15Nov

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Denham concedes in congressional race against Harder; Howze eyes 2020 run

Modesto Bee

Outgoing Rep. Jeff Denham and the man replacing him in Congress, Democrat Josh Harder, met in person Wednesday morning, Denham’s office said in a release amounting to a concession after Harder was widely declared the victor Tuesday evening.

See Also:

● Democrat Harder Upsets Central Valley GOP US Rep. Denham Capital Public Radio

Poythress concedes Senate seat race

Madera Bee

Assemblymember Anna Caballero today declared victory in her campaign to win the election to the open 12th Senate District seat. Caballero declared victory after her opponent, Madera County supervisor Rob Poythress conceded.

All appearances point to separation between Modesto, in-house auditor

Modesto Bee

Monica Houston on Wednesday afternoon remained employed as Modesto’s in-house auditor, however, there’s some indication that could change soon.

Central SJ Valley:

Republicans select minority leader Kevin McCarthy in next Congress

abc30

House Republicans have selected House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to serve as minority leader in the next Congress.

● Reaction to McCarthy's election as House minority leader Bakersfield Californian

● After Midterm Losses, House Republicans Elect McCarthy As Top Leader VPR

● California Rep. Kevin McCarthy tapped to lead House Republicans Los Angeles Times

● Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy are as different as the two Californias they represent Los Angeles Times

● Power Up: McCarthy caught between #MAGA and GOP Washington Post

● Kevin McCarthy Elected House Minority Leader Over Jim Jordan Roll Call

● Congressional leadership elections: House Republicans elect Kevin McCarthy as next leader; Pelosi seeks to shore up votes for speaker Washington Post

● The Minority Leader’s Only Job Wall Street Journal

Gallegos wins in District 1

Madera Bee

City Councilwoman CeCe Gallegos, who represents district 1, defeated challenger Steve Salter in last Tuesday night’s election. The vote was 1,355 to 677. Gallegos, a lifelong teacher and force behind investigating city issues, said the efforts and election had all been challenging, but worth it.

Measure M passes; one school race undecided

Madera Bee

School facilities managers for Madera Unified School were all smiles Wednesday morning when the unofficial results of Tuesday’s election revealed that the voters had approved Measure M, the $120 million school bond issue, by a whopping 61.29 percent.

Over A Hundred Organizations And Community Leaders Endorsed It, So Why Didn't Measure P Pass?

VPR

If Measure P had passed, it would have created a 3/8 cent sales tax to fund parks and trail maintenance, and arts programming over the next thirty years. The “Yes on P” campaign was advocating for safe, clean parks.

Crime drops 12.8% for year; Dyer cites community involvement

Fresno Bee

Overall crime in Fresno is down 12.8 percent in 2018, Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said Wednesday in a monthly report on crime trends.

Clovis City Council election slated for March 2019

Clovis Roundup

Three seats on the Clovis City Council will be up for re-election in the city’s general municipal election set for March 5, 2019, the City of Clovis announced Tuesday.

South SJ Valley:

Andy Vidak losing his California State Senate seat in an upset

Visalia Times-Delta

Democratic challenger Melissa Hurtado has apparently unseated two-term incumbent Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) in the race for the 14th California State Senate District seat, scoring a big upset while flipping a red district blue and turning around a primary election result.

Bakersfield the latest in long list of cities hacked through Click2Gov

Bakersfield Californian

The city of Bakersfield is the latest in a long line of municipalities to be hacked by an unknown agency through its online payment system used by citizens to pay utility bills and building permit fees.

Worth Noting: Arvin receives $2.3 million grant for three electric buses

Bakersfield Californian

The city of Arvin will purchase three electric buses, along with electric charging station infrastructure, using a $2.3 million grant from the Federal Transit Authority, the city announced Wednesday afternoon.

State:

Critical California midterm race decided, some races still too close to call

abc30

The midterm election may have been more than a week ago, but some races are just now being decided as ballot-counting continues across California.

