Maddy Institute – January 13, 2021

13Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

Air quality forecast: A haze of pollution will cover the Valley floor through next week

Fresno Bee

A layer of hazy smog-like pollution is expected to continue blanketing the San Joaquin Valley for several days, and residential fires are a big part of the problem in Valley neighborhoods.

North SJ Valley:

Stanislaus County awaits more COVID-19 vaccine. Where residents will be able to get shots

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County’s public health agency has received 25,225 doses of coronavirus vaccine and discussed plans Tuesday for vaccinating residents.

Stanislaus GOP removes ‘Stop the Steal’ items from site days after mob stormed U.S. Capitol

Modesto Bee

The Republican Party of Stanislaus County removed “Stop the Steal” Trump merchandise from its website five days after a mob of President Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying Democrat Joe Biden as the nation’s next president.

Stockton Councilwoman Kimberly Warmsley: 'Together we can and we will move south Stockton'

Stockton Record

Malia, 8, and Kingston, 5, stood beside their mother Kimberly Warmsley as she took her oath of office Friday afternoon at a private ceremony in Stockton City Hall.

Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year

Turlock Journal

The local region’s current water year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record according to Turlock Irrigation District, with below-average rainfall amplifying California’s existing state of drought.

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno County updates death toll for first time in 10 days

Fresno Bee

Nearly a year into the global pandemic that has upended the lives of millions, Fresno County on Monday reported an additional 805 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 75,621 countywide.

● COVID-19 update: Local hospitals on 'cusp' of rationing care Porterville Recorder

● COVID court closures could trickle down for Fresno County abc30

Fresno County announces vaccine site at fairgrounds, capable of 1,500 daily shots

Fresno Bee

Fresno County on Tuesday announced a large vaccine clinic at the Fresno County Fairgrounds capable of administering 1,500 shots a day, according to health officials.

● Editorial: Fresno County health-care workers must lead as role models in getting COVID vaccines Fresno Bee

● Tulare County health officials to fix loophole that led to ineligible vaccine registrations abc30

● COVID-19 vaccine available to all Phase 1a tiers Hanford Sentinel

● Effort continues to vaccinate Phases 1A and 1B Porterville Recorder

PPP Loan Round Two to Begin January 13

Clovis Roundup

The application process for the second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program loans will begin January 13. If documents were correctly submitted in the first round, there is no need to re-submit a new application.

Adventure Church says Tower Theatre would remain event venue under their ownership

abc30

As the sale of Fresno's iconic Tower Theatre pends, officials with Adventure Church said they plan to keep the venue as an event center in addition to holding services should they become the owners of the theater.

South SJ Valley:

Latest PPP phase will be focus of small-business webinar

Bakersfield Californian

The director of Cal State Bakersfield's Small Business Development Center will take a deep dive into the latest phase of the federal Paycheck Protection Program during a free webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Californian exclusive: McCarthy recounts intense, emotional call with Trump over election results

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy said he implored President Donald Trump during an intense, hourlong phone conversation Monday morning to accept his electoral defeat and move forward with a peaceful transition of power.

See also:

● Amid calls to resign, McCarthy straddles a divided party Bakersfield Californian

● Reports: McCarthy rebuked Trump over Antifa, election claims Bakersfield Californian

● Kevin McCarthy's fight for survival Axios

David Valadao sworn in as member of Congress

Bakersfield Californian

Valadao, R-Hanford, narrowly defeated Democrat T.J. Cox for the seat, which represents Kings County and parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties. Regionally and nationwide it was one of the most closely watched battles for political control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

State:

How a Well-Meaning Health Policy Created California’s Coronavirus Nightmare

The Atlantic

Everyone’s worst pandemic nightmare is happening in Los Angeles. Intensive-care units are overflowing with patients gasping for breath, and there might not be enough ventilators to go around. If a patient has virtually no chance of survival, ambulances have been told not to bother transporting them to a hospital at all.

· Walters: Newsom’s vaccination plan bogs down CalMatters

· Vaccine rollout a critical test for Newsom CalMatters

· Supreme Court orders Newsom to respond in churches case Porterville Recorder

· Newsom’s School Reopening Plan Puts Tight Deadlines On Districts, Legislature Capital Public Radio

Darkest days for L.A. doctors, nurses, EMTs: ‘The way most people leave is by dying’ Los Angeles Times

· Editorial: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership failures worsen California’s COVID-19 crisis Sacramento Bee

California's equity focus causing some vaccine delays, health secretary says

abc30

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly was peppered with questions about the state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout Tuesday, as many wondered why the state has only administered about a quarter of available doses.

