November 7, 2018

07Nov

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Valley:

 

Apply TODAY For The Maddy Institute Legislative Intern Scholar Program (San Joaquin Valley - Spring & Washington D.C./Sacramento - Summer)

DEADLINE DEC. 7TH - Qualify For A Scholarship Of Up To $6,000

The Maddy Institute

The Maddy Scholar Intern Program’s goal is to prepare the next generation of political, governmental, business, non-profit leaders for the San Joaquin Valley through internship opportunities in local, state and federal government offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento and throughout the region.

 

In one place, all results and coverage of Election Day in Fresno County

Fresno Bee

Get the latest updates on California ballot and November 6 midterm voting results for the US Congress and state Legislature and Senate races, propositions and more for Fresno and surrounding counties.

See Also:

     Latest: Fresno City Council races, Measures and other races in Fresno County abc30

     'Mad rush' of voters hit Tulare County polls, look for change Visalia Times-Delta

     Newsom wins, Feinstein stays: Here are the latest election results in state, local races Merced Sun-Star

     Evening update: A ripple or a wave? No clear trend in early wins Hanford Sentinel

     Strong turnout, strong opinions in SJ Stockton Record

     EDITORIAL: Incumbents win big Tuesday, so it’s back to work. Now, get along and do some good  Fresno Bee

 

Nunes comfortably beats Janz in high-profile congressional race

Fresno Bee

Congressman Devin Nunes, the Tulare Republican, is leading against Democrat Andrew Janz for House of Representatives District 22 in California early election results show. Nunes is a key ally of President Donald Trump.

See Also:

     Nunes holds big lead over Janz for expensive race for Congress seat Visalia Times-Delta

     GOP Rep. Devin Nunes beats Democrat Andrew Janz in his toughest race in years Los Angeles Times

 

Costa claiming victory over Heng in 16th Congressional District

Fresno Bee

Congressman Jim Costa, a Fresno Democrat, has declared victory over Republican Elizabeth Heng in California’s 16th Congressional District. Early general election results have Costa up by 6 percent.

See Also:

     Elizabeth Heng pushing for change in 16th Congressional District Fresno Bee

     ABC News projects Rep. Jim Costa will retain his seat, defeating newcomer Elizabeth Heng abc30

 

Valadao opens up large lead against Cox in 21st Congressional District

Fresno Bee

Republican incumbent David Valadao of Hanford appears poised to defeat Fresno Democrat TJ Cox in California’s 21st Congressional District.

See Also:

     Rep. David Valadao wins reelection to House  abc30

     California GOP Rep. Valadao keeps seat AP News

 

McClintock establishes expected early lead against Morse in Congressional race

Fresno Bee

Rep. Tom McClintock has an early and healthy lead against challenger Jessica Morse in the race for California’s 4th Congressional District seat.

See Also:

     GOP Rep. Tom McClintock defeats Democrat Jessica Morse in race for Sierra Nevada district Los Angeles Times

 

McCarthy wins big Tuesday, loses even bigger

Bakersfield Californian

No one was surprised when early voter numbers on Election Night showed Bakersfield incumbent Congressman Kevin McCarthy outpacing challenger Tatiana Matta by nearly 2-1 in the race for the 23rd Congressional District.

See Also:

     Democrats headed for House flip, depriving McCarthy of speakership Bakersfield Californian

 

Denham has edge against Harder in nail-biter, but it’s still up in the air

Fresno Bee

Early returns show Congressman Jeff Denham ahead in District 10 race in California, but challenger Josh Harder was right on his heels.

See Also:

       Will incumbents hold congressional seats? Stockton Record

 

Vidak holds narrow lead over Hurtado in 14th state Senate race

Bakersfield Californian

Democratic challenger Melissa Hurtado was in a tight race with Republican incumbent Andy Vidak for a state Senate seat on a night when the GOP otherwise enjoyed comfortable margins in local races for state and congressional seats.

 

Republican Rob Poythress trailing Democrat Anna Cabellero in the race for 12th Senate District

Fresno Bee

Democratic Assembly Member Anna Caballero took an early lead over Republican Rob Poythress, a Madera County supervisor, in the race for the 12th Senate District.