California Democrats regain supermajority in Legislature

San Francisco Chronicle

Democrats claimed victory in two state Senate races, giving them back the two-thirds supermajority they lost in June when Orange County Democrat Josh Newman was recalled after he voted in favor of Gov. Jerry Brown’s gas tax increase.

● California is as blue as it’s ever been. Hopefully Democrats prove themselves worthy Los Angeles Times

● EDITORIAL: Why the blue wave swamped California Republicans San Francisco Chronicle

Jerry Brown picks a new California Supreme Court justice

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday nominated his senior adviser for judicial appointments to a seat on the California Supreme Court that has been vacant for more than a year.

See Also:

● Gov. Jerry Brown names legal adviser Joshua Groban to CA Supreme Court San Francisco Chronicle

● With Supreme Court pick, Brown and Dems eye another kind of majority CALmatters

● Gov. Brown picks legal advisor to serve on state Supreme Court Los Angeles Times

Federal:

What the Fox Says: California GOP Wounded but Not Dead

GVWire

Republicans have a tarnished brand in California. That is the assessment of conservative commentator Joel Fox, publisher of Fox and Hounds Daily.

Small cracks show in GOP’s judicial juggernaut, but Trump poised to continue remaking courts

Washington Post

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) announced Wednesday that he won’t support any of President Trump’s 32 pending judicial nominees during the lame-duck session unless he gets a vote on his legislation that would allow special counsel Bob Mueller to appeal to a three-judge panel if he gets fired. Flake, retiring next month, made the threat after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a bipartisan effort to bring the bill up for consideration on the floor.

Maybe Democrats are solving their Latino outreach problem

Washington Post

The Democratic Party says a $30 million investment in engaging Latino and other minority voters helped the Democrats achieve a net gain of 34 House seats and improve on 2014 turnout numbers.

2018’s midterms set the table for a crazier 2020 race

AEI

More than a week after the final votes were cast (but not necessarily counted), it’s now looking like the Democrats had a blue wave after all.

Other:

Top Census Scientist’s Testimony Casts Doubt On Motives For Study On Citizenship Question

Huffington Post

The Census Bureau’s top scientist testified Tuesday that neither he nor other top Census officials thought the decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census was a good idea.

Voter Turnout Hit Records This Year. Where It Surged Matters.

Wall Street Journal

More voters around Austin, Texas, turned out for the midterms than for the last presidential election, a rarity in politics. Fifteen counties in Montana produced more votes in last week’s election than in 2016. In Georgia, vote totals were near or above presidential-year levels across most of the state.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Zacky Farms sued by former employee, accused of not providing advance layoffs notice

Fresno Bee

A former employee of family-run turkey processor Zacky Farms has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming the company failed to give workers the required notice of layoffs, prior to last month’s announcement it was closing.

See Also:

● Zacky Farms files for bankruptcy, owes creditors more than $50M Fresno Bee

A scourge of insects could decimate Tulare County citrus, 250 psyllids found in Visalia

Visalia Times-Delta

The Asian citrus psyllid is barely visible to the naked eye, but this tiny insect represents a huge existential threat to Central Valley citrus growers.

Tulare County tobacco sellers scolded after compliance check

Visalia Times-Delta

Tobacco use by minors is at least 2 percent above the state average — 15.4 percent when compared to California's 13.8 percent, according to Tulare County sheriff's deputies. Deputies want to see those numbers decrease.

How Ellen DeGeneres is adding to success of Blue Diamond’s annual report

Modesto Bee

Ellen DeGeneres loves Nut Thins, the crackers made with Blue Diamond almonds, growers meeting in Modesto heard Wednesday.

See Also:

● Blue Diamond Growers exec talk about product Modesto Bee

Sacramento to consider raising cap on pot dispensaries to promote minority ownership

Sacramento Bee

In an effort to give people of color the opportunity to play a role in Sacramento’s growing marijuana economy, the city council is considering lifting the cap on the number of cannabis dispensaries allowed to operate in the city.