Democrats face backlash for calling Newsom recall effort a ‘California coup’

Los Angeles Times

The California Democratic Party is facing backlash after referring to the campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom as a “coup” nearly a week after the violent pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

California Assembly impeachment vote puts Republicans in bind

CalMatters

That the California Assembly would spend its first day of the year calling for the removal of President Donald Trump-a week after he sicced a mob of white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and hooligans on Congress-is about as surprising as summer fog in San Francisco.

California Lawmakers Should Invest One-Time Budget Funds Into Projects With Long-Term Benefits, Experts Suggest

Capital Public Radio

Thanks to a $15 billion surplus, environmental issues like wildfire and climate change are being considered to receive $4.1 billion in spending in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget. This comes less than a year after the administration and legislature had to forgo ideas that could have helped curb the climate crisis and wildfire prevention tactics because of the pandemic.

Walters: California’s technology woes deepen

CalMatters

California Gov. Gavin Newsom envisions a technology-heavy government that’s transparent, responsive and efficient. So far, it’s going backwards.

Changes to the California Family Rights Act and Small Employer Family Leave Mediation

JD SUPRA

California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) which greatly expanded the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), which took effect on January 1, 2021.

CalPERS spent $80,000 on legal bills after one of its own leaders sued it

Merced Sun-Star

CalPERS spent about $80,000 last year defending itself from a lawsuit filed by an elected member of its own board of directors, according to cost figures provided by a spokesman for the retirement system.

Federal:

COVID Update:

U.S. Deaths Set Single-Day Record Wall Street Journal
The US has averaged more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week abc30
Covid-19 Live Updates: Distracted by D.C. Political Crisis, U.S. Sets Daily Record for Virus Deaths New York Times

Lawmaker gets COVID, wants ‘serious fines’ for maskless Republicans during Capitol riot

Fresno Bee

Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington said Tuesday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, blaming her GOP colleagues who didn’t wear masks while sheltering during the Capitol riots last week.

Trump Says His Comments Before Capitol Riot Were 'Totally Appropriate'

VPR

Eight days from the end of his presidency, President Trump expressed no regret for his comments last week ahead of a riot and mob violence at the U.S. Capitol that resulted in the deaths of at least five people and multiple injuries.

● Lawmakers Were Feet and Seconds Away From Confrontation With the Mob in the Capitol Wall Street Journal

● Trump Defends Conduct, Attacks Democrats at First Post-Riot Event Wall Street Journal

● Trump takes no responsibility for riot, visits Texas AP News

● Records show fervent Trump fans fueled US Capitol takeover AP News

● QAnon reshaped Trump’s party and radicalized believers. The Capitol siege may just be the start. Washington Post

● Opinion: Politics Has No Place for Violence Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: Mike Pence Comes Through for America Wall Street Journal

House To Vote On 25th Amendment Resolution Against Trump

VPR
The House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a resolution calling for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Trump, days after violent insurrectionists breached the U.S. Capitol.

● Trump’s grip on GOP loosens as No. 3 Republican backs impeachment Los Angeles Times

● Key House Republican Liz Cheney says she’ll vote to impeach Trump as GOP backlash grows Los Angeles Times

● Republicans join impeachment effort ahead of House vote Roll Call

● As House votes to impeach Trump, Democrats weigh options for Senate trial Roll Call

● House votes to officially call on Pence to remove Trump by invoking 25th Amendment, rebuffing the vice president’s objections Washington Post

● Pence Says He Won’t Invoke 25th Amendment, Setting Stage for Impeachment Vote Wall Street Journal

● House to Vote on Trump Impeachment Today - Latest Updates Wall Street Journal

● House Set to Impeach Trump Again, With GOP Support Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: The current divide in the GOP isn’t that deep Roll Call

● Opinion: How the Republican Party Could Break New York Times

● Opinion: Trump Is the Republican Party’s Past and Its Future New York Times

Republicans Lash Out Against New Security Measures at the Capitol

NPR

Several Republican members of Congress grew angry on Tuesday over new security systems implemented at the Capitol.

