Maddy Institute – June 4, 2020

04Jun

POLICY & POLITICS

For the first time in 33 years, the Central California Women’s Conference won’t happen

Fresno Bee

For the first time in 33 years, The Central California Women’s Conference won’t be happening. In a statement Wednesday, the conference’s board of directors announced the cancellation of the event for 2020 “due to the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

● For the first time in its 33-year history, Women’s Conference canceled Business Journal

North SJ Valley:

Hundreds gather for peaceful protests in the North Valley

abc30

A large crowd gathered outside Los Banos City Hall Tuesday afternoon, calling for justice and accountability. “I just hope with us protesting here and all around America those in the highest part of our government, federal government listens up and things get changed,” said protester Lawrence Price.

Confrontations during Oakdale demonstration remain peaceful

Modesto Bee

Several hundred people gathered in downtown Oakdale for a demonstration in response to the death of a black man in police custody in Minnesota last week.

● Black Lives Matter protest in Oakdale Modesto Bee

● Three arrested after fight following mostly peaceful Oakdale rally Modesto Bee

County declares emergency due to protests

Turlock Journal

Stanislaus County officials proclaimed a local State of Emergency on Wednesday in response to protests throughout the county.

● Four windows of Turlock City Hall broken by vandals Modesto Bee

Central SJ Valley:

Amid riot rumors, Fresno unites: ‘We’re not going to allow people to tear up our city’

Fresno Bee

The message from Fresno police, politicians and community leaders was clear: “We’re not going to allow people to tear up our city.” The group came together Tuesday afternoon outside Ruth’s Chris Steak House at River Park shopping center after a social media post circulated Monday threatening violence, rioting and looting of local businesses.

● Here are the 10 demands made by Fresno’s ‘We Can’t Breathe’ protest leaders Fresno Bee

● Fresno PD Joins Activists in North Fresno to Stand Against Violence VPR

● How did Fresno CA’s George Floyd protest stay peaceful? Fresno Bee

● EDITORIAL: Fresno leaders must use this moment of protest to make real change with city’s police Fresno Bee

Undersheriff blames ‘false, racist comments’

Visalia Times Delta

Community members called on Tulare County Board of Supervisors to hold local law enforcement accountable with a citizen advisory committee.

EDITORIAL: That Jeep driver that hit 2 women at a George Floyd protest in Visalia? Arrest him already

Fresno Bee

A large group of protesters are on the street shouting a profane chant about President Trump. A blue Jeep is slowly moving in traffic. Suddenly the vehicle surges forward, pushing two female demonstrators aside. Screams, shouts, and a blaring vehicle horn fill the air as the Jeep speeds away.

Fresno nursing home one of deadliest for COVID-19. Visalia home worst in state for deaths

Fresno Bee

Eight more patients have died from COVID-19 in a skilled nursing facility in Fresno, making it one of the deadliest nursing home outbreaks for the coronavirus pandemic in the central San Joaquin Valley and California.

● Longtime Fresno news anchor catches coronavirus: ‘It’s a real thing people’ Fresno Bee

South SJ Valley:

BPD acknowledges need for reform during community Zoom meeting

Bakersfield Californian

The Bakersfield Police Department reached a consensus that change needs to happen in the department on Tuesday during a community Zoom meeting convened by Arleana Waller, founder of the MLK commUNITY Initiative.

State:

Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

Public Policy Institute of California

PPIC’s latest survey tracks views on federal and state elected officials. It looks at concerns about the coronavirus outbreak, as well as perceptions of economic conditions and the state budget. The survey also examines attitudes around health care policy and candidate preferences in the November election. PPIC researchers will outline these and other key findings.

● Calif counties are reopening despite continued rise in coronavirus cases LA Times

● Thousands want to help Calif fight coronavirus. Newsom wants money to manage themSacramento Bee

California lawmakers agree to close $54.3 billion budget gap

Bakersfield Californian

California’s Democratic legislative leaders have agreed on a budget they say covers the state’s estimated $54.3 billion deficit while avoiding most of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget cuts to public education and health care services.

