POLICY & POLITICS
$56,000 Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowships
Deadline TODAY! (Feb. 28)
The Maddy Institute
Through the generosity of The Wonderful Company, San Joaquin Valley students will have the opportunity to become the next generation of Valley leaders through The Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship. This program helps students obtain an advanced degree from a top graduate program, return home, and apply what they have learned to help make the Valley a better place.
North SJ Valley:
San Joaquin County seeking volunteers to serve on 2020-21 civil grand jury
Stockton Record
The San Joaquin County Superior Court is accepting applications from volunteers to serve on the 2020-21 civil grand jury.
Primary answers: Carlos Villapudua, Assembly District 13
Stockton Record
Carlos Villapudua, candidate for Assembly District 13, describes how he’d address some of the state’s biggest issues.
Opinion: Measure J supporters say it is badly needed. That message is false
Modesto Bee
In the voter pamphlet and elsewhere, supporters present two main claims in support of the bond: They assert the need to repair 40-year-old buildings, and the need to accommodate growing enrollments. Both of these claims are obviously unsound.
Central SJ Valley:
California lawmakers order audit of Fresno sheriff, others over spending and jail conditions
Fresno Bee
Citing a series of jail deaths in Fresno County and faltering local oversight across the state, lawmakers have directed the California auditor’s office to review how sheriffs manage their county jails.
Dyer wants new south Fresno homeless shelters. Critics say they should go up north
Fresno Bee
Mayoral candidate Jerry Dyer and three council members held dueling news conferences Wednesday, debating the pros and cons of the candidate’s plan to add temporary shelters to a south Fresno area that’s already home to many people living without shelter.
Who’s giving to Fresno area candidates? Late donations keep coming in
Fresno Bee
Less than two months into 2020, Fresno mayoral candidate Jerry Dyer has garnered more than three times the amount of donation dollars as Andrew Janz, his main opponent. The two candidates continue to collect campaign money as the calendar moves closer to the March 3 primary race.
Fresno-area schools are asking voters for more than $1 billion. What will they do with it?
Fresno Bee
Louise Styles says teaching got easier when she moved into her new classroom at Slater Elementary School. The old room in a portable building lacked the latest technology and didn’t have enough sinks or bathrooms.
Local school bond measures on March Primary ballot
Hanford Sentinel
As part of the March 3 Primary Election, voters will have the chance Tuesday to vote on two local school bonds: Hanford Elementary School District’s Measure H and Lemoore Union High School District’s Measure L.
Is Fresno’s general plan committee reporting enough of its economic interests?
Fresno Bee
A regional group is asking members of a Fresno committee focused on the city’s general plan to divulge their economic interests beyond the city limits and into the city’s sphere of influence.
Fresno ranked 11th on list of cities with worst speeding problems
abc30
It looks like the speed limit is more of a suggestion than enforcement for some Fresno drivers, a new report says. Fresno ranked 11th on a list of cities with the worst speeding problems in the country provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
See also:
Lime scooters were approved six months ago in Fresno. Where are they?
Fresno Bee
Lime scooters were approved six months ago in Fresno. Where are they? It's been about six months since Lime scooters and Fresno came to an agreement to spark a pilot project and there are still no electric scooters.
Fresno Metro Ministry
FAX is considering making changes to several bus routes over the next two years and they want to hear directly from their passengers! In February and March, FAX will be conducting an extensive outreach effort, consisting of three main activities.
Jill Biden stops in Fresno ahead of California primary. She visited a familiar place
Fresno Bee
Jill Biden stopped in Fresno on Thursday on the presidential campaign trail for her husband, former Vice President Joe Biden, visiting Fresno City College and Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in downtown.
Early Fresno County voting has ballots flowing in. How many have come back so far?
Fresno Bee
More than 470,000 people are registered to vote in Fresno County, and every one of them who registered by Feb. 17 received a vote-by-mail ballot from the county’s Elections Division. Now, the waiting game is on to see just how many actually return those ballots in time to be counted in results for the March 3 primary.
EDITORIAL: Congressman Jim Costa is at ‘the top of his game.’ Voters should give him a new term
Fresno Bee
Democrats hold a nearly 20-percentage point advantage over Republicans in party registration in California’s 16th Congressional District. It has been solidly under Jim Costa’s control since it was formed in 2012.
Fresno Bee
Nathan Alonzo is 27, Tyler Maxwell is 28 and neither of them looks old enough to shave. Both candidates running to represent District 4 in the Fresno City Council give off an innocent, non-threatening vibe. Much more Eagle Scout or choir boy than shrewd, calculating politician. So no matter who wins, the next council will have decidedly more peach fuzz.