San Joaquin Food Banks Asking For Thanksgiving Donations At 'Stuff The Bus' Event

Capital Public Radio

Food banks in San Joaquin County are putting out a call for donations with the "Stuff the Bus" event this weekend to collect turkeys and all the fixings at local supermarkets.

Tough food-stamp requirements, help for CA growers at stake

San Francisco Chronicle

As Congress returns from its weeks-long election recess, it has a piece of unfinished business that is critical to a nearly $50 billion California industry and millions of Americans on food stamps.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

FBI sees 17% increase in hate crimes compared to 2016

abc30

"This report is a call to action -- and we will heed that call," Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement.

See Also:

● Editorial: Hate crimes surged in Trump’s first year, and he bears some responsibility San Francisco Chronicle

President Trump endorses major prison, sentencing reform legislation

abc30

President Donald Trump announced his support for prison and sentencing reform legislation championed by his son-in-law Jared Kushner at a White House event Wednesday afternoon.

● Trump gives bipartisan criminal justice bill a boost Los Angeles Times

● Trump endorses bipartisan criminal-justice reform bill Washington Post

Eleven inmates sent to hospitals after riots break out at two California state prisons

San Francisco Chronicle

Eleven California prison inmates were sent to hospitals after two separate riots broke out in less than 30 minutes of each other at Pleasant Valley and Avenal state prisons on Wednesday afternoon.

Public Safety:

The Bee asks gun owners this question: How does the issue of gun violence get solved?

Fresno Bee

America has more fatal shootings than other developed countries. The Thousand Oaks incident has led to renewed calls for gun control. Yet the Borderline incident occurred in California, which has the nation’s toughest gun laws.

See Also:

● Mass shootings — when the ‘war on terror’ comes home San Francisco Chronicle

● Californians’ Attitudes Toward Gun Control PPIC

Stockton Police Department veterans earn promotions

Stockton Record

The Stockton Police Department on Wednesday promoted two longtime members of the force. Chief Eric Jones said he was excited to promote Sgt. Kenny Pham to the rank of lieutenant, and Officer Clarence Yates to the rank of sergeant.

Betsy DeVos set to bolster rights of accused in rewrite of sexual assault rules

Washington Post

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is set to release a sweeping overhaul of how colleges and universities must handle allegations of sexual assault and harassment, giving new rights to the accused, including the ability to cross-examine their accusers, people familiar with the matter said.

Fire:

President Trump owes California an apology — and he should deliver it in person

Fresno Bee

President Donald Trump should apologize in person for blaming California wildfires on gross mismanagement of forests. The president should also visit the state following the shooting at a Thousand Oaks bar.

Ryan Zinke speaks out about California wildfires

Fresno Bee

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spoke at a press conference about the November California wildfires.

See Also:

● Federal official: ‘It should not be a liability living next to a federal or state property’ Fresno Bee

● Zinke says Trump behind him ’100 percent’ after ‘vicious attacks’ Sacramento Bee

● Brown, Zinke Visit Camp Wildfire; Crews Continue Search For Victims Capital Public Radio

Firefighters Corral Big California Fires, But Challenges Remain

VPR

Firefighters are making progress against several large fires in California, and they're holding the line against the deadliest wildfire in state history. But officials continue to tally the losses, and emergency crews are still trying to protect people and property from the flames.

See Also:

● Feds to Butte County: ‘You’re not going to be able to rebuild Paradise the way it was’ Fresno Bee

● Camp Fire destroyed 93-year-old’s home. ‘I don’t think they’ll call it Paradise again’ Fresno Bee

● 'It's going to get worse': Official fear many more deaths in California wildfires abc30

● Camp Fire is deadliest wildfire in California history abc30

● ‘Like a war zone’: Wildfire death toll hits 56, top federal, state officials tour ruins Stockton Record

● Refugee camps for fire survivors? Butte County on ‘edge’ of humanitarian crisis after Camp Fire Sacramento Bee

