POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Without a trace: Merced Co has stopped contact tracing as coronavirus surges
CALmatters
Merced County promised 42 tracers to interview infected people. But it’s not actually tracing. “All of us got sick, and the county didn’t do anything to help us.”
See also:
● Why isn’t contact tracing protecting California from COVID-19 outbreaks? San Jose Mercury
● Contact tracing hampered by testing delays, unanswered phone calls — and lack of trust PEW
● Is Your State Doing Enough Coronavirus Testing? NY Times
● California Coronavirus Map and Case Count NY Times
Governor’s order likely keep Stanislaus County schools closed longer than most
Modesto Bee
The decision of when to return to classroom learning in Stanislaus County will no longer be in the hands local health officials and superintendents as long as the county remains on the state’s watch list for rising coronavirus cases.
See also:
● Coronavirus update: Stanislaus deaths hit 61. Single-day infection rate 47% Modesto Bee
Delayed starts, chances for face-to-face teacher time. How Co school year will open
Modesto Bee
Small and large, school districts within Stanislaus Co whose academic years are set to start in early to mid-August will have one thing in common: Instruction will be online only.
6 Stanislaus, Merced restaurants violated COVID-19 orders over July 4 weekend, state says
Modesto Bee
In case you were wondering whether the state is serious about enforcing the new shutdown orders meant to slow our worsening surge of COVID-19 infections, the answer is an emphatic yes.
Former Modesto City Schools trustee Zwahlen joins crowded field in mayor’s race
Modesto Bee
Mayor Ted Brandvold now faces eight challengers, including two council members, as he seeks second term in November.
Stockton Creates Community-Police Review Board For Police Practices, Including Use Of Force
The Stockton Police Department has become a prime example nationally of how a police department changed to prevent bias, de-escalate violence and expand relationships with the community.
Modesto mayor’s proposal for urban limit line won’t make November ballot
Modesto Bee
Modesto has not done enough homework to ask voters in November to approve an urban limit line, which would put a boundary around the city and direct where growth could and could not occur.
Central SJ Valley:
Fresno Co on the verge of an overflow
Fresno Bee
Fresno Co braces for possible opening of convention center hall as overflow for hospitals stretched by COVID-19 patients.
See Also:
● More than 100 new cases in Co: SVMC to close Urgent Care Center Porterville Recorder
● COVID-19 update: Eight new deaths in Tulare Co Porterville Recorder
● As Fresno Co coronavirus cases surge, officials cut back on public updates Fresno Bee
● State Assemblyman Arambula calls for emergency meeting with Fresno Co leaders over COVID-19 challenges Fresno Bee
FEMA teams in Fresno; Clovis students can return to campus
Fresno Bee
Fresno Co has now seen close to 9,000 cases of coronavirus. The Co, which starting this week is reporting updates twice a week, had a triple-digit rise in positive cases on Wednesday, according to statistics from the state Department of Public Health. No new deaths were reported.
See also:
· Fresno’s rules for wearing masks, and employers with infected workers, just got stricter Fresno Bee
● Fresno CA coronavirus orders still evolving after 4 months Fresno Bee
Will Newsom cancel Clovis’ back to school plans? Some teachers hope so
Fresno Bee
As summer winds down and the coronavirus pandemic wears on, school districts across the central San Joaquin
Which Fresno-area schools will reopen for fall classes? Here’s an updated list of plans
Fresno Bee
As summer winds down and the coronavirus pandemic wears on, school districts across the central San Joaquin Valley are scrambling to keep up with sometimes conflicting recommendations from federal, state and local governments and health officials on how schools can safely reopen for the 2020-2021 school year.
COVID-19 resource calls aimed at Spanish-speaking communities
Fresno State News
Each Friday at 9 a.m. the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State, along with GO Public Schools Fresno, bring COVID-19 related information and awareness to local Spanish-speaking communities through Zoom video calls and via Facebook Live. During the video calls, viewers can hear important updates from the Fresno Co Department of Public Health — and also hear from local school districts, as well as the United Farmworkers Union and Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
Fresno EOC’s Food Express Bus delivers over 740,000 meals during pandemic
Fresno Bee
The Fresno Economic Opportunities Food Express Bus has expanded its services during the coronavirus pandemic with help from federal funding. Congressman Jim Costa helped hand out meals in southwest Fresno on Wednesday.