Visalia Times Delta
You have questions. We have answers. Cut through the noise and conjecture to dig deep on the candidates for president, where they stand on the issues and how to make sure you're ready to vote.
South SJ Valley:
CA High-Speed Rail Authority Releasing Draft Plan on Connection to L.A. County
StreetsBlog CA
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) is continuing to plan for modernizing rail service throughout California. A new report due out this week shows how under-construction Central Valley high-speed rail will connect to Palmdale, in north Los Angeles County. Learn about the plan at a series of meetings starting next week.
See also:
GEO files appeal with city of McFarland over Planning Commission votes
Bakersfield Californian
A private prison company has filed an appeal with the city of McFarland over two votes by the city’s Planning Commission that prevented the company from converting two state prisons into immigrant detention centers.
Share Your Story With StoryCorps In Bakersfield
KVPR
StoryCorps, a renowned nonprofit celebrating the stories of everyday Americans, will be stopping in Bakersfield for three days of recording during its San Joaquin Valley Mobile Stop. Recording at the Beale Memorial Library from March 11-13, StoryCorps will make a limited number of appointments available to Valley Public Radio listeners.
State:
California Files Lawsuit to Block Trump Administration Delta Water Rules
KQED
A day after President Trump visited Central Valley growers to celebrate providing more water to farms, California sued his administration to block the new rules that would do so. The contentious new rules govern how much water can be pumped out of the watersheds of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, which flow from the Sierra Nevada to the San Francisco Bay, controlling irrigation for millions of acres of farmland in the country’s biggest agricultural economy, drinking water for two-thirds of Californians from Silicon Valley to San Diego, and the fate of endangered salmon and other fish.
California’s new employment law could give new exemption for writers, photographers
Sacramento Bee
The California Democrat behind the new state law that expands employment benefits to more workers offered an exemption for freelance writers on the same day that Republicans failed in an attempt to suspend the measure entirely.
See also:
Proposal would end California cap on freelancer assignments Porterville Recorder
Freelancers may get a break CalMatters
Federal:
Efforts to strike coronavirus funding agreement undermined by partisanship
abc30
Republicans and Democrats on Thursday expressed a shared desire to avoid partisan bickering and congressional dysfunction in efforts to pass emergency funding to address the coronavirus crisis, but lawmakers have yet to demonstrate much urgency or progress toward an agreement - as congressional leaders signal it could be two more weeks before a bill is on the president's desk.
See also:
New coronavirus case escalates US response Porterville Recorder
Pence's New Coronavirus Role Raises Questions About His Public Health Record Capital Public Radio
Lawmakers press health officials on coronavirus preparations Los Angeles Times
Trump says he can bring in coronavirus experts quickly. The experts say it is not that simple. Washington Post
Congress zeroing in on $6B to $8B coronavirus aid package Roll Call
Federal courts prepare for possible coronavirus disruptions Roll Call
Census Advocates Spread the Word on New Online Forms
PEW
With only weeks remaining until the 2020 census count begins, states and cities are scrambling to make sure residents know what to expect when they open their mail in mid-March. From teach-ins in New York City libraries to mailbox-themed ads in Alabama, local officials are trying to spread the message that it’s both important and safe to go online and respond.
13 senators demand answers from Zuckerberg on Facebook gun sales
protocol
More than a dozen Democratic senators demanded Thursday that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg explain why his website's users appear to have little trouble engaging in private, unregulated gun sales more than four years after the company banned them.
9th Circuit: Employers Can't Rely on Prior Pay to Justify Gender Disparities
Law.com
"The express purpose of the [Equal Pay Act] was to eradicate the practice of paying women less simply because they are women," Judge Morgan Christen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit wrote for the majority.
Chemerinsky: Religion comes to the Supreme Court
ABA Journal
Among the many divisive questions on the high court's docket this term, there are four different matters concerning religious freedom. Some involve constitutional issues, while others involve interpretation of federal statutes. All involve issues concerning free exercise of religion and are likely to be a strong indication of the direction of the Roberts Court as to religious liberties.
Elections 2020:
California Nation: How Bernie Sanders could have a good election night on the West Coast
Fresno Bee
Bernie Sanders has consistently led the pack in recent polls of likely California primary voters. The Golden State has traditionally taken weeks to count votes, given the size of the state and high number outstanding ballots after election night.
