POLICY & POLITICS
Trump jump-starts repairs for sinking California canal. But who will pay?
Sacramento Bee
The Trump administration is jump-starting a plan to repair a badly sinking canal in the San Joaquin Valley, a year after California voters rejected a bond measure that would have had them pay for the project.
North SJ Valley:
A $90 million fine for an illegal marijuana grow? It’s coming to Stanislaus County
Modesto Bee
The criminal penalties under the state’s more lenient cannabis laws today are not deterring the illegal operations, officials say. The county is now adding a stick to its enforcement campaign in the form of administrative penalties — potentially huge penalties — against illegal growers.
Central SJ Valley:
Impeachment report shows Devin Nunes’ calls with Trump allies Giuliani, Lev Parnas
Fresno Bee
House Democrats on Tuesday published phone records showing Rep. Devin Nunes communicated earlier this year with key players in the events that led to impeachment hearings against President Donald Trump, including calls with Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani’s now-indicted business associate Lev Parnas.
See also:
● Report shows contact between Devin Nunes, Rudy Giuliani abc30
● Anti-Nunes billboard unlikely to hurt Congressman Visalia Times Delta
● Impeachment report details Nunes’ White House contacts Visalia Times Delta
● Call records show Devin Nunes in contact with indicted Giuliani associate Axios
● Nunes’ role exposed and 8 more takeaways from the Intel report Politico
● Report Reveals Call Records Between Giuliani, White House and Nunes Wall Street Journal
● Nunes, top intelligence panel Republican, had frequent contact with Giuliani, call records show Reuters
● House GOP leader defends Nunes: He 'has a right to talk to anybody' The Hill
● Devin Nunes Busted by House Intelligence Phone Records Intelligencer
● Democrats obtained phone records showing how Trump allies coordinated 'false narratives' CNN
● Rudy Giuliani Was in Frequent Contact With Rep. Nunes and White House, Records Show Time
Devin Nunes sues CNN for $435 million, alleging ‘false hit piece’
Washington Post
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) filed a lawsuit against CNN on Tuesday, seeking $435,350,000 in damages and claiming that the outlet defamed him last month when it published a “demonstrably false hit piece.”
See also:
● It’s Devin Nunes v. World when it comes to lawsuits Roll Call
Anti-Nunes ad turns heads on Highway 198: 'Fake Farmer, Real Manure'
Visalia Times Delta
A billboard on Highway 198 is turning heads as thousands of motorists zoom into Rep. Devin Nunes' district, CA-22, from Hanford into Visalia. The Highway 198 ad says it's paid for by Mad Dog PAC.
Tulare to hold public hearing on recreational weed ordinance
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare is just a couple steps away from greenlighting recreational marijuana sales in the city. Tulare City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance at its 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
Rep. TJ Cox says it's time for feds to 'step up' to drinking water crisis, announces $100M bill
Visalia Times Delta
Rep. TJ Cox unveiled a $100 million "slice of justice" for families in the San Joaquin Valley — and across the nation — suffering contaminated drinking water and crumbling infrastructure.
See also:
● Rep. TJ Cox introduces clean drinking water bill Hanford Sentinel
South SJ Valley:
KGET
Emilio Huerta, a local attorney and son of activist Dolores Huerta, pulled papers to run for the 4th District Supervisor Tuesday. The 4th district, which includes parts Bakersfield, Arvin, and Delano, is currently held by incumbent Supervisor David Couch.
Price: New city manager's chief qualification must be vision
Bakersfield Californian
There's almost a sense of mission accomplished surrounding Alan Tandy’s departure as city manager in January. But the new chief executive, whoever he or she may be, will face a list of challenges like nothing Tandy had to deal with at the outset.
High-speed rail raises concerns over Kern County's homeless shelter
Bakersfield Californian
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has raised concern over Kern County’s plans to build an emergency homeless shelter near downtown Bakersfield.