● Republicans Angered by New House Floor Security Measures Wall Street Journal

● As pandemic worsens, most US states resist restrictions Fresno Bee

Capitol Riot: See the Full List of Companies Halting PAC Donations

Wall Street Journal

Dozens of big U.S. companies have suspended political donations in the wake of the deadly Capitol riot, with many saying they would stop supporting Republicans who objected to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump.

● YouTube Suspends President Trump’s Account Wall Street Journal

How Inauguration Day Is Shaping Up: Beefed Up Security, Limited Public Access

VPR
With just eight days until President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, law enforcement and local government officials in Washington, D.C., are implementing security measures that will make the historic transition of power look very different from those in the past.

White House readying last-minute $27B spending cuts plan

Roll Call

The Trump administration was preparing a $27.4 billion package of spending rescissions to send to Capitol Hill, likely on Wednesday, which once sent will place a temporary hold on the funds at least until President-elect Joe Biden's budget team gets situated.

Supreme Court restores requirements for medication abortions, siding with Trump Administration

Washington Post

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with the Trump administration and reinstated requirements that women seeking medication abortions receive the drugs in person at a clinic, setting aside a judge’s ruling that protocol was dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic.

What Will Biden’s Covid-19 Stimulus Plan Look Like?

Wall Street Journal

President-elect Joe Biden says he plans to detail Thursday the first major legislation of his incoming administration: a massive new stimulus and relief package meant to address the continuing economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Biden to Appoint Acting Agency Heads Due to Transition Delays

Wall Street Journal

President-elect Joe Biden intends to appoint acting agency heads across the federal government once he takes office because of delays to his transition and Senate consideration of his nominees, transition officials said Tuesday.

See also:

● Biden Is Expected to Name Gary Gensler for SEC Chairman Wall Street Journal

Other:

What the 2020 census will reveal about America: Stagnating growth, an aging population, and youthful diversity

Brookings

Over the coming months, the U.S. Census Bureau will roll out the results of the 2020 census, its once-a-decade headcount that will give us precise details on the size, growth, age, and racial-ethnic makeup of the nation’s population.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

California Farm Bureau Commentary: New Stimulus Package Offers Aid for Rural California

Sierra Sun Times

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods, Congress passed and President Trump signed a package of stimulus measures intended to help Americans cope. The 5,500-page package contains many provisions important to California farmers, ranchers and rural residents.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

This ‘bizarre’ Madera homicide case might change California’s domestic violence laws

Fresno Bee

Alleged disclosure of private information from a clinic in Madera led to the tragic death of a victim of domestic violence in a case that has now sparked several legal battles and allegations of conflict of interest among the agencies involved, according to court records and multiple interviews.

Federal, local law enforcement prepare for possible armed protest at California state Capitol

abc30

Authorities are bracing for potential violence at California's state Capitol building amid warnings from the FBI of the possibility of attacks at all 50 state capitals and at the U.S. Capitol in the days leading up to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Public Safety:

Advocates Say Conditions at Women’s Prison in Chowchilla Remain Poor Following Huge COVID Outbreak

VPR
Aminah Elster is the policy coordinator at the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and a formerly incarcerated person. She says the women inside the Chowchilla facility continue to tell her about unsafe living conditions even after the California Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported the highest number of positive cases, 512, at the facility on Jan. 3.

Fire:

Valley firefighters, nursing students could soon be trained to administer COVID-19 shot

abc30

In an effort to get more COVID-19 doses out of the freezers and into patients, California Governor Gavin Newsom says it's all hands on deck. State officials are expanding the list of people who can vaccinate, which will include dentists, pharmacists, and 15 National Guard strike teams.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

PPP Loan Round Two to Begin January 13

Clovis Roundup

Latest PPP phase will be focus of small-business webinar

Bakersfield Californian

Jobs:

Union sues to block California gig worker initiative voters passed 2 months ago

Fresno Bee

Rideshare drivers and one of the largest unions in California are suing the state, seeking to overturn an initiative voters passed in November that exempts drivers for Uber, Lyft and other app-based companies from a labor law that requires them to provide employment benefits to more workers.