Pismo’s in Fresno ends dine-in after COVID-19 rules dispute. Here’s what it’s doing now
Fresno Bee
About two weeks after Pismo’s Coastal Grill landed in the spotlight for keeping its dining room open after orders to halt indoor dining, the restaurant has stopped seating people inside. The North Blackstone Avenue restaurant was doing only takeout Thursday.
Fresno police chief says ‘irresponsible decisions’ by state behind crime surge. Some disagree
Fresno Bee
The Fresno police chief said since April there has been a 71% increase in shootings and a 64% increase in stabbings. He blames zero dollar bail.
See also:
· McEwen: Defund Fresno PD? It Won’t Happen. Nor Should It. GV Wire
· Despite Calls to Defund the Police, Some Cities Are Spending More WSJ
Council changes course, approves $1M to help west Fresno. What changed their minds?
Fresno Bee
Fresno City Council approved a $1 million contract on Thursday aimed at improving health disparities on the city’s west side. The Developing Across West Fresno Neighborhoods Initiative, called DAWN for short, has three major goals to increase a health care workforce for children, investment in infrastructure and health education.
Despite pandemic, historic Hotel Fresno’s transformation progresses
Fresno Bee
Renovation of the 108-year-old Hotel Fresno, transforming it into a 79-unit affordable housing complex, moves forward despite the pandemic. All major trades are working the site, despite fewer workers on the project at a time, which slowed progress.
$50K per day: Devin Nunes is raking in cash for 2020 re-election campaign
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes raised $4.5 million for his re-election campaign from March to June, fueling one of the largest fundraising operations among members of Congress. Nunes, R-Tulare, reported some of his best fundraising days immediately after a setback in one of the six lawsuits he’s pursuing alleging defamation by media organizations and others.
South SJ Valley:
Kern Co could see large increase in coronavirus cases over next few days, officials warn
Kern Co officials warned increases in coronavirus testing could lead to a large surge in positive cases reported each day.
See also:
● Kern Co’s COVID-19 death count exceeds 100 Bakersfield Californian
Crunching numbers: Lindsay Council presented with city budget
Porterville Recorder
At the regular meeting of the Lindsay City Council on Tuesday, the dais was presented with a draft budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (FY). While it is still uncertain how the budget will end up due to the effects of COVID-19, City Manager, Joseph Tanner, is cautiously optimistic.
KGET 17
A former world leader is taking to social media to express support for Kern Co firefighters.
McCarthy warns if GOP doesn’t win in Nov, Democrats ‘will change the rules of the game’
Fox News
He predicted Dems would expand Supreme Court, add two more states
See also:
· Kern Co Congressman, minority leader Kevin McCarthy introduces bill to protect statues, monuments 23abc
State:
A majority of California believes COVID-19 is ‘very serious’
Sac Bee
The expression “don’t blame the messenger” couldn’t be more appropriate than when it comes to the work of public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Newsom to order California schools stay closed in counties on coronavirus watch list
Fresno Bee
Many California students will have to wear masks if schools reopen during the coronavirus outbreak
See also:
● In new guidance, Gov. Newsom expected to impose strict regulations for school opening and closing EdSource
● California’s coronavirus infections are skyrocketing. Is this the time to reopen schools? Sac Bee
● California Is Promising Guidance For Schools, But Many Are Still Choosing To Stay Closed Capital Public Radio
● Schools Beat Earlier Plagues With Outdoor Classes. We Should, Too. NY Times
● Editorial: Gov. Newsom botched California’s coronavirus reopening. Can he do better for schools? Sac Bee
Cutting bills and cleaning: How the California Leg plans to finish its COVID year
Sac Bee
Top California Democrats are asking lawmakers to consider pulling bills and limit policy hearings as they race to finish a 2020 legislative session that was disrupted twice by the coronavirus outbreak, according to a memo summarizing a recent call for lawmakers’ chiefs of staff.
Californians turn against each other amid 2nd coronavirus shutdown
LA Times
Dee Lescault got the bad news from her landlord. Her Costa Mesa hair salon had reopened on June 1 after being dark for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing a painful economic blow to the 66-year-old stylist. And now, Coronavirus Shutdown 2.0.
Can California contain coronavirus surge? Next two weeks will be critical
LA Times
The next two weeks are shaping up to be critical for California as officials wait to see if the sweeping restrictions imposed in late June and July show any signs of slowing the rapid spread of coronavirus in communities across the state.