State:
To prevent economic downturn, CA should focus on housing, jobs
Sacramento 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.
State’s Progress on 5 Million Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by 2030: Q3 2019 Results
California Center for Jobs & the Economy
The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association indicates that sales are still projected to be just over 1.9 million units for the year, slipping below sales in the prior four years but still well above historical levels.
California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data
Capital Public Radio
The Senate and Assembly have released data on sexual harassment allegations for 2018 in response to a CapRadio public records request. But they’re declining to share the same data since the Legislature’s new investigative unit launched in February.
Walters: Court must fix tax vote ambiguity
CalMatters
Sooner or later, the state Supreme Court must clear up a legal ambiguity it created over how many votes are needed to enact local tax increases.
Opinion: Did Lorena Gonzalez Vote Against Farm Workers?
Fox & Hounds
Last month, Pick Justice Action launched a six-figure ad buy targeting Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez across TV, radio, print and digital advertising, to highlight what they deem as her anti-farm worker record.
Federal:
California voters strongly support impeaching Trump, poll shows
Los Angeles Times
As House Democrats move forward in their effort to remove President Trump from office, a new poll finds California voters deeply split along party lines, with a majority supporting impeachment.
See also:
● As impeachment drama unfolds, here are 3 House members to watch Fresno Bee
● Next phase will put Northern Californians front and center San Francisco Chronicle
● The Weaponization of Impeachment Atlantic
California race will be an early indicator of GOP’s chances to re-flip House
San Francisco Chronicle
A March 3 Southern California special election could give an early hint of Democrats chances to hold the House majority, especially since top GOP leaders believe they need to flip four or five Democratic seats to take back control of Congress.
See also:
● Flipping Orange County was key for Democrats. Now the trick is to keep it San Francisco Chronicle
Game on: What to make of Senate privacy bills and hearing
Brookings
Although separate Republican and Democratic bills are not the joint bipartisan proposal widely anticipated for several months, the bills and the hearing this week kick off the concrete discussion about privacy legislation that stakeholders have been waiting to join.
See also:
● How California is rewriting the law on online privacy OC Register
Elections 2020:
Kamala Harris exits 2020 presidential race, citing lack of cash
Fresno Bee
After launching her presidential campaign with a splash in Oakland, Calif., less than a year ago, California Sen. Kamala Harris made an equally stunning exit, telling supporters Tuesday that she did not have the resources to continue her 2020 bid.
See also:
● Kamala Harris’ 2020 exit sets off scramble for her big-money donors Fresno Bee
● Joe Biden says he has ‘mixed emotions’ after Kamala Harris leaves race Fresno Bee
● Trump campaign glimpses the unexpected from Kamala Harris’ downfall in 2020 race Fresno Bee
● Kamala Harris dropping out of presidential race abc30
● Kamala Harris exits 2020 race, further scrambling California primary Merced Sun-Star
● Kamala Harris is ending her bid for president Visalia Times Delta
● Kamala Harris' Presidential Bid Is Over, But California Political Observers Still See National Potential Capital Public Radio
● Kamala Harris quits presidential race — what it means for California CalMatters
● California Sen. Kamala Harris Is Dropping Out of Presidential Race Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Unable to hold on to the spotlight, Kamala Harris returns to her day job Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Kamala Harris Returns to the Senate Wall Street Journal
● Kamala Harris’s Long Road to an Early Exit Intelligencer
● Vice president, attorney general? Here’s what could be next for Kamala Harris Fresno Bee
● Harris suspends 2020 bid, marking a lackluster end to an initially soaring run Los Angeles Times
● California voters wanted Kamala Harris to drop out of presidential race, poll found Los Angeles Times
● Where Kamala Harris’ campaign went wrong San Francisco Chronicle
● Why Kamala Harris – and California – haven’t lived up to expectations in 2020 race Mercury News
● Why Kamala Dropped and What She Can Do Now Calbuzz
● Did We Ever Know the Real Kamala Harris? New York Times
● Kamala Harris’s criminal justice record killed her presidential run The Appeal
● Opinion: Kamala Harris had her issues, but seeing her drop out of the race is depressing Los Angeles Times
● The spectacular collapse of Kamala Harris Politico
● Kamala Harris lacked what was most important of all Washington Post
● Skelton: Kamala Harris should have never run for president Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Harris runs out of money, and out of moments San Francisco Chronicle
Democrats once hailed their diverse 2020 field. Now the top candidates are all white
Fresno Bee
Democrats lost arguably their most prominent presidential candidate of color Tuesday when Kamala Harris suddenly ended her campaign, leaving the party’s upper echelon of contenders — including all of those currently qualified for the next debate — entirely white.