US economy lost 140,000 jobs in December and all of them were held by women

abc30

A year ago, a rare thing happened to American women. For three months, [women] held more jobs than men in the U.S. economy - something that had only occurred one other time in history during a short period in 2009 and early 2010.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Clovis teachers say district is rushing students back to campuses. Will they unionize?

Fresno Bee

As more Clovis students plan a return to campuses, more teachers must return as well. But unlike students, some teachers say the school district has given them little to no choice but to teach in-person even as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Fresno County.

Possible layoffs looming for teachers in Fresno’s Central schools. Here’s what we know

Fresno Bee

When Central Unified School District voted to lower graduation requirements in October to be on par with nearby districts, officials said they couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be layoffs.

Sierra Unified School District Trustee Who Attended U.S. Capitol Riot Refuses To Resign

VPR
A Sierra Unified School District board trustee who was at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday refused calls for him to step down during a Monday night board meeting.

Newsom’s School Reopening Plan Puts Tight Deadlines On Districts, Legislature

Capital Public Radio

The record $89.5 billion education budget Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled Friday includes $2 billion in grants aimed at nudging schools to reopen classrooms for its youngest students by mid-February and $4.6 billion for summer school to address students’ learning.

Where conservatives should lead on federal education policy in 2021

AEI

Conservatives have an opportunity to play a productive role in federal education policymaking. They have to do more than just say no.

Higher Ed:

UC should permanently eliminate all standardized tests for admissions, experts say

Los Angeles Times

Now that the University of California is permanently phasing out the SAT, will another standardized test take its place as an admissions requirement? The answer is no, if two expert panels have their way.

Forgiving Student Debt by Executive Action Is Illegal, Trump Lawyers Say

Wall Street Journal

Trump administration lawyers have concluded that it would be illegal to forgive all or some of Americans’ student debt through an executive action—as congressional Democrats have urged the incoming Biden administration to do—arguing that such a move would require Congress to pass a law.

● How Biden Plans to Tackle the $1.6 Trillion Student Loan Debt Wall Street Journal

Commentary: Higher education’s reopening decisions affected the most vulnerable students

Brookings

The COVID-19 pandemic hit higher education on March 6, 2020 when the University of Washington became the first major U.S. university to cancel in-person classes and have students take courses and finals remotely. What followed was a tidal wave of shuttered campuses, canceled study abroad programs, and students and faculty alike scrambling to make sense of remote learning amid spiking infection rates across the country.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Air quality forecast: A haze of pollution will cover the Valley floor through next week

Fresno Bee

A layer of hazy smog-like pollution is expected to continue blanketing the San Joaquin Valley for several days, and residential fires are a big part of the problem in Valley neighborhoods.

Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year

Turlock Journal

EPA Raises Barriers to Climate-Change Rules

Wall Street Journal

The Environmental Protection Agency is creating higher barriers for regulating the emissions that contribute to climate change, setting new rules that effectively block the federal government from imposing new restrictions on several heavy industries.

Covid-19 Took a Bite From U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2020

New York Times

Emissions plunged more than 10 percent. If the trend can be sustained, it would put the United States within striking distance of one of its major goals under the Paris climate agreement.

Opinion: 3 critical lessons California offers to improve restoration of land on a global scale

CalMatters

Scientists say the world has the next decade or so to avoid the most dire environmental scenarios, so we must invest in land restoration.

Energy:

California Is Closing the Door to Gas in New Homes

Scientific American

California's top energy bosses soon will decide when to snuff out natural gas flames in new homes. The seismic move toward omitting some gas appliances comes as the California Energy Commission retools state building codes for energy-efficient homes. It's an expansion of the state's first-in-the-nation mandates requiring solar panels on all new homes starting last year.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno County updates death toll for first time in 10 days

Fresno Bee

Nearly a year into the global pandemic that has upended the lives of millions, Fresno County on Monday reported an additional 805 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 75,621 countywide.