See Also:

     Democrats' total control of Legislature hinges on key race abc30

     Break-in at State Senate candidate Anna Caballero's campaign office abc30

 

Gray wins big, Atwater gets new mayor & a Merced race that’s still too close to call

Merced Sun-Star

The earliest results from Merced County polls showed some clear leads in local city council races, but many contests are still open-ended.

See Also:

     Atwater candidate declares win, ousting old mayor and pledges to unite divided city

     Merced Sun-Star

     Shelton takes narrow lead over Bliss in tight race for Merced council Merced Sun-Star

     Big night for Merced incumbents. One council race separated by 5 votes Merced Sun-Star

 

Salas, Mendes battle in 32nd Assembly race too close to call

Bakersfield Californian

One of the biggest political questions at the local and state level was whether Democratic incumbent Rudy Salas of Bakersfield could hold off Republican Justin Mendes of Hanford, who Salas defeated in the June primary by a scant few dozen votes in the race for the 32nd Assembly District.

See Also:

      Salas defeats Mendes, overcoming 11th-hour deficit, to retain 32nd AD seat Bakersfield Californian

 

Susan Eggman takes early lead in race for Assembly District 13

Stockton Record

Democrat Susan Talamantes Eggman had a sizeable lead over her Republican challenger for State Assembly District 13, according to early results.

 

Miguel Arias looking to victory in District 3 Fresno City Council race

Fresno Bee

Miguel Arias is confident with his lead in the early results for Fresno city council, District 3.

 

Esparza leads Whelan in District 7 Fresno City Council race

Fresno Bee

In the race to replace Clint Olivier in the District 7 seat for Fresno City Council, Democrat Nelson Esparza held the lead by more than 10 points over Republican Brian Whelan in early Fresno County returns.

See Also:

     Nelson Esparza thankful for community effort in taking the Fresno City Council District 7 seat Fresno Bee

 

Tulare City Council race splits already divided city

Visalia Times-Delta

As if Tulare needed another wedge, the Area 4 city council race may drive more division home among residents who are choosing from two well-known and respected candidates. 

See Also:

      'Mad rush' of voters hit Tulare County polls, look for change Visalia Times-Delta

      2018 Tulare County Midterm Election news, results Visalia Times-Delta

 

Christina Fugazi, Paul Canepa take early leads for Stockton City Council

Stockton Record

As the polls closed in San Joaquin County, early results show that an incumbent in one race for Stockton City Council is leading, while the challenger in another race has taken an early lead.

 

Moreno declares victory in Madera County District Attorney race

Merced Sun-Star

After establishing a sizable lead, Fresno County Deputy District Attorney Sally Orme Moreno declared victory in her race against Madera County Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Hornick for Madera County’s District Attorney seat.

See Also:

     Moreno opens up early lead in Madera County DA election Fresno Bee

 

Fladager with big lead in Stanislaus County district attorney race, challenger concedes

Modesto Bee

Birgit Fladager had more than a 20 percent lead in the race for Stanislaus County district attorney as she seeks a fourth term against challenger Deputy District Attorney John R. Mayne, who wanted to unseat his boss.

 

Only 1 of 3 Arvin challengers supported by oil group wins seat

Bakersfield Californian

Incumbent Jazmin Robles rallied to finish first in the eight-person race for three available council seats, and former planning commissioner Olivia Trujillo made a late leap to finish third.

 

One Stanislaus Supervisor holding off challenger; the other race too close to call

Modesto Bee

The contests for two seats on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors were not typical races and the outcome of one race might not be known for awhile.

 

Bublak leading in early returns for Turlock mayor

Modesto Bee

Longtime Councilwoman Amy Bublak was leading in early returns Tuesday night among four candidates seeking to be Turlock’s next mayor.

 

Couch wins big in high-profile race in newly redrawn district

Bakersfield Californian

Incumbent David Couch has decisively defended his seat on the Board of Supervisors, after a disruptive redistricting process threatened to change the dynamic of the board.

 

City Council, Board of Supervisors incumbents all win reelection

Bakersfield Californian

Scrivner received 44 percent of the vote, with teacher Whitney Weddell a distant second with 27 percent while ranch manager Dalmas Bunn ranked third with 21 percent of the vote.