● Camp Fire grows another 5,000 acres overnight. Nearly 9,000 structures lost, Cal Fire says Sacramento Bee

● Camp fire death toll grows to 56 as grim search for the dead continues Los Angeles Times

● Officials in Paradise limited evacuation alerts as fire moved in Los Angeles Times

● Her father ran back into the house during the Camp fire. Then she watched it burn to the ground Los Angeles Times

● Third body found among wreckage of Woolsey fire as residents blast officials about emergency response Los Angeles Times

● I grew up watching the hills burn. Now L.A.'s fires just seem cruel Los Angeles Times

● Camp Fire: Death toll rises to 56, officials say 130 people are still missing San Francisco Chronicle

● Jerry Brown signed $1 billion in wildfire prevention—and none of it applies to the fires this year CALmatters

● Is California's Smoke Getting Worse? It's Complicated Wired

● California’s deadliest wildfire is also a massive air-quality problem Washington Post

Burned out Paradise resident: ‘I’m suing.’ Is PG&E in financial peril?

Fresno Bee

PG&E equipment may have sparked another destructive Camp Fire, now the deadliest wildfire in California history, and some Paradise residents are prepared to sue. The utility again will ask the Legislature to shield it from liability.

● Camp Fire victims sue PG&E for causing massive blaze abc30

● Did PG&E cause the devastating Camp Fire? California utility's stock is plunging Visalia Times-Delta

● Pacific Gas & Electric outlook ominous if utility found responsible for Paradise fire Sacramento Bee

● California's PG&E Rocked As Wildfire Liability Concerns Rise Capital Public Radio

● PG&E could face financial trouble if utility is found responsible for California’s worst wildfire Los Angeles Times

● PG&E shares drop by nearly half in 5 days over Camp Fire risk San Francisco Chronicle

EDITORIAL: California’s fire heroes deserve our gratitude

Sacramento Bee

Close to 9,000 firefighters are on the ground battling the Butte County Camp Fire and the Woolsey Fire centered in Malibu. Californians should be profoundly grateful to them and other first responders.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

New stores add to Tulare’s revenue stream

Visalia Times-Delta

With the recent openings of Ross Dress for Less and dd’s Discounts, the Tulare Pavilion shopping center is near tenant capacity, recovering from a double-gut punch of having two anchor stores close.

Macy’s posts strong sales growth, showing it can adapt to new era of online shopping

Los Angeles Times

Macy’s Inc. on Wednesday posted third-quarter same-store sales that beat Wall Street’s expectations, but it apparently has yet to prove to all investors that its rebound isn’t just a fleeting moment.

Mendonca & Weber: California must focus on ending poverty. Here’s a path

CALmatters

The California economy is the envy of the world. But things are far from perfect, as the 18 million Californians who live in or near poverty can attest. That’s a number that would comprise the nation’s fifth largest state.

Jobs:

U.S. Census Bureau announces job openings in Fresno for 2020 census

abc30

The U.S. Census Bureau is now hiring workers for 90 temporary jobs in Fresno County Calif., in advance of the 2020 Census.

Calsavers Launch Could Touch Thousands Of Local Employers

Business Journal

Golden State companies that do not offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan for employees should come to know the name “CalSavers” in the next several months.

STEM without fruit: How noncognitive skills improve workforce outcomes

AEI

Labor market data and employer feedback suggest that the emphasis on STEM in workforce development is obscuring deeper, widespread challenges to employability relating to noncognitive skills associated with persistence and character, particularly for middle-skill occupations.

How Proposed Changes To The ‘public Charge’ Rule Will Affect Health, Hunger And The Economy In California

UC Berkeley Labor Center

On Oct. 10, the federal government proposed changes to the “public charge” rule, which is used to determine whether certain immigrants can obtain “green cards” and sponsor the immigration of family members. If the proposed changes are enacted, using public benefits to help meet basic needs ― including food and health care ― will count against immigrants who are working toward permanent residency in the U.S.