● The US has averaged more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week abc30

● COVID-19 update: Local hospitals on 'cusp' of rationing care Porterville Recorder

● Kern Public Health reports 2 new coronavirus deaths, 946 new cases Tuesday Bakersfield Californian

● Stanislaus County on brink of 700 deaths, 40,000 cases Modesto Bee

● Darkest days for L.A. doctors, nurses, EMTs: ‘The way most people leave is by dying’ Los Angeles Times

● U.S. Deaths Set Single-Day Record Wall Street Journal

● Covid-19 Live Updates: Distracted by D.C. Political Crisis, U.S. Sets Daily Record for Virus Deaths New York Times

Human Services:

Fresno County announces vaccine site at fairgrounds, capable of 1,500 daily shots

Fresno Bee

Fresno County on Tuesday announced a large vaccine clinic at the Fresno County Fairgrounds capable of administering 1,500 shots a day, according to health officials.

● Tulare County health officials to fix loophole that led to ineligible vaccine registrations abc30

● COVID-19 vaccine available to all Phase 1a tiers Hanford Sentinel

● Effort continues to vaccinate Phases 1A and 1B Porterville Recorder

California COVID-19 vaccine rollout hit with software system problems

Los Angeles Times

California’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is being at least partially slowed by technical problems with a software program used by the state to coordinate vaccine distribution among a vast network of providers, according to local and state health officials.

Glacial pace of the U.S. inoculation campaign raises questions about priorities

PBS
Operation Warp Speed may have produced effective COVID vaccines in record time, but administering them has been another matter. Just 9 million of the more than 25 million doses distributed have been given out, according to the CDC. But the Trump administration on Tuesday made big changes to the program. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, joins John Yang to discuss.

● COVID-19 Latest: US asking states to vaccinate everyone older than 65; not hold back 2nd dose abc30

● Trump Administration Urges States To Open COVID-19 Vaccination To Everyone Over 65 VPR

● Coronavirus Vaccine Doses That Were Held Back Now Being Released Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: Vaccination by Age Is the Way to Go Wall Street Journal

Health care workers can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at Kern County Wonderful Wellness Centers in Lost Hills, Delano

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern County Wonderful Wellness Centers, located in Lost Hills and Delano, are extending their COVID-19 vaccinations to all eligible health care professionals in Kern County.

Covered California nears 1.6 million enrollment amid virus

Fresno Bee

Nearly 1.6 million people have purchased health insurance through Covered California, state officials said Tuesday, a number that reflects the state's high unemployment rate as millions of people have lost their jobs — and their employer-sponsored health coverage — during the pandemic.

What will happen to California health care plans when Joe Biden takes office?

Fresno Bee

As a result, the changes Californians can expect for their health care include smaller steps that might make health care more affordable and more stable, such as increasing subsidies to low-income Californians from the federal government.

IMMIGRATION

Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration Could be Tough to Undo

Bloomberg

President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts to reverse President Donald Trump’s immigration executive actions may not be as simple as issuing a contrary edict, as court rulings show that the government should consider both the scope of authority as well as underlying reasons for actions taken.

Harris teases immigration agenda: Green cards for DACA and TPS recipients, shorter waits for citizenship

Politico

The incoming administration will focus on decreasing wait times to obtain citizenship, granting automatic green cards to protected undocumented immigrants and adding immigration judges to decrease backlogs on court hearings, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said on Tuesday.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Adventure Church says Tower Theatre would remain event venue under their ownership

abc30

Longtime business near Tower Theatre moving to North Fresno

Business Journal

After more than a decade in Tower, The Painted Table catering company is relocating its business to Tornino’s Banquets at 5080 N. Blackstone Ave. — a popular venue for events of all kinds, including business breakfasts and lunches hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and other groups.

Iconic Downtown Fresno concert venue for sale

Business Journal

An iconic Downtown Fresno event venue is being listed for sale. The 80-year-old Rainbow Ballroom will be listed for sale Wednesday for just under $4 million, according to Jared Ennis, commercial agent with KW Commercial.

What’s that massive building under construction in northwest Fresno? Here are the details

Fresno Bee

A mysterious and massive building is under construction in northwest Fresno. It’s part of the Markeplace at El Paseo, the shopping center near Highway 99 and Herndon Avenue. With no signs identifying it and almost no windows, it has left neighbors wondering what it is.

Housing:

Low-barrier, winter homeless shelter for single women now open in Stockton

Stockton Record

Stockton Shelter for the Homeless opened a winter shelter for single women this past week. The new low-barrier accommodations is the first of its kind in Stockton.