● State would delay deepest cuts under Leg’s alternative to Newsom plan San Francisco Chronicle

Calif Assembly, Senate leaders say no to mandatory pay cuts for state workers

Sacramento Bee

Leaders from both houses of the Legislature have now rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to force state workers to take a pay cut this summer.

Newsom: Calif would ‘reject’ Trump’s attempts to send military into major cities

Los Angeles Times

In his most outspoken public rebuke of President Trump in months, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that California would “reject” any attempts by the White House to deploy the military in major cities to end civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

Bills on slavery reparations, affirmative action advance in Calif Assembly

San Francisco Chronicle

A panel of California legislators voted Wednesday to advance a pair of bills designed to combat racial inequities, following days of protests over the killing of George Floyd and police brutality.

Racial Disparities Are Widespread in California

PPIC

Addressing disparities across a wide range of areas – criminal justice, health, income and wealth, education – is essential to improving the safety and overall well-being of California’s African American communities

Lawmakers look for new ways to pay for broadband in rural California

EdSource

California voters could see a new bond proposal on the ballot this November that would pay for broadband infrastructure in rural California — areas that have struggled to provide students with appropriate devices and internet access during the coronavirus pandemic.

Walters: Allowing Legislature to act more secretly

CALmatters

Four years ago, despite fierce opposition from Democratic politicians, California voters passed Proposition 54, a constitutional amendment requiring the Legislature to be more transparent.

Federal:

Trump confronts protests, civil rights leaders see parallels

McClatchy Washington Bureau

Disproportionately high rates of coronavirus. Historic levels of joblessness. Repeated cases of police violence toward African Americans. The crises have created a “perfect storm” of intolerable conditions that have pushed the nation to the brink, black leaders told McClatchy this week, comparing the current turmoil to the turbulence of the 1960s.

US Legislatures slow to pass laws limiting use of force

Bakersfield Californian

A wave of police killings of young black men in 2014 prompted 24 states to quickly pass some type of law enforcement reform, but many declined to address the most glaring issue: police use of force. Six years later, only about a third of states have passed laws on the question.

● House Judiciary panel to hold police brutality hearing next week Politico

● Republicans Open to Congressional Role Addressing Concerns Over Police Wall Street Journal

● Commentary: A Proactive Approach to Abusive Policing Wall Street Journal

Pentagon Chief Rejects Trump’s Threat To Use Military To Quell Unrest

VPR
In a move that possibly placed his job in peril, Defense Secretary Mark Esper publicly disagreed Wednesday with President Trump’s threatened use of the 1807 Insurrection Act to quell widespread unrest over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.

● Defense chief breaks with Trump, says military stopping protests only a ‘last resort’ Sacramento Bee

● Former Defense Secretary Mattis levels extraordinary criticism of Trump Los Angeles Times

● Former Trump Defense Secretary Mattis Issues Stunning Rebuke Of Trump Valley Public Radio

● In extraordinary criticism, former defense secretary Jim Mattis accuses President Trump of trying to divide Americans Washington Post

● Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Says Trump ‘Tries to Divide Us’ Wall Street Journal

● In break with Trump, GOP senator calls Mattis’s rebuke ‘necessary and overdue,’ says she is struggling with support for president Washington Post

● Opinion: Why Mark Milley striding behind Trump through Lafayette Square was so troublingWashington Post

Rod Rosenstein concedes mistakes in Russia investigation

Los Angeles Times

Former Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who supervised the investigation of Russian election interference, conceded to a Senate committee Wednesday that law enforcement made mistakes during the high-stakes probe, particularly with the surveillance of Carter Page, who briefly served as an advisor to President Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Coronavirus Trackers:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California

Covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

● Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC

● Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic – WHO

● John Hopkins University & Medicine John Hopkins University

● Tracking coronavirus in California Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus Tracker San Francisco Chronicle

● Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count New York Times

● How many coronavirus cases have been reported in each U.S. state? Politico

● Coronavirus Daily NPR

● Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads Financial Times

● Coronavirus in California by the numbers CalMatters

Elections 2020:

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs executive order to expand early voting in 2020 election

abc30

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday modifying rules for in-person voting in the 2020 presidential election. The new order requires counties to hold at least three days of in-person early voting. It also mandates ballot drop-box locations be available between Oct. 6 and Nov. 3.

