October 20, 2020

20Oct

POLICY & POLITICS

 

Event: Delivering on the Promise of Telehealth to Improve Health Status in Calif, Fact-Finding Listening Conference

Calif Emerging Technology Fund

The Calif Emerging Technology Fund is hosting a Fact-Finding Listening Conference on October 22, 2020 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Register here!

 

North SJ Valley:

 

Why will this mayoral election have the chance to reflect all of Modesto?

Modesto Bee

In a city that then had about 91,300 registered voters, Ted Brandvold needed just 15,455 votes to become Modesto’s mayor in a February 2016 runoff election in which he defeated the incumbent.

 

New reservoir in Stanislaus County could move forward with approval of final study

Modesto Bee

The Del Puerto Water District board is set to vote Wednesday on approving a final environmental impact study on a much-disputed storage reservoir in western Stanislaus County.

 

Coronavirus Update:

     No Merced County COVID-19 deaths for almost a week. Positive tests rise slightly Fresno Bee

     Stanislaus reports first death in 3 days, 49 new cases Modesto Bee

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

COVID-19 cases in Fresno Co lurch past a milestone. Could it hurt businesses reopening?

Fresno Bee

Fresno County has experienced its largest one-day increase in confirmed coronavirus infections in more than a month, the Calif Department of Public Health reported on Monday.

See also:

·       Coronavirus update: As infections climb nationally, is Fresno County improving? Fresno Bee

     COVID-19 cases in Fresno County lurch past a milestone. Could it hurt businesses reopening? Fresno Bee

 

Here are the latest Fresno, Clovis schools allowed to reopen even if COVID-19 cases spike

Fresno Bee

While schools in Fresno County don’t technically need a waiver at the moment, many schools have applied for waivers as a safety measure in case Fresno County slides back into the most restrictive purple tier under Calif’s color-coded Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

See also

·       Central Unified plans to continue distance learning until January abc30

·       Immanuel Schools ends legal fight with state, county over in-person classes amid COVID-19 Fresno Bee

     Immanuel Schools and Fresno County agree to resolve court battle over opening violations abc30

 

Election 2020: A New Generation Of Local School Board Candidates

VPR

David Paredes, 24, is running for the Area 5 seat on the Fresno Unified School Board. Since his campaign started in August, he’s made about a hundred phone calls a day.

 

Do you want to improve Fresno streets and transit system? This agency wants your ideas

Fresno Bee

Tired of dangerous intersections, missing sidewalks and potholes? Want faster bus service and safer bike routes? Then share your ideas in this survey by Thursday, Oct. 22. There are also Spanish and Punjabi versions of the form.

See also:

     2020 Transportation Needs Survey Fresno Council of Governments

 

Councilmember wants Fresno to sue state over homeless encampments

abc30

The areas along many Fresno freeways and off-ramps are being littered with debris and large homeless encampments - and it appears the persistent problem has only gotten worse since the pandemic hit.

 

Tulare County officials urging all residents to get tested for COVID-19

abc30

There's hope on the horizon. At least that's how Tulare County's Public Health Director Karen Elliott sees it. She knows Tulare County's high case rate is holding it back from leaving the most restrictive tier of the state's reopening plan.

 

Asm. Joaquin Arambula: Say no to Big Tobacco referendum

CalMatters

As an emergency room doctor in the under-resourced Central Valley and a dentist with a forensic specialty, we’ve seen how the tobacco industry uses enticing, flavored images to lure people into a lifetime of smoking.

 

South SJ Valley:

 

COVID 19 update: County seeing red — on the horizon

Porterville Recorder

Tulare County Health and Human Services reported on Monday the county took a huge step to finally making it into the red tier. Tulare County's case rate fell to 8.1 per 100,000 over the past 7 days, a considerable decline of 1.7. That's the lowest that number has been.