See also:
Could a Bernie Sanders ticket help – not hurt – some down-ballot Democrats in California? Fresno Bee
Sanders' rise fuels Dems' angst; Pelosi won't intervene Porterville Recorder
Bloomberg says he might not spend to help Sanders if he’s the nominee Los Angeles Times
Bernie Sanders holds 2-1 lead in California, poll shows Los Angeles Times
Just what is it about Bernie Sanders that young voters love? Los Angeles Times
Americans really dislike socialism. Can Bernie Sanders overcome that? Washington Post
Taking President Sanders Seriously RealClear Politics
Bernie Sanders PolitiFact
Sanders’ rise fuels Dems’ angst; Pelosi won’t intervene Associated Press
Opinion: California Latinos love ‘Tío Bernie.’ Will their votes seal his win on Super Tuesday? Sacramento Bee
Opinion: What’s behind the rise of Bernie Sanders? Voter concern over economic inequality Los Angeles Times
Commentary: Bernie Sanders Would Threaten Retirement Security for All Americans National Review
Opinion: Five more years of populism would be a disaster for America Washington Post
Opinion: Bernie Sanders’s Scandinavian fantasy Washington Post
U.S. News
He demonizes the press, accusing the media of covering up his true support. He has a deeply devoted following, some of whose self-identified members respond angrily, even vindictively, when their candidate's name is besmirched. He complains of a "rigged" process. He doesn't have much allegiance to party, even as he declares himself the best person to pilot it. The Russians reportedly want him to win.
Bloomberg tumbles heading into Super Tuesday
Politico
The Mike Bloomberg bubble has burst. After a steady, weekslong climb in national polls, fueled by extravagant spending on ads, staff and events, Bloomberg’s presidential campaign has plateaued.
See also:
Bloomberg partner Taylor hits California campaign trail with message for women Politico
Opinion: The Case for Mike Bloomberg New York Times
Pelosi won't say if she'll support Dem frontrunner who lacks majority of delegates
Politico
Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined on Thursday to say whether she’d support the Democratic frontrunner heading into the party convention this summer if that person hasn’t locked down a majority of delegates.
Electability Matters in the Democratic Primary
PPIC
Californians will head to the polls next Tuesday for the Democratic primary—and over 2 million have already returned their mail-in ballots. As Democratic and independent (also known as no party preference) voters prepare to choose their presidential nominee, the question arises: do they care more about electability or a candidate’s position on the issues?
How Californians can make their Democratic votes count on Super Tuesday
CalMatters
If you’re planning on voting for a Democratic candidate for president whom you love, skip this piece. But if like many Californians, you’re looking to vote for someone you like in the March 3 primary, and you want your vote to count, read on.
See also:
Want to vote for president in California but bewildered by the changing rules? Here’s how it works
CalMatters
If you’re confused about how to vote in California’s presidential primary, you’re in good company with Susan Sarandon. At the beginning of January, the “Thelma and Louise” actress and Sanders enthusiast issued a public service announcement on Twitter: “California voters: make sure to switch from independent to democrat (sic) in order to vote for @BernieSanders.”
Final Results From California Primary Could Take Days Or Weeks, Secretary of State Says
Capital Public Radio
Californians can expect to have a good sense of where most primary contests are headed on election night. But don’t expect to have final results anytime soon after the March 3 primary.
APSA
As a discipline devoted to understanding government and politics, APSA encourages the civic participation of our members and of the public. A healthy civic life is one of engagement. In fact, a core APSA objective is “to prepare citizens to be effective citizens and political participants.”
Confused About Your Voter Registration? Don’t Be
New York Times
We are now 55 days away from March 3, which — in case you have managed to forget — is California’s Primary Day, now and for the foreseeable future. But while Super Tuesday is an important deadline for the state’s election officials, Secretary of State Alex Padilla told me there’s perhaps an even bigger one coming up on Feb. 3.
Washington Post
Many people in both major parties have soured on the presidential primary system. In 2016, the Democratic contest was riven by bitter arguments over whether the Democratic National Committee had put a thumb on the scale for Hillary Clinton in her race against Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Jerk, liars and the inexperienced: How voters describe the 2020 candidates
Washington Post
Candidates for president spend tens, even hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get voters to look at them in a particular way. They develop slogans and conduct polls to identify the most effective ones. They put ads on television and swarm onto social media, hoping to associate their names with the best possible phrasing and concepts.
Commentary: Will young people vote in November? Here’s what must happen first
CalMatters
People who care about democracy want to know whether young people will turn out to vote in November 2020. The question they should be asking first is whether young people will even be registered.
Opinion: Warren admits to loving revolving-door corporate welfare lobbyists
Washington Examiner
Elizabeth Warren poses as the scourge of special interest lobbying. But, in Tuesday night's debate, she lavished praise on a revolving-door corporate welfare lobbyist because that lobbyist was a pro-abortion Democrat.