● Newsom orders counties to add in-person voting centers SF Chronicle

● Newsom election order expands in-person voting options Politico

● Legislature needs to provide counties, voters with guidance on how Californians will be voting in November CALmatters

● D.C. Lets Voters Submit Ballots by Email After Mail Problems Wall Street Journal

Kamala Harris for vice president? Here are the pros and cons for Joe Biden

Modesto Bee

Some see California Sen. Kamala Harris as the ideal Democratic vice presidential candidate, especially now that the African-American community is pleading for more leadership in Washington.

Answering Questions About Vote-By-Mail In Calif Amid COVID-19, Attacks By Trump

Capital Public Radio

Voting by mail isn’t new in California. It’s been allowed for anyone who’s registered, and for any reason, since 1979, according to the California Voter Foundation. But with fears that casting a ballot in-person could be risky this fall amid COVID-19, plus President Donald Trump’s misleading claims that mail-in voting “will lead to massive fraud and abuse,” there’s a spotlight on this decades-old practice.

Trump defaults to his safe space: Energizing the MAGA base

Politico

The president’s return to the roots of his political strategy is on full display as crises pile up ahead of the election.

● Opinion: A Reluctant but Unhesitating Vote for Donald Trump Newsweek

Democrats Scramble to Win Over More Black Men

Wall Street Journal

Some black voters are attracted to what they describe as President Trump’s tell-it-like-it-is demeanor, surveys found.

Other:

Jamison: George Washington’s warning against excessive partisanship rings true today

Fresno Bee

Is America poised to go the way of the Roman Republic?

Cable news is no match for the George Floyd moment. Here’s why it’s failing

Los Angeles Times

We are somewhere near the beginning, middle or end of a period that’s being called civil unrest — “intensified consciousness” might say it as well — following the killing of George Floyd, a black man, by a white policeman (or policemen) in Minneapolis. Television, of course, has put it all on TV.

Editorial: Facebook is contorting itself to accommodate Trump’s abuse

Los Angeles Times

Last week, a few hours after accusing “Big Tech” companies of censoring conservatives, President Trump put out an incendiary comment on Twitter and Facebook that seemed designed to bait them into censoring him.

Obama responds to civil unrest following George Floyd’s death

abc30

Former President Barack Obama is taking on an increasingly public role as the nation confronts a confluence of historic crises that has exposed deep racial and socioeconomic inequalities in America and reshaped the November election.

Opinion: America is at its breaking point and white women still won’t stop frivolously calling police on black people

Los Angeles Times

Americans of all stripes are taking to the streets to protest the unjust killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police — and the larger issues of police brutality and institutional racism in our society. The vast majority of Americans support these protests.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Some California farmers see little benefit from China trade deal

POLITICO

“President Donald Trump’s trade deal with China is intended to significantly boost U.S. agricultural exports over the next two years. But California almond, walnut and avocado growers complain that Chinese tariffs left in place under the agreement are reducing sales.”

Valley Voices: Calif’s small farmers are falling through the cracks of COVID-19 federal aid

Fresno Bee

The U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture has released the single largest payment program for farmers in American history. The $16 billion “Coronavirus Food Assistance Program” (CFAP) was announced as a significant investment in the country’s farmers who have been significantly impacted by shuttered restaurants, closed farmers markets, distribution problems and other disrupted markets.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

3 more officers charged in George Floyd’s death, Chauvin murder charge upped

abc30

Prosecutors charged a Minneapolis police officer accused of pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck with a new more serious charge of second-degree murder on Wednesday, and for the first time leveled charges against three other officers at the scene, according to criminal complaints.

