March 4, 2020

05Mar

POLICY & POLITICS

 

North SJ Valley:

Strong election night for Merced County incumbents, some races still too close to call

Merced Sun-Star

Results are flowing in for the three Merced County Board of Supervisors seats up for grabs on the presidential primary ballot. 

Merced County voters appear to be rejecting Measure J

Merced Sun-Star

Without a late surge, Measure J appears to be headed toward rejection by Merced County voters. Measure J would have given Merced College a $247-million bond to renovate old buildings, build new ones and modernize career technical education programs.

Congressman Josh Harder looks forward to November election

Modesto Bee

Harder appeared briefly at a party at Greens on Tenth in downtown Modesto. He spoke for a few minutes before having to leave to catch a flight to Washington, D.C., ahead of a Wednesday House vote on emergency measures to deal with the coronavirus.

See​​ also:

Other Modesto Area Election Results:

 

Tubbs sees early lead in Stockton mayoral race; Lincoln close behind

Stockton Record

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs said in January that he’s confident his record will earn him a second term.

Other Stockton Area Election Results:

 

SJ voters hit the polls for 2020 primary election

Stockton Record

Voters across San Joaquin County hit their polling places and dropped their ballots in the 2020 primary election. A variety of local and statewide offices were on the ballot as well as the presidential primary.

See also:

Central SJ Valley:

When will we know who won? Questions about Fresno County’s first election under new system

Fresno Bee

Tuesday’s primary election is the first in Fresno County under the​​ California Voter’s Choice Act. This dramatically changed the way Fresno County votes, with every registered voter receiving a ballot in the mail in early February.

See also:

 

Jerry Dyer upbeat as early returns in Fresno mayor’s race show him with sizable lead

Fresno Bee

Jerry Dyer led the Fresno mayor’s race with more than 54% of the vote after the Fresno County Registrar of Voters posted early results Tuesday night.

See​​ also:

Fresno City Council District 4 candidate takes early lead. Still too close to call

Fresno Bee

District 4 is the only council race to draw any competition, which came in opponents​​ Nathan Alonzo​​ and​​ Tyler Maxwell. No matter whom wins they’ll be the youngest person on the council dais.

See​​ also:

‘I wish Egan well.’ Treisman concedes Fresno judge’s race to former district attorney

Fresno Bee

Former District Attorney Elizabeth Egan appeared poised to capture a seat on the Fresno County Superior Court bench late Tuesday after her opponent conceded the race.

 

Election 2020: Costa fends off Democratic challenge; Valadao/Cox rematch; Nunes to face Arballo

Fresno Bee

Challengers to central San Joaquin Valley congressmen in Tuesday’s primary election foreshadow some high-profile and potentially tight races this November, including against Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Devin Nunes, and Rep. TJ Cox.

See​​ also:

 

South SJ Valley:

Goh takes commanding lead in race for Bakersfield mayor

Bakersfield Californian

Incumbent Karen Goh quickly distanced herself from her closest challenger for mayor of Bakersfield in early election results Tuesday. With 115 of 262 precincts reporting, Goh had almost 84 percent of the votes as compared with Gregory Tatum's 10.7 percent.

See​​ also:

 

Fong coasting to primary victory in 34th Assembly race, as 32nd District race remains unclear

Bakersfield Californian

Early primary election returns revealed few surprises Tuesday night in the 32nd and 34th Assembly District races. The incumbents were leading. And Republican incumbent Vince Fong appeared to be on his way to a runaway victory in the 34th.

Other Bakersfield Area Election Results:

UPDATE: Medical marijuana measures D and E face rejection with all precincts reporting

KGET
Ballot initiatives regarding medical marijuana appear to have been rejected by voters with all precincts reporting. Measure D received 60.3 percent of “no” votes while Measure E had 58.13 percent of “no” votes, according to early results showing 657 of 657 precincts reporting.

See​​ also:

 

State:

Here’s what happened in California’s primary election while you were sleeping

Fresno Bee

Here are the current results from California’s state election, including congressional and legislative races, as well as Proposition 13.

See also:

 

Voting problems, long lines mar California primary voting

Porterville Recorder

Technical issues plagued polling sites throughout California as people turned out in droves, taxing a system meant to make voting easier with new technology, same-day registration and centralized vote centers in some counties.