EDUCATION

K-12:

She said she was buying books for kids. She bought gift cards that are missing, audit says

Fresno Bee

An audit concludes that Michelle Cutillo, chief business officer of Reef-Sunset Unified School District in Avenal, CA, submitted falsified receipts for books when she was really buying gift cards.

MadTown Robotics takes top spot

Madera Bee

MadTown Robotics defended its own turf at the ninth annual MadTown ThrowDown over the weekend. More than 40 teams competed in the two-day event that featured more than 100 matches.

Hire takes hold of Tulare County education's top spot, can he keep it?

Visalia Times-Delta

The name synonymous with education in Tulare County wasn’t supposed to lose on Tuesday night. While many votes are left to be tallied,Craig Wheaton, Tulare County Office of Education Administrative Services deputy superintendent, is watching from the backseat while Tim Hiredrives.

NW Visalia gets new school: Denton Dragons work magic on VUSD board

Visalia Times-Delta

Visalia Unified Elementary School students breathed fire and board members listened. Visalia Unified School District's 27th campus got a new name — Denton Elementary School. The mascot? A green and gold dragon.

Schools limit outdoor time or shut as smoke blankets Sacramento area

Sacramento Bee

Schools in the Sacramento area are announcing closures or other measures to reduce exposure as wildfire smoke continues to create poor air quality throughout much of Northern California.

Armored school doors, bulletproof whiteboards and secret snipers

Washington Post

When asked what, if anything, could have prevented the shootings at their schools, nearly half replied that there was nothing they could have done. Several, however, emphasized the critical importance of their staffs developing deep, trusting relationships with students, who often hear about threats before teachers do.

Higher Ed:

Fresno City College receives grant for $2 million to help automotive tech students

abc30

The continued transportation push towards electric vehicles, hybrids and alternative fuels also requires a technologically advanced workforce. Someone has to fix them.

Excel at teamwork? Now you can earn a 'Digital Badge' to show off on LinkedIn

abc30

Fresno City College has become the first community college to award students "digital badges" to help them lock down jobs.

Bakersfield College's southwest campus likely to get temporary home

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield College’s southwest center may move to a new temporary space next spring. That seemed to be the approach suggested by the Kern Community College District Finance and Audit Committee, which met Wednesday to consider how to handle an expiring lease at the current location.

Health concerns close Stan State campuses in Turlock, Stockton for second day

Modesto Bee

California State University, Stanislaus, announced Wednesday night that its Turlock campus and its satellite campus in Stockton will remain closed on Thursday because of the smoke from the Camp Fire, which has spread over much of Northern California.

Make college affordable and accessible, Californians tell Gavin Newsom

Modesto Bee

A new survey found that a majority of Californians believe higher education is unaffordable, and that they are willing to support modifying Proposition 13 to help fund public universities.

Cal State approves plans to boost enrollment by 21,000 students without raising tuition

Los Angeles Times

California State University trustees on Wednesday approved plans to add 21,000 more students and boost efforts to improve graduation rates — without raising tuition — in the next academic year.

Apprenticeships:

Ag mechanics program at Bakersfield College looks for industry involvement

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield College's new mechanized agriculture program hosted an informational event Wednesday aimed at building industry involvement — and judging from comments made afterward, it may have succeeded.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Wildfires scorch California, air quality threatens public health

Visalia Times-Delta

The thousands of acres destroyed by wildfires burning at both ends of the state have choked the San Joaquin Valley with smoke.

See Also:

● No easy breathing: The smoke in Sacramento hasn’t been this bad in nearly a decade Sacramento Bee

Climate contrarian uncovers scientific error, upends major ocean warming study

Los Angeles Times

Researchers with UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Princeton University have walked back scientific findings published last month that showed oceans have been heating up dramatically faster than previously thought as a result of climate change.