California lawmakers look to diversify largely white, better-off juries
SF Chronicle
Juries would be drawn from a larger pool of Californians under a bill proposed by state legislators eager to add more people of color and low-income residents to the courtroom panels that decide criminal cases and lawsuits.
Walters:: Calif has faced three crises in 2020 so far. The fourth has flown under the radar
Sac Bee
The year is scarcely half over and California is experiencing an unprecedented wave of traumatic events, to wit: A pandemic that has infected hundreds of thousands of Californians and already has claimed more than 7,000 lives;
Federal:
U.S. reports a record 75,600 new daily cases
NY Times
As clashes over face-covering mandates and school reopening plans intensified throughout the United States, the country shattered its single-day record for new cases on Thursday — more than 75,600, according to a NY Times database.
White House Strips CDC of Data Collection Role For COVID-19 Hospitalizations
VPR
The Trump Admin has mandated that hospitals sidestep the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and send critical information about COVID-19 hospitalizations and equipment to a different federal database.
US, UK, Canada accuse Russia of hacking coronavirus vaccine trials
abc30
Britain, the United States and Canada say Russia is trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. The three nations alleged Thursday that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and said to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical research institutes involved in coronavirus vaccine development.
See Also:
● Britain, U.S., Canada accuse Russia of hacking coronavirus vaccine trials LA Times
Congress edges toward deal to extend federal unemployment subsidy in coronavirus bill
LA Times
After initial resistance from some Republicans, Congress is inching closer to an agreement to extend at least some of the $600-a-week federal unemployment insurance subsidy approved this spring to help American workers hurt by the coronavirus crisis.
Feinstein proposes withholding COVID-19 relief from states without mask mandates
TheHill
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) called on the Senate on Thursday to support an amendment to the next coronavirus relief bill that would bar states that do not implement mask mandates from receiving stimulus funding.
Federal Officers Use Unmarked Vehicles To Grab Protesters In Portland
Valley Public Radio
Federal law enforcement officers have been using unmarked vehicles to drive around downtown Portland and detain protesters since at least July 14. Personal accounts and multiple videos posted online show the officers driving up to people, detaining individuals with no explanation about why they are being arrested, and driving off
Kamala Harris unveils housing plan as rent deadline looms
Politico
Harris’ bill would bar landlords from raising tenants’ rent or reporting unpaid rent to credit reporting companies for a year.
Want to understand what the Supreme Court did this term? Two words are key.
Wash Post
The Supreme Court is the least unwell branch of government, in no small part because of the chief justice’s careful stewardship.
Justice Ginsburg reveals she suffered recurrence of cancer
Politico
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suffered a recurrence of cancer earlier this year and began chemotherapy in May, she said in a statement Friday. Ginsburg, 87, said the chemotherapy is “yielding positive results” and shrank lesions that were found on her liver in February.
Coronavirus Trackers:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
See also:
● California Department of Public Health
● Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic – WHO
● John Hopkins University & Medicine John Hopkins University
● Tracking coronavirus in California LA Times
● Coronavirus Tracker SF Chronicle
● Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count NY Times
● How many coronavirus cases have been reported in each U.S. state? Politico
● Coronavirus Daily NPR
● Coronavirus tracked: Latest figures as the pandemic spreads Financial Times
● Coronavirus in California by the numbers CalMatters
Elections 2020:
$50K per day: Devin Nunes is raking in cash for 2020 re-election campaign
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes raised $4.5 million for his re-election campaign from March to June, fueling one of the largest fundraising operations among members of Congress. Nunes, R-Tulare, reported some of his best fundraising days immediately after a setback in one of the six lawsuits he’s pursuing alleging defamation by media organizations and others.
McCarthy warns if GOP doesn’t win in Nov, Democrats ‘will change the rules of the game’
Fox News
He predicted Dems would expand Supreme Court, add two more states
Former Modesto City Schools trustee Zwahlen joins crowded field in mayor’s race
Modesto Bee
Mayor Ted Brandvold now faces eight challengers, including two council members, as he seeks second term in November.
Karen Bass would lick stamps – or run for vice president – to get Joe Biden elected
Modesto Bee
California Democratic Congresswoman Karen Bass said she’s ready to do whatever it takes, whether it’s running for vice president – or licking stamps at campaign headquarters – to elect Joe Biden as president.
Kamala Harris made her mark confronting Biden. Could they end up as running mates?