 

First-time voters in Fresno, region, pack polling places for midterm election

Fresno Bee

Even after sundown, people registering to vote at the last minute — and returning voters waiting to cast their ballot — stood in lines at Fresno County’s Registrar of Voters Office on Tuesday.

See Also:

     On Election Day, voters hit the polls early in Fresno and Clovis Fresno Bee

     Enthusiasm, long lines, high turnout characterized Election Day 2018 Bakersfield Californian

     Fresno Has The State's Largest Hmong Population. This Group Is Making Sure Their Voices Are Heard VPR

      Political Science Professors On Kern County Candidates And Cannabis VPR

 

Polling problems lead to rare emergency hearing in Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

In Stanislaus County, California, about a dozen polling places ran out of the pink envelopes used to designate provisional ballots and in some cases voters were told they had to go elsewhere to vote, a Modesto attorney said. A judge denied allowing polls to stay open longer.

 

State:

 

Gavin Newsom to become California’s next governor

Fresno Bee

Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former San Francisco mayor known for groundbreaking pushes on universal health care, gay marriage and legal marijuana, swept to victory Tuesday in the race to replace Gov. Jerry Brown as California governor.

See Also:

     Gavin Newsom aims at Donald Trump: ‘Roll the credits on the politics of chaos’ Merced Sun-Star

     Trump critic Gavin Newsom elected California governor Bakersfield Californian

     Gavin Newsom Set To Be California's Next Governor Capital Public Radio

     Gavin Newsom is elected California's next governor in a win for the resistance against Trump Los Angeles Times

      Gavin Newsom policies: How he aims to take on 7 big issues CALmatters

      How Gov-Elect Gavin Newsom could shape California’s future, issue by issue CALmatters

      Also awaiting Newsom? Delta tunnel politics CALmatters

     EDITORIAL: Newsom’s easy election to a tough job San Francisco Chronicle

 

Dianne Feinstein defeats Kevin de León to retain Senate seat in California

Merced Sun-Star

Democrat Dianne Feinstein won her bid for a fifth term representing California in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, extending a career in California politics that began in 1969.

See Also:

     Feinstein leading in US Senate re-election bid in California Bakersfield Californian

     Sen. Feinstein defeats Kevin de León to win fifth full term Los Angeles Times

     Feinstein re-elected; GOP keeps Senate control San Francisco Chronicle

     Dianne Feinstein defeats Kevin de León to retain Senate seat in California Sacramento Bee

 

Results of all 11 California propositions

abc30

On Election Day, California voters approved or denied 11 different propositions, which included regulations on dialysis centers, repealing the 2017 gas tax and wider local authority on rent control.

See Also:

     Californians reject proposal to repeal fuel tax hike, voters reject rent control expansion measure Bakersfield Californian

     California Props. 5, 8, 11, 12: Chickens uncaged, dialysis profits uncapped San Francisco Chronicle

     California voters embrace year-round daylight-saving San Francisco Chronicle

      Calif. voters OK plan for year-round daylight saving time AP News

 

The Big Winners and the Races Hanging in the Balance

The New York Times

But when the clock struck midnight, nearly every contested congressional race was still undecided. So here’s what we know — and what we don’t.

 

California candidates and PACs spent more than $1 billion on 2018 races, study says

Sacramento Bee

California candidates and political action committees spent more than $1 billion on 2018 political races, according to data from the nonpartisan California Target Book.

See Also:

      California 2018 campaign spending topped $1 billion NBC

 

California's Close Election Results Will Roll In Days Or Weeks Late—Again. It Doesn't Have To Be That Way.

Capital Public Radio

If you’re thinking about staying up all night to watch election results come in, grab your coffee. It will probably be a long night or week or month, the price we pay for enabling more procrastinators to vote.

See Also:

      California can count votes until December 7. That could hold up congressional results Sacramento Bee

 

Democrats appear poised to sweep statewide races in California, shutting out Republicans

Los Angeles Times

Democrats were poised to capture at least seven of eight statewide constitutional offices and Republicans once again failed to win a single post at the highest ranks of California government on election day.