Part of the Answer to Climate Change May Be America’s Trees and Dirt, Scientists Say

New York Times

When people think of potential solutions to global warming, they tend to visualize technologies like solar panels or electric cars. A new study published on Wednesday, however, found that better management of forests, grasslands and soils in the United States could offset as much as 21 percent of the country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy:

Local oil producers unfazed by price fluctuations

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County oil producers do not expect the recent decline in barrel prices to result in widespread layoffs, though some said caution and reassessment of upcoming drilling projects may be in order.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno State Professor Develops Tremor -suppression Technology

Fresno State

Fresno State mechanical engineering professor Dr. The “Leo” Nguyen and a graduate student are in the final stages of developing tremor-suppression technology to assist Parkinson’s patients with day-to-day tasks and improve their quality of life.

Blood pressure medicine recall expands amid cancer concerns

abc30

Some blood pressure medications are being recalled because they contain a potential cancer-causing chemical.

How Doctors And Nurses Cope With The Human Toll Of Gun Violence

Capital Public Radio

Researchers are trying to understand how exposure to trauma cases affects clinicians and how they can get the mental health care they may need. For now, there are more questions than answers.

FDA unveils sweeping anti-tobacco effort to reduce underage vaping and smoking

Washington Post

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday launched a multipronged attack on the rising underage use of tobacco products, imposing sharp sales restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes and announcing plans to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

Human Services:

Tulare hospital board to consider settling with former manager, HCCA

abc30

Since it reopened last month, Tulare Regional Medical Center's emergency department has seen average of 68 patients a day, a little lower than the average before the closure.

IMMIGRATION

Mission of troops rushed to the US-Mexico border is ‘to be determined,’ Mattis tells them

Sacramento Bee

When a young soldier in Texas asked Defense Secretary James N. Mattis on Wednesday whether his unit would soon be ordered to remove the razor wire and vehicle barriers they had installed at Mexico border crossings, Mattis couldn't answer.

Migrant caravan begins arriving in Tijuana

Los Angeles Times

Hundreds of Central Americans from the migrant caravan that drew indignation from President Trump are now waiting near the U.S. border in Tijuana, with thousands more expected to arrive within days.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Lemoore gets a massive all-in-one entertainment center. Here’s a sneak peek

Fresno Bee

By design, the Coyote Entertainment Center is the kind of place you’ll want to bring the family for the day. Like a full eight-hour day.

Housing:

New grant to help remove lead based paints from Fresno County homes.

abc30

A new $1,000,000 grant will help Fresno County clean up homes that have lead paint. The areas of Southeast and Southwest Fresno are a high risk because of houses built before 1978.

Affordable apartment complex now open in Lindsay

abc30

There was a celebration in Lindsay this morning to mark the opening of an affordable apartment complex. Self-Help Enterprises, the Visalia-based non-profit, developed Palm Terrace, which is already at capacity.

The sooner we build housing for homeless people, the sooner they can get off the sidewalk

Los Angeles Times

Building housing is a long, slow affair. It’s even slower when developers are building housing for homeless people. So it’s encouraging to see two different attempts to speed up this lumbering process.

Commentary: How Not to Subsidize New Housing in California

Public CEO

Leaders in Sacramento can do so much more to get workers – from all sectors – into housing they can afford. I’m a conservative urging more government involvement in private housing markets. But, let’s not try to appease one group – with narrow subsidies – when we can exercise leadership for the benefit of all.

PUBLIC FINANCES

California’s state budget is so flush words can’t describe it

Sacramento Bee

Gov. Jerry Brown’s parting gift to Gov. elect Gavin Newsom is a state budget so flush with unrestricted tax revenue that top fiscal analysts struggled to find the right words to describe it.

See Also:

● California has ‘extraordinary’ budget surplus, analysts say San Francisco Chronicle

CalPERS slashed their pensions. Now they’re trying to get their money back

Sacramento Bee

The first California retirees to lose a cut of their pensions because of financial mismanagement by a local government are suing CalPERS in a bid to force the $350 billion fund to restore their income.

Does the Trump tax cut give 83% of the benefits to the top 1%?