See also:

·       County reports 49 new COVID-19 cases in Kern Monday Bakersfield Califn

 

BCHS students, teachers will return to campus Oct. 28

Bakersfield Califn

Bakersfield Christian High School will resume in-person campus instruction on Oct. 28. In a news release, the school said it will continue offering online instruction to students who have concerns about returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Kern County Elections Office offers assistance to voters

Bakersfield Califn

The Kern County Elections Office said Monday that individuals who need assistance with voting or who would like to drop off their mail ballot in person can visit the Elections Office at 1115 Truxtun Ave. or a satellite office location.

 

Kern County receives second West Nile Virus case of 2020

Bakersfield Califn

Kern County has received its second case of West Nile Virus this year, according to the website WestNile.ca.gov. The site updates its West Nile data every Friday. The Kern County Public Health Services Department announced Kern’s first case of 2020 on Oct. 6.

 

Supervisors to consider funding Delano homeless shelter on Tuesday

Bakersfield Califn

The Kern County Board of Supervisors will consider funding a new homeless shelter in Delano at its meeting Tuesday. Intended to help unsheltered individuals in a rural part of Kern County, the 30-bed facility is slated to open at 531 High St. in the first part of November.

 

 

State:

 

Newsom says Calif will review FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines before releasing them to public

Los Angeles Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that Calif will review the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines that receive federal approval before distributing them to the public, adding an extra safeguard amid concerns that the White House could rush the process.

See also:

     As Calif braces for second wave of COVID-19, a statewide vaccine plan is taking shape Los Angeles Times

     The ‘speed of trust’: Calif wants statewide panel to review any COVID vaccine CalMatters

     Coronavirus updates: Calif’s plateau continues; Newsom talks vaccine timeline Sacramento Bee

     General public likely won’t get COVID-19 vaccines until well into 2021, Gavin Newsom says Fresno Bee

     Gov. Gavin Newsom explains why you probably won't get a COVID-19 vaccine this year abc30

     Calif won't allow virus vaccines without state approval Bakersfield Califn

 

Calif allows Republican ballot boxes with safeguards

Politico

Calif officials lowered the temperature Friday in their legal standoff with the Calif Republican Party over its unauthorized ballot boxes, saying the party had committed to enough changes for now to satisfy their concerns.

See also:

     In ballot box battle, Dems and GOP both claim victory. Why this fight fizzled. CalMatters

     Schwarzenegger: Calif Republicans 'off the rails' with 'fake' ballot boxes Politico

     EDITORIAL: Calif Ballot-Harvest Boomerang Wall Street Journal

 

Federal:

 

One more day for coronavirus relief talks, Pelosi says

Roll Call

Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to decide by Tuesday evening whether a bipartisan deal on COVID-19 relief can pass before the Nov. 3 elections, her spokesman said Monday.

See also:

     Pelosi, Mnuchin Work to Reach Deal Before Tuesday Deadline Wall Street Journal

 

As Amy Coney Barrett heads for confirmation, Dianne Feinstein faces outside pressure to step aside

Roll Call

Grassroots pressure on Democrats to oust Dianne Feinstein from atop the Senate Judiciary Committee has spilled out into the open since the end of last week’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett.

See also:

     Opinion: Biden and a Democratic Congress can block a conservative Supreme Court. Here's how. Washington Post

 

Trump targets Fauci instead of COVID-19 as infections and deaths rise

Los Angeles Times

President Trump on Monday reignited his feud with the nation’s top infectious disease expert and said he was tired of hearing about the coronavirus as U.S. deaths from COVID-19 topped 220,000 and hospitalizations rose across the country, raising fears of a deadly third wave of infections as winter approaches.

See also:

     Trump's Fauci feud keeps campaign focus on COVID-19 ABC

     Trump calls Dr. Fauci a ‘disaster’ — Fauci tells Americans: ‘Stay away from the politics’ MarketWatch

     Trump Calls Dr. Fauci a 'Disaster' in Call With Campaign Staff New York Times

 

Coronavirus Trackers:

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Calif

Covid19.ca.gov

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

See also:

     Calif Department of Public Health

     Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC

     Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic - WHO

     John Hopkins University & Medicine John Hopkins University

     Tracking coronavirus in Calif Los Angeles Times

     Coronavirus Tracker San Francisco Chronicle

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

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

     Coronavirus Daily NPR

     Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads Fin Times

     Coronavirus in Calif by the numbers CalMatters

 

Elections 2020:

 

     Register to vote

     Check voter registration status

     Online Voter Guide and Printable Voter Guide

     List of county elections offices

     “Where’s My Ballot?” tool

 

Commission to mute candidates during opponent's initial response in final debate

abc30

Former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will have their microphones muted during portions of the second and final presidential debate on Thursday night, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Monday.