Progressives must stop celebrating urban flight

AEI

As the nation enters 2021 with hopes of healing divisions, Vox published a story with the drop headline, “Young families and wealthy people are decamping for the suburbs — which might make cities more pleasant for everyone else.” This is exactly the continued nonsense from the left that continues to polarize our discourse, and it needs to stop.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Millions will get their stimulus check through prepaid debit card. Here’s what to know

Fresno Bee

Millions of Americans will receive their $600 stimulus check through prepaid debit card, the Internal Revenue Service said Thursday.

Record revenues expected in California Budget proposal

Turlock Journal

Governor Gavin Newsom last week submitted his 2021-22 State Budget proposal to the Legislature – a record $227.2 billion fiscal blueprint that is a staunch reversal from summer fears of a drop in California revenue.

Tax Season Is Coming, and It Could Be Messy

Wall Street Journal

The annual tax-filing season is about to start, and it could be much messier than usual. Many taxpayers will forgo their usual in-person meetings with tax preparers due to the pandemic. Millions will need to file tax returns to get the balance they are owed for stimulus payments.

For Remote Workers, Time Is Running Out to Fix State-Tax Messes

Wall Street Journal

If you’ve worked from home this year, and that home is in a different state from your office, think about your taxes immediately. Acting now could help avoid surprise bills, interest and penalties when filing state taxes next year.

TRANSPORTATION

MAX buses make fewer trips because workers out with COVID-19, for other reasons

Modesto Bee

Modesto Area Express has reduced how often its buses run by about 25 percent in response to having fewer workers on the job because of COVID-19 and for other reasons.

Trouble for Gavin Newsom’s electric car plan? Democrats criticize it at hearing

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus recovery proposal is too focused on promoting electric cars and not enough on supporting small businesses, some lawmakers said Monday.

State bullet train delays ‘beyond comprehension,’ contractor says in blistering letter

Los Angeles Times

One of the state’s top bullet train contractors has sent a scorching 36-page letter to California high-speed rail officials, contradicting state claims that the line’s construction pace is on target and warning the project could miss a key 2022 federal deadline.

People flying into US will soon have to provide negative COVID result, CDC says

Fresno Bee

The CDC announced Tuesday that anyone traveling into the U.S. via airplane must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to their airline, citing the rise of new coronavirus strains around the world that appear to be more contagious.

A Democratic Congress Could Boost Biden’s Transportation Agenda

City Lab

For clean transportation advocates, Wednesday, Jan. 6 started out on a high note...The results of the Jan. 5 Georgia Senate runoffs reshaped President-elect Joe Biden’s chances for transformative policymaking across many fronts, including the nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems.

WATER

Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year

Turlock Journal

California AG Becerra Joins Multistate Effort to Hold Polluters Accountable Under the Clean Water Act

Sierra Sun Times

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Monday, as part of a 12-state coalition, submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) arguing that its new draft guidance misinterprets the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund.

A New Year Will Bring Opportunities for Continued Progress

California Farm Water Coalition

Much has been written in the last few weeks about the impact an incoming Biden administration will have on the war of lawsuits between California and the Trump administration. Unfortunately, because conflict is often more interesting to write about than cooperative progress towards joint goals, these articles miss a lot of the positive work underway in our state.

Event: Building Resilience for Cities and Farms with Water Partnerships

Public Policy Institute of California

California’s urban and agricultural regions face different but equally daunting water challenges. Partnerships can help build a more secure water future for cities and farms, bring environmental benefits, and improve resilience across California’s water system.

“Xtra”

Abandoned Tower District bank in Fresno has a new tenant. It’s a cannabis dispensary

Fresno Bee

The former Bank of America branch in Fresno’s Tower District has a new tenant. If all goes as planned, the building, which has been vacant since 2017, could become one of the city’s first cannabis dispensaries.

2021 Whiskey Flat Days canceled due to COVID-19

Bakersfield Californian

Whiskerinos will have wait another year. The Kernville Chamber of Commerce announced that Whiskey Flat Days and Wild West Daze Rodeo have been canceled.

Restoring Streetcar No. 10 a 'huge' project at Kern County Museum

Bakersfield Californian

There's no question that the Kern County Museum, like thousands of local businesses and nonprofits, has suffered greatly from a decrease in foot traffic and fundraising opportunities.