● New charges announced against former police officers over George Floyd death Los Angeles Times

● Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd’s death San Francisco Chronicle

Confrontations during Oakdale demonstration remain peaceful

Modesto Bee

Several hundred people gathered in downtown Oakdale for a demonstration in response to the death of a black man in police custody in Minnesota last week.

● Black Lives Matter protest in Oakdale Modesto Bee

● Three arrested after fight following mostly peaceful Oakdale rally Modesto Bee

2 arrests made during otherwise peaceful protest Tuesday night in Bakersfield

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield Police reported two arrests from protests that took place downtown Tuesday night but said the demonstrations were otherwise peaceful.

Sacramento leaders blamed recent havoc on outsiders. Nearly all arrests were locals

Sacramento Bee

All of the people arrested since Saturday in connection with widespread damage and theft that followed otherwise peaceful protests are residents of the Sacramento area, contrary to recent suggestions by city leaders that “outsiders” may have come to the city to cause havoc.

EDITORIAL: That Jeep driver that hit 2 women at a George Floyd protest in Visalia? Arrest him already

Fresno Bee

Public Safety:

Local gun store seeing more first-time buyers as firearm sales spike

abc30

PRK Arms in Clovis has seen more first-time buyers in the last few months. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, general manager Elijah Smedley says they’ve experienced a steady flow of customers and a consistent line of people outside waiting to come in.

How Much Do We Need The Police?

VPR

One effect of the widespread protests across U.S. cities this week has been to renew discussions of what role the police should play in society. For many Americans, it goes without saying that the police are critical in maintaining public safety. But many — especially black people and poor people — have long countered police pose more of a threat to their safety than a boon.

Calif prisons launch statewide internal affairs team after mishandled inmate complaints

Sacramento Bee

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation created a new statewide internal affairs division to investigate complaints against staff, aiming to standardize a process that various prisons had handled inconsistently

Los Angeles Times

Fire:

Prescribed burns taking place in Fresno and Madera Counties

abc30

Prescribed burns will be taking place in Fresno and Madera Counties. Fresno County Fire plans to conduct a prescribed improvement burn in the Mendota Wildlife Area starting at 9 a.m.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Reopening Calif: Here’s everything allowed to open (& what we’re still waiting on)

abc30

California’s stay-at-home order is continually being modified as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state officials allow for more sectors of the economy to reopen for business. But these industries have to follow a new set of health and safety guidelines if they want to operate during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Devastated Bars, Restaurants Could Renegotiate Leases Under Coronavirus Bill

Capital Public Radio

Bars, restaurants and nonprofits suffering financial losses over the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home orders could see some rent relief under a California Senate proposal. But property owners oppose the measure, insisting it would force them to shoulder the burden of the crisis.

Zoom’s pledge to work with law enforcement spurs online blowback

Los Angeles Times

Zoom Chief Executive Eric Yuan’s comments that the software company would work with law enforcement by not offering the strongest encryption for free calls using the popular videoconferencing service hit a nerve with some users, drawing criticism amid nationwide protests about the role of police in the U.S.

Senate passes fix to COVID-19 payroll loan program after businesses complain about changing rules

Los Angeles Times

Following complaints from business groups about changing rules and confusing guidelines, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a fix to the popular Paycheck Protection Program program, which was created to help small businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

● Opinion: Why California’s small businesses may not survive Los Angeles Times

California hospitals lose billions to coronavirus; costs could spike

San Francisco Chronicle

California hospital revenue plummeted by more than a third in the first four months of the pandemic as costs to care for coronavirus patients rose, a shocking financial blow that threatens to raise health care prices, according to a recent report

COVID-19’s impact on small business: Deep, sudden, and lingering

AEI

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the longest economic expansion since World War II to a conclusion and caused an acute deterioration in the labor market.