LA Times
Kamala Harris was conflicted. California’s senator needed a big splash in the first Democratic presidential debate, and her main rival, front-runner Joe Biden, seemed to have teed up a perfect opportunity. Days earlier, at a NY City fundraiser, he reminisced of a bygone era in the Senate and his ability to work civilly alongside two segregationist lawmakers.
Democrats think Biden should air positive ads in 2020 election
Fresno Bee
Amid a still-surging coronavirus pandemic and faltering economy, President Donald Trump is rapidly losing ground in the 2020 campaign as a significant slice of his former supporters have switched their allegiance to Joe Biden.
Americans now leaning toward Democratic Party, poll shows
Fresno Bee
Polls aren’t just leaning toward Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden — they are siding with the whole Democratic Party, according to Gallup.
No, The Supreme Court Did Not Strike Down Voting-By-Mail
Capital Public Radio
Election officials in California and across the nation are gearing up to expand mail-in voting this fall, they say to offer the public a safe way to vote amid the pandemic. But as President Trump and some of his supporters continue to rail against the decades-old practice, more claims are popping up on social media either questioning vote-by-mail’s legitimacy or cheering on restrictions to it.
Republicans fear campaign shake-up can’t counteract Trump’s self-sabotage
Wash Post
A sudden shake-up of President Trump’s campaign was an attempt to refocus a reelection effort cratering under the weight of a deadly pandemic, a stalled economy and a national reckoning on racial injustice.
Record number of LGBTQ candidates running for office in US
Fresno Bee
The number of openly LGBTQ elected officials in the United States has more than doubled in the past four years — and those ranks could soon grow, thanks to a record field of LGBTQ candidates this year, according to new data from an advocacy and research group.
Other:
“Outright lies”: Voting misinformation flourishes on Facebook
ProPublica
While the social media giant says it opposes voter suppression, the data shows a stark picture: Nearly half of all top-performing posts that mentioned voting by mail were false or misleading.
TheHill
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Tuesday in a telephone town hall with constituents said he was concerned that Hispanics make up a high percentage of COVID-19 cases in his state, and then attributed this to Hispanics not wearing masks and not socially distancing as much as the rest of the population.
Twitter races to reconstruct how hackers breached its system
LA Times
As Twitter Inc. grapples with the worst security breach in its 14-year history, it must now uncover whether its employees were victims of sophisticated phishing schemes or if they deliberately allowed hackers to access high-profile accounts.
Trump’s Numbers July 2020 Update
Fact Check
Statistical measures of how things have changed since the president took office.
See also:
● Disapproval of Trump coronavirus response jumps to 60% amid surge: poll TheHill
Pentagon effectively bans Confederate flags on all military property
Politico
The Pentagon on Friday unveiled a new policy that effectively bans the display of the Confederate flag — without actually naming it.
See also:
● Defense secretary effectively bans Confederate flag on U.S. military bases, rejecting ‘divisive symbols’ Wash Post
● Inside California’s surprising history of Confederate monuments CALmatters
Commentary: We need meaningful discussions about the treatment of Native Americans in California
CalMatters
We can’t erase history, but we can correct omissions in school books about atrocities and genocide committed against Native Amerians in California.
McClatchy tells bankruptcy court it needs additional time to finalize terms of sale
Modesto Bee
McClatchy Co. notified a federal bankruptcy judge late Wednesday that it needs more time to negotiate the terms of its sale to the New Jersey hedge fund that won the company at auction last week.
See also:
● These McClatchy financials are a window into how much damage Covid-19 has done to the newspaper business Nieman Lab
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Fresno EOC’s Food Express Bus delivers over 740,000 meals during pandemic
Fresno Bee
The Fresno Economic Opportunities Food Express Bus has expanded its services during the coronavirus pandemic with help from federal funding. Congressman Jim Costa helped hand out meals in southwest Fresno on Wednesday.
Pismo’s in Fresno ends dine-in after COVID-19 rules dispute. Here’s what it’s doing now
Fresno Bee
About two weeks after Pismo’s Coastal Grill landed in the spotlight for keeping its dining room open after orders to halt indoor dining, the restaurant has stopped seating people inside. The North Blackstone Avenue restaurant was doing only takeout Thursday.
6 Stanislaus, Merced restaurants violated COVID-19 orders over July 4 weekend, state says
Modesto Bee
In case you were wondering whether the state is serious about enforcing the new shutdown orders meant to slow our worsening surge of COVID-19 infections, the answer is an emphatic yes.