See also:

      Debate commission adopts new rules to mute Trump and Biden’s mics at next match-up Los Angeles Times

      Presidential Candidates’ Microphones to Be Muted in Parts of Final Debate Wall Street Journal

     Trump campaign asks debate commission to change planned topics of third debate Sacramento Bee

     Americans say Trump vs. Biden most important election in decades, Gallup poll finds Fox News

 

Election 2020: A New Generation Of Local School Board Candidates

VPR

David Paredes, 24, is running for the Area 5 seat on the Fresno Unified School Board. Since his campaign started in August, he’s made about a hundred phone calls a day.

 

Kern County Elections Office offers assistance to voters

Bakersfield Califn

The Kern County Elections Office said Monday that individuals who need assistance with voting or who would like to drop off their mail ballot in person can visit the Elections Office at 1115 Truxtun Ave. or a satellite office location.

 

Don't make these mistakes with your mail-in ballot

Bakersfield Califn

Despite the purported convenience of voting by mail, the process can also be confusing. Did you know, for example, if you plan to vote at the polls, you must bring your mail-in ballot with you to surrender or else you will have to cast a provisional ballot?

See also:

     Election 2020 Voting Challenges: Early-Voting Waits, Mail Ballots and Court Battles Wall Street Journal

     No mask, no problem. In Calif, maskless voters can cast ballots on election day Los Angeles Times

 

The Macho Appeal of Donald Trump

New York Times

Though a majority of Latino voters favor Democrats, Hispanic men are a small but enduring part of Trump’s base. Those supporters see him as forceful, unapologetic and a symbol of economic success.

See also:

     In Calif, Suburban Women Are Turning Away From Trump KQED

     Latino, Evangelical and Politically Homeless New York Times

     Voters Tend to Trust Trump on the Economy. Yet He’s Behind. Why? Wall Street Journal

     Opinion: Can President Trump win an Electoral College majority in 2020? Brookings

     Opinion: Which candidate is working harder to win the White House? It’s not even close Sacramento Bee

     Opinion: Can President Trump win an Electoral College majority in 2020? Brookings

     Opinion: Press Protects Joe Biden and Disregards Its True Role National Review

 

Joe Biden sets out aggressive plan to tackle climate change

Los Angeles Times

In a speech in Wilmington, Del., the former vice president called for a massive green jobs and environmental justice program that would invest $2 trillion in his first term on building new renewable energy infrastructure.

See also:

     Calif officials see boon in Biden’s climate plan Los Angeles Times

     Where Trump and Biden Stand on International Accords and Alliances Wall Street Journal

     Biden eyes GOP candidates for Cabinet slots Politico

     Opinion: Biden’s Public Option Would Mean Massive Tax Hikes Wall Street Journal

     Opinion: Biden Will Make America Lead Again Wall Street Journal

     Opinion: I Was Reagan’s Solicitor General. Here’s What Biden Should Do With the Court. New York Times

 

Pres Kamala Harris? Trump campaign argues it could happen quickly if Biden wins

Modesto Bee

The Trump campaign wants to convince you that electing Joe Biden would quickly put Kamala Harris in charge of the country.

See also:

     Opinion: Kamala Harris authored what could be the most expensive bill ever AEI

 

Other:

 

Repealing Section 230 could have unintended consequences for Trump and conservatives

Roll Call

Twitter’s decision to initially block users from sharing a link to the story and Facebook’s referral of the story to its third-party fact-checkers were met with swift calls from Trump and others to repeal or narrow the terms of a 1996 law that protects social media companies from most lawsuits related to third-party content posted on their platforms.