Regions Recover Together

CA FWD

Join CA Fwd, our California Stewardship Network, the California Economic Summit network, and state and local leaders at the helm of California’s local and regional recovery strategies.

Coronavirus Stimulus Funds Are Largely Depleted After Nine Weeks

Wall Street Journal

Direct federal assistance spent or committed amounts to $1.12 trillion.

Jobs:

Coronavirus: EDD unemployment backlog tops 1.7 million in two months in Calif

Mercury News

State labor officials issued more than 2 million first-time payments to unemployed California workers during April yet still face a mounting backlog of first payments to jobless workers amid the economic woes unleashed by the coronavirus, a federal database shows.

● 1.9 million people filed for jobless benefits last week, a slowdown that could signal the bottoming out of the economy Washington Post

● How Many U.S. Workers Have Lost Jobs During Coronavirus Pandemic? There Are Several Ways to Count Wall Street Journal

● New Unemployment Claims Dip Below 2 Million In Sign Job Losses May Be Easing : Coronavirus Live Updates NPR

A review of the ‘pandemic’ unemployment benefits

AEI

Expanding benefits to individuals never before eligible and providing a federal $600 per week supplement to all unemployment benefit payments are unprecedented in scale and cost.

Workers Fearful of the Coronavirus Are Getting Fired and Losing Their Benefits

New York Times

Thousands who refuse to return to work are being reported to the state to have their unemployment benefits potentially revoked.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Fresno schools announce summer meal plan and ask parents help for fall semester

Fresno Bee

Families participating in Fresno Unified’s free meal program will be given two meals on Thursday, which will be the last day of the current free meal program. There will be no meal distribution on Friday. The new summer session meal plan for families begins on June 8.

● Valley school districts plan to continue meal services into the summer abc30

Fresno teacher in hot water for criticizing protest supporters. Here’s what she said

Fresno Bee

A Fresno Unified teacher faces criticism after a social media post in which she said she hopes students are “smarter and less ghetto” than educators who have spoken out in support of recent protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Madera superintendent asks parents to discuss racism with children in emotional video

abc30

Madera Unified School Superintendent Todd Lile made an emotional plea to the parents in his district during a heartfelt video message posted online on Tuesday. Lile asked parents to talk with their children about the recent protests following the death of George Floyd, some of which have turned violent, and racial injustice in the United States.

Pediatricians say kids should be in school despite coronavirus risk

Los Angeles Times

The damage done by keeping children out of school might outweigh the risks of COVID-19 transmission, a regional organization of pediatricians said Tuesday, pushing back against educators who have cautioned against reopening campuses too soon.

COVID and kids: A new inflammatory syndrome poses safety challenge for schools, day care

CALmatters

A rare but serious syndrome linked to coronavirus is striking California children, with cases rising across the country. The discovery comes as the state grapples with how kids can safely return to group settings.

California lawmakers would spare K-12 schools from any budget cuts

EdSource

In an unusual move to reach a consensus early, California Assembly and Senate leaders announced Wednesday they have agreed on a state budget that would rescind all cuts to K-12 and higher education that Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed — on the assumption that Congress would soon pass, and President Donald Trump would sign, aid for states that would include $14 billion for California.

COVID-19 has caused more public school job losses than the entire Great Recession

Marketplace

Another 1.877 million people filed jobless claims last week, signaling that the worst may be over for COVID-19 job losses, although unemployment is still inordinately high. More than 42 million recently laid-off people have put in their applications for unemployment since the pandemic shelter-in-place orders began. A new report shows that many people working for public schools are losing their jobs.

OPINION: Let’s make saving high school athletics and extracurricular activities a team priority

Sacramento Bee

Want to lose the soul of a generation? Let COVID-19 take away high school sports, arts and music. As the 2019-20 school year closes, questions are being asked about high school athletics and extracurricular activities.