Washington Post

This is a classic Washington moment — a prominent journalist and a lawmaker arguing over whether a factoid is accurate. Bartiromo tried to fact-check Cicilline in real time — “the tax cut plan lowered all income levels, and they double the standard deduction” — and Cicilline insisted he was right.

Veterans aren’t getting their GI Bill payments — because VA’s 50-year-old computer system broke

Washington Post

Thousands of veterans using the GI Bill have been put under financial strain after VA's computer systems buckled under complex new rules.

TRANSPORTATION

Come spring 2019, you can fly from Fresno to this major Midwest destination

Fresno Bee

Chicago will again be a destination for United Airlines flights from Fresno next spring and summer, renewing a seasonal connection that ran for several months earlier this year.

Plan your Thanksgiving travel to avoid L.A.'s worst holiday traffic times and the worst time to drive to LAX

Los Angeles Times

Welcome to the Thanksgiving traffic crush. You and more than 54 million Americans will be traveling this season, the highest number of holiday travelers in more than a decade, according to forecasters at AAA.

Uber sales growth slows as quarterly loss surges to $1.1 billion

Los Angeles Times

Uber’s sales growth is dramatically slowing even as the ride-hailing company is spending more to fuel global growth, particularly in its food-delivery business.

Bullet train? More like a fast commuter train through the Antelope and San Joaquin valleys

Los Angeles Times

In 2008, voters approved a concept of a straight-line, high-speed train through the grazing land of the west San Joaquin Valley. Northbound travelers wouldn’t see city lights until approaching San Jose. Trains operating on this line would have an easy time meeting their planned 200 mph schedule.

The Bumps Ahead for Autonomous Vehicles

Wall Street Journal

Companies from Silicon Valley to Detroit are racing to become the first to bring driverless cars to the mass market. But doing so relies on autonomous vehicles’ sensors properly interpreting inputs from the environment, and that’s not as easy as it seems.

EDITORIAL: New bullet-train cost overrun? Of course.

San Diego Union-Tribune

When former state Transportation Secretary Brian Kelly took over as CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority in February, he promised a new era of transparency with the state’s bullet-train project — and admitted that the project’s then-$64 billion price tag would go up.

WATER

Californians Have Passed Nine Water Bonds In A Row, So Why Not Proposition 3?

VPR

This year’s ballot included a lot of bonds, but one of the most expensive ones had to do with water. Proposition 3 would have authorized nearly $9 billion for water projects. It passed in Fresno County, but failed across the state.

“Xtra”

Madera’s veterans remembered during ceremony

Madera Bee

Maderans turned out on Sunday to celebrate the service and sacrifices of local military veterans. Veterans Day commemorates the armistices signed at the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month 100 hundred ago in 1918, ending the hostilities of World War I.

See Also:

● “Peace Is The Real Objective Of Warfare" - Words From Fresno Veterans VPR

Fresno’s newest Dutch Bros Coffee is open (and we have info about three more in the works)

Fresno Bee

The newest Dutch Bros Coffee is open and several more are on the way. Fresno loves its Dutch Bros (yes, it’s pronounced “bros” not “brothers”), so news that more are coming to is a big deal.

'Sleeping Beauty' hosts pajama party

Hanford Sentinel

Sleeping Beauty has awakened and she’s coming to Hanford. Parks and Recreation is hosting a pajama party at the Hanford Teen Center Friday evening and Disney princess Aurora Rose, also known as Sleeping Beauty, is the guest of honor.

Guest speaker won't leave Writers of Kern in suspense this Saturday

Bakersfield Californian

How do authors keep readers fidgeting and turning pages? Find out with these ... wait for it ... cliff-hanging suspense tips from crime novelist Mar Preston, who will address the Writers of Kern on Saturday.

On its birthday, Tejon Ranch donates document signed by Abraham Lincoln

Bakersfield Californian

Historic Tejon Ranch, the largest single expanse of private property in California, commemorated its 175th anniversary Wednesday by donating an original Rancho El Tejon land grant deed bearing the authorized signature of President Abraham Lincoln to the Autry Museum of the American West.