Radio
A federal bankruptcy court judge on Wednesday rejected Pacific Gas & Electric's latest attempt to change a California law requiring utilities to pay for the devastation from wildfires ignited by their electrical equipment.
See also:
EDITORIAL: The clock is ticking on Californiaâs next fire season. We need to get ready
Los Angeles Times
Dangerous, destructive, seemingly apocalyptic wildfires have always been an element of life in California. Like earthquakes, theyâre part of the deal people make to live in a state that also offers a culture of reinvention, extraordinary natural beauty and fabulous weather.Â
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Fresno business owners discuss importance of shopping localÂ
abc30
According to American Express, Small Business Saturday spending nation has reached an estimated $103 billion since it began back in 2010, and every time you buy local on this day around 67 cents stays in the community.
See also:
Downtown Visalia celebrates Small Business Saturday Visalia Times Delta
Merry Clickmas! Black Friday online sales hit record $7.4B
abc30
Much of the shopping is happening on people's phones, which accounted for 39% of all online sales Friday and 61% of online traffic.
See also:
Winter storms couldnât stop Black Friday shoppers Visalia Times Delta
Black Friday shoppers experience less madness than previous years, but still compete for items Bakersfield Califorinian
Online sales break Black Friday record as shoppers go for clicks instead of queues Los Angeles Times
What should Californiaâs economic and job priorities be in 2020? Inequality, homelessness and more
Sacramento Bee
California Influencers this week answered the following question: What should the most important priority in the area of economic policy and job creation be for Governor Newsom and the State Legislature in 2020? Below are the Influencersâ answers in their entirety.
America's income inequality gap is growing
Changing America
The gap between rich and poor in the United States is the largest itâs been since the Census Bureau started monitoring income inequality more than 50 years ago. Yet, the nationâs poverty and unemployment rates are at all-time lows.
See also:
Elon Musk and the Dying Art of the Big Bet
Wall Street Journal
In the age of Big Data, Teslaâs stated approach to market researchâignoring it altogetherâseems especially reckless.Â
Jobs:
Low unemployment numbers hide income inequality, other economic issues in California
Fresno Bee
California has now experienced almost 10 years of uninterrupted economic growth. But as the state braces itself for the inevitable downturn, the storm clouds on the horizon are becoming more menacing.
Gig economy companies made workers arbitrate disputes. Then didnât pay fees to start cases.
San Francisco Chronicle
In his San Francisco courtroom, U.S. District Judge William Alsup has berated lawyers for Google, Oracle, Uber and PG&E. Last week, an attorney for DoorDash found himself the target. The issue was the way the meal-delivery startup pushed its couriers into arbitration.
Job Quality Index indicates American jobs are getting worse
CBS News
Although the U.S. is on a record streak for job-creation, many Americans still feel like they can't get ahead â it's not their imagination. The last three decades have seen the economy churn out more and more jobs that offer inadequate pay, a group of researchers found.
See also:
As Trump Courts Unions, His Apprentice Plan Risks Alienating Them
Wall Street Journal
President Trumpâs plan to expand apprenticeships into more vocations risks creating a rift with construction workers he is courting for support in next yearâs election.
At The Mercy Of An App: Workers Feel The Instacart Squeeze
NPR
Quickly, they find themselves at the mercy of an algorithm â ever-changing pay structures, no assurance of a minimum wage, the smallest tweak of the app capable of upending their livelihoods.
EDUCATION
K-12:
How SCOE, Stanislaus Community Foundation are teaming to make young kids âReady!â
Modesto Bee
The preschoolers were unaware of the attention focused on them and their future careers by team members of StanReady!, a program designed to ensure that every Stanislaus County child is just that â ready, when itâs time to start kindergarten.
Walters: Will schools get more state aid?
CalMatters
To the denizens of the state Capitol, the onset of the holiday season also marks the beginning of the state budget cycle.
Higher Ed:
Survivor stories to be shared at Stanislaus State program keep a light on Holocaust
Modesto Bee
Eva Kor had been lined up to speak at the first Holocaust remembrance event at California State University, Stanislaus, called We Can All Create Light. The event, Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8, in the Turlock universityâs Main Stage Theatre, will include a tribute to her.
After 23 years, Ag Science Center joins up with Stan State
Modesto Bee
The National Ag Science Center, best known for a lab that travels to Modesto-area junior high schools, has come under the wing of California State University, Stanislaus.
Dean Robert Harper from Craig School to retire
Fresno State News
After a long and rewarding career in higher education, Robert M. Harper, dean of the Craig School of Business, will be retiring on Dec. 31.