Commentary: To win Black men’s votes in 2020, save your slogans and speak to our priorities
Brookings
Despite Super Bowl ads, targeted outreach to HBCUs, and even handing out envelopes of cash, presidential candidates are missing why some Black male voters feel invisible in the 2020 election. If they were listening to Black men, they would hear: “Unsure if I even want to vote this time… I understand why Black men feel left out… It’s just a lot of hate for us…”
Commentary: What A Lucky “13” On The Primary Ballot Says About California Elections
Hoover Institute
Of all the characters involved in next Tuesday’s California primary—the two billionaires whose impossible-to-miss advertising budgets are making it a banner year for local television; the “democratic socialist” who may make the Golden State his biggest delegate haul on “Super Tuesday”—my eye is on Charles Lightfoot III.
Commentary: Has the American presidency lost its soul?
AEI
An easy trick for pundits looking to generate content is to ask, “What would the Founders think of so and so?” The giants of the American Founding—Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Jay, and so on—commented upon such a vast array of subjects that it is but a small matter to find a line that happens to reinforce a preconceived notion, and . . . voila . . . the daily quota for content has been met!
AEI
AEI Wilson H. Taylor Scholar in Heath Care and Retirement Policy Joseph Antos discusses the role that health care will play in the 2020 presidential election.
Other:
Grab a cup of coffee — and meet the Ed Lab on Fridays
Fresno Bee
Hi, Central Valley! We want to hear from you. The Fresno Bee Education Lab Editor Rob Parsons and I will be holding open coffee hours at the Fresno State Starbucks, located on the second floor in the Henry Madden Library for the next four weeks.
PolitiFact
A popular Facebook post is taking an image out of context to promote a hoax about the cremation of coronavirus victims. The post, which was published Feb. 15, includes an image that claims to show a "spike in sulfur dioxide emissions just outside Wuhan." The image cites Instagram user @conspiracyplots, who published itthe same day.
EDITORIAL: YouTube has censorship problems. The 1st Amendment isn’t the tool to fix them
Los Angeles Times
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made an important and necessary point again on Wednesday when it threw out a lawsuit that claimed YouTube violated the Constitution’s free-speech protections by restricting access to videos and advertising on its platform.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, March 1, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: California Latinos: An Economic Analysis - Guests: Mindy Romero, Director of California Civic Engagement Project, Price School of Public Policy at USC. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, March 1, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: Poverty and the Economic Situation of California Latinos? - Guests: Sarah Bohn, Public Policy Institute of California and Mindy Romero, Director of USC Price School of Public School. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, March 1, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: Immigration: Opportunities for New Businesses in the Valley - Guests: Dora Westerlund, CEO - The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation; Yeru Olivares, CFO - The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, Yolanda Garcia, Owner - YO'MAMMAS!; Robert Zapata, Opportunity Fund. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Carpinteria residents file lawsuit against marijuana growers over cannabis odor
KEYT
Some Carpinteria residents are so frustrated with the smell of cannabis in their homes and backyards, they have decided to sue nearby marijuana growers. The class-action lawsuit was filed by a Santa Barbara attorney on Thursday morning. The complaint targets multiple growers.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Fresno ranked 11th on list of cities with worst speeding problems
abc30
It looks like the speed limit is more of a suggestion than enforcement for some Fresno drivers, a new report says. Fresno ranked 11th on a list of cities with the worst speeding problems in the country provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
See also:
Public Safety:
California lawmakers order audit of Fresno sheriff, others over spending and jail conditions
Fresno Bee
Citing a series of jail deaths in Fresno County and faltering local oversight across the state, lawmakers have directed the California auditor’s office to review how sheriffs manage their county jails.
Fire:
PG&E faces record $2.1 billion penalty over Northern California wildfires that killed dozens
Fresno Bee
PG&E Corp. agreed last fall to pay a record $1.675 billion penalty for causing deadly wildfires that swept through California wine country and destroyed the town of Paradise in 2017 and 2018. Now the state is asking for more.
See also:
Regulators boost PG&E's wildfire fine to $2.1 billion Porterville Recorder
PG&E faces largest-ever fine from California utilities regulator San Francisco Chronicle
FEMA: PG&E’s poor power line maintenance means it intentionally caused fires San Francisco Chronicle
Opinion: There’s a better way out of the PG&E bankruptcy San Francisco Chronicle
Funeral honoring firefighter Patrick Jones held in Tulare
abc30
Two days after Porterville Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa was laid to rest in his hometown of Delano, funeral services were held in Tulare for his friend and fellow firefighter Patrick Jones.
See also:
Hundreds honor firefighter Patrick Jones in Tulare Visalia Times-Delta
Porterville firefighter Jones honored at funeral following library blaze Bakersfield Californian
Local fire departments provide support to 'brothers' in Porterville following fatal fire Bakersfield Californian
abc30
When firefighters had to pull three people out of burning apartments at the Sunnyside Glen complex in 2017, smoke detectors may have saved the elderly and disabled residents.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Markets down, Facebook cancels show: Virus hits businesses
Hanford Sentinel
The spread of the new coronavirus around the world is hitting companies hard as they suspend production, meetings, events and business travel. Here's a look at the latest developments.