Americans Tear Up Old Eating Habits, Forcing Farms to Raze Crops
Bloomberg
Americans have rapidly changed the ways they buy, cook and eat food in just four months, leaving everyone from farmers to restaurants unable to match their pivot.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Fresno police chief says ‘irresponsible decisions’ by state behind crime surge. Some disagree
Fresno Bee
The Fresno police chief said since April there has been a 71% increase in shootings and a 64% increase in stabbings. He blames zero dollar bail.
Report: Pot arrests still fall heavily on Hispanics, Blacks
AP
The number of felony marijuana arrests in California continued to decline in 2019 in the age of legalization, but another trend remained unchanged: those arrests fell disproportionately on Hispanics and Blacks, state data showed.
‘They’re like war zones’: Trump criticizes mayors —Democratic ones — over crime surges
yahoo!news
President Trump on Wednesday criticized the leadership of cities he likened to “war zones,” hinting that he may seek to have the federal government intervene to bring down crime rates.
Public Safety:
Stockton Creates Community-Police Review Board For Police Practices, Including Use Of Force
The Stockton Police Department has become a prime example nationally of how a police department changed to prevent bias, de-escalate violence and expand relationships with the community.
McEwen: Defund Fresno PD? It Won’t Happen. Nor Should It.
GV Wire
I have a blunt message for liberals clamoring to “defund” the Fresno Police Department and dramatically reduce the presence of officers.
Despite Calls to Defund the Police, Some Cities Are Spending More
WSJ
Amid a nationwide push by activist groups to cut police budgets and redirect the money toward minority communities, some of America’s biggest cities are doing the opposite.
What do blacks and whites think about local policing?
Forbes
In advancing reform, we need to remember there is also considerable support among blacks and whites both historically and today for the job the police do in local communities.
Time
Day in and day out, we justifiably discuss COVID-19 and the risks of reopening schools for our children, but we can’t even seem to guarantee that our children won’t be shot and killed while playing with friends or sleeping soundly in their beds.
Calif judge issues tentative ruling, largely upholding state ban on private prisons
TheHill
A California judge on Thursday issued a tentative order that if solidified would uphold the state’s ban on for-profit prisons.
See also:
● Judge largely upholds Calif ban on private prisons in tentative ruling LA Times
Editorial: Every prison cell is now a coronavirus death row
LA Times
San Quentin is California’s most famous, most picturesque, most aged, most poorly designed and most lethal state prison. Its parking lot, down the hill from twin gothic towers (built in the 1850s) and high walls, offers a stunning view of SF Bay and the Bay Bridge — when not threatened by winter storm waves.
Opinion: Republicans are buying guns in response to COVID-19, but they won’t wear masks. What?
LA Times
The pandemic kicked off a rush on, of all things, guns. In locked-down states, gun stores were declared as essential as groceries. Widespread unemployment and then the George Floyd protests may have added to the rush to arms. In any case, according to the WSJ, unprecedented numbers of Americans purchased guns between March and June, and the FBI processed a record number of firearm background checks: 7.8 million.
Fire:
California investigators blame PG&E for massive 2019 Kincade Fire in wine country
Fresno Bee
California investigators Thursday blamed PG&E Corp. for the major wildfire that burned through parts of Sonoma Co wine country last October and prompted the evacuations of tens of thousands of residents.
See Also:
● Utility’s power lines caused huge 2019 California fire Modesto Bee
Mandatory wildfire evacuations in Fresno Co and a health caution issued in areas
Fresno Bee
Cal Fire added an evacuation warning for north of Los Gatos Creek Road, east of Derrick Road, west of South San Joaquin Rocks Lookout Road and south of Spanish Lake following Joaquin Ridge to Wright Mountain.
See Also:
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Hair salon owners urge Gavin Newsom to let them go back to work — outdoors
Fresno Bee
California Gov. Gavin Newsom may have closed down hair salons and barbershops in most of the state due to rising COVID-19 numbers, but advocates say only a technicality is keeping hair stylists and barbers from still being able to work.
See Also:
● State regulations prevent salons from working outdoors during pandemic. That could changeFresno Bee
● California salons say new closures threaten their survival Bakersfield Californian
● California salons say new closures threaten their survival AP
● California salon, barbershop owners ask Newsom to let them work outside San Jose Mercury News
Summit Issues Renewed Call for Statewide Broadband Action Policy
California Economy, California Economic Summit
California has long struggled with a stubborn “digital divide,” with far too many residents, businesses and communities facing inadequate or absent broadband services. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession have only exacerbated the problem.
Stocks fall on Wall Street as global rally fades, led by tech
LA Times
Wall Street stumbled Thursday after a report showed layoffs continue to sweep the country at a stubbornly steady pace, one of several mixed reports to highlight the uncertain path ahead for the economy.
Jobs:
Jobs Recovery Shows Signs of Slowing as Coronavirus Surges
WSJ
The labor-market slowdown is widespreadacross industries and states, showing the economic turmoil isn’t limited to states in the South and West that are seeing the greatest increases in illnesses.”
See Also:
● U.S. initial jobless claims data signal a slowing labor-market rebound LA Times
EDUCATION
K-12:
Gov. Newsom to order California schools stay closed in counties on coronavirus watch list
Fresno Bee
Many California students will have to wear masks if schools reopen during the coronavirus outbreak
See also:
● In new guidance, Gov. Newsom expected to impose strict regulations for school opening and closing EdSource
● California’s coronavirus infections are skyrocketing. Is this the time to reopen schools? Sac Bee
● California Is Promising Guidance For Schools, But Many Are Still Choosing To Stay Closed Capital Public Radio
● Schools Beat Earlier Plagues With Outdoor Classes. We Should, Too. NY Times
● Editorial: Gov. Newsom botched California’s coronavirus reopening. Can he do better for schools? Sac Bee
Which Fresno-area schools will reopen for fall classes? Here’s an updated list of plans
Fresno Bee
As summer winds down and the coronavirus pandemic wears on, school districts across the central San Joaquin Valley are scrambling to keep up with sometimes conflicting recommendations from federal, state and local governments and health officials on how schools can safely reopen for the 2020-2021 school year.
How will Clovis schools keep children, teachers safe when campuses reopen next month?
Fresno Bee
Clovis schools are expected to announce more information as early as next week about how they will keep students and teachers safe when campuses reopen next month. The Clovis Unified school board voted unanimously late Wednesday to reopen campus five days a week on Aug. 17.
See Also:
● Clovis schools will let students return to campus next month — as COVID-19 cases rise Fresno Bee
● Clovis Unified to open school campuses for in-person classes this fall abc30
● Clovis Unified to Have On-Campus Instruction This Fall With Online Option Clovis RoundUp
Delayed starts, chances for face-to-face teacher time. How Co school year will open
Modesto Bee
Small and large, school districts within Stanislaus Co whose academic years are set to start in early to mid-August will have one thing in common: Instruction will be online only.
CBS News
Technology offered a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic as entire families went into quarantine. But for many low-income Latinos and their children, getting access proved to be a challenge. According to one education advocate, some students had to be driven to a McDonald’s or a library for public Wi-Fi hotspots because they had no internet access at home.
Will children spread COVID-19 if they go back to school?
LA Times
Is it safe for children to return to school while the coronavirus is on the loose? That depends on what’s likely to happen if a student becomes infected. Will the virus jump to his classmates, who could then fuel its spread throughout the student body? Will it find its way to his teacher and hitch a ride to the break room, putting the faculty on campus at risk as well?
Fact Check: No, Betsy DeVos didn’t say ‘only’ 0.02% of kids would die if they went back to school
Politifact
Numerous posts circulating on social media websites claim Education Secretary Betsy DeVos downplayed the risk of reopening schools by saying “only” .02% of children are likely to die from COVID-19 when they return to school.
Coronavirus cases spike in California child care facilities
EdSource
California child care facilities are reporting five times as many coronavirus cases as of this week than they were a little more than a month ago.
Higher Ed:
UC Davis admits record number of undergraduates for fall, up 13.6% from yr ago
Fresno Bee
UC Davis offered 45,820 students admission for undergraduate study in the fall, a record high number, according to school officials. With a 13.6 percent increase in admittance from last year, the school expects 9,500 students to enroll, raising the total enrollment to 39,600.
See also:
● UC admits most diverse class ever, led by Latino students LA Times
● In a first, Latinos represent largest group of freshmen admitted to University of CaliforniaEdSource
California sets remote bar exam for October, lowers passing score
LA Times
The California Supreme Court, citing the coronavirus pandemic, decided Thursday to permanently lower the passing score for the bar exam and allow aspiring lawyers to take it remotely in October, or obtain temporary provisional licenses and practice under supervision.