See​​ also:

Fate in jeopardy for Prop. 13, $15 billion school bond

abc30

A $15 billion California bond measure to repair and modernize aging public schools looks unlikely to pass. With​​ 93% of precincts reporting this morning, 57% voted "no" for Proposition 13 and 43% voted "yes".​​ Proposition 13​​ needs a simple majority to pass.

See​​ also:

 

Democratic Party ‘will come around,’ Gavin Newsom says as he votes in California primary

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was happy to see so many people turning out to vote as he and his wife First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom waited in line Tuesday morning at the​​ California Museum to cast ballots in the state’s primary election.

Water, #MeToo, homelessness politicized, impeachment, and Trump’s dismal numbers

CalMatters

“No experts are saying take your time. It’s happening now.”—Los Angeles billionaire Stewart Resnick, who along with his wife, Lynda Resnick,​​ announced via The New York Times a $750 million gift​​ to the California Institute of Technology for environmental study focused on solutions to climate change. 

Legislators’ charity use has prompted calls for reform — but not from the Assembly Speaker

CalMatters

Nothing to see here. That was the essence of what Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon had to say after fundraising by one member of his house triggered​​ an investigation by California’s political watchdog​​ agency, and payments by another prompted calls to tighten the state’s political ethics law.

California Budget Perspective 2020-21

California Budget & Policy Center

It’s been several weeks since Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed 2020-21 budget, and now Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees start their work on the state’s upcoming fiscal plan, including holding public hearings and reviewing proposals to determine how money will be spent on programs and Californians.

 

Lyft and Uber Start Spending to Unseat California Legislators

Wall Street Journal

After losing a difficult battle in Sacramento last year over a law that could classify their drivers as full-time employees,​​ Lyft​​ Inc. and​​ Uber Technologies​​ Inc. are signaling they are ready to spend big against California legislators who opposed them.

 

Federal:

Officials decry anti-Asian bigotry, misinformation amid coronavirus outbreak

Los Angeles Times

As the coronavirus has spread across the United States, officials are trying to push back against Asian American bias and misinformation surrounding​​ the outbreak.​​ There are already signs that some are staying away from​​ Chinatowns​​ and other Asian communities in the U.S., sparking concern about bias.

McCarthy blasts Democrats' campaign arm for ads against Republicans on coronavirus response

The Hill

House Minority Leader​​ Kevin McCarthy​​ (R-Calif.) on Tuesday blasted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for running ads against Republican House members over the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus, accusing Democrats of playing politics as the U.S. faces a potential health crisis.

See​​ also:

Commentary: The Supreme Court Hears a Stealth Attack on Abortion Rights

Bloomberg

In 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court​​ struck down​​ a Texas law that required a doctor performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. On March 4, the court will hear arguments in a dramatically similar case, a challenge to a Louisiana law that has the same prerequisites the court deemed unconstitutional four years ago. 

EDITORIAL: Congress is on its own in trying to hold Trump accountable

Los Angeles Times

During President Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, his lawyers argued that if Congress really wanted to obtain documents and witnesses that the president and his lawyers argued should be privileged, then Congress should have gone to court to contest the claim. 

Elections 2020:

 

Biden’s shock Super Tuesday comeback slows Sanders as they barrel toward one-on-one race

Fresno Bee

Joe Biden’s monumental comeback in the Democratic presidential race continued on Super Tuesday, as he rolled up a string of convincing and unexpected victories over Bernie Sanders across the country and narrowed the primary to a two-person contest.

See also:

Four Californians ran for president in 2020. Vermont’s Bernie Sanders beat them all

Fresno Bee

Four Californians ran for president in 2020. None made it to Super Tuesday. Despite the lack of​​ Golden State natives​​ on the stage, California played a key role in the 2020 Democratic primary.

See also:

 

Bloomberg drops out of presidential race, endorses Biden

Fresno Bee

Billionaire Mike Bloomberg ended his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. It was a stunning collapse for the former New York City mayor, who had his 2020 hopes on the Super Tuesday states and pumped more than $500 million of his own fortune into the campaign.

See​​ also:

 

Warren huddles with advisers, reassesses presidential race

Fresno Bee

Elizabeth Warren was huddling with her campaign advisers Wednesday to determine if there was a reason to stay in the race after her Super Tuesday wipe-out. 