See also:

     Opinion: Section 230 reform: Can the FCC regulate the internet? AEI

 

How to navigate Facebook and Twitter during the election

Washington Post

The experts agree: The best way to accurately track election results, and avoid falling for misinformation between now and Election Day, is to avoid too much social media.

 

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

 

Sunday, October 25, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “The November 2020 Propositions - Guest: Ben Christopher, CalMatters. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

Sunday, October 25, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: “Election Propositions: Implications for the Valley - Guests: Jessica Trounstine, UC Merced; Greg Soydemir, Stanislaus State; Lisa Bryant, Fresno State; Ivy Cargile, CSU Bakersfield; Mary Roaf, Stanislaus State; Sebastian Sclofsky, Stanislaus State. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

 

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

Court Vacates Trump Admin Rule That Sought To Kick Thousands Off Food Stamps

VPR

A federal judge has vacated the Trump administration's rule that would have forced hundreds of thousands of Americans off food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's rule change was capricious and arbitrary, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said.

 

Farmers Stick With Trump, Despite Trade-War Pain

Wall Street Journal

Many in agriculture say they believe a Biden presidency would bring stricter environmental regulations and higher taxes.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Fresno police see shift in where shootings are happening

abc30

The Fresno Police Department has responded to 564 shootings so far in 2020, more than twice the total of 275 at this same time last year. They've also investigated 50 murders compared to 34 this time last year. Authorities say most of the violence is gang-related.

 

‘Victims of child abuse’: Calif survivors urge others to take action against Boy Scouts

Fresno Bee

The history of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America is long and documented. Shortly after the Boy Scouts formed, the organization began keeping “ineligible volunteer” files tracking sexual abuse allegations in an effort to weed the organization of predators.

 

Justice Department Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google

Wall Street Journal

The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit Tuesday alleging that Google engaged in anticompetitive conduct to preserve monopolies in search and search advertising that form the cornerstones of its vast conglomerate.

See also:

     Lawmakers on Both Sides Call for Antitrust Action Against Big Tech Wall Street Journal

     Department of Justice charges Google with multiple violations of federal antitrust law Washington Post

 

Public Safety:

 

Pandemic-fueled safety fears fuel gun purchases in Calif

Fresno Bee

Fears of unrest, early release of prisoners, government overreach, even government collapse, led an estimated 110,000 Califns to purchase firearms in the early months of the pandemic, say UC Davis researchers.

 

Prop 20 would toughen Calif criminal penalties. Here’s how it works

Sacramento Bee

Criminal justice is on the ballot this election. Calif voters are being called on to decide whether past ballot measures aimed at reducing incarceration statewide went too far.

See also:

     Prop. 20: Should Calif’s DNA bank expand to shoplifters, opioid offenders? CalMatters

     EDITORIAL: Two propositions let voters improve the fairness of Calif’s justice system Modesto Bee

 

Rising Jail Populations Mean Rising COVID-19 Infections

Public Policy Institute of Calif

Populations at Calif county jails are rebounding, which may present challenges for counties trying to manage COVID-19 and protect nearby communities.

 

Fire:

 

Creek Fire update: Creek, SQF Complex see slight growth, containment increasing

Fresno Bee

The National Forest Service reported there was no major fire growth in the north zone on Sunday, likely contributing to the single-digit increase in containment along the fire boundary. The south zone also saw little progress, the forest service reported.

 

Insurance companies abandoning Calif at a faster rate, as wildfires wreak havoc

Fresno Bee

Facing major losses after the 2018 Camp Fire, insurance companies dropped Califns in wildfire-prone Sierra foothills communities at an accelerating rate last year.

 

About 54,000 PG&E Northern Calif customers may lose power in safety shutoffs

Fresno Bee

About 54,000 PG&E customers in portions of 19 Northern Calif counties and two tribal communities could lose their electricity as early as Wednesday evening as the utility plans for another series of public safety power shutoffs to prevent new wildfires.

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

COVID-19 cases in Fresno Co lurch past a milestone. Could it hