|
TOP POLITICAL STORIES
Local/Regional Politics:
Senate intelligence panel denied access to Nunes memo CNN Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr’s staff has not been given access to a classified memo drafted by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, a sign of how closely House Republicans are guarding allegations of Justice Department wrongdoing over surveillance activities in the Russia investigation.According to three sources familiar with the matter, Burr’s staff requested a copy of the memo and has been denied, just as the FBI and Justice Department have also been denied reviewing a copy of the document. The memo is based on highly classified intelligence that only a select group of House and Senate lawmakers have accessed. See also: · DOJ tells Nunes it’d be ‘reckless’ to release memo without reviewTheHill · Release the Memo & Release All Evidence National Review · Russian Bots Might Be Behind Controversial #ReleaseTheMemo Campaign, Democrats Say Newsweek · FBI Texts and Dueling Memos Escalate Fight Over Russia Inquiry New York Times
Rep. Valadao Joins President Castro, CSU Fresno Dreamers for DACA Discussion Valley Voice On the afternoon of January 24, United States Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) joined with President California State University, Fresno President Joseph Castro and students to discuss the DACA program and immigration reform.
What’s In Your Air? New Low-Cost Devices Monitor Valley Air Pollution Valley Public Radio In this age of smart homes and electronic assistants, your appliances can now order refills automatically and you can manage your home security system using an app. But can the so-called “internet of things” be used to solve community problems? Some San Joaquin Valley residents think so: They’re trying to address one of the region’s perennial public health problems with a new low-cost device.
Fresno Study Broadens Links Between Air Pollution, Health, DNA Valley Public Radio Last week, we brought you a report about the San Joaquin Valley’s recent bout of smoggy air, which in Bakersfield was the longest consecutive episode of unhealthy PM2.5 levels in decades. We wanted to know: What are the consequences of air pollution on our health?
Yosemite National Park | Michael Reynolds named superintendent The Fresno Bee Michael Reynolds, deputy director of the National Park Service, has been named the new superintendent of Yosemite National Park. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced his selection Wednesday morning. The 31-year Park Service veteran grew up in Yosemite and later returned to the park as a resource manager, planner and division chief.
Porterville to elect council members by district to settle lawsuit Fresno Bee Porterville voters will elect city council members by districts, the city has decided, settling a voting rights lawsuit and avoiding an expensive battle that other cities have lost.
They do similar jobs as men, but get paid less. Now, 3 female coaches are fighting back Fresno Bee Three female coaches at Fresno City College and Reedley College have sued the State Center Community College District for gender discrimination, saying the district employs an unfair system that pays male coaches more money.
Tulare County passes social host ordinance targeting underage drinking, pot smoking ABC30 The Social Host Ordinance is a new tool for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to punishing those who provide alcohol or marijuana to minors, deputies can go after those who host parties where underage drinking or pot smoking is occurring.
United Health Centers opens new medical facility in Sanger ABC30 As the City of Sanger grows so does the need for basic services. The brand new United Health Centers facility stands out downtown. It is designed to keep patients home instead of hitting the road for doctor’s appointments. “There really wasn’t anything like this before so naturally they had to travel to Fresno or Clovis or what have you to get their medical care taken care of,” said Sanger Mayor Frank Gonzales.
TRMC $32 million in debt, board releases financials and says future is hopeful ABC30 Tulare Regional Medical Center remains a skeleton of itself tonight. The fate of the hospital is hanging in limbo. If money does not start rolling in by February, the board says there could be trouble. Former employees of Tulare hospital are getting antsy in their seats. Since November, former employee Melissa Waters has come to every board meeting, hoping to hear a date.
ABC30 A Madera County family wants to build a small less than 500 square foot accessory house next to their home, for their daughter to stay in so she can look after her aging mother. Linda Dineen drew up the plans for the $60,000 home but was shocked to see the price tag for the county fees. “$15,538– $10,500 of that is what they call road impact fee,” said Dineen.
Controversy surrounding 110 acres in SW Fresno being proposed for an industrial business park ABC30 Daniel Macias has questions about the empty property in Southwest Fresno. The 110 acres is being proposed for heavy industrial development right across from his home. “My main concern is the health of the people that live in the neighborhood, with a lot of truck traffic comes contamination pollution and who knows what else,” said Macias.
Better Business Bureau forms partnership with Fresno State Clovis Roundup Better Business Bureau announced a new ethical partnership today with Fresno State’s Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and The Ethics Center, which will celebrate ethical leadership and highlight the good work done in the community. The “Celebration of Ethical Leadership” event is a combined effort that stems from BBB’s annual “Excellence in Ethics” and Fresno State’s “Ethical Leadership.”
Hornick announces he will run for Madera County district attorney Sierra Star Senior Madera County Deputy District Attorney Paul J. Hornick, 39, has announced his intentions to run for Madera County District Attorney in the June 5 primary election against his boss, incumbent David Linn.
Two is enough; Riverbank calls time out on more pot shops Modesto Bee City leaders unanimously banned additional marijuana dispensaries, but not before several people chastised them for approving two others in recent weeks.
Modesto will fix broken culture Modesto Bee Interim City Manager Joe Lopez said Modesto will fix the culture that led to problems in its purchasing practices, in which the city spent $16 million more than what the City Council had authorized.
More than $5 million awarded to fight homelessness in Kern County KBAK More than $5.5 million is being awarded to help homeless people in Kern County. The funding comes five days after Ben Carson, the U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development, announced $2 billion would be allocated to nationwide programs, according to the United Way of Kern County.
State Politics:
Gov. Brown to lay out vision in last State of State Sacramento Bee Gov. Jerry Brown will look back on his four terms as California’s governor and lay out his vision for what’s to come Thursday in his final State of the State address as leader of the nation’s most populous state. See also: · ‘We’ll be doing a hell of a lot in the eighth year,’ Brown says before last state address Sacramento Bee · State of the State? Lots Better Than Jerry Brown Found It The California Report | KQED News · From dystopia to dogs, memorable lines from all of Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State speeches Los Angeles Times · Whalen: The issues Gov. Jerry Brown shouldn’t gloss over The Sacramento Bee · Tips for Interviewing Jerry Brown New York Times · For Jerry Brown, the Face of California’s Old Order, the Ranch Is Calling New York Times
Bullet train audit request gains momentum: Breaking View OCRegister California’s bullet train project has basically been one long, embarrassing and wasteful disaster ever since it got started. Alas, it persists. See also: · Will Unfinished Train Overpasses Become California’s Stonehenge? National Review
California’s next governor: Who’s running, who’s on the fence, and who’s already out Los Angeles Times Welcome to your guide to the 2018 California governor’s race. The general election is less than a year away. Campaigning is underway, political consultants are doling out advice and pundits are handicapping favorites and wild cards.
UC Tuition hikes on hold – for now The Sacramento Bee The University of California’s governing board delayed a proposed tuition increase until May, but ‘the need for funding is obvious,” UC president says. See also: · UC delays tuition increase as Brown pushes back The Sacramento Bee · UC postpones vote on raising tuition for second consecutive year until May 89.3 KPCC · University of California postpones decision on $342 tuition hike after Brown criticism EdSource
Gov. Jerry Brown and other governors ask Congress to pass disaster aid Los Angeles Times Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to urge Congress to approve more funding for their 2017 disasters. “Simply put, the communities devastated by these storms cannot be completely put back together until the federal government makes good on its promises to our citizens,” they said in a letter to House and Senate leaders Wednesday.
Los Angeles Times Months of behind the scenes talks have failed to drum up enough money to pay the full costs of replumbing the center of California’s sprawling waterworks with two giant water tunnels.
Fox and Hounds Daily At his recent press conference introducing his last budget, Governor Jerry Brown pointed to a chart indicating a future his successor in office might face as “darkness, uncertainty, decline and recession.” Brown was echoing the theme he brought to every budget introduction press conference that a recession is inevitable and would hit the state coffers hard. Therefore, he argued, there is a need to max out the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Will State Voters Continue To Pour Money Into Stem Cell Research? NPR The year was 2004, and according to certain TV ads in California, great medical breakthroughs might be just around the corner
New Capitol sexual harassment panel to hold 1st meeting The Bakersfield Californian There’s no quick fix to the California Legislature’s problems with sexual harassment, lawmakers leading a panel on the issue said Wednesday. See also: · California capitol sexual harassment panel says change won’t be quick AP · Democrats threaten to suspend Sen. Tony Mendoza if he returns before harassment investigation ends Los Angeles Times
Judge who sentenced Stanford swimmer to six months in jail for sexual assault faces recall vote Los Angeles Times The Santa Clara County judge who sentenced a former Stanford University swimmer to six months in jail for sexually assaulting a woman after a fraternity party will be up for a recall vote later this year, the Registrar of Voters announced on Tuesday.
