Maddy Institute – March 12, 2020

12Mar

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Stanislaus County confirms first cases of coronavirus

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County Public Health received confirmation that two adult male residents of the county have tested positive for the novel coronavirus by the California Department of Public Health.

UC Merced moves to remote learning amid coronavirus concerns

abc30

There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Merced County, but UC Merced is taking steps to limit the potential for exposure to the virus.

Central SJ Valley:

Jerry Dyer will be Fresno’s mayor. New results put him over the top as Janz concedes

Fresno Bee

Former Fresno police chief Jerry Dyer appears poised – more than a week after voters cast their ballots – to become the next mayor of California’s fifth-largest city.

● Jerry Dyer set to be Fresno's next Mayor after Andrew Janz concedes abc30

● Janz concedes mayoral race; Dyer vows changes coming to Fresno Your Central Valley

Tulare County reports first case of coronavirus. Officials say person went to public areas

Fresno Bee

A person has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tulare County, the Tulare County Health and Human Service’s Public Health Branch reported late Wednesday. It is believed to be Tulare County’s first documented case of coronavirus.

● Tulare County has first coronavirus case Visalia Times Delta

Opinion: All Fresno County residents need to be counted in new census for their own good

Fresno Bee

When municipalities face financial shortfalls, it forces government officials to often resort to two undesirable choices — raise taxes or cut services. So it’s pertinent that taxpayers receive as much help as possible from the federal government.

● The census: ‘Don’t let anyone count you out’ Capitol Weekly

South SJ Valley:

Kings County health officials monitor COVID-19

Hanford Sentinel

As cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, continue to spread, Kings County health officials are keeping a close eye on its progress.

42,886 ballots remain to be counted in Kern County

Bakersfield Californian

After the first update since Election Day, the Kern County Elections Division said it had 42,686 unprocessed ballots remaining.

CSUB ranked nationally for affordability, return on investment

abc23

CSUB was recognized in the top 10% of LendEDU’s Fifth Annual College Risk-Reward Indicator Study and ranked no. 26 on the Top 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with the Highest Return on Investments for Great Value Colleges.

State:

Gavin Newsom urges cancellation of large public events in California to avoid coronavirus spread

Fresno Bee

Californians should cancel or postpone events with more than 250 people, while smaller gatherings should space people at least 6 feet apart to avoid spreading coronavirus, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and top health officials announced Wednesday night.

● California advises against even small social gatherings Bakersfield Californian

● Gatherings Of More Than 250 People Should Be Postponed Or Canceled Due To Coronavirus, California Governor Says Capital Public Radio

● Large gatherings should be canceled due to coronavirus outbreak, California Gov. Gavin Newsom says Los Angeles Times

● Newsom recommends statewide event cancellations to curb coronavirus spread Politico

How Counties Manage Coronavirus Testing

Capital Public Radio

County health departments across the U.S. have varying approaches to the coronavirus outbreak.

● WHO Declares Pandemic; County Now Monitoring 7 for COVID-19 Sierra News

● Death at California senior home raises quarantine questions Porterville Recorder

● No reports of coronavirus in SJ homeless population Stockton Record

● Death at California senior home raises quarantine questions Bakersfield Californian

● 3 TSA Screeners In San Jose, Calif., Have Contracted Coronavirus, Agency Says VPR

Coronavirus could take big bite out of California budget

Porterville Recorder

From cruise ships to quarantines to school closures, California leaders have had plenty to worry about with the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

● 'It’s going to get worse': Health officials warn of coronavirus escalation Politico

● Opinion: How can we get through the coronavirus together, when we can’t be together at all Sacramento Bee

Coronavirus outbreak could force Real ID deadline extension, Calif lawmaker says

Los Angeles Times

Already alarmed that California is falling short in issuing Real IDs to millions who need them, state lawmakers now worry the efforts will be further hampered by the coronavirus outbreak, which they believe will discourage people from visiting crowded DMV field offices.

$15 Billion School Bond Prop 13 Appears Headed For Defeat In California

Capital Public Radio

The money would have helped fund renovations and new construction at school facilities around the state.

● California’s Prop. 13 school bond is officially defeated CalMatters

● All but final: California voters reject $15 billion state school bond EdSource

The Wild West 2020: WPI’s California Legislative Round-Up

Littler

The 2020 class of bills covers a lot of ground, from potential changes to the much-discussed worker classification test under AB 5, to antidiscrimination measures and leaves of absence amendments.