See also:
● Democrats value diversity, but the presidential field is increasingly white Los Angeles Times
As Joe Biden woos Iowa voters, Pete Buttigieg seems increasingly to be in his way
Los Angeles Times
Among centrist voters inclined to like Biden, the 37-year-old Buttigieg is becoming plausible as an alternative, and he highlights what Biden is not: energetic, articulate and young.
See also:
● Joe Biden nabs endorsement from Sacramento-area congressman as 2020 primary approaches Sacramento Bee
● Biden steps up hits on Buttigieg, Warren over health care AP News
● Buttigieg, Sanders Aides Trade Barbs Over College Tuition Plans Wall Street Journal
● Biden and Buttigieg say you can keep your health-care plan. They’re lying — just like Obama. Washington Post
Tom Steyer qualifies for December debate
Politico
Tom Steyer's campaign says he has qualified for the December Democratic presidential primary debate, making the billionaire activist the sixth active candidate to do so.
Why Bloomberg’s Candidacy Is Terminal
Wall Street Journal
It isn’t that Mr. Bloomberg doesn’t have a solid record of accomplishments as a private citizen and elected official. Mr. Bloomberg’s problem is that these past accomplishments in business and politics are liabilities among today’s Democrats.
See also:
● Will Bloomberg Buy the Election? Wall Street Journal
Opinion: Warren Hates Market Concentration—or Does She?
Wall Street Journal
On the one hand, she campaigns as a relentless opponent of monopoly and a proponent of vigorous antitrust enforcement. On the other hand, she wants to erect an unshakable monopoly in one of the largest sectors of the economy: health care.
Mike Pence isn’t Donald Trump. And that’s exactly why he’s on the 2020 ticket.
Fresno Bee
Mike Pence does not have the star power of President Donald Trump and is not one to draw large crowds on the campaign trail. His political team has crafted a 2020 strategy that both plays to the vice president’s strengths and compensates for what doesn’t come naturally to Trump: shaking hands in local diners and ice cream parlors.
Why 2020 is poised to bust all turnout records
CNN
In poll after poll, large percentages of voters say they are either "extremely" or "very" interested in the presidential race -- numbers so high that they often match or exceed the amount of people who said the same immediately before past elections.
Other:
Why Giving Tuesday Raises An Uncomfortable Moral Dilemma
Capital Public Radio
Every time we divvy up our money among good causes, we're making a moral judgment about who is most deserving.
Google co-founders step aside as antitrust scrutiny heats up
Sacramento Bee
Google’s co-founders are relinquishing their executive positions just as state and federal regulators, not to mention the Department of Justice and Congress, are taking a keen interest in possible abuse of its privacy practices and market power.
See also:
● Tech workers are becoming activists. For ‘don’t be evil’ Google, it’s a struggle San Francisco Chronicle
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Tulare to hold public hearing on recreational weed ordinance
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare is just a couple steps away from greenlighting recreational marijuana sales in the city. Tulare City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance at its 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
Business Journal
Fowler Packing has been a big part of both successes, having grown, packed and shipped bags of tangerine-sized mandarins originally under the Cuties label and later with Wonderful under the Halos brand name. But that changed earlier this year when Fowler Packing broke ties with Wonderful, for undisclosed reasons.