California’s right-to-die law is working but challenges remain Mercury News California’s right-to-die law has been embraced by many around the state — from scores of patients and their families to individual doctors, some hospice caregivers and several health care systems.
Tech execs back California bill that aims to build more housing near transit Mercury News Bigger, taller apartment buildings surrounding your neighborhood BART station? More than 100 California tech leaders are enthusiastically saying yes, please.
‘Let us vote,’ Democratic Party delegates say, challenging incumbents on party endorsement Sacramento Bee Six incumbent California Democrats seeking re-election are facing challenges to getting the state Democratic Party endorsement, with a key delegate vote planned this Saturday in Sacramento.
California, Sacramento targeted for sanctuary compliance The Sacramento Bee The Trump administration Wednesday took another shot at immigration policies in California and other so-called “sanctuaries” around the country, threatening subpoenas and grant cuts if the jurisdictions can’t prove they are complying with federal immigration rules.
No, California didn’t pass a law allowing undocumented immigrants to register to vote PolitiFact In April 2018, a new law will allow Californians to automatically register to vote when they renew their driver’s license. It’s intended to bolster registration in a state where voter turnout has lagged.
Calmaters If you care about this state, it’s time to sound the alarm about the crisis in media and what it means for the health of democracy in the world’s sixth largest economy. Media is declining nationally, but unique pressures have made California into America’s laboratory for a dangerous experiment about what happens to the public interest when policy is made without the public’s awareness or accountability.
Federal Politics:
Trump Says He’s Weighing Path to Citizenship for ‘Dreamers’ Bloomberg President Donald Trump said he’s open to giving young undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship in an immigration deal the White House will be negotiating with Congress. There would be a 10- to 12-year process for those now protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to get citizenship if they work and maintain a clean criminal record, Trump told reporters Wednesday at an impromptu appearance at a White House briefing. See also: · Trump says he’s open to citizenship path for DACA recipientsTheHill · Trump says he’ll propose a path to citizenship for ‘Dreamers,’ along with immigration limits, border wall Los Angeles Times · Trump voters cautiously supportive of his immigration plan The Sacramento Bee · White House to Roll Out Immigration Framework on Monday Roll Call
Walters: Feinstein feels the heat on immigrant protection Calmatters The state’s top political figures—U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in particular—received a harsh reminder this week that what plays in liberal California may be a liability elsewhere.
Skelton: Will California lose a seat in Congress after the next census? You can bet Trump hopes so Los Angeles Times Here’s a mischievous way for President Trump to get back at pesky California: Ask people in the 2020 census whether they’re U.S. citizens
Los Angeles Times A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has introduced legislation that it hopes will lead to the creation of a California work permit program for farmworkers and service industry employees without legal residency in the United States.
Provocative Trump Campaign Ad Gives Wrong Impression On Immigrant Crime PolitiFact California President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign released a provocative video featuring an undocumented immigrant accused of killing two Northern California sheriff’s deputies during a crime spree in October 2014. The advertisement accurately captures the outbursts of the accused killer, but it also fuels the stereotype that undocumented immigrants are largely violent.
Justice Dept Demands Sanctuary City Documents From California Capital Public Radio In the latest in a dispute about whether sanctuary policies to protect undocumented immigrants violate federal law, the U.S. Department of Justice is threatening to subpoena California and several cities within it over sanctuary policies. See also: · New ‘sanctuary city’ threat by Trump administration sparks fresh fight with mayors Los Angeles Times · Sanctuary status could bring federal subpoenas for California, Sacramento Sacramento Bee
We updated our California congressional race rankings. A lot has changed Los Angeles Times In nearly all these races, California’s top-two primary and the long list of Democrats stepping up to run could complicate matters. See also: · House Midterms: GOP Outlook Is Better Than You Think National Review
Republicans’ 2018 Agenda Worth Pursuing National Review Republicans scored a major success by passing their tax bill. Just ask them. Victory appears to have come as such a surprise to them that they do not have a plan for what to do next.At the White House, infrastructure is the big idea. It has been slow, however, to explain what form a bill would take. The president has reportedly poured cold water on the public–private partnerships that Gary Cohn, his top economic adviser, wants to make central to any plan.
New lawsuit in California vs. Trump seeks to tighten rules on fracking Sacramento Bee California, the third-largest oil producing state in the nation, on Wednesday sued the Trump administration to reinstate an Obama-era rule governing hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking. See also: · California sues Trump administration over repeal of fracking rule Washington Post · The Energy 202: California just can’t get enough of suing the Trump administration Washington Post
No one seems to want to run Trump’s EPA in California Los Angeles Times Perhaps it is unsurprising that the White House still hasn’t filled this job: San Francisco is not an inviting place for the Make America Great Again administration.
Explainer: More US states eye donations to evade Trump tax changes Reuters Legislation that first surfaced in California to give taxpayers a way to avoid the new cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions by making charitable donations has popped up in four more states so far, with others reviewing alternative methods.
Senate confirms Trump pick to head Health and Human Services Department Los Angeles Times The Senate on Wednesday voted 55-43 to approve Alex Azar to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services, making the former drug executive President Trump’s second Health secretary.
For anyone holding out hope, Meg Whitman says she’s not running for office again Los Angeles Times When Meg Whitman stepped down as chief executive of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, political observers wondered if she would run again for political office in California. Never again, the billionaire said.
Other:
Tax and fee amnesty available for California mobile home owners The Mercury News In the often paycheck to paycheck world of mobile home living, many homeowners lack proper title and registrations for their dwellings. Some may owe thousands of dollars in fines and fees. But the state has opened up an amnesty program allowing mobile home owners to register their trailers and waive back taxes.
Another school shooting: Are we numb to it? The Fresno Bee The shooting of more than a dozen students at a Kentucky high school might have been expected to shock the nation, but Americans seem numbed by the apparent frequency of school shootings since 20 children and six adults were killed at a Connecticut elementary school in 2012, gun-control advocates say.
“Truth Decay” Study: Facts & Analysis Play Diminishing Role in Public Life National Review It cannot be a sign of social health that the number of tweets per day worldwide exploded from 5,000 in 2007 to 500 million six years later. And this might be related, by a few degrees of separation, to the fact that whereas in the 1992 presidential election more than one-third of America’s 3,113 counties or their equivalents had a single-digit margin of victory, in the 2016 presidential election, fewer than 10 percent did. And to the fact that in 2016, 1,196 counties — about 2.5 times the average over the preceding 20 years — were decided by margins larger than 50 percent.
Fake Voices Will Become Worryingly Accurate RAND In 2018, fears of fake news will pale in comparison to new technology that can fake the human voice. This could create security nightmares. Worse still, it could strip away from each of us a part of our uniqueness. But companies, universities, and governments are already working furiously to decode the human voice for many applications.
Topics in More Detail…
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Growers association sues state over large-scale marijuana farms in California Sacramento Bee The California Department of Food and Agriculture has defied the will of voters by allowing large-scale marijuana farms, a group representing growers alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday. See also: · Small California pot farms sue state over rules allowing multi-acre cultivation Los Angeles Times.
Is California’s pot mecca ready to receive visitors? San Francisco Chronicle The tourists took a break to gorge on cheese. So much cheese, of so many types — cubes of habanero-cheddar, havarti and fontina, and a citrus-Monterey Jack that somehow was the best of all.
Advocacy group calls on McDonald’s to remove antibiotics from beef, pork Reuters A consumer and public health group is pressing McDonald’s Corp to set a timeline for phasing out the routine use of medically important antibiotics in the beef and pork it serves, amid warnings that the practice fuels dangerous drug-resistant superbug infections in people.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Tulare County passes social host ordinance targeting underage drinking, pot smoking ABC30 The Social Host Ordinance is a new tool for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to punishing those who provide alcohol or marijuana to minors, deputies can go after those who host parties where underage drinking or pot smoking is occurring.
Community investment, not punishment, is key to reducing violence Los Angeles Times For more than four decades, our national approach to addressing crime and violence has focused on punishment.
California may up its rehab efforts to keep ex-inmates from returning to prison CALmatters Gov. Jerry Brown wants to add millions in new spending on programs to help former inmates stay out of jail—a proposal generating bipartisan praise because of concern they are returning to prison in large numbers. But some say it still isn’t enough.
To prevent wrongful convictions, California considering new eyewitness lineup standards Los Angeles Times Ricardo Aguilera identified a teenager with a bald fade haircut and a mustache as the drive-by shooter who fired a bullet into the back of his head. He picked the potential suspect out of a photo lineup of 10 people. But the picture was at least eight years old. And several of the other images did not match his description of the assailant.
Fire:
Community Colleges Were Crucial During California’s Wildfires KQED National community college leaders are telling campuses nationwide that California community colleges’ response to the recent wildfires is an example of best practices.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Walmart increases pay, benefits in California Visalia Times-Delta Walmart stores across California announced they are granting employees a large bonus of up to $1,000. That is just one of its new investments, which will impact half a dozen stores and warehouses in Tulare County.
Women state workers earn less than men. New bill aims to close the gap Sacramento Bee Female public employees would gain a new tool to push for raises under a bill submitted this week that would force state government to address gender-related disparities in pay among civil servants.
Millennials are reinventing small business. Now let’s invest in them Sacramento Bee As a financial services executive, there is a place I go to witness innovative entrepreneurial leadership: The Rich Barber Hair Studio on J Street, at the corner of 25th Street. There, over the buzz of razors, I listen to Chuka Torres, 33, the dynamic barbershop founder who brands himself “The Rich Barber” as he snips good-looking cuts while eloquently describing how he leverages his 110,000 Instagram, Facebook and YouTube followers and new patents to build a growing national grooming empire.
EDUCATION
K-12:
EDUCATION ROUNDUP: Changes coming to Pauly Elementary campusThe Bakersfield Californian Starting next year, students from Leo G. Pauly Elementary School will stay on campus for the first year of middle school, district officials decided Tuesday.
California leaders must act to extend progress on school discipline EdSource California students and parents have been at the forefront of a national movement to promote common-sense school discipline policies, and their hard work is paying off.
State superintendent candidate Marshall Tuck returns donation from anti-LGBT funder EdSource State superintendent of public instruction candidate Marshall Tuck’s campaign said Wednesday it has returned a $5,000 contribution from a major backer of Proposition 8, the 2008 initiative that banned same-sex marriages in California. The announcement came one day after Equality California, a statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, called on Tuck to return the contribution from Howard Fieldstead Ahmanson, Jr., and donate the $57,800 contribution from Ahmanson to Tuck’s 2014 campaign to organizations that support LGBTQ youth.
Higher Ed:
For articles on UC Tuition hike, See: “Top Stories: State Politics”
Protests decry USC administrators’ takeover of student-funded scholarship program Los Angeles Times For decades, students at USC have been charging themselves a small fee each semester to support classmates who come from low-income households or are the first in their families to attend college.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
Earthquake: 4.0 quake strikes near Temescal Los Angeles Times A shallow magnitude 4.0 earthquake was reported Thursday morning one mile from Temescal according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The temblor occurred at 2:09 a.m. Pacific time at a depth of 6.2 miles.
Energy:
California sues Trump administration over fracking rules The Sacramento Bee California, the third-largest oil producing state in the nation, on Wednesday sued the Trump administration to reinstate an Obama-era rule governing hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra argued the move by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to repeal regulations on fracking represents a threat to public health and the environment. See also: California sues Trump administration for canceling fracking rules CALmatters
Trump’s New Tariff On Solar Could Set Back California’s Renewable Energy Goals Capradio.org President Trump imposed a new tariff this week on the solar industry that critics say could decrease demand for solar and result in a huge loss of U.S. jobs. The tariffs on imported solar cells start at 30 percent and over four years will drop to 15 percent. They were implemented over concerns that imports of solar parts are taking away from business from U.S. manufacturers. See also: · Solar tariff figures to hurt, not kill, an industry that’s helping Southern California in a big way OCRegister
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Breath test for kidney failure ABC30 Kidney failure is one of the top ten leading causes of death and affects five million people in the U.S. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic are testing a new, non-invasive way to detect kidney failure. Doctors can test your blood and urine for diseases, but now a new device is allowing them to test your breath.