California higher education hangs in the balance as UC, Cal State search for new leaders
Los Angeles Times
In a rare confluence that will shape the future of California higher education, the stateâs two top university jobs are open, high-profile vacancies that position its leaders as national pacesetters because of the size and status of the two systems.
See also:
Open Forum on search for new CSU Chancellor on Thursday Fresno State News
UC outsources thousands of jobs to private contractors. Is that a good idea?
Los Angeles Times
The University of California is at war with its largest union, the 26,000-member Local 3299 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Just how selective have UC schools become? Top students feel the pressure
San Francisco Chronicle
Tens of thousands of students applied to the University of California in November for admission in the fall. In-state students who once would have been shoo-ins are coming up with backup plans.
Bakersfield Californian
This was the Ethics Bowl, a debate of sorts pitting a team of incarcerated men against a small group of philosophy students from CSU Bakersfield.
Med school free rides and loan repayments â California tries to boost its dwindling doctor supply
CalMatters
Students are being lured by full-ride scholarships to medical schools. New grads are specifically recruited for training residencies. And full-fledged doctors are being offered loan repayment programs to serve low-income residents or work in underserved areas.
Podcast: How universities can help tackle global challenges
Brookings
The world faces a range of challenges, including increasing numbers of refugees, income inequality, loss of fertile land leading to rising hunger, and climate change. Governments and global institutions are addressing these problems using a variety of tools.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Toxic fog may be poisoning some of Californiaâs mountain lions, study says
Fresno Bee
Mountain lions dwelling in the Santa Cruz Mountains along the California coastline have three times as much mercury in their system as those in other parts of the state, a UC Santa Cruz study shows.
UN chief warns of âpoint of no returnâ on climate change
Fresno Bee
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday that the worldâs efforts to stop climate change have been âutterly inadequate" so far and there is a danger global warming could pass the âpoint of no return.â
See also:
Podcast: The 'tipping pointsâ that make climate change irreversible BBC Sounds
The five corrupt pillars of climate change denial The Conversation
Listen to The Politics of Climate Change Apple PodcastsÂ
U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy Pew Research
Margaret Mangan wants Californians to know â and love â their backyard volcanoes
Los Angeles Times
California is famous for its catastrophic earthquakes and wildfires, but they are not our only natural hazards. As head of CalVO, Mangan has drawn attention to the stateâs more overlooked threats: a dozen restive volcanoes.
California banned plastic bags. So why do stores keep using them?
San Francisco Chronicle
Three years ago, California voters upheld a state law prohibiting single-use plastic grocery bags. Environmentalists declared victory. Business groups cried government overreach.
The Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Climate Change: Worker Power
The Nation
We have a powerful enemy in the form of fossil capital. To defeat it, we need a powerful low-carbon labor movement.
California banned plastic bags. So why do stores keep using them?
Sam Francisco Chronicle
Three years ago, California voters upheld a state law prohibiting single-use plastic grocery bags. But for all the furor, shopping bags made from plastic film remain commonplace in checkout lines across the state.Â
Energy:
Fresno, Madera, Kern Residents Likely To See Fewer Burn Days This Winter
VPR
Tuesday nightâs storm may have cleaned up the air for much of the Valley and foothills, but winter is still the season the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District limits wood burning.
Republican Fervor Ebbs for Offshore Drilling
Wall Street Journal
Mr. Trump campaigned on a promise to boost domestic energy production. Instead, Republican leaders up and down the Southeastern seaboard have pledged to put the beauty of the coastal waters above the U.S. thirst for oil, posing a formidable obstacle to any expansion of offshore drilling.
Millennial and Gen Z Republicans stand out from their elders on climate and energy issues
Pew Research
There are significant divides between younger Republicans â Millennial and Gen Z adults, currently ages 18 to 38 â and their elders in the GOP on a range of environmental and energy issues.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Is poverty a matter of life or death? Hereâs where Fresno life expectancy is shorter
Fresno Bee
Neighborhoods with higher poverty rates face many challenges, including lower educational attainment, greater reliance on public assistance, and higher rates of people who are uninsured.
Birthrates in the U.S. are falling. Abortions have also hit an all-time low.
Washington Post
Rates of births and abortions in the United States again declined in the most recent years for which data is available, as women experience fewer pregnancies, according to analyses released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Human Services:
How text messages from Kaiser put 11,000-plus Californians on road to food, better health
Sacramento Bee
In the last three months, the health care team at Kaiser Permanente used text messaging to sign up more than 11,000 of its neediest California members for a government program that will give them up to $200 a month for groceries.