Fresno State professors receive USDA grant to study problem weed
Fresno State News
Recently, Drs. Anil Shrestha and Katherine Waselkov received $189,106 of a $446,522 joint grant with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study Palmer amaranth — a problematic weed species.
Washington Post
The rule would tighten work requirements for able-bodied adults with no dependents, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a call with reporters. It arrives as part of a broader effort to limit access to the federal safety net.
See also:
● White House to Tighten Work Requirements for Food-Stamp Aid Wall Street Journal
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Murder charge in Fresno County chase case could break new ground in California law
abc30
The felony murder rule says you can be charged with murder if someone dies while you're committing a small number of violent felonies -- like rape, robbery, or arson -- not evading arrest.
See also:
● EDITORIAL: New laws offer a real chance at reducing fatal officer-involved shootings Modesto Bee
A $90 million fine for an illegal marijuana grow? It’s coming to Stanislaus County
Modesto Bee
The criminal penalties under the state’s more lenient cannabis laws today are not deterring the illegal operations, officials say. The county is now adding a stick to its enforcement campaign in the form of administrative penalties — potentially huge penalties — against illegal growers.
The Better Business Bureau: How To Protect Yourself From Online Scams
Capital Public Radio
Dozens of fake businesses are up and running right now, waiting to try to steal your money this holiday season. The Better Business Bureau explains what to watch out for when you’re out shopping for that perfect gift or making a charitable donation.
Car burglaries in some California cities are at crisis levels. Prosecutors say their hands are tied
Los Angeles Times
An epidemic of car burglaries in San Francisco over the last few years has led one Democratic lawmaker to propose plugging a loophole in state law that allows some break-ins to go unpunished, but the Legislature has balked at prosecutors’ requests to make obtaining convictions easier.
State sues Neptune Society, claims it shortchanged cremation customers
Business Journal
The state attorney general sued the Neptune Society on Monday, claiming the well-known company with a Fresno location pocketed $100 million that it should have kept in reserve for those who signed up for its prepaid cremation service plans.
Public Safety:
Rangers now armed with speed gun at Hart Park
Bakersfield Californian
Drivers through Hart Park beware. Kern County Park Rangers are now armed with a speed-detecting device and are focused on reducing the number of vehicles that drive through the park above the legal limit.
Background checks on gun purchases on pace to break record
Los Angeles Times
Background checks on gun purchases in the U.S. are climbing toward a record high this year, reflecting what the industry says is a rush by people to buy weapons in reaction to the Democratic presidential candidates’ calls for tighter restrictions.
See also:
● Gun background checks on the rise nationally Turlock Journal
Supreme Court Indicates Gun Case May Be Moot
NPR
For the first time in 10 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has heard a major gun-rights case. But the drumroll of anticipation seemed to fade, as the debate in the high court Monday focused almost exclusively on whether the case should be dismissed as moot.
Fire:
PG&E failed to inspect tower that sparked deadly Camp Fire, state investigators say
Sacramento Bee
Investigators at the California Public Utilities Commission have faulted PG&E Corp. for failing to inspect and maintain the transmission tower that’s been blamed for sparking the November 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in state history.
See also:
● PG&E inspections of equipment that sparked deadly Camp fire were flawed, state regulators say Los Angeles Times
● Camp Fire failure part of PG&E’s ‘pattern’ of poor maintenance San Francisco Chronicle
● State Probe Says PG&E Missed Deadly Flaw on Line That Sparked Camp Fire KQED
● Report Detailing PG&E’s Failures Raises New Hurdles for Utility New York Times
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
To prevent economic downturn, CA should focus on housing, jobs
Sacramento 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.
Free trade advocates sound the alarm, say US is ‘falling behind’
Sacramento Bee
America's place in global trade is imperiled thanks to protectionist politicians and the first step to fixing the problem is concluding a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada, a panel of experts.