See also:
As stock markets tumble because of coronavirus, this time feels different Washington Post
U.S. stocks plummet and health experts warn against Trump's claims: The latest on coronavirus Politico
Longtime Modesto store with stuff for almost everyone closing in Vintage Faire Mall
Modesto Bee
International Imports, one of the original stores to open in Modesto CA’s Vintage Faire Mall, is closing. The gift, novelty and curio shop has been open since 1977. It’s shutting down in part because of Amazon.
The Great Affordability Crisis Breaking America
The Atlantic
In the 2010s, the national unemployment rate dropped from a high of 9.9 percentto its current rate of just 3.5 percent. The economy expanded each and every year. Wages picked up for high-income workers as soon as the Great Recession ended, and picked up for lower-income workers in the second half of the decade.
Column: Trump says the economy is doing great — but whose economy is it?
Los Angeles Times
President Trump and his economic advisors have been taking a rather premature victory lap about the nation’s economic performance during his three years in office. It’s premature in part because Trump’s term isn’t over yet. And also because the economy hasn’t performed nearly as well as he says, even if one discounts a good portion of his rhetoric as bombast.
See also:
Under Trump, Income Growth Slows Across U.S., Including in Key Battleground States American Prospect
Jobs:
California’s new employment law could give new exemption for writers, photographers
Sacramento Bee
The California Democrat behind the new state law that expands employment benefits to more workers offered an exemption for freelance writers on the same day that Republicans failed in an attempt to suspend the measure entirely.
See also:
Proposal would end California cap on freelancer assignments Porterville Recorder
Freelancers may get a break CalMatters
9th Circuit: Employers Can't Rely on Prior Pay to Justify Gender Disparities
Law.com
"The express purpose of the [Equal Pay Act] was to eradicate the practice of paying women less simply because they are women," Judge Morgan Christen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit wrote for the majority.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fresno-area schools are asking voters for more than $1 billion. What will they do with it?
Fresno Bee
Louise Styles says teaching got easier when she moved into her new classroom at Slater Elementary School. The old room in a portable building lacked the latest technology and didn’t have enough sinks or bathrooms.
Madera, Mariposa County school districts hiring
abc30
If you're looking for a job in the education field, the Madera and Mariposa County School Districts held a job fair Thursday afternoon.
Tulare Western mourns loss of campus leader Rudy Carrasco in fatal wreck
Visalia Times-Delta
A campus leader and fixture of Tulare Western High School died in a vehicle wreck Wednesday night.
See also:
Report for Merced County schools stresses migrant student success, teacher support
Modesto Bee
The Mondo Building in downtown Merced was filled with local educators and officials from the state, county and city level Wednesday for the ninth Merced County Schools Annual Education Report.
Local school bond measures on March Primary ballot
Hanford Sentinel
As part of the March 3 Primary Election, voters will have the chance Tuesday to vote on two local school bonds: Hanford Elementary School District’s Measure H and Lemoore Union High School District’s Measure L.
PUSD breaks ground on second Pathways House
Porterville Recorder
The ground has officially broken on the second Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) Pathways house project. Together, school district officials, Pathways directors, PUSD partners and District 5 County Supervisor Dennis Townsend celebrated the project on Wednesday, February 26.
Schools Are Embracing Mindfulness, But Practice Doesn't Always Make Perfect
Capital Public Radio
One in 5 American children struggles with anxiety. To help students cope, more and more schools are turning to mindfulness — but the explosion of interest has some researchers advising caution.
Proposition 13 is endorsed by schools across California. Why not LAUSD?
Los Angeles Times
A $15-billion bond measure to improve school and college facilities may offer limited aid to the Los Angeles Unified School District — which has not endorsed the March 3 ballot measure despite widespread support from school systems, teachers unions and universities throughout the state.
See also:
Commentary: California’s Proposition 13 could spur innovative public schools and save lives CalMatters
What Would a Coronavirus Outbreak in the U.S. Mean for Schools?
New York Times
Schools in the United States prepare for all manner of disasters and threats, whether hurricanes, mass shooters, tornadoes, influenza or head lice. But this week, a stark new order came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Get ready for the coronavirus.
See also:
Los Angeles Times
Physical education in California schools could use an overhaul. Despite the requirement that students engage in regular physical activity during each school week, the fitness of the state’s students isn’t improving
Higher Ed:
Arizona State denies Crow is candidate for Univ. of California post
Porterville Recorder
Arizona State University has denied a published news report that ASU President Michael Crow is a candidate for the University of California presidency. The Mercury News reported Thursday that Crow was a candidate to replace Janet Napolitano when she steps down this summer as president of the UC system.