 

Xavier Becerra is elected to full term as California attorney general

Los Angeles Times

Democratic state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has been elected to a full term as California’s top cop, holding off a challenge from Republican Steven Bailey.

 

California moves its presidential primary to March in push for electoral relevance

Los Angeles Times

There are 482 days until the California presidential primary on March 3, 2020. Our state’s primary tended to be at the back of the line, but this earlier date will bring even more attention and vitriol to the state.

 

Federal:

 

A split decision for Trump, Democrats

AP News

Tuesday’s midterm elections offered something for everyone. Democrats will control the House, but Trump will point to GOP success in the Senate as proof that he defied the odds and avoided the type of midterm wipeout that afflicted his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.

See Also:

      Democrats Can Thank Trump for Their Midterms Boost Bloomberg

      Trump Did What He Needed to Do in the Midterms The Wall Street Journal

     Republicans depend on Trump’s polarizing approach to gain in the Senate, but it costs them the House Los Angeles Times

 

Republicans will retain control of the Senate, ABC News projects

abc30

ABC News projects that the Republicans will retain majority control of the Senate, giving President Donald Trump at least one chamber on Capitol Hill to defend his administration.

See Also:

     Trump will awaken to unfriendly House, and Dems poised to investigate abc30

     Election Results Give Split Decision: Democrats Win House & GOP Keeps Senate Majority NPR

      How Democrats clawed out of their abyss to win the House The Washington Post

     Democratic win in House means trouble for Trump agenda Modesto Bee

      The Democratic House Will Make Donald Trump Miserable Weekly Standard

     Republicans retain control of US Senate Hanford Sentinel

     Senate: GOP keeps Senate control for 2 more years, triumph for Trump Stockton Record

     Dems gain in quest for House control but GOP retains Senate Bakersfield Californian

     Balance of power upended in Washington as Trump faces divided Congress Sacramento Bee

     Democrats seize the House and Republicans bolster Senate majority in Trump-driven midterm vote Los Angeles Times

     Trump's bombast scores wins for GOP in Senate but propels Democrats to flip House Los Angeles Times

     House Democrats’ Agenda: Ethics, Infrastructure and Medical Legislation The New York Times

     What kind of bipartisan cooperation can we expect after the election? How about none Los Angeles Times

      Democrats Win House Majority; Here’s What They’ll Do With It Roll Call

     EDITORIAL: The House vote was a referendum on Trump — and he lost Los Angeles Times

     EDITORIAL: The House Trump built San Francisco Chronicle

     EDITORIAL: Midterm results: Both Democrats, Trump have reason to cheer. But for how long? San Diego Union-Tribune

 

Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will 'strive for American bi-partisanship'

abc30

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi vowed the Congress will be accountable to the American people.

See Also:

     Trump congratulates Pelosi after Democrats take House majority; staff hinted he wouldn't Los Angeles Times

     Democrats retake House — Trump congratulates Pelosi San Francisco Chronicle

     Republicans declared war on Nancy Pelosi — and she won CNBC

     For Nancy Pelosi, a Comeback Eight Years in the Making The Wall Street Journal

 

Meet the New Agenda Setters in the House

The Wall Street Journal

In winning control of the House of Representatives, Democrats take over the chairman’s seat in the chamber’s committees. Here are the men and women likely to be setting the agenda for key committees, and what policy changes to expect from them.

 

The fight goes on: Election Night 2018

Brookings

After Democrats retook the House and Republicans held the Senate, Elaine Kamarck discusses each party's performance in the 2018 midterms and reflects on the divided state of American politics today.

See Also:

      Ten Takeaways From the 2018 Midterm Elections The Wall Street Journal

      Winners and losers from the midterms: The Democrats won the House, but their brightest stars fizzled. Read The Fix's analysis The Washington Post

     11 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Election Roll Call

     Election Fallout: What to watch for now TheHill

     Democratic Control Of The House Is Trouble For Trump, And 6 Other Election Takeaways NPR

     7 takeaways from the 2018 midterm election Los Angeles Times

     2018 Election: Continuing Coverage And Results Los Angeles Times

 

Women lead a parade of victories to help Democrats win the House

Sacramento Bee

They marched, they ran, and on Election Day, they won. Women led a parade of victories and unexpected upsets Tuesday to win control of the House for the Democrats.