Higher Ed:

Fresno-area community colleges losing millions of dollars. What it means for students

Fresno Bee

In the wake of uncertainty colleges face during the coronavirus pandemic, State Center Community College trustees passed a tentative budget that will allow the district to pay its employees over the summer while waiting for more reliable numbers from the state later in the year.

Community college chief wants police training changes

CALmatters

Elroy Ortiz Oakley wants to change how police officers in California are trained. Oakley is the chancellor of the state’s 115 community colleges and consequently oversees one of the largest training networks for California police. Eighty percent of police officers in California get training at a community college, according to the college system.

Dreamers have been political pawns for far too long

CALmatters

The California State University system intentionally does not collect or track a specific figure, because a student’s DACA status has no bearing on enrollment status. As a university president, I’ve worked closely with these students and employees and am proud of their impact on our communities. Throughout the CSU system we estimate nearly 10,000 DACA individuals spread across 23 campuses, including at Fresno State.

College Board Scraps Plans for SAT at Home

New York Times

The organization that oversees the standardized test used for college admissions said the technology requirements for taking it remotely would be too great for some students.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Results of May auction in cap-and-trade do not mean the program is broken

CALmatters

California’s cap-and-trade program is a successful part of the state’s efforts to combat climate change. Even during periods of economic hardship, the program supports the state’s climate goals with carbon prices that increase every year, and other well-designed market rules.

Black Environmentalists Talk About Climate & Anti-Racism

New York Times

It’s impossible to live sustainably without tackling inequality, activists say.

Energy:

Renewable energy projects get a pandemic break from IRS

Roll Call

Most people don’t want to hear from the IRS. The renewable energy industry was glad to. Facing a deadline to qualify for federal tax credits, renewable energy developers will get an extra year to complete construction and bring their projects online under new Internal Revenue Service guidance, which the agency issued in May, drawing bipartisan and industry praise.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno nursing home one of deadliest for COVID-19. Visalia home worst in state for deaths

Fresno Bee

● Kern reports another death from coronavirus bringing toll to 40 Bakersfield Californian

● Coronavirus update, June 3: Stanislaus deaths reach 30; cases stand at 767 Modesto Bee

‘Miracle’ recovery: COVID-19 patient released from Fresno hospital

Fresno Bee

35-year-old Sophia Zapata was released after two months in Community Regional Medical Center after contracting COVID-19. In addition to coronavirus, she was in a coma and suffered a stroke. Her doctors say she is a “miracle” to have survived.

Malaria drug hydroxychloroquine fails to prevent COVID-19 in a rigorous study

abc30

A malaria drug President Donald Trump took to try to prevent COVID-19 proved ineffective for that in the first large, high-quality study to test it in health workers and others closely exposed to people with the disease.

● Hydroxychloroquine, a drug promoted by Trump, did not stop healthy people from getting covid-19 in trial Washington Post

● Column: Study concludes chloroquine drugs promoted by Trump are worthless against coronavirus Los Angeles Times

Calif braces for second wave of coronavirus even as first wave is far from over

Los Angeles Times

Health experts have long warned of a potential second wave of the coronavirus as the economy reopens. But while other states have seen the first wave fade, the Golden State continues to see cases rise at a rapid clip.

She’s patrolled the Navajo Nation for nearly 20 years. Nothing prepared her for the COVID-19 outbreak

Los Angeles Times

The Navajo Nation patrol car pulled up to the jail near the center of town and Officer Carolyn Tallsalt stepped out. She adjusted her surgical mask, pressing the edges so they sealed against her cheeks, then flung open the door to the back seat where there was a woman in handcuffs. A jail guard proceeded to pepper the woman, arrested for disturbing the peace, with questions.

Corrosive Effects of Tear Gas Could Intensify Coronavirus Pandemic

New York Times

Tear gas brings temporary misery by stinging eyes and throats. There’s also evidence that it may increase the risk of respiratory illness.

Fauci predicts US should have 100 million potential vaccine doses by end of year

TheHill

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Tuesday production on a vaccine would begin before it is known to work so it can be deployed quickly.