See also:
● California won’t cancel bar exam despite COVID-19 but offers options to law school graduatesSac Bee
Should ethnic studies be a grad requirement? Cal State clashes with lawmakers
CALmatters
Trustees for the California State University system will vote on Chancellor Tim White’s graduation requirement proposal soon. His idea differs from a state bill that could soon be headed for the governor’s desk. Which requirement the system ends up with could have fiscal and academic implications for years to come.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
As if the pandemic weren’t enough, 2020 might be the hottest year ever
LA Times
Welcome back to Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment in California and the American West. If this is your first edition, we’re glad to have you.
Court strikes down Trump Admin’s methane rollback
TheHill
A federal court late Wednesday struck down a Trump Admin rule that weakened restrictions on methane gas releases from drilling on public land, restoring an Obama-era rule.
Commentary: California needs leadership on nuclear waste
CALmatters
Gov. Gavin Newsom and leaders from the Legislature must demand action on nuclear waste and fill gaps in oversight.
Energy:
CRC files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Bakersfield Californian
California Resources Corp., a major local employer and one of the state’s largest oil producers, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday after reaching a series of creditor agreements it said will restructure $5 billion in debt and allow it to emerge a financially healthier company.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Fresno Co on the verge of an overflow
Fresno Bee
Fresno Co braces for possible opening of convention center hall as overflow for hospitals stretched by COVID-19 patients.
See Also:
● More than 100 new cases in Co: SVMC to close Urgent Care Center Porterville Recorder
● COVID-19 update: Eight new deaths in Tulare Co Porterville Recorder
● Coronavirus update: Stanislaus deaths hit 61. Single-day infection rate 47% Modesto Bee
UC Health system builds COVID-19 patient database in race for treatment breakthrough
Sac Bee
The University of California Health has gathered information on all COVID-19 patients treated at its five academic health systems into one secure database that UC researchers can study to quickly advance new theories and potential treatments.
Kern Co could see large increase in coronavirus cases over next few days, officials warn
Kern Co officials warned increases in coronavirus testing could lead to a large surge in positive cases reported each day.
See also:
● Kern Co’s COVID-19 death count exceeds 100 Bakersfield Californian
Viewpoints: Calif must ban menthol cigarettes to protect Black lives from Big Tobacco’s greed
Sac Bee
Recent incidents of police brutality against Black Americans have forced our nation to confront racism and injustice in its many forms. As we continue to push to protect Black lives, we must put an end to one of the most pernicious destroyers of Black health and lives: deadly menthol cigarettes and the tobacco industry’s decades-long targeted marketing to our kids and communities.
Human Services:
Without a trace: Merced Co has stopped contact tracing as coronavirus surges
CALmatters
Merced County promised 42 tracers to interview infected people. But it’s not actually tracing. “All of us got sick, and the county didn’t do anything to help us.”
See also:
● Why isn’t contact tracing protecting California from COVID-19 outbreaks? San Jose Mercury
● Contact tracing hampered by testing delays, unanswered phone calls — and lack of trust PEW
● Is Your State Doing Enough Coronavirus Testing? NY Times
Kaweah Delta brings in the cavalry to battle COVID-19
Visalia Times Delta
“The surge that was supposed to be here in March or April, it never came. But it’s here now.”
Porterville health office closed due to COVID-19
Porterville Recorder
The Human Services Branch of the Tulare Co Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) confirmed one public employee at the Porterville District Office, located at 1055 West Henderson Avenue, Suite 3, in Porterville, has tested positive for the coronavirus. The employee began to show symptoms and notified a supervisor.
‘I’m not crazy’: Why Calif Latinos carry more worries in pandemic and why many don’t get help
Sac Bee
“Mental health is important . We as a community need to have this conversation.”
3 of 4 nursing home workers say a staffer has had coronavirus
Fresno Bee
In the latest poll results from the California Health Care Foundation, low-wage nursing home workers overwhelmingly see their workplaces as epicenters of transmission of COVID-19 for themselves, their families and the residents they serve.
Tracking vulnerability and premature mortality in America
Brookings
Deaths of despair—deaths due to drug, alcohol, and suicide—have taken 1 million lives since 1999, primarily among white people with less than a college education. Carol Graham and Sergio Pinto share a new interactive tool which allows users to view and compare state-level trends in well-being and Co-level trends in deaths of despair.