Rising Runner Adrienne Salazar Keeps Climbing Up Capitol Hill
CSUB
Adrienne Salazar wasn’t sure she wanted to return to Capitol Hill until she saw a job with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib pop up and Googled her. On Tlaib’s resume: First Muslim woman elected to the Michigan Legislature, and one of the first two elected to Congress. Congresswoman for the third-poorest House district. A member of “The Squad,” known for its progressive politics and feuds with President Trump.
Multiple grants awarded to CSUB in support of student success
Bakersfield Californian
Three grants were recently awarded to support basic needs partnerships, mental health partnerships and the Department of Child, Adolescent and Family Studies textbook cost reduction at Cal State Bakersfield. The California State University Office of the Chancellor has awarded $562,000 to CSUB to address the basic needs of students. CSUB was one of 22 campuses awarded; the total funding for the CSU was $15 million.
California’s new online community college faces audit
San Francisco Chronicle
The California state auditor will take a deep look at the state’s unaccredited new online community college, Calbright, to learn whether it’s offering students what it promised — and whether its $120 million cost to taxpayers so far is money well spent, lawmakers said this week.
Higher Ed Reform? Let's Not Forget About Research.
The Dispatch
Today, the federal higher education debate is dominated by talk of access, affordability, employment, and debt. Policy makers on the left often compete to see who can offer a more generous debt-forgiveness plan while those on the right bemoan bloated administrations, and families and students raise issues about affordability and value.
Opinion: Measure J supporters say it is badly needed. That message is false
Modesto Bee
In the voter pamphlet and elsewhere, supporters present two main claims in support of the bond: They assert the need to repair 40-year-old buildings, and the need to accommodate growing enrollments. Both of these claims are obviously unsound.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Temperature roller coaster: Cold weekend weather expected to impact Valley, Grapevine
Fresno Bee
While it has certainly felt spring-like in the Central Valley over the last few days, winter is coming, to quote “Game of Thrones.”
US House passes bill to help eradicate invasive swamp rodent
Porterville Recorder
A measure to grant funding to try to eradicate the invasive rodents called nutria has passed the U.S. House with the help of a large, stuffed specimen.
See also:
House passes bill to help eradicate swamp rats invading California and other states Los Angeles Times
Judge voids nearly 1 million acres of oil and gas leases, saying Trump policy undercut public input
Washington Post
A federal judge in Idaho ruled Thursday that a Trump administration policy limiting public input on oil and gas leasing decisions was “arbitrary and capricious,” overturning the 2018 directive and voiding nearly 1 million acres of leases out West as a result.
Energy:
Trump ready to end Chevron’s access to oil from Venezuela
Los Angeles Times
The Trump administration is ready to unleash the full effect of sanctions on Chevron Corp.’s operations in Venezuela as the U.S. seeks to further squeeze President Nicolas Maduro‘s regime.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
California ramps up coronavirus fight after Sacramento case points to slow CDC response
Fresno Bee
Nationwide concern for the ongoing coronavirus outbreak centered on California’s capital Thursday, a day after public health officials disclosed that the first virus case in the U.S. of unknown origin was being treated in the city, while an internal memo pointed to a slow federal response.