See​​ also:

 

2020 candidates on the issues: A voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more

Visalia Times Delta

We asked the 2020 presidential candidates questions on nine topics including​​ gun violence,​​ health care,​​ climate change​​ and​​ immigration. Each candidate was given the same set of questions to answer. Candidates who are not featured did not provide a response; answers have been edited for length. Read the candidate's responses to each question by browsing the links below. 

 

Election 2020: State GOP, Democratic chairs discuss strategy for cinching California

KTVU

The chairs of California's Republican and Democratic parties are gearing up for a busy election year, starting with Super Tuesday. At the top of ticket, of course, the race for president. But for both parties it's the smaller, down-ballot races that may end up being more important.

See​​ also:

 

McManus: What if no one wins a majority of Democratic delegates?

Los Angeles Times

For the first time since 1968, Democrats could end their presidential primaries with no candidate taking the majority of delegates needed to win the nomination on the first ballot at their national convention this summer.

Opinion: The Democrats’ big problem? Socialism. (And not Bernie Sanders’s.)

Washington Post

Instead of clarifying who will win the Democratic presidential nomination, each successive primary seems only to further muddy the waters. The FiveThirtyEight​​ forecast​​ currently projects that the most likely winner of the Democratic nomination is “no one” (65 percent) followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont (20 percent) and former vice president Joe Biden (15 percent). 

 

Commentary: Hating Donald Trump won’t be enough for Democrats to win

AEI

Barring a seismic makeover, Donald Trump is poised to run for reelection disliked by most Americans. Even as his​​ job approval ticks up​​ in recent polls, the public’s view of Trump is largely settled. The​​ RealClearPolitics​​ average has Trump facing a double-digit deficit in personal popularity. Fifty-four percent of the public have an unfavorable opinion about him while 43 percent view him favorably.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, March 8, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 –​​ Maddy Report: California’s Concealed Carry Permits: The Wild West of Permitting?​​ - Guest: California State Auditor Elaine Howle. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, March 8, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –​​ Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: Concealed Carry Permits:  Are Valley Standards the De Facto State Standards?​​ - Guests: Fresno Co Sheriff Margaret Mims, Tulare Co Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, and Stanislaus Co Sheriff Adam Christianson. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, March 8, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) –​​ El Informe Maddy: Higher Education and Path in California​​ - Guests: PPIC Olga Rodriguez and Marisol Cuellar. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Rampaging insect shows up in California, alarming farmers. ‘Like the coronavirus’

Fresno Bee

It originated in the wilderness of Asia. It spreads quickly. It’s already causing millions of dollars in economic losses in the United States. And it may already be spreading through California.

 

World's Largest Producer of Raw Dairy Products

abc30

Where does your food come from? This dairy farm wants to connect their consumers back to the food they eat every day. Organic Pastures in Fresno, CA is the world's largest producer of raw dairy products.

Meet the Dog Who's Saving the World's Fruits and Vegetables

abc30

You've heard of police dogs, but what about agriculture dogs? Soya is one of two dogs employed by the Fresno County Department of Agriculture.

 

States scramble to prepare ahead of food stamps rule change

abc30

From Hawaii to Pennsylvania, states are scrambling to blunt the impact, with roughly 700,000 people at risk of losing benefits unless they meet certain work, training or school requirements.

Lemoore nonprofits receive donation as part of Blattner food drive

Hanford Sentinel

Two local nonprofit groups received a pleasant surprise Tuesday morning in the form of a large donation.

 

Kern County voters reject both medical marijuana measures in early returns

Bakersfield Californian

The two measures on the ballot that would have overturned a ban on medical cannabis sales in Kern County both fared poorly in early election returns.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

Gavin Newsom wants to close one state prison. Why not two? Analyst sees greater savings

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to close​​ one state prison. The independent Legislative Analyst’s Office recommends closing two, the office announced Friday. The state could save $100 million​​ more per year by closing two, the analyst’s office​​ said in the report.

The death penalty question: Riverside County and Gov. Newsom's execution moratorium

Desert Sun

It's been nearly a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom halted all executions in California, yet it appears his moratorium has had little, if any, impact on the criminal justice system in Riverside County, which in recent years has led the nation in new death sentences imposed.

Ninth Circuit Rules Only Named Plaintiff Must Have Article III Standing For Class Certification

Littler

In Ramirez v. Trans Union, the Ninth Circuit addressed whether, at the class certification stage of a putative class case, only the named plaintiff or all class members must have Article III standing (i.e., a concrete injury in fact) to certify a class.