Stocks Slide As Trump Says China Trade Deal Might Wait Until After 2020 Election
Capital Public Radio
"A China trade deal is dependent on one thing — do I want to make it," the president said, adding, "In some ways, I like the idea of waiting until after the election for the China deal."
See also:
● Opinion: President Trump’s Trade War Is Hurting Americans National Review
Jobs:
Tech workers are becoming activists. For ‘don’t be evil’ Google, it’s a struggle
San Francisco Chronicle
Four former Google employees said Tuesday they would file a federal labor complaint over their firing last week, as worker unrest about political issues boils over in Silicon Valley.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Gas leak from boiler prompts school evacuation in Parlier
Fresno Bee
Students and staff at S. Ben Benevidez Elementary School in Parlier were evacuated from the campus for about an hour as firefighters investigated a possible gas leak.
New $325 million FUSD bond to be on March ballot
abc30
The Fresno Unified School District will have a new bond measure on the March ballot and it comes with a price tag. 325 million, that's the number folks in the Fresno Unified District will see on the March ballot.
KCAO receives funding to expand child care services
Hanford Sentinel
Kings Community Action Organization has been awarded additional funding to expand child care services for families in Kings County.
BCSD recognized with two statewide educational honors
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City School District announced Tuesday that two district programs have been selected as recipients of the state’s leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award.
U.S. math scores remain flat on international test of 15-year-olds
EdSource
Despite recent instructional reforms, American students continue to struggle with math, according to the latest results of one of the most watched international assessments.
Do teachers have biased academic perceptions of their English learner students?
Brookings
Increasingly, attention is turning toward understanding not what’s going wrong among these English learner (EL) students, but instead what’s going wrong with how schools educate, support, and empower these students.
Commentary: California should stop short-changing kids. Here’s how to help
CalMatters
A critical start to setting a national model is to adequately address decades of underfunding education. California leaders need to ensure that the November 2020 ballot includes a single revenue measure that is solely focused on education including quality child care, preschool, K-12, and higher education.
See also:
● Walters: Will schools get more state aid? CalMatters
The future of sex ed has arrived. Is America ready?
Vox
Even in liberal California, families are pushing back against lessons on gender identity. The battles could be a blueprint for the rest of the country.
Higher Ed:
Dreamers have a place to call home at CSUB
Bakersfield Californian
Navigating through higher education is difficult on its own, but it's especially confusing and stressful for undocumented students, and even more so if they don't have anyone they can turn to.
Commentary: Can California save higher education?
CalMatters
How can we help students cross the finish line?
Opinion: “Free College" Isn’t About Free College
The Bulwark
College is, as a sector, broken. Imagine going to the doctor, getting told that you needed a series of four injections, and that they could only tell you the price of the next injection, not the four-injection total. Crazy, right? Well, that’s how college pricing works.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Stanislaus agency receives soil health grant
Turlock Journal
East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District is one of 16 recently awarded the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service On-Farm Conservation Innovation program grant.
Opinion: Drastic changes are needed if California is to win the climate-change challenge
Fresno Bee
California and the world must cut emissions by half before 2030. If not, tipping points will be crossed that set in motion irreversible, ever-increasing releases of naturally stored carbon and methane.
Persistent carbon emissions signal global climate goal is out of reach
Merced Sun-Star
While global carbon emissions growth is slowing, the persistent rise is a warning that governments aren't doing enough to stave off the worst consequences of climate change, according to a new report.
See also:
● Global greenhouse gas emissions will hit yet another record high this year, experts project Washington Post
Privatizing State Parks Can Save Them — or Wreck Them
Pew Trusts
The role of private companies on public lands has come under increased scrutiny after a panel appointed by the Trump administration recommended last month privatizing national park campgrounds and opening them to WiFi, food trucks and Amazon deliveries.