IMMIGRATION
Judge Halts McFarland And GEO Group From Filling New Detention Center
VPR
On Tuesday, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against McFarland and the company GEO barring them from populating a new detention center. The order comes after a lawsuit highlighted misconduct.
Asylum rules test Trump’s legal skills to make new policy
Bakersfield Californian
Critics of the Trump Admin’s most sweeping set of rules to restrict asylum in the United States sent in a deluge of comments opposing the effort, hoping an old law that serves as a check on presidential power will weaken or even doom it.
Despite Supreme Court ruling, Trump Admin rejects new DACA applications
LA Times
President Trump is venturing onto increasingly shaky legal ground as officials reject new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sidestepping a Supreme Court ruling reinstating DACA, legal experts and lawmakers say.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Despite pandemic, historic Hotel Fresno’s transformation progresses
Fresno Bee
Renovation of the 108-year-old Hotel Fresno, transforming it into a 79-unit affordable housing complex, moves forward despite the pandemic. All major trades are working the site, despite fewer workers on the project at a time, which slowed progress.
There were no reports of coronavirus in Yosemite. Then they tested the park’s sewage
SFChronicle
Like a lot of the rural West, Yosemite National Park stood as a safe haven from the coronavirus. No park employees or residents tested positive. No visitors reported being sick. The fresh air and open space seemed immune.
Housing:
Clovis Offering Financial Housing Assistance to Residents Affected by COVID-19
Clovis RoundUp
The city of Clovis has created a program to help those who have suffered financial loss due to COVID-19.
Fresno real estate experts talk trade during Covid-19
Business Journal
Just as the economy appeared to be on the rebound from shutdowns and record unemployment, property owners now face a second wave of shelter-in-place orders.
Demand for new homes prompts large investment in vacant property in SW Bakersfield
Bakersfield Californian
In another sign of strength in Bakersfield’s housing market, a local real estate investor recently purchased land approved for development of more than 560 single-family homes in the city’s deep southwest.
Mortgage rates slip to record low 2.98% for a 30-year loan
LA Times
Mortgage rates are searching for the floor. The average for a 30-year fixed-rate loan fell to 2.98%, slipping below a psychological threshold that could fuel even more demand for housing.
Tenants keeping up rent payments during pandemic, but wave of evictions could loom
LA Times
Even before he lost both of his part-time jobs in March, Jose Alvarez-Castillo was just barely getting by. The 21-year-old senior at UCLA was sharing a three-bedroom apartment with six roommates near the Westwood campus.
Kamala Harris unveils housing plan as rent deadline looms
Politico
Harris’ bill would bar landlords from raising tenants’ rent or reporting unpaid rent to credit reporting companies for a year.
Exclusive communities deepen inequality in every metro area
Brookings
“Whether or not expensive communities intend to bar entry to lower-income households, high housing costs are as prohibitive a barrier as more overt forms of discrimination.” New research from Jenny Schuetz shows how America’s exclusive communities have priced out Black and Latino households, as well as renters of all races.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Fact check: Balancing the federal budget
Politifact
President Donald Trump hasn’t kept his promise to quickly balance the federal budget. In fact, on his watch, it’s going in the opposite direction.
TRANSPORTATION
CDC extends US ban on cruise ships through September amid COVID-19 pandemic
abc30
The federal ban on cruise ships operating in U.S. territory is being extended through September. The ban was due to expire next week, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the extension on Thursday.
WATER
Agency throws curveball in largest U.S. dam demolition plan
Bakersfield Californian
Federal regulators on Thursday threw a significant curveball at a coalition that has been planning for years to demolish four massive hydroelectric dams on a river along the Oregon-California border to save salmon populations that have dwindled to almost nothing.
“Xtra”
Fresno Bee
You could almost hear the collective groan when Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms again in Fresno Co earlier this month. The closures are part of a dialing back as COVID-19 cases continue to climb, with the Co reporting 8,941 total cases and 91 deaths as of Wednesday.
Ask The Experts: What To Consider Before You Camp, Hike, Backpack During Mask Summer
Capital Public Radio
Californians love the outdoors. Camping, backpacking, road trips and other outdoor activities take a lot of planning, though. But how should people get into nature responsibly as the threat of COVID-19 grows?