Dignity Health Sports Complex hopes to provide unique space for Bakersfield youth
Bakersfield Califorinian
Bakersfield youth will soon have a space all their own for a whole host of sports, even the electronic kind. Work on the Dignity Health Sports Complex is nearly done, and the facility plans to open its doors to the public next week.
'Itâs like a nightmare you never wake up from.' Parents wait years for subsidized daycare
CalMatters
Some parents have become so discouraged that they've taken to calling the long paper line for California's daycare subsidy the âno hope list.â Just one out of every nine eligible children are enrolled in full-time subsidized care programs.
A Prescription of Poetry to Help Patients Speak Their Minds
Wall Street Journal
Doctors at several major hospitals are experimenting with poems as a source of psychological relief and connection.
IMMIGRATION
Cost Of Citizenship Would Rise 60% Under Trump Plan
Capital Public Radio
Low-income immigrants would be affected the most, since they already have trouble paying the naturalization fee. âEvery penny counts for these families," one advocate said.
As Supreme Court decision looms, undocumented Asians say they must speak up or risk losing DACA
Los Angeles Times
Experts say Asian and Pacific Islander recipients of DACA are often overlooked despite there being over 1.7 million undocumented members of this group in the country.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Housing versus agriculture: The battle for California's land
abc10
California loses square mile of farmland every five days, according to the stateâs Department of Conservation. And 70 percent of that loss is prime farmland, areas with rich soils and water access.
Clovis Planning Commission Approves Indoor Playground, 24-hour Permit for Crunch Fitness
Clovis Roundup
During the meeting a request was made to approve 24-hour operations at the new gym, Crunch Fitness on Shaw and Peach. The hours of operation are currently 5 a.m. to midnight. The request was granted and will move forward to the City Council meeting.
Sierra National Forest to Hold Public Meeting on Special Use Permits for Summer
Sierra News
The Sierra National Forest (SNF) will be holding a public meeting regarding Special Use Permits (SUP.) The intent of this meeting is to reach out to any person(s) or entities that organize and/or hold recreational events in the SNF.
Park group submits ballot initiative
Hanford Sentinel
Once again, citizens are fighting to keep the vacant, city-owned, 18-acre parcel west of Hidden Valley Park as public facilities.
If wish list comes true, Hart Park visitor center poised to become park jewel
Bakersfield Califorinian
It's been a year of change and improvement at Hart Park. Now the race is on to establish an official visitor center alongside the Kern River in this picturesque county location.Â
Housing:
Visalia Times Delta
Thanksgiving is a time to remember the less fortunate, donate food and host community turkey dinners. But when it comes to coping with unsheltered homeless people, some cities are running low on patience.
Can money, new dwellings stem homelessness?
Madera Tribune
Californians are about to find out whether money and new apartment-style dwellings can do much about the stateâs expanding and seemingly intransigent problem with homelessness.
Modesto police have plan to combat illegal camping when outdoor shelter closes
Modesto Bee
Modesto police have started rolling out a plan to handle the potential increase in illegal camping â including in parks and downtown â and other violations of city ordinances in response to the impending closure of the Modesto Outdoor Emergency Shelter.
Council approves housing complex
Porterville Recorder
A second complex sporting the Palm Terrace name will be making its way into the City of Lindsay, as the site plan for the housing development was approved by the Lindsay City Council at their regular meeting Tuesday evening.
A possible homelessness ballot measure in 2020
Los Angeles Times
Californians might be asked to vote on another homelessness ballot measure next year under a new proposal being considered by Gov. Gavin Newsomâs top homelessness advisers.
Opinion: Donât Blame Tech Bros for the Housing Crisis
New York Times
The spiraling housing costs in West Coast tech hubs are the result of 40 years of tax and land use policy â a period that mirrored the explosive growth of the tax-averse tech industry.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Gavin Newsomâs climate order focuses on pensions and roads. What does it mean for taxpayers?
Sacramento Bee
Newsomâs order directs the stateâs Transportation Agency, pension funds and the department that manages government contracts to reconsider how they spend the publicâs money with an eye toward investing in projects that could help Californians prepare for climate change.Â
Late raises for California state workers wonât arrive by Christmas
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Oct. 13 approving union contracts with general salary increases and a collection of special pay bumps. Raises for about 19,000 workers represented by four unions were set to go into effect as soon as the state could process them.
The Tax Code Canât Handle Negative Rates
Wall Street Journal
While recent comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicate that the Fed hopes to avoid resorting to negative interest rates during the next recession, without them the central bankâs ability to stimulate growth may be limited.Â
TRANSPORTATION
Fresno Bee
âLetâs get this 171-mile project done,â Gov. Gavin Newsom declared. At a recent economic summit in Fresno designed to further his Regions Rise Initiative, the Governor reiterated his commitment to delivering the nationâs first truly high-speed rail system in America.