Editorial: How WHO Really Feels About China

Wall Street Journal

Officials coddled Beijing publicly while privately doubting its honesty.

West Nile virus makes early appearance in Stanislaus Co. What you need to know.

Modesto Bee

Two mosquito samples revealed that West Nile virus is already active this year in Stanislaus County. In a news release Tuesday, the county Health Services Agency said it’s the earliest appearance of West Nile in mosquito samples since the virus arrived in the county in 2006.

Human Services:

Non-profit and churches use technology during pandemic

abc30

With food boxes stacked and masks on, volunteers with Every Neighborhood Partnership started off Friday morning distributing food to those in need in Southeast Fresno.

Scared of a painful COVID-19 test? New ‘less invasive’ method now at Cal Expo

Sacramento Bee

Some people have described the COVID-19 test as akin to doctors poking and swabbing for brain cells. Now, the Sacramento County COVID-19 testing site at Cal Expo is using a new “less invasive” method to encourage people who were avoiding the test because of the potential discomfort.

California hospitals lose billions to coronavirus; costs could spike

San Francisco Chronicle

Public Health Workers Report Hostile Threats & Fears About Contact Tracing

VPR

During her 17 years running Okanogan County’s small public health department in eastern Washington, Lauri Jones rarely encountered any controversy. “Usually, we kind of sit here under the radar,” says Jones, whose department before the pandemic was mostly known for mundane duties such as recording births, issuing permits for septic tanks, and investigating reports of food poisoning. But that all changed when the coronavirus pandemic began in March.

IMMIGRATION

Thousands of immigrants stuck in ICE centers. Getting out depends on the judge

Los Angeles Times

Belkin Peralta watched longingly May 8 as 16 women in her dormitory at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield changed out of their blue uniforms and emerged in their street clothes. Without notice or explanation, they all had been told they were free to go.

Dreamers have been political pawns for far too long

CALmatters

They Fled Asia as Refugees. Now They Are Caught in the Middle of Minneapolis.

New York Times

Thousands of Hmong-Americans settled in the Twin Cities area after the Vietnam War. They became business owners, teachers and police officers.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Yosemite National Park will open for those with wilderness and Half Dome permits

Fresno Bee

Yosemite National Park will open Friday to backpackers with existing wilderness permits and those with permits to hike Half Dome, park officials announced Tuesday. Yosemite officials have not said when the popular national park will reopen to other visitors. Park spokespeople told The Bee earlier Tuesday that they do not have an estimate for when that will be announced.

Housing:

Homeowners who can’t make mortgage payments get a new deferral option

Los Angeles Times

Many struggling homeowners who are delaying their mortgage payments through so-called forbearance programs will get a new repayment option, allowing them to make missed payments when the home is sold or the loan term is over, the Federal Housing Finance Agency said Wednesday.

‘Heartbreaking’: These families were set to adopt, but coronavirus put their plans on hold

Los Angeles Times

Finalizing the adoption of Stephanie Rivero and Ryan Cameron’s two foster sons meant more than providing closure for the Merced family. The couple would finally be able to make medical decisions for the 5-year-old, who has a life-threatening genetic condition and is scheduled for surgery this summer.

Podcast: Who should you inform if you live in an apt complex & catch coronavirus?

Los Angeles Times

Living in crowded housing can create problematic scenarios during the novel coronavirus pandemic. What if you or one of your neighbors in your apartment complex, for instance, is infected?

AEI housing market indicators, June 2020

AEI

The American Enterprise Institute’s Housing Center released its monthly update to the AEI Housing Market Indicators.

Is Hotel California a permanent answer to homelessness?

Politico

The governor’s idea is eliciting some optimism in a high-cost state with some 150,000 people experiencing homelessness.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Residents in Merced given rebates on utility bills as part of COVID-19 recovery plan

abc30

Sewer and water customers in Merced are saving some extra cash due to a temporary rebate approved by the City Council. All residential, small business, commercial and customers will receive a $25 water and $25 sewer rebate for the month of June.