Federal:

Trump shuts U.S. borders to most of Europe, bans travel to stop coronavirus spread

Fresno Bee

President Donald Trump closed America’s border to most of Europe on Wednesday night to fight the spread of the “foreign virus” by prohibiting air and maritime travel from one of the largest U.S. trading partners and travel destinations, as the coronavirus reached pandemic status.

● President Trump restricts ‘all travel’ from EU to US Visalia Times Delta

● Trump suspends travel between US and Europe for 30 days Stockton Record

● Trump Suspends All Travel From Europe For 30 Days To Combat COVID-19 Capital Public Radio

● Trump suspends travel from Europe to battle coronavirus; NBA suspends season Los Angeles Times

● Trump attempts to frame coronavirus as a foreign threat Los Angeles Times

● What you need to know about Trump’s novel coronavirus response PBS NewsHour

● Trump announces travel ban from most of Europe; NBA suspends season Washington Post

● U.S. to Suspend Most Travel From Europe; N.B.A. Pauses After Player Gets Virus New York Times

● Trump ban on travel from Europe escalates pain for airlines Porterville Recorder

● Trump suspends travel from most of Europe. What if you already have tickets? Fresno Bee

● Opinion: The Coronavirus Is Coming for Trump’s Presidency New York Times

● EDITORIAL: The Virus and Leadership Wall Street Journal

Trump has big plans for California highway repair, but no plan to pay for it

Sacramento Bee

No federal gasoline tax increase this year. A new Trump administration plan for $810 billion to fix crumbling roads and bridges. That’s the latest pitch from the White House as it promotes its election-year ideas for helping the nation’s transportation system.

Coronavirus and Congress: Paid sick leave looking more likely

San Francisco Chronicle

A week ago, the idea that Congress would guarantee paid sick leave to all American workers seemed little more than a progressive dream.

● Capitol to restrict tours, limit public access in coronavirus response Roll Call

● GOP blasts Democrats’ coronavirus aid bill, expects changes Roll Call

● Opinion: Don’t Cut the Payroll Tax. Just Send People Money. Bloomberg

● Opinion: Congress Can Take the Economic Edge off Covid-19 Wall Street Journal

Elections 2020:

California’s Super Tuesday turnout: Good, but nothing special

San Francisco Chronicle

With more than 1.5 million votes still left to count, turnout for California’s March 3 primary looks like it will be good, but not approaching record territory.

Bernie Sanders isn’t like most candidates — that’s why he’s not quitting

San Francisco Chronicle

Most candidates coming off two weeks of being on the losing end of more than a dozen primaries would start looking for a graceful exit.

See also:

● Bernie Sanders To Stay In The Race Despite Key Losses Capital Public Radio

● Bernie Sanders says he’ll continue campaign, but opens a path toward an exit Los Angeles Times

● Why is Sanders tanking? He’s the wrong candidate with the wrong message at the wrong time. Washington Post

● Opinion: Bernie Sanders’ big question: Should he stay or should he go? Los Angeles Times

● Opinion: The Bernie Sanders spoiler campaign begins Washington Post

● EDITORIAL: Twilight of the Sanders Revolution Wall Street Journal

With top of ticket essentially set, here’s how 2020 elections look

Roll Call

The general election race between Donald Trump and Biden will be competitive. When it comes to electoral potential, it’s clear the president has a high floor with a devoted base and a low ceiling because of a Democratic Party determined to defeat him.

● Opinion: Joe Biden beat Bernie Sanders. But so did the pandemic. New York Times

● Opinion: A problematic nominee against a problematic president Washington Examiner

● Opinion: Can Biden Win Over the Berners? Wall Street Journal

Walters: Vice President Kamala Harris?

CalMatters

Let’s assume, just for grins, that Harris is not only tapped to become Biden’s running mate, but that they win next November, creating a U.S. Senate vacancy that Gov. Gavin Newsom is empowered to fill.

See also:

● How Women Can Run For Office Capital Public Radio

Cancelled rallies and scared voters: How the coronavirus epidemic could shape the presidential race

San Francisco Chronicle

President Trump’s bombastic rallies, which fill red-state stadiums with sign-waving, cheering fans, helped pave his path to the White House. And Sen. Bernie Sanders has energized his base of young supporters with his own massive gatherings where he rails against the power of the ultra-rich.