See also:
High-Speed Rail raises concerns over Kern County's homeless shelter Bakersfield Califorinian
Wet roadways cause spinouts, traffic collisions on Valley highways
abc30
First responders have had a busy morning as steady rainfall caused several incidents on highways across the Valley.
See also:
I-5 at Grapevine remains open, Wind Warning in effect abc30
CHP, Caltrans warn drivers of black ice while driving up mountains abc30
Slick Area Roads Causing Hazardous Travel Conditions Sierra News
Competition greets bus operators between Bakersfield and Los Angeles
Bakersfield Californian
Greyhound Lines still makes the trip, of course, but now it has competition â from four different services if you count Kern County's 7-month-old commuter route to the Metrolink station in Santa Clarita.
California Asks For Clarity In Clean Car Rollbacks. EPAâs Answer Might Affect Your Commute.
Capital Public Radio
The rule stripping California of its power to police climate-warming car pollution is supposed to take effect Nov. 26. Still unknown is whether this affects 2021 vehicles or earlier editions â and what it means for California's commuters.
California electric vehicle sales are up. But will we reach the 5 million goal by 2030?
Los Angeles Times
While overall sales for new cars in California dipped in the third quarter, the combined market share for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the Golden State has continued to grow.
WATER
Locals gear up for fight to keep Kings River water away from Kern district
Fresno Bee
Just as they did more than two generations ago, Kern County farmers are looking to another Central Valley river to the north to refill their groundwater shortfall. But this time around, natives in the Kings River watershed are âsharpening their knivesâ to fight off what they say is a desperate water grab.
More rain on the way in the Valley and snow in the mountains. What you need to know
Fresno Bee
More wet weather heads to the Valley this week as one storm ends Monday and another lands Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
See also:
What caused record-breaking âbomb cycloneâ storm to explode in California? Fresno Bee
Winter storm warning continues as heavy snow and rainstorms pummel Northern California Fresno Bee
Second storm, dubbed an âatmospheric river,â poised to strike Modesto and the region Modesto Bee
Flood watch in effect for southern Sierra Nevada mountains, foothills Visalia Times Delta
California Drenched Or Covered In Snow After Holiday Storm, With More On The Way Capital Public Radio
Water in the bank: Coalition of agencies develops âhistoricâ sustainable groundwater plan
Stockton Record
Thereâs progress to report in the momentous task of ensuring that San Joaquin County and surrounding communities have enough water to meet anticipated needs for the next 20 years.
White House, CDC in dispute over crucial study on toxic chemicals, sources say
Stockton Record
A multimillion-dollar federal study on toxic chemicals in drinking water across the country is facing delays due to a dispute within the Trump administration, according to several sources involved in the study or who have knowledge of the process.
âXtraâ
Fresno State Symphony Orchestra presents their âWinter Celebrationâ concert
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State
The Winter Celebration concert is at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 in the Fresno State Concert Hall. Tickets for this family-friendly event are $15 general, $10 for seniors and employees and $5 for students. Parking is free after 4 p.m. in Lot P1 or P31.
People want to save first tree of Christmas Tree Lane. âItâs part of our historyâ
Fresno Bee
This is the deodar cedar that turned a stretch of Van Ness Boulevard into beloved Christmas Tree Lane with its decoration a century ago. The tree is over 100 years old now, with many lopped limbs and a thin, scraggly canopy.
Historical Perspective: Enduring magic of Storyland came to life in 1962
Fresno Bee
Another in John Walkerâs occasional Historical Perspective series looks at Storyland in Fresno CA. A major fundraising effort helped bring it to life in 1962. After falling into disrepair, it reopened in 2014.
Downtown Visalia ready for Candy Cane Lane Parade
Visalia Times Delta
For many Visalians, the holiday season officially kicks off with Candy Cane Lane parade downtown. Those in the holiday spirit are set to march 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, along with a 1.5-mile stretch west down Main Street.
See also:
Hanford gets jolly at Christmas Parade Hanford Sentinel
Local organizations to raise money, awareness on Giving Tuesday
Bakersfield Califorinian
The season of giving is just getting started and several local organizations are taking part in the global generosity movement known as Giving Tuesday.
EDITORIAL: Focus on whatâs important this holiday season
Stockton Record
This may be the season of giving and thankfulness. Itâs also the season, especially this year, of rushing and panicking. It will feel, no doubt it already feels, like the tasks that must be done exceed the time available to get them done.