 

Opinion: The sad truth about why domestic abuse victims recant their stories

Modesto Bee

Those of us who work in the field come from a place of belief without judgment. Domestic violence thrives under cover of darkness. Many individuals feel shame about their abuse. They have been controlled and manipulated into believing that the violence was their fault. 

Public Safety:

New Selma police chief eager to stop crime in community

abc30

Over the weekend in Selma, a woman and child were shot. Late last year, a man was gunned down in front of his own home. It's violent cases like these that the new Selma Police Chief, Joseph Gomez, hopes to solve and put a stop to in the near future.

 

Planning Commission Approve Digital LED Signs, Loma Vista Fire Station plans

Clovis RoundUp

The City of Clovis Planning Commission approved a one-year extension to the vesting tentative tract map TM6166 located at the corner of Gettysburg and Highland Avenues. TM6166 is an 18-acre, 86-lot non-gated, single-family planned residential development that was originally approved in March 2017 as part of a 27-acre land annexation. 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

US stocks rise in early trading as volatile swings continue

Fresno Bee

Stocks rose on Wall Street early Wednesday to claw back some of their sharp losses from the day before in yet another day of big swings for the market. 

See​​ also:

CalPERS fund drops by $15 billion amid market plunge and coronavirus fears 

Sacramento Bee

The value of California’s largest public pension fund dropped by at least $15 billion this week as U.S. and international markets fell amid coronavirus fears.

 

Jobs:

California unions would get more details on job applicants under proposed law

Sacramento Bee

The state of California would be required to provide more information to unions each time it fills a job under a new proposed law. 

Public employees can’t skip work because of coronavirus. How can they keep safe?

Sacramento Bee

Wash your hands and don’t discriminate against minorities. That’s the essence of an email CalHR Director Eraina Ortega sent out to California government employees Tuesday as fears of the COVID19 strain of coronavirus circulated.

California Pregnancy Disability Leave: FAQs and Common Pitfalls

Ogletree Deakins

In this podcast, Karen Tynan and Jill Schubert cover the key provisions of California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave Law, including the interaction with other leave statutes, permissible uses for leave, common pitfalls for employers, best practices for documentation, and more

Commentary: California offers low-income workers a hand, not a hand-out

CalMatters

Since the 1970s, America’s debate about ending poverty has been polarized by the trope of “welfare queens,” women who have numerous kids in order to receive increased benefits and live a life of luxury. 

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

Fresno Unified school bond gains momentum while Clovis, Central continue to struggle

Fresno Bee

As Tuesday night election results poured in late into the evening, Fresno Unified’s school bond was passing and picking up momentum, while bonds for Clovis and Central Unified lagged below the needed 55% threshold required to pass.

See​​ also:

Raymond-Knowles Union Bond Measures Narrowly Defeated

Sierra News

Preliminary voting results from Tuesday’s election show Measure P and Measure Q, two local bond issues to modernize facilities in the Raymond-Knowles Union Elementary School District, being narrowly defeated. 

 

Head Start Program Taking Applications for 2020-2021 School Year

Sierra News

The Madera/Mariposa Regional Head Start preschool program is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Mountain Head Start in North Fork offers a full day program of six hours. Oakhurst Head Start offers a 3.5 hour afternoon program.

Fate in jeopardy for Prop. 13, $15 billion school bond

abc30

A $15 billion California bond measure to repair and modernize aging public schools looks unlikely to pass. With​​ 93% of precincts reporting this morning, 57% voted "no" for Proposition 13 and 43% voted "yes".​​ Proposition 13​​ needs a simple majority to pass.

See​​ also:

Parents: More must be done at KHSD to keep students safe

Bakersfield Californian

Parents don't know what to do to keep their children safe, but one thing is for certain: they have had enough. Tensions and emotions ran high Monday night during the KHSD Board of Trustees meeting as several parents shared their lack of confidence in the district when it comes to student safety.

 

The Perennial Case for School Choice

National Review

Families without economic means can’t afford to access the same “public” schools as their wealthy​​ neighbors a district over, leaving them with no choice but their district school.

Commentary: Finally, a school data system emerging

CalMatters

California has a very fragmented approach to education — a collection of institutional silos that only occasionally communicate with each other and often are more competitive than cooperative.