See also:
See a map of the California counties with reported coronavirus cases Fresno Bee
Solano County ‘taking this situation seriously,’ declares emergency for coronavirus case Fresno Bee
Merced, Tulare counties report residents have volunteered for coronavirus monitoring Fresno Bee
Face mask prices are skyrocketing on Amazon. Do they protect you from coronavirus? Fresno Bee
Gov. Newsom addresses first unknown origin coronavirus case abc30
Nine Tulare County residents placed on voluntary quarantine Visalia Times-Delta
UPDATED: 11 people in Kern County being monitored for coronavirus; all considered 'low risk' Bakersfield Californian
Northern California city at epicenter of coronavirus mystery Bakersfield Californian
Diagnosis Of Coronavirus Patient In California Was Delayed For Days KVPR
UC Davis student being tested for coronavirus Davis Enterprise
Coronavirus outbreak in California. Get answers to your questions from specialist Sacramento Bee
Hand washing can help prevent coronavirus, but you’re probably not doing it right Sacramento Bee
UC Davis student showing ‘mild symptoms’ of coronavirus. 3 roommates in isolation Sacramento Bee
Gov. Newsom details 33 California coronavirus cases; state calls latest a ‘turning point’ Sacramento Bee
Public employees can’t skip work because of coronavirus. How can they keep safe? Sacramento Bee
Updates: What to know about coronavirus in California as patient is treated in Sacramento Sacramento Bee
UC Davis coronavirus case prompted change in criteria for testing, CDC director says Sacramento Bee
Mask shortage in Sacramento as coronavirus fears grip California. What protection is available Sacramento Bee
Why coronavirus could have slipped into U.S. long before screenings, travel restrictions Sacramento Bee
How long until a coronavirus vaccine is available? ‘Hopefully’ within 2 years, CDC says Sacramento Bee
A ban on shaking hands? As coronavirus spreads in California, U.S., it’s worth considering Sacramento Bee
Sacramento health chief warns of more coronavirus cases to come, mayor urges calm Sacramento Bee
What You Need To Know About Coronavirus In California Capital Public Radio
California Pushes For More Coronavirus Testing After First Case Of Community Transmission Capital Public Radio
California woman’s coronavirus case spurs calls for more rapid testing Los Angeles Times
California grapples with growing coronavirus threat as businesses pull out of state events Los Angeles Times
New details in California coronavirus case: Woman was sick for ‘a number of days’ San Francisco Chronicle
California low on test kits and face masks in its battle against coronavirus CalMatters
Newsom on coronavirus CalMatters
U.S. workers without protective gear assisted coronavirus evacuees, HHS whistleblower says Washington Post
California undertakes extensive effort to trace contacts of woman with coronavirus Washington Post
Who Is Developing a Coronavirus Vaccine? U.S. News
AP FACT CHECK: Democrats distort coronavirus readiness Associated Press
Researchers Step Up Efforts To Develop A 'Universal' Flu Vaccine
KVPR
Sarah King isn't afraid of having the flu — in fact, she considers herself an "excellent sick person." "I have a pretty high pain tolerance," King says. "I'm not a person that whines a lot. I just kind of suck it up."
Are you more likely to die from coronavirus or the flu? There’s a big difference
Sacramento Bee
According to doctors at John Hopkins, there’s a far more deadly virus at hand — influenza. One basic difference? The mortality rate. The flu kills an estimated 291,000 to 646,000 people worldwide every year.
Commentary: A cautionary tale for predicting drug prices
AEI
There is bipartisan agreement that Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit for seniors, should be reformed. But how will these efforts affect drug prices? History offers a sobering reminder that forecasting the Part D market has a less-than-stellar track record.
Human Services:
Valley Law Enforcement Agencies Raise $62,000 for Pink Patch Project
Clovis RoundUp
If you look closely at the patches Central Valley law enforcement officers wear, you might notice that some are pink instead of the traditional white or blue. The patches are part of the Pink Patch Project, a public awareness campaign that raises awareness and money for the fight against breast cancer. A total of 17 valley agencies participated in the project, including the Clovis Police Department.
Kaweah Delta to hold town hall Thursday
Visalia Times-Delta
Kaweah Delta Health Care District hopes a series of town halls will help the hospital become more in tune with community interests and priorities.
Improving Health Care Data in California
PPIC
California policymakers are taking steps to create a health care payment database (HPD)—often referred to as an all-payer claims database—that would assemble comprehensive payment information on health care services provided to most state residents with public or private health insurance.
Commentary: Digital prosperity: How broadband can deliver health and equity to all communities
Brookings
Two decades into the new millennium, the digitalization of American life is no longer striking—it is ordinary. Every industry relies on computing, cloud storage, or other digital equipment to sell goods and services. Employers increasingly demand more advanced digital skills from the labor force.
IMMIGRATION
Hmong community members protest announced Trump administration deportation policies
Fresno Bee
Members of the Hmong community rally in protest at Courthouse Park to denounce deportation policies announced by the Trump Administration.
See also:
GEO files appeal with city of McFarland over Planning Commission votes
Bakersfield Californian
A private prison company has filed an appeal with the city of McFarland over two votes by the city’s Planning Commission that prevented the company from converting two state prisons into immigrant detention centers.
Supreme Court bars damages suit for border agent's cross-border shooting that killed Mexican teen
ABA Journal
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the family of a Mexican teen fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent can’t sue for damages over the cross-border shooting. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the family did not have an implied right to sue under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.
See also:
EDITORIAL: The Supreme Court just built a wall to protect border agents from lawsuits Los Angeles Times
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Ceremonial Groundbreaking Kicks-Off Construction of New F-35C Hangar
Hanford Sentinel
NAS Lemoore and Harper Construction Company Inc. leadership participated in a groundbreaking ceremony aboard NAS Lemoore, marking the official start of construction on a new F-35C Lightning II hangar.