How filing taxes could generate your coronavirus stimulus check

Los Angeles Times

My adjusted gross income in 2019 was too high for me to get a stimulus relief payment. However, my income this year will be much lower and I would qualify. Will I automatically get the stimulus payment when I file my 2020 return or is there something I must do to get the money?

Coronavirus Stimulus Funds Are Largely Depleted After Nine Weeks

WSJ

Direct federal assistance spent or committed amounts to $1.12 trillion.

Calif Assembly, Senate leaders say no to mandatory pay cuts for state workers

Sacramento Bee

Leaders from both houses of the Legislature have now rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to force state workers to take a pay cut this summer.

COVID-19 caused more public school job losses than entire Great Recession

Marketplace

TRANSPORTATION

CDC wants people to drive solo to avoid coronavirus, sparking fear over more congestion and emissions

CNBC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released major guidelines on how U.S. offices should function as people return to work during the coronavirus pandemic — including advice that reverses years of public policy guidance on how people should commute to the office.

Trump to waive environmental reviews to speed up construction of highways and pipelines, citing ‘economic emergency

Washington Post

New executive order would affect how agencies apply laws such as the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act.

Trump administration moves to block Chinese airlines from U.S.

Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration moved Wednesday to block Chinese airlines from flying to the U.S. in an escalation of trade and diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The Transportation Department said it would suspend passenger flights of four Chinese airlines to and from the United States starting June 16.

House Democrats roll out $500B green transportation infrastructure bill

The Hill

House Democrats rolled out a nearly $500 billion infrastructure bill Wednesday aimed at updating America’s aging transportation system.

Study: Autonomous vehicles won’t make roads completely safe

KGET 17

A new study says that while autonomous vehicle technology has great promise to reduce crashes, it may not be able to prevent all mishaps caused by human error.

Trucking Industry Is Embracing Change And Moving To Electric Vehicles

Forbes

The vehicle maker Volvo is now driven to roll out electrically-fueled heavy-duty trucks — the kind that makes short runs. It’s part of an effort by the state of California to help clean up air pollution and specifically in Los Angeles. Up first: about two dozen trucks with the accompanying charging stations.

WATER

Will orcas thrive in the coronavirus pandemic’s quieter waters? Scientists aim to find out

Sacramento Bee

The coronavirus pandemic has upended and refocused orca field research in Northwest waters this season. Some scientists are beached. Others are investigating the effect on endangered southern resident orcas of suddenly much quieter home waters in the Salish Sea, the transboundary waters between the United States and Canada including Puget Sound.

“Xtra”

Coronavirus update: List of Central California events canceled, postponed amid COVID-19 concerns

abc30

Months after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first detected, three cases of the virus have been confirmed in the Central Valley. The outbreak has disrupted businesses and events worldwide, and now Valley leaders have begun canceling high-interest events in the community to stop the coronavirus from spreading.

Table Mountain Casino to reopen Monday with new safety guidelines

abc30

Table Mountain Casino in Friant will reopen to the public with new safety measures in place on Monday, June 8, officials announced on Wednesday. The Table Mountain Rancheria Tribal Council and the casino’s Board of Directors say they are prepared to welcome back their guests and have placed new rules for keeping them and staff members safe.

Shafter July 4th fireworks show pushed to September

Bakersfield Californian

The Shafter Chamber of Commerce announced it will postpone its Fourth of July fireworks show until Saturday, Sept. 5 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On its Facebook Page, the Chamber of Commerce said putting on the show would require being in Stage 4 of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s economic reopening plan.

Kern County Museum reopens outdoor exhibits

Bakersfield Californian

Fans of the Kern County Museum will be happy to learn the facility reopened its outdoor exhibits to the public Wednesday. The reopening falls under the second phase of the governor’s four-stage plan covering outdoor museums.