United Health Centers opens new medical facility in Sanger ABC30 As the City of Sanger grows so does the need for basic services. The brand new United Health Centers facility stands out downtown. It is designed to keep patients home instead of hitting the road for doctor’s appointments. “There really wasn’t anything like this before so naturally they had to travel to Fresno or Clovis or what have you to get their medical care taken care of,” said Sanger Mayor Frank Gonzales.
What’s In Your Air? New Low-Cost Devices Monitor Valley Air Pollution Valley Public Radio In this age of smart homes and electronic assistants, your appliances can now order refills automatically and you can manage your home security system using an app. But can the so-called “internet of things” be used to solve community problems? Some San Joaquin Valley residents think so: They’re trying to address one of the region’s perennial public health problems with a new low-cost device.
Fresno Study Broadens Links Between Air Pollution, Health, DNA Valley Public Radio Last week, we brought you a report about the San Joaquin Valley’s recent bout of smoggy air, which in Bakersfield was the longest consecutive episode of unhealthy PM2.5 levels in decades. We wanted to know: What are the consequences of air pollution on our health? Health centers across the Valley reported an uptick in cases related to asthma attacks and other respiratory flare-ups, but a new research paper published earlier this month explores the longer-term impacts of air pollution exposure–namely how it can affect our DNA and in turn our immune system function.
California needs SB 562 to guarantee health care for all The San Diego Tribune Amid attacks by the Trump administration and Congress on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid that will further drive up costs for care and push more people out of health coverage entirely, California legislators should stop talking about universal coverage and act.
In California, Where Cancer Warnings Abound, Coffee Is Next in Line Wall Street Journal Under a state law, cancer warnings already follow Californians when they enter the lobby of apartment buildings, drive into parking garages and sit down at restaurants. They also pop up on products including kitty litter, ceramic plates and black licorice.
IMMIGRATION For stories on “DACA” See: “Top Stories – Federal Politics,” above
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Kings’ downtown condo tower is behind schedule. Could this deal speed up construction? Sacramento Bee The Sacramento Kings’ four-year effort to build a major entertainment district downtown took several steps forward this week with the quiet settlement of a $6 million construction lawsuit and the opening of the district’s first new retail store, Urban Outfitters.
Controversy surrounding 110 acres in SW Fresno being proposed for an industrial business park ABC30 Daniel Macias has questions about the empty property in Southwest Fresno. The 110 acres is being proposed for heavy industrial development right across from his home. “My main concern is the health of the people that live in the neighborhood, with a lot of truck traffic comes contamination pollution and who knows what else,” said Macias.
Housing:
ABC30 A Madera County family wants to build a small less than 500 square foot accessory house next to their home, for their daughter to stay in so she can look after her aging mother. Linda Dineen drew up the plans for the $60,000 home but was shocked to see the price tag for the county fees. “$15,538– $10,500 of that is what they call road impact fee,” said Dineen.
Southern California median home price breaks record set last decade during housing bubble Los Angeles Times The Southern California median home price in December finally surpassed bubble-era highs, a milestone that took more than a decade to achieve and is once again raising concerns that housing is too costly.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Modesto will fix broken culture The Modesto Bee Interim City Manager Joe Lopez said Modesto will fix the culture that led to problems in its purchasing practices, in which the city spent $16 million more than what the City Council had authorized.
TRANSPORTATION
Community Voices: Aiding HSR-impacted groups more noble than selecting HSR stop The Bakersfield Californian I enjoyed reading a recent letter to the editor by Bill Descary (“LGA is best high-speed rail alignment,” Jan. 20). In his detailed letter, Descary provides notes that should help us all better understand the lengthy history of the Bakersfield High-Speed Rail footprint, local HSR impacts and the current issue before the planning commission.
Burbank to Los Angeles Project Section – Statewide Rail Modernization Programs California High-Speed Rail Authority A look at the proposed HSR alignment between Burbank and Los Angeles.
WATER
It takes cash to get lead out of schools Sacramento Bee When will California make it a priority to protect our children from the toxic lead contamination in many schools’ water? From the looks of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget, this threat to students’ health and academic potential remains dangerously underfunded.