Housing:
Dyer wants new south Fresno homeless shelters. Critics say they should go up north
Fresno Bee
Mayoral candidate Jerry Dyer and three council members held dueling news conferencesWednesday, debating the pros and cons of the candidate’s plan to add temporary shelters to a south Fresno area that’s already home to many people living without shelter.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Sacramento Bee
California is the land of extreme wealth and extreme poverty. In what has been called the “California Paradox,” our economy is thriving, but so many of our people are not.
Retirees’ worst nightmare: Federal backing of pension funds at risk
Roll Call
The colorful history of the Teamsters union’s largest pension fund as a piggy bank for the mob was a driving element in the Oscar-nominated film “The Irishman.” But it will take a lot more than great acting and directing to solve the fund’s current problems.
TRANSPORTATION
Lime scooters were approved six months ago in Fresno. Where are they?
Fresno Bee
Lime scooters were approved six months ago in Fresno. Where are they? It's been about six months since Lime scooters and Fresno came to an agreement to spark a pilot project and there are still no electric scooters.
Fresno Metro Ministry
FAX is considering making changes to several bus routes over the next two years and they want to hear directly from their passengers! In February and March, FAX will be conducting an extensive outreach effort, consisting of three main activities.
CA High-Speed Rail Authority Releasing Draft Plan on Connection to L.A. County
StreetsBlog CA
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) is continuing to plan for modernizing rail service throughout California. A new report due out this week shows how under-construction Central Valley high-speed rail will connect to Palmdale, in north Los Angeles County. Learn about the plan at a series of meetings starting next week.
See also:
Will coronavirus wreck your spring or summer travel plans? 5 things to know
Fresno Bee
Here's a look at how the global COVID 19 outbreak might affect summer travel plans in the United States and across the world. See these tips about flying, amusement parks and crowds amid coronavirus health concerns.
WATER
Kern County braces for dry year as mountain snowfall well below average
Bakersfield Californian
Early indicators suggest California will experience a relatively dry year in 2020, meaning farmers will likely need to tap into supplies of groundwater to maintain operations.
See also:
Nearly 25 percent of California in ‘moderate drought’ status, federal monitor says Modesto Bee
‘Quite disappointing’: California snowpack half of average amid dry spell Sacramento Bee
California is abnormally dry after low-precipitation winter Porterville Recorder
‘Quite disappointing’: California snowpack half of average amid dry spell Sacramento Bee
Is California Headed For A Drought? Capital Public Radio
California snowpack depleted amid what could be a record-dry February Los Angeles Times
Survey shows Sierra snowpack now less than half of normal. How low will it go? San Francisco Chronicle
Drought conditions found in 23% of California after bone-dry February San Francisco Chronicle
California is abnormally dry after low-precipitation winter Associated Press
US considers more water recycling — including from oilfields
Porterville Recorder
The Trump administration moved Thursday on a water-recycling push it says could get good use out of more of the wastewater that industries, cities and farms spew out, including the billions of barrels of watery waste generated by oil and gas fields each year.
California's new plan to deal with climate change, sea-level rise OK’d
San Francisco Chronicle
A bold new plan to protect California’s ocean ecosystem from climate change and prepare for sea-level rise was approved Wednesday, setting the stage for sweeping coastal restoration, trash cleanup, research and rule-making involving numerous state agencies.
Water is life. It’s also a battle. So what does the future hold for California?
CalMatters
Water plays a lead role in the state’s political theater, with Democrats and Republicans polarized, farmers often fighting environmentalists and cities pitted against rural communities. Rivers are overallocated through sloppy water accounting. Groundwater has dwindled as farmers overdraw aquifers. Many communities lack safe drinking water.
See also:
Everything you need to know about California's historic water law The Guardian
COMMUNITY VOICES: Bringing water to the Central Valley requires cooperation, not litigation Bakersfield Californian
EDITORIAL: A warning for Bay Area dams
San Francisco Chronicle
A federal order to drain Silicon Valley’s Anderson Reservoir underscores the need for more caution about serious threats to critical water infrastructure.
“Xtra”
After months of maneuvering, Fresno State locks in home football games with Power Five teams
Fresno Bee
Fresno State’s football future continued to take shape on Thursday with the Bulldogs finalizing home-and-home series with Washington State and BYU and 2-for-1 series with Kansas and Texas Tech, this following months of maneuvering to gain scheduling flexibility and land home games against opponents from Power Five conferences.
More luxurious villas come up at Bass Lake
abc30
Bass Lake has a greater selection of luxury villas. Visitors to Bass Lake can now take in the sights in style.
Share Your Story With StoryCorps In Bakersfield
VPR
StoryCorps, a renowned nonprofit celebrating the stories of everyday Americans, will be stopping in Bakersfield for three days of recording during its San Joaquin Valley Mobile Stop.
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