Higher Ed:

Merced County voters appear to be rejecting Measure J

Merced Sun-Star

Without a late surge, Measure J appears to be headed toward rejection by Merced County voters. Measure J would have given Merced College a $247-million bond to renovate old buildings, build new ones and modernize career technical education programs.

 

EDITORIAL: Fresno City students riding the bus for free? Priceless. Ending that service is unwise

Fresno Bee

The possibility that students attending Fresno City College and Clovis Community College are in jeopardy of losing free bus transportation to and from the campuses is a needless problem that should be quickly solved.

 

Commentary: The cost of ignoring college aid

AEI

A​​ new index​​ created by Oren Cass, executive director of American Compass, has come under much criticism for overstating how difficult it is for families to support a middle-class lifestyle. But there is still room for more criticism, particularly regarding how Cass measures the price of college.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

Rampaging insect shows up in California, alarming farmers. ‘Like the coronavirus’

Fresno Bee

It originated in the wilderness of Asia. It spreads quickly. It’s already causing millions of dollars in economic losses in the United States. And it may already be spreading through California. 

California is taking aim at Uber and Lyft’s outsized climate consequences

CalMatters

To understand California’s climate change challenge, look no further than its popular ride-hailing companies. Uber, Lyft and other companies make up a tiny piece of the biggest greenhouse gas polluter in the state: transportation. Yet their contribution to climate-warming emissions is outsized, drawing attention from researchers and lawmakers and raising an ambitious question: how can the state rein in emissions from gig economy companies built on drivers who own their  vehicles?

 

EDITORIAL: We compost everything else in California. Why not dead bodies?

Los Angeles Times

Addressing climate change doesn’t just mean taking cars off the roads and shutting down coal-burning plants. It requires rethinking everything humans do that contributes in ways large and small to our carbon footprint.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

Fewer than five Fresno County residents have been tested for coronavirus

Fresno Bee

Fewer than five people have been tested for coronavirus in Fresno County, but all tested negative, health officials said Tuesday. Those tests were administered by the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention before Friday, according to Fresno County Interim Health Director Rais Vohra.

See​​ also:

Check Before You Burn rule hoping to minimize health risks

abc30

When you burn wood, fine pieces of soot and ash can get into the air and enter a person's lungs, causing serious health problems, especially for those already suffering from lung and heart disease. The Check Before You Burn season was designed 17 years ago to minimize health risks.

 

Health Watch: The different health threats vaping brings

abc30

Wade Taylor switched from smoking cigarettes to vaping because he believes it's safer. "There's like 400 and something chemicals in a cigarette," Taylor said. Doctor Ilona Jaspers says while that's true, vaping presents a different health threat than smoking.

Beginning Of The End For Roe? Supreme Court Weighs Louisiana Abortion Law

Capital Public Radio

In a redo of an issue decided just four years ago, a newly constituted Supreme Court once again weighs abortion regulations.

Human Services:

Community Medical Centers chief Tim Joslin to retire in July

Fresno Bee

Tim Joslin, president and CEO of Fresno-based Community Medical Centers for the past 15 years, will step down from the position this summer. Joslin’s retirement will be effective July 3, when Craig Castro will take over the role. Castro is currently Community’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

 

Gov. Newsom wants to overhaul California’s mental health care system. Here’s a plan for that

CalMatters

When Gov. Gavin Newsom focused this year’s State of the State address on California’s looming crisis of homelessness, he vowed to improve the state’s mental health programs. “We will be laser-focused on getting the mentally ill out of tents and into treatment,” the governor said.

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Selma gets grant for brand new city park

abc30

A Selma neighborhood will soon welcome a new park. The city received a grant of nearly $4.5 million thanks to Proposition 68.

Rose Institute Hosting Two Conferences on Local Redistricting

PublicCEO

2021 Redistricting: New Rules for California Local Governments​​ will offer a full day of presentations and panel discussions by California experts. The Southern California conference will take place on​​ Claremont McKenna College’s campus on April 15, 2020. The Northern California conference will take place on​​ June 8, 2020 in Concord.

 

Housing:

Vacancies in this California government department are slowing Newsom’s housing agenda

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plans to build houses and reduce homelessness in California depend on a state department that is understaffed, lacking permanent leaders and struggling to adjust to change, according to documents and interviews.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

Why Do Late Boomers Have So Little Retirement Wealth?