Other:

Journalism’s Market Failure Is a Crisis for Democracy

Harvard Business Review

This crisis arose because the news media’s commercial imperatives never fully aligned with democratic objectives. The market simply can’t support the levels of journalism — especially local, but also international, policy, and investigative reporting — that a healthy democracy requires.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Coronavirus has crippled global shipping. That’s bad for California farmers and winemakers

Fresno Bee

By disrupting worldwide cargo shipping, the coronavirus pandemic is creating major headaches for California’s $50 billion-a-year farming industry. From rice to pistachios to oranges, farm exporters said they’ve been struggling to get their hands on empty cargo containers needed for shipping goods to international markets.

California legislative roundup: Are tax shifts on the way for the state’s cannabis industry?

Marijuana Business Daily

The 2020 California legislative session began in January, and marijuana industry insiders say what happens by time it concludes could be make-or-break for the state’s legal MJ industry as it deals with ongoing challenges around taxes, the illicit market and local municipality restrictions on cannabis firms.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

17-year-old alleges she was raped twice, blames Fresno State fraternity culture

Fresno Bee

Fresno and Sanger police are investigating allegations of sexual assault after a Fresno State student posted a video on YouTube outlining two incidents that she says happened over Super Bowl weekend and are connected to Greek life at the university.

Fresno County to pay out in settlement over law restricting sex offender housing

Fresno Bee

Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted this week to repeal an ordinance that restricts how close convicted sex offenders can live near schools and parks — a policy California’s Supreme Court found unconstitutional.

Judge throws out several charges in case alleging embezzlement by water district officials

abc30

The judge threw out five of the 10 charges, including both against Atomic Falaschi. The other two defendants had their exposure significantly reduced as well if the case moves forward.

Media granted rare access into boys’ arson hearing

Visalia Times Delta

Last month, charges were filed against the two boys linked to the deadly Porterville City Library fire. Tulare County prosecutors filed two counts of murder with special circumstances of multiple murders and arson-related charges.

Public Safety:

A ‘horrific’ crisis. Hundreds of California child abuse reports intentionally discarded

Fresno Bee

Children faced “incredible pain and suffering” when a Madera County social worker intentionally discarded hundreds of child abuse reports last year, according to government emails uncovered in a Fresno Bee investigation.

● EDITORIAL: Tragic discovery of hidden child abuse reports must never happen again Fresno Bee

Three apply for vacant BPD police chief position

Bakersfield Californian

Three members of the Bakersfield Police Department have applied for the police chief vacancy, according to city spokesman Joseph Conroy. The city declined to release the names of the applicants.

California prisons halt visits due to coronavirus risk

Los Angeles Times

California prisons will stop visits in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus. In a statement late Wednesday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that the move was a precaution and that there had been no confirmed cases in the sprawling system.

Fire:

Giant Project: Prescribed burn at the Trail of the 100 Giants

Porterville Recorder

A prescribed burn will be implemented this week at the Trail of the 100 Giants within the Giant Sequoia Monument in the Sequoia National Forest.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

Summit acknowledges virus threat but plays up economic opportunities

Bakersfield Californian

The hand sanitizer containers on every table said what most of the speakers at Wednesday's Kern County Economic Summit seemed to avoid: Nothing presents a greater challenge to the immediate health of the local economy than the coronavirus.

Stocks reopen, fall 8.4% amid coronavirus pandemic

abc30

The sell-off bludgeoning financial markets around the world got even worse Thursday as the economic pain caused by the coronavirus became more painfully clear.

● Dow enters bear market as coronavirus fears push stocks down Los Angeles Times

● U.S. markets dive, trading suspended after Trump’s coronavirus travel ban fails to calm investors Washington Post

● EDITORIAL: How not to protect the economy from a coronavirus downturn Los Angeles Times

Valley Ventures company raises $6M in new funding

Business Journal

A start-up company with connections to Fresno State just received heavy investment to aid in its work of increasing access to fresh water at a lower cost.

Jobs:

California drops challenge of T-Mobile merger, ensures 1,000 jobs in Fresno County

Fresno Bee

One of the final hurdles for development of 1,000 promised jobs in Fresno County was cleared Wednesday when California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a settlement between the state and telecom companies T-Mobile and Sprint.