See Also:

     A record number of women are up for election. More than 115 have won so far Los Angeles Times
     Muslim Women Win House Seats, Blazing a New Path The Wall Street Journal

 

How long after the polls close until heads roll in the Trump administration?

Los Angeles Times

The news coverage of the fight for control of Congress will push Trump out of the news cycle, and nothing irks the president more than not being the center of attention.

 

Health Care, Anti-Trump Message ‘Won’t Suffice’ for 2020 Dems

Roll Call

“For right now, I think it was enough to run not only on the idea the GOP wanted to take away people’s health care, along with healthy dose of healthy anti-Trump rhetoric. That was enough to get us over the goal line,” said James Manley, a Democratic strategist. “But that won’t suffice in 2020.”

See Also:

      It’s Not Too Early to Start Looking at the 2020 Senate Map Roll Call

     OPINION: After the Midterms, Party Strategies Are Set The Wall Street Journal

 

OPINION: A Democratic House

The Wall Street Journal

The House defeat is also a message to Donald Trump from moderate Republicans, especially women. Nearly four of 10 voters said they wanted to vote against Mr. Trump in the AP-Fox voter analysis.

 

OPINION: Trump Has Become a Republican

The Wall Street Journal

At the midpoint of his first term, however, Mr. Trump is more of a partisan Republican now than he was when he won the nomination and the presidency in 2016.

 

OPINION: Among Black Voters, Trump’s Popularity Inches Upward

The Wall Street Journal

President Trump’s approval rating among blacks stood at 40% in a Rasmussen poll two days before Halloween. Rasmussen surveys are often friendlier to the president than those of other polling organizations, so critics are quick to dismiss them as outliers. In this instance, however, that could be a mistake.

 

Other:

 

Facebook removes accounts possibly linked to foreign entities hours before midterm election

abc30

Facebook removed a network of Facebook pages and Instagram accounts Monday night, hours before the polls opened for the midterm elections, after United States officials said they could be linked to foreign entities.

 

They're Sticky, Oval-Shaped, Red, White, And Blue. Why Do We Get "I Voted" Stickers?

VPR

On election day, some students can get extra credit if they show teachers their “I Voted” sticker. Others post selfies on social media with the hashtag #IVotedSelfie. Some people drop off their mail-in ballots just to get the sticker.  But, why? What does it mean?

 

OPINION: Conservatism and Populism Go Back Centuries

The Wall Street Journal

Yet the alliance between conservatism and the people—between elites devoted to preserving tradition and local communities and those who want them preserved—is as old as modern conservatism itself. Its roots can be traced to 1790.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Fresno looks to reap millions on marijuana tax, with early returns favoring Measure A

Fresno Bee

Fresno, CA, voters are on track to approve a marijuana tax measure that officials estimate could bring in $10 million annually for police, roads and other community services.

 

SJ cannabis measure ahead, but not by enough, in early vote count

Stockton Record

A ballot measure that would regulate and tax legal adult-use cannabis businesses in unincorporated San Joaquin County was coming up short Tuesday night in early voting returns.

 

Kern County voters reject all cannabis measures

Bakersfield Californian

Two marijuana ballot measures were resoundingly rejected by Kern County voters on Tuesday, with another appearing to lose by a narrow margin.

 

Ruiz Foods team members donated over 2,000 lbs of food to community organizations

abc30

Ruiz Foods team members in Dinuba collected thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items to make sure people in the community do not go a day without food.

 

Once again, California votes for for happy chickens and cage-free eggs

Los Angeles Times

Proposition 12, a statewide ballot measure that would phase in requirements to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and calves raised for veal in California, was approved by voters Tuesday.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

City Council candidate among three in Kern County charged with voter fraud

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield City Council candidate Gilberto de la Torre is crying foul over the Kern County District Attorney's Election Day announcement that he was being charged with election fraud.

 

My turn: Child crime is vanishing. Does anyone know why?

CAlmatters

For people who study and work in criminal justice, California’s trends are a revolution. Experts didn’t predict vanishing child crime; just the opposite. Authorities and commentators forecast a “crime storm” of ever-younger ”superpredators” led by murderous “seven-year-old (s)… wearing Reeboks.”