Center for Retirement Research

The brief’s key findings are: With the gradual shift from defined benefit plans to 401(k)s, younger age cohorts would be expected to have more retirement wealth in 401(k)s. However, data for the Late Boomers at ages 51-56 show a surprising drop in 401(k)/IRA assets compared to earlier cohorts at the same ages.

Commentary: Wealth inequality in America has skyrocketed — unless it hasn’t. And it might not have.

AEI

One of the supposedly indisputable economic facts about “Late Capitalism” America is soaring wealth inequality. By some calculations, the wealth share of the top one percent has grown by about 10 percentage points — from around 30 percent to 40 percent — over the past three decades. That’s a big jump.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

No coins, no problem: Buying a ticket to ride the bus in Fresno is about to get easier

Fresno Bee

For many bus riders in Fresno, forgetting to bring $1.25 in exact change can mean a missed ride or losing money, as FAX buses don’t make change. A new system is about to give people more options to pay fare without exact change.

 

Construction for Roundabout on Temperance and Alluvial to begin March 9

Clovis RoundUp

Starting Monday, Mar. 9 construction for a multi-lane roundabout will begin at the Temperance and Alluvial intersections. The City of Clovis has begun notifying drivers with signs that traffic will be impacted in the area. All businesses will remain open through the duration of the construction.

 

White House Wants 'Greater Cooperation' From Airlines For Coronavirus Fight

Capital Public Radio

Vice President Mike Pence has summoned the CEOs of major airlines to the White House on Wednesday to talk about data used to track down the fellow passengers of people later found to have coronavirus.

 

The electric-vehicle industry is thriving in Southern California, report says

Los Angeles Times

California is already a world leader in the embryonic electric vehicle industry but needs more government help to flourish, according to a​​ new report​​ from the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. And while Tesla, based in Northern California, gets most of the EV attention, Southern California is becoming a hub of EV manufacturing in its own right.

WATER

 

Tom McCarthy named new head of Kern County Water Agency

SJV Water

Tom McCarthy, head of the Mojave Water Agency, was named as the new General Manager for the Kern County Water Agency at its board of directors meeting Thursday. Agency directors approved a five-year contract for McCarthy including total compensation “not to exceed $415,000 annually,” plus $60,000 in relocation fees.

February ranked among the driest on record across California. Forecasters hopeful for a ‘miracle March’

Los Angeles Times

After one of the driest Februaries on record across much of California, the first day of March brought a dash of rain and a dusting of fresh powder to the parched landscape. The storm, which rolled into Los Angeles County on Sunday afternoon, dropped less than one-tenth of an inch of rain on the coast, while higher elevations saw between one-quarter and an inch of precipitation.

See​​ also:

“Xtra”

Fresno State welcomes Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan

Fresno State

Ms. Brennan will draw on her extensive experience as a journalist and moderator to provide an overview of the most important stories that drive the 24-hour news cycle. During her talk, she will also draw parallels between domestic and foreign stories to bridge the gap between the local and the global. The event with Ms. Brennan is scheduled for​​ 6 p.m. on March 17​​ at the Save Mart Center and will be followed by a question-and-answer session from​​ 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.​​ The event is free and open to the public.

 

‘Cinderella’ kicks off busy March at Visalia Fox Two very different shows headline the month of March at the Visalia Fox Theatre.

Visalia Times Delta

Two very different shows headline the month of March at the Visalia Fox Theatre—one very homegrown and the other very unique.

 

Chowchilla to host Stampede

abc30

From the farm to the city, the annual Chowchilla Western Stampede Cattle Drive is set to arrive Friday in Chowchilla with style and fanfare surrounded by rodeo royalty. 

Here’s where to find your best California spring break — without the crowds 

Los Angeles Times

To avoid crowds, never mind boisterous parties, the trick is to go where they aren’t. Check out these vacation destinations in California geared toward families, couples and laid-back travelers.

Test yourself with our new free game: PolitiTruth

Think you can tell the difference between True and False?

Do you really know what is fake news?


Support the​​ Maddy Daily


HERE


Thank you!



Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials​​ HERE.


The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute​​ at California State University, Fresno was established to honor the legacy of one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.

                                                      

This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, The Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno does not officially endorse or support views that may be expressed in the document. If you want to print a story, please do so now before the link expires.​​ 


To Subscribe or Unsubscribe:​​ mjeans@csufresno.edu