● California attorney general drops challenge to T-Mobile-Sprint merger Los Angeles Times

● Attorney General Becerra Announces Settlement Ending the State’s Challenge to T-Mobile, Sprint Merger Xavier Becerra

AB 5: The Aftermath of California’s Experiment to Eliminate Independent Contractors Offers a Cautionary Tale for Other States

Littler

The current state budget-operating surplus could easily disappear in the wake of a single economic shock, such as a wholesale change in how hundreds of thousands of workers are classified. There is little room for error.

Thinking It Through: Wage and Hour Implications of Employer Responses to the Coronavirus

Littler

In general, an employer can send a non-exempt employee home without pay and, so long as the employee does not perform any compensable work from home, no wages are due.

● Coronavirus Cancelations Threaten Livelihoods of Independent Artists KQED

● Walmart, Uber and Others Tweak Sick-Leave Policies as Coronavirus Spreads New York Times

● Live Webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fallout: Employment Law Perspectives Sutton Hague Law Corporation

EDUCATION

K-12:

Parlier Unified temporarily closed two schools due to coronavirus concerns

Fresno Bee

Parlier Unified School District Superintendent Jaime Robles says the district is closing two schools until Monday for precautionary measures, after learning of a student recently traveled to an area of high risk for the coronavirus COVID-19.

● Coronavirus concerns shut down two Fresno-area schools; bus pass program gets new life Fresno Bee

● COVID-19 outbreak highlights critical gaps in school emergency preparedness Brookings

● Coronavirus Q & A: What California parents and students should know EdSource

● List: California K-12 schools closed due to the coronavirus EdSource

● Opinion: Closing Schools To Slow a Pandemic Education Next

$15 Billion School Bond Prop 13 Appears Headed For Defeat In California

Capital Public Radio

The money would have helped fund renovations and new construction at school facilities around the state.

● California’s Prop. 13 school bond is officially defeated CalMatters

● All but final: California voters reject $15 billion state school bond EdSource

Higher Ed:

UC Merced moves to remote learning amid coronavirus concerns

abc30

There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Merced County, but UC Merced is taking steps to limit the potential for exposure to the virus.

CSUB ranked nationally for affordability, return on investment

abc23

CSUB was recognized in the top 10 percent of LendEDU’s Fifth Annual College Risk-Reward Indicator Study and ranked no. 26 on the Top 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with the Highest Return on Investments for Great Value Colleges.

Opinion: State universities say they want diversity but recruit well-off, white, out-of-state students

Los Angeles Times

Overall, the recruitment data underscore a fundamentally broken system for funding higher education, as well as ongoing racial biases.

Commentary: An Ethnic Studies graduation requirement at CSU can help unify our diverse communities

CalMatters

California legislators are considering Assembly Bill 1460 to make Ethnic Studies, the interdisciplinary and comparative study of race and ethnicity, a class requirement at California State Universities.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

From Bakersfield, You Can See Forever

Zocalo Public Square

Bakersfield is still an island—perhaps California’s largest isle—at least in the ways its people live and think. But what really makes Bakersfield an island in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley is its economic devotion to oil.

Energy:

Westlands Solar Park begins construction

Hanford Sentinel

CIM Group announced recently that it is advancing the development of Westlands Solar Park in Kings County, one of the largest permitted solar parks in the world.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

California’s coronavirus fight hamstrung by lack of test kits, but help is on the way

Fresno Bee

The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has more than doubled since Sunday, topping 1,000. But that’s only how many had been tested positive. Some health officials estimate that the true number of people with the virus may be 10 times that amount.

● Drive-through coronavirus testing arrives in Bay Area, but supplies remain tight San Francisco Chronicle

● Shortage of key components hampers coronavirus testing Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus testing: High-deductible health plans can pay full cost, IRS says San Francisco Chronicle

Fresno concert called off over coronavirus concern. Here’s a list of other affected events

Fresno Bee

Fear of the coronavirus has yet to cause major affect on Fresno’s entertainment scene, but it is likely coming. At least one Fresno concert has been canceled over concerns over the COVID-19.

● Americans snap to attention on virus as big events canceled Fresno Bee

● Coronavirus concern: FresYes Fest postponed, some but not all events canceled abc30

● For coronavirus mental health, take your well-washed hand off the panic button Sacramento Bee

Tulare County reports first case of coronavirus. Officials say person went to public areas

Fresno Bee

● Tulare County has first coronavirus case Visalia Times Delta

Stanislaus County confirms first cases of coronavirus

Merced Sun-Star

Stanislaus County Public Health received confirmation that two adult male residents of the county have tested positive for the novel coronavirus by the California Department of Public Health.