 

Public Safety:

 

California Highway Patrol will attempt to decrease speeding and aggressive driving

Bakersfield Californian

The California Highway Patrol has started an education and enforcement campaign to help decrease injuries and deaths caused by speed and aggressive driving.

 

Sheriff's Office presents check to Relay for Life

Hanford Sentinel

After a month-long campaign, the Kings County Sheriff’s office presented a $3,000 check Monday to Relay for Life. During the month of October, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post sold pink Sheriff’s Office shoulder patches for its cancer awareness campaign.

 

Fire:

 

PG&E may shut off power for 69,000 in Northern California due to fire risk

Sacramento Bee

Pacific Gas and Electric may soon shut off power starting Thursday morning for up to 69,000 customers in Northern California because of “expected extreme fire danger conditions,” according to a Tuesday press release.

 

Using Data Science To Fight Wildfires

Capital Public Radio

University of the Pacific Professor Rick Hutley joins Insight to discuss how data science can help in the battle to predict wildfires and limit future damage.

 

ECONOMY / JOBS

 

Economy:

 

Local fund seeks financial partners as it gears up for first round of business investments

Bakersfield Californian

A local investment fund has received eight business proposals from early-stage companies based in Kern, plus another five from California businesses outside the county, as it works to put together an initial pool of capital to begin doling out startup capital.

 

Industrial and tech firms lead U.S. stocks higher

Los Angeles Times

U.S. stocks rose Tuesday as industrial and technology companies recovered some of the big losses they took over the last month. Strong company earnings also contributed to the gains, but stocks stayed calm as traders waited for results from the midterm election.

 

Jerry Brown a tax reformer? Who knew?

CALmatters

It was a little odd, therefore, that Jerry Brown, the Democratic governor of one of the nation’s highest-taxing states, just received one of theTax Foundation’s annual awards for “outstanding achievement in state tax reform.”

 

Jobs:

 

Layoffs and furloughs affect at least 100 Hanford Faraday Future employees

abc30

Up until now, it's been unclear just how many employees at the manufacturing facility in Hanford have been affected by the company's decision to cut employees or their pay.

 

Job Openings Outnumbered Unemployed Americans by More Than One Million in September

The Wall Street Journal

There were a seasonally adjusted 7.01 million job openings on the last business day of September, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That compares with 5.96 million jobless Americans actively looking for work during the month that the unemployment rate fell to a 49-year low of 3.7%.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Abuse or accountability? Student’s forced pushups case heading to jury

Fresno Bee

A Superior Court jury will begin deliberations Wednesday to determine whether a Fresno, Ca, teacher was negligent for ordering a 9-year-old girl to do pushups and other exercise in a classroom filled with students.

 

Schools in Fresno County educate students about voting

abc30

While people across the nation cast their ballots. Students at Crescent View West Charter School in Central Fresno, are also making their voices heard.

 

Modesto poised to pass $131 million in bonds to improve schools

Modesto Bee

Two bond measures that would help fix Modesto’s aging schools appear to be headed toward approval based on early poll results.

 

Several candidates hold leads in Stockton Unified races

Stockton Record

Four seats for Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees were up for grabs and at least one will be occupied by a new face while two incumbents are in tighter races.

 

Retired teachers lead Kern High School District races

Bakersfield Californian

Retired teachers lead Kern High School District races, including Jan Graves and Cynthia Brakeman.

 

Higher Ed:

 

Rivera wins 7th term on SJ Delta College board

Stockton Record

Janet Rivera won a seventh term to serve on the Board of Trustees at San Joaquin Delta College on Tuesday night, meaning she has held her seat longer than many of the community college’s students have been alive.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

 

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HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

California voters reject ballot measure to cap dialysis company profits

Los Angeles Times

Proposition 8, which would have imposed a cap on the profits earned by large dialysis companies such as DaVita, was defeated by voters on Tuesday.

See Also:

      California voters reject measure to limit dialysis profits AP News

 

Human Services:

 

Federal judge wants investigation into mental health care at California prisons following scathing report

Los Angeles Times

The report has come at a precarious time for the state prison system. A federal court determined in 1995 that prisons had failed to provide proper treatment for thousands of mentally ill inmates.