Energy:
Fresno, Madera, Kern Residents Likely To See Fewer Burn Days This Winter
VPR
The air district has tightened its standards for when it prohibits fires, for both typical wood-burning fireplaces and even cleaner-burning devices registered with the air district. Air officials have identified Fresno, Madera and Kern as air pollution “hot spots” requiring more restrictions than other areas.
As Bay Area natural gas bans spread, lawsuits mount
San Francisco Chronicle
With bans on natural gas in new buildings poised to take effect starting in January, lawsuits are mounting from restaurants and developers who argue that they create safety risks or violate the law.
Oil Trading in Sweet Spot Adds to Improving Economic Signals
Wall Street Journal
Oil prices have stayed in a contained range that analysts say benefits both producers and consumers, bolstering hopes that the global economy can rebound.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Health program offers free HIV prevention drug to uninsured
AP News
The government launched a new program on Tuesday to provide an HIV prevention drug for free to people who need the protection but have no insurance to pay for it.
‘Evidence of a growing epidemic:’ 1 in 5 adolescents have prediabetes, CDC says
Miami Herald
Prediabetes is prevalent among adolescents and young adults and an “emerging health threat,” a study found. When someone has prediabetes, it means their blood sugar levels are “higher than normal” but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Health care costs under job-based plans have grown rapidly, while wages remained flat
UC Berkeley Labor Center
Since 2008, premiums for job-based family health coverage in California have grown by 49 percent on average. At the same time, real median wages have stagnated.
After A Freak Accident, A Doctor Finds Insight Into 'Living Life And Facing Death'
VPR
As a palliative care physician at the University of California San Francisco's Cancer Center, Miller draws on his own experiences to help people with their physical, emotional and spiritual pain at the end of their lives.
Human Services:
Balancing Budgets and Need during Recessions: California’s Safety Net Programs
Public Policy Institute of California
California’s economic picture is unusually bright now. Unemployment is at multiyear lows and the state’s fiscal health is at historically high levels. But history tells us good times will not last forever.
California tries to boost its dwindling doctor supply
Comstock’s Magazine
Primary care doctors are a hot commodity across California. By 2030, the state will be short some 4,000 physicians, according to a study from the HealthForce Center at UC San Francisco.
‘It’s 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 “no hope list.” Just one out of every nine eligible children are enrolled in full-time subsidized care programs.
Hospital Groups Sue to Block Price-Transparency Rule
Wall Street Journal
Hospital groups sued to block a Trump administration rule forcing them to disclose secret rates, for the first time laying out the industry’s legal strategy for defeating the president’s central health-policy initiative.
Opinion: Universal coverage does not mean single payer
Bill of Health
Health spending in every major developed country is substantially below that of the U.S., and measured health outcomes appear to be better. Progressives have jumped to the conclusion that adopting single-payer health care would yield a simpler system in which everyone is covered, costs are reduced, and outcomes are improved.
White House delays expansion of Agent Orange benefits, leaving 80K veterans to wait
Merced Sun-Star
The Trump administration should stop blocking Vietnam veterans with bladder cancer and three other diseases the government does not recognize as tied to Agent Orange from getting the benefits they deserve, two California congressmen said in a letter to the White House on Monday.
IMMIGRATION
Asylum seekers jam US border crossings to evade Trump policy
Bakersfield Californian
For months, asylum seekers have been prohibited from filing their claims at U.S. border crossings under a much-criticized Trump administration policy. Now some are sprinting down vehicle lanes or renting cars to try to make it inside the U.S.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Stanislaus County nursery will expand with purchase of Ripon-area greenhouses
Modesto Bee
Dave Wilson Nursery, a leading producer of fruit and nut trees in the Hickman area, is buying the assets of Fredriks Nursery, near Ripon. The purchase will provide Wilson with 13 acres of flower-growing greenhouses that will be converted to fruit and nut trees, the companies announced last week.