Kings County health officials monitor COVID-19

Hanford Sentinel

As cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, continue to spread, Kings County health officials are keeping a close eye on its progress.

How Coronavirus Hijacks Your Cells

New York Times

The virus enters the body through the nose, mouth or eyes, then attaches to cells in the airways that produce a protein called ACE2. The virus is believed to have originated in bats, where it may have attached to a similar protein.

Human Services:

Nurses protest, say CDC rolled back protection for those treating coronavirus patients

Fresno Bee

California nurses say CDC rolling back N95 mask precautions for regular surgical masks in light of COVID-19 puts nurses, patients, and community at jeopardy on Wednesday, March 11, 2019. "Who will take care of the sick patients?" said Kathy Dennis.

● Coronavirus Has Caused a Hand Sanitizer Shortage. What Should You Do? New York Times

Modesto-area hospitals have plans to contend with potentially growing coronavirus cases

Merced Sun-Star

Hospitals and health care providers said they are prepared to deal with the spread of coronavirus after two cases were confirmed Wednesday in Stanislaus County. Modesto hospitals said procedures are in place to screen patients and protect other patients and staff from infection.

Coronavirus tests are free for 1.5 million people with CalPERS health insurance

Sacramento Bee

The 1.5 million people with CalPERS health insurance won’t have to pay for medically necessary coronavirus tests, according to a spokeswoman for the retirement system.

Quarantine grandma? California families scramble as coronavirus hits

CalMatters

Government policy is one thing, real life another. What happens if your germ-carrying preschoolers suddenly pose a lethal threat to their elderly grandparents? What becomes of your teenagers’ future if their education is disrupted, long-term? How protected are we if schools cancel class but kids then disperse to malls and bounce houses and movie theaters?

● Coronavirus will hit the health system hard, and not all states are prepared Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus means fear and isolation for many Asian American seniors Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus is past containment, but America can limit epidemic: Q&A with former FDA chief USA Today

● Death at California senior home raises quarantine questions AP News

● Opinion: Young and Unafraid of the Coronavirus Pandemic? Good for You. Now Stop Killing People Newsweek

IMMIGRATION

ACLU asks ICE to release Mesa Verde populations vulnerable to coronavirus

Bakersfield Californian

The spread of the new coronavirus has prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to request the parole of certain detainees at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center.

Asylum-Seekers Reaching U.S. Border Are Being Flown To Guatemala

Capital Public Radio

Hundreds of asylum-seekers are not getting a chance to make their case in U.S. immigration court. Instead, the migrants are put on planes to Guatemala and told to ask for asylum there.

More children face immigration judges through video screens

Los Angeles Times

Seven children stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a Texas immigration facility. Their image was beamed nearly 1,000 miles away to Atlanta, where a judge sat in a largely empty courtroom and contended with glitchy audio.

Supreme Court lets Trump’s ‘remain in Mexico’ asylum policy stand

San Francisco Chronicle

The high court voted 8-1 to leave the policy in place — at least while it considers the Trump administration’s appeal of a ruling that declared it illegal.

● Supreme Court keeps in place Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ asylum constraints Los Angeles Times

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Westlands Solar Park begins construction

Hanford Sentinel

CIM Group announced recently that it is advancing the development of Westlands Solar Park in Kings County, one of the largest permitted solar parks in the world.

Housing:

Fox: Coronavirus might spur action on homelessness where “medieval” diseases failed to do so

Fox & Hounds

The homeless crisis in California has often been referred to as a public health crisis, yet despite nasty and ancient diseases discovered in homeless encampments, there has been no urgent statewide mandates to deal with homelessness.

Berkeley bans criminal background checks in most rental housing applications

San Francisco Chronicle

Berkeley became the second city in California to prohibit landlords of most rental properties from asking potential tenants about their criminal histories and conducting criminal background checks.

PUBLIC FINANCES

California’s new state-run retirement program survives taxpayer group’s challenge

Sacramento Bee

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a California conservative tax group’s effort to block the implementation of a state-run financial savings program that was created to help lower-income workers save for retirement.