 

CMS slashes clinic visit payments, expands 340B cuts

Modern Healthcare

In a cut that will fall especially hard on rural health care clinics in California, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcedplans to reduce payments by 60 percent. The cut would translate into a $52 million loss for California clinics during a two-year period starting in January, California hospital officials say.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Lame-Duck Congress Raises Prospect of Stalemate on Border Wall

The Wall Street Journal

While lame-duck sessions of Congress can be unpredictable, lawmakers face one immutable deadline in the next two-month stretch: funding for parts of the government, including the Department of Homeland Security, expires at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 8.

 

U.S. Troops’ First Order at the Border: Laying Razor Wire

The Wall Street Journal

The soldiers from the 36th Engineer Brigade at Fort Riley, Kan., who wore helmets but didn’t appear to be armed, are among thousands of troops deployedin recent days to the southwest U.S. border as part of Operation Faithful Patriot.

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Falling on hard times, decades-old Fresno golf club calls it quits

Fresno Bee

Fig Garden Golf Club, a semi-private course that’s been perched on the south bank of the San Joaquin River for 60 years, will be closing at the end of 2018, its owner has told members. Less interest in the game and rising costs are blamed.

 

Housing:

 

Voters reject measure that would have allowed more rent control

abc30

Californians soundly rejected a costly ballot measure Tuesday that would have allowed more rent control as a way to alleviate the state's housing crisis.

See Also:

     California voters reject rent control measure Modesto Bee

     Voters reject Proposition 10, halting effort to expand rent control across the state Los Angeles Times

      California voters reject rent control measure Sacramento Bee

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

County and city sales tax both appear to fail

Bakersfield Californian

Both Kern County and Bakersfield voters appear to have rejected two 1 percent sales tax measures on the ballot, county voters decisively so.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

California’s gas tax increase is here to stay

Fresno Bee

Proposition 6, the ballot measure to repeal increases to California gas and diesel taxes, was defeated in the Nov. 6 midterm election. The initiative would have eliminated billions in transportation funding.

See Also:

     California voters reject move backed by top Republicans to repeal state gas tax increase Los Angeles Times

      Gas tax repeal leader’s Plan B: Try to pick off Democrats one-by-one CALmatters

      Once again, Californians tax themselves CALmatters

 

WATER

 

Brown, Newsom send State Water Board letter requesting to delay Wednesday’s vote

Modesto Bee

Those who depend on the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers for agriculture and drinking water may have received a reprieve Tuesday night.

See Also:

      The State Water Board is scheduled to convene in Sacramento on Wednesday State Water Resources Control Board

 

Time’s up. We’ll see if water board passes the test on our rivers

Modesto Bee

After nine years of justifying itself through sham hearings, outdated studies and endless hand-wringing, will the State Water Board finally vote Nov. 7 to send billions of gallons of water from our rivers into the Delta?

 

“Xtra”

 

Fresno State stays at #23 in the College Football Playoff rankings

abc30

Fresno State remains at #23 in Tuesday's latest release of the College Football Playoff rankings. The 'Dogs were also ranked 23rd in the initial College Football Playoff released last week.

 

Celebration of military veterans set for Monday in Oakhurst

Sierra Star

In what has become a Veterans Day tradition in the mountain community, residents will come together for a special service at Oakhurst’s Little Church on the Hill to honor the sacrifices of all who have served in the United States armed forces.

 

Dia de los Muertos cemented as Hanford tradition

Hanford Sentinel

Hundreds of sugar skull-painted and colorfully-dressed visitors attended the annual Dia de los Muertos event at the Hanford Civic Auditorium Friday.

 

KISS hits the Valley on farewell tour

Hanford Sentinel

It’s the end of the road for the band that once wanted to rock and roll all night and party every day. Rockers KISS announced this week that after 45 years, their final tour will embark in 2019 with a stop in Fresno.

 

Global Arts in Concert at the MAC

Merced County Arts Council, Inc.

This event features several UC Merced faculty members and guests as they showcase their various art disciplines and talent.