Housing:
High-speed rail raises concerns over Kern County's homeless shelter
Bakersfield Californian
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has raised concern over Kern County’s plans to build an emergency homeless shelter near downtown Bakersfield.
California could lose housing leverage over cities under court ruling
San Francisco Chronicle
A judge’s ruling in San Mateo County is raising fears among developers and advocates for more housing construction that the state will lose its leverage for forcing cities to build their way out of California’s affordability crisis.
How Far Can Cities Go to Police the Homeless? Boise Tests the Limit
New York Times
During a recent mayoral debate at a Boise homeless shelter, the moderator turned to something more contentious: a decade-old lawsuit, now a step away from the Supreme Court. The case, Boise v. Martin, is examining whether it’s a crime for someone to sleep outside when they have nowhere else to go.
PUBLIC FINANCES
‘This was not a close election’: Losing CalPERS candidate drops challenge
Sacramento Bee
A former state government union leader who lost an election for a seat on the CalPERS Board of Administration in October has withdrawn a challenge he filed alleging state officials and pension board members helped his opponent win.
Five decades of federal program expansions for low-income children
AEI
By 2018, 61 percent of total federal spending on children benefited low-income children compared to only 15 percent in 1960. This growth in spending was primarily the result of program expansions making more children eligible for federal supports.
TRANSPORTATION
DHS may require US citizens be photographed at airports
AP News
Federal officials are considering requiring that all travelers — including American citizens — be photographed as they enter or leave the country as part of an identification system using facial-recognition technology.
State’s Progress on 5 Million Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by 2030: Q3 2019 Results
California Center for Jobs & the Economy
The latest new vehicle sales data from California New Car Dealers Association indicates that sales are still projected to be just over 1.9 million units for the year, slipping below sales in the prior four years but still well above historical levels.
WATER
Trump jump-starts repairs for sinking California canal. But who will pay?
Sacramento Bee
The Trump administration is jump-starting a plan to repair a badly sinking canal in the San Joaquin Valley, a year after California voters rejected a bond measure that would have had them pay for the project.
Rep. TJ Cox says it's time for feds to 'step up' to drinking water crisis, announces $100M bill
Visalia Times Delta
Rep. TJ Cox unveiled a $100 million "slice of justice" for families in the San Joaquin Valley — and across the nation — suffering contaminated drinking water and crumbling infrastructure.
See also:
● Rep. TJ Cox introduces clean drinking water bill Hanford Sentinel
State Water Project announces first allocation for season
Business Journal
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 10% for the 2020 water season that started in October.
Fishing groups sue federal agencies over latest water plan
San Francisco Chronicle
The fracas over California’s scarce water supplies will tumble into a San Francisco courtroom after a lawsuit was filed this week claiming the federal government’s plan to loosen previous restrictions on water deliveries to farmers is a blueprint for wiping out fish.
“Xtra”
Watch scenes from the first of two Walk-Nights at Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane
Fresno Bee
Christmas Tree Lane's 97th Anniversary began with a walk-night for the public with vehicles barred from driving along Vane Ness Avenue Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 in Fresno. Second walk-night is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Southern rock royalty coming to Fresno’s Save Mart Center on farewell tour
Fresno Bee
Much like Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd are on an extended farewell tour. The so-called Last of the Street Survivors tour has hit more than 100 cities since it kicked off in 2018.
A Modesto family holiday tradition. Where, when you can enjoy this annual performance
Modesto Bee
Central West Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” has become a family tradition that has grown over the years to six performances along with one performance of a jazzed-up version.
Nautical or nice? Marina will light up Saturday with lighted boat parade
Stockton Record
Stockton’s annual lighted boat parade will be hosted by the Stockton Yacht Club for the second year in a row this Saturday — even if it rains.
After 18 years downtown, this Fresno restaurant is opening a second location. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
Spicy crispy chicken just came to north Fresno. Kikku Kitchen has opened at Palm and Nees avenues, next door to Eureka! restaurant, bringing its most popular dish with it.