Had enough? Californians turn down higher taxes, debt

AP News

Everyone knows that living in California comes with a price: Its residents pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on the money they earn, the gas they pump and the clothes they wear. But for the moment, at least, it appears voters have had enough.

Coronavirus could extend the deadline to file your taxes. Here’s what we know

Sacramento Bee

Several lawmakers want the Internal Revenue Service to extend the deadline for Americans to file their taxes because of the growing coronavirus outbreak in the United States. The Trump administration is reportedly mulling a similar request.

CalPERS pensions to grow slightly in 2020 with cost-of-living increase for retirees

Sacramento Bee

Most people with CalPERS pensions will receive cost-of-living increases of 1.81 or 2 percent in 2020, according to newly published numbers from the retirement fund.

US budget deficit up 14.8% for first 5 months of fiscal year

Business Journal

The U.S. budget deficit through the first five months of this budget year is up 14.8% from the same period a year ago, keeping the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit since 2012.

TRANSPORTATION

This Tulare County town has CA’s cheapest gas

Visalia Times Delta

Tulare County has California's best gas prices as coronavirus panic causes crude prices to plummet.

First detour starts on Highway 132 rerouting west from Modesto. It will last a while

Modesto Bee

The project will take about three miles of the state highway off Maze Boulevard and move it to just south of Kansas. The new route will be two lanes and a median without cross traffic from Dakota to the Needham Street bridge downtown.

Trump has big plans for California highway repair, but no plan to pay for it

Sacramento Bee

Trump ban on travel from Europe escalates pain for airlines

Porterville Recorder

President Donald Trump's decision Wednesday to impose a 30-day ban on most Europeans entering the United States is the latest stunning setback for an airline industry that is reeling from a drop in bookings and a surge in people who are canceling reservations for fear of contracting the coronavirus.

Young people capitalize on cheap coronavirus flights: 'If I die, I die'

NBC

As flight schedules are scaled down and airline stocks plunge, carriers are offering deals that have put air travel within reach for people who usually can't fly.

A High-Speed Train From Southern California To Vegas Is Set For 2023

Narcity

Virgin Trains USA closed escrow on a 284-acre property in Apple Valley. This is the beginning of a multi-billion dollar project connecting Southern California to Sin City in a whole new way.

Opinion: Let’s fulfill the vision of high-speed rail

San Francisco Chronicle

California is long overdue for a world-class transportation system that can support a growing economy, help expand economic opportunity to long-underserved areas of the state and support our ambitious carbon reduction priorities.

Opinion: America is Spending Billions Just to Make Traffic Worse

Streetsblog USA

The 100 largest urbanized areas in the U.S. added a whopping 30,511 miles of new freeway lanes between 1993 and 2017, according to the group. In case you’re wondering, that means our road network is growing at a faster rate than our actual human population.

WATER

Miracle March not in the cards in this dry water year

Bakersfield Californian

Sometimes, when we least expect it, the San Joaquin Valley experiences a bone-dry wintertime rainy season saved by a wet and stormy March. Some over the years have dubbed this rare phenomenon a "Miracle March.”

A Reality Check on Groundwater Overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley

Public Policy Institute of California

Water budgets track the water coming into and going out of the groundwater basin. If more groundwater is pumped than the amount replenished over time, the basin is in overdraft.

“Xtra”

How Can We Make Farm Work Healthier?

Zócalo Public Square

On Tuesday, April 14th, Organic farmer and artist Nikiko Masumoto, Huron Mayor Rey León, health researcher Chia Thao, and Tania Pacheco-Werner, co-assistant director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, visit Zócalo to consider how to make farm work healthier.

Porterville Strong fundraiser for Firefighters, library

Porterville Recorder

The Knights of Columbus will hold Porterville Strong Movie Night Fundraisers to raise funds for Porterville City Firefighters and the rebuilding of the Porterville Public Library. “I Still Believe” will be shown at the Galaxy Theater at 7:15 p.m. March 12 and March 19. Tickets are $10.

Pioneering Delta College exhibit pulls viewer into display

Stockton Record

Visitors become part of the display in a groundbreaking exhibit now open at San Joaquin Delta College.

A dry February in Yosemite leads to closures and openings alike

San Francisco Chronicle

In Yosemite National Park, a very dry February is leading to a series of early closures for winter sports this month and the chance of early spring opportunities for waterfalls, hiking and camping.