Storm delivers rain to Bay Area, snow to Sierra Nevada The Mercury News A storm system continues to move through the Bay Area and Northern California on Thursday morning, likely bringing the last round of January rain to the region.
NOAA super computers may soon predict mountain snowfall a season in advance The San Diego Tribune Farmers, ecologists, water managers, even those tasked with fighting backcountry wildfires could greatly benefit from knowing months in advance how much water will be available from melting mountain snow every spring.
“Xtra”
Free bus rides to Yosemite announced Sierra Star Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) announced Jan. 24 that it will offer free transit service to Yosemite National Park on nine days this year, five of those days on the Highway 41 corridor.
‘This is my rock bottom’: Human trafficking survivors to share their stories at free event at Fox TheaterThe Bakersfield Californian Candice Shepard was just 23-years old when she jumped out of a two-story San Jose hotel window. Carrying the few items she owned in a grocery bag, she ran barefoot for her life.
Valley Public Radio Mourns Death Of Longtime General Manager Mariam Stepanian Valley Public Radio Mariam Stepanian, president and general manager of Valley Public Radio died Thursday Jan. 18 in Fresno, following complications from an illness. She was surrounded by her family and closest friends. White Ash Broadcasting Board Chair David Parker issued the following statement on her passing:
Jazz Star Gregory Porter Reflects On His Bakersfield Roots Valley Public Radio Gregory Porter is one of the brightest stars in the jazz world. Since he burst on the scene in 2010 with his critically acclaimed debut album Water, Porter has won two Grammy Awards for best jazz vocal album, and is one of the most in-demand artists in the genre. His new record Nat King Cole and Me has earned him spots on NBC’s Today Show and Late Night With Stephen Colbert, and soon a concert at Carnegie Hall.
EDITORIALS
Rep. Devin Nunes, Trump’s stooge, attacks FBISacramento Bee What, pray tell, does Rep. Devin Nunes think he’s doing by waving around a secret memo attacking the FBI, the nation’s premier law enforcement agency? He certainly isn’t representing his Central Valley constituents or Californians, who care much more about health care, jobs and, yes, protecting Dreamers than about the latest conspiracy theory.
Cheers and Jeers: Answering the call againStockton Record Ray Call has made a career of becoming an “interim.” In 2015 he stepped in to lead the YMCA of San Joaquin County as a search was conducted to find a full-time replacement for departed director Rich Good, who had left to become CEO of the Anaheim branch of the YMCA.
Our view: Advance Peace an idea worth tryingStockton Record We see the effects far too often, and the memorial services and benefit fundraisers are too numerous to track.
Stop the California bullet train in its tracks The Mercury News The latest $2.8 billion cost overrun is yet another reminder that the Legislature should apply the brakes to Gov. Jerry Brown’s legacy-seeking bullet train fiasco.
Trump’s solar tariff costs U.S. jobs, threatens California’s clean energy futureThe Mercury News Donald Trump is launching a major assault on renewable energy in the guise of a free trade policy. His 30 percent tariff announced Monday on solar panel imports from nearly every country around the world deals a major blow to the clean energy industry in the United States. It will cost thousands of jobs here — installation is the big job creator in this industry, not manufacturing — and it will raise costs of solar for California homeowners and utilities. Trump’s ‘America First’ plan for solar panels and washers is going to cost consumers and workers dearlyLos Angeles Times As President Trump was signing orders Tuesday to impose stiff tariffs on imported solar-power cells and washing machines, most of which come from Asia, negotiators for 11 other countries in Asia and the Americas were reaching final agreement on a trade agreement to increase commerce between them and make their economies less reliant on China.
Memo to Orange County: Forcing homeless people off a river trail doesn’t actually solve homelessnessLos Angeles Times As Orange County authorities gear up to clear the Santa Ana River Trail of its burgeoning homeless population, they need to realize that sweeping the area won’t solve the county’s homelessness problem. It will only move those people to other locales — in Orange County. Cooking the graduation books in California OCRegister Does it matter, a few percentage points one way or another, how many California high school students are actually graduating, leaping for photos in their caps and gowns? |
January 25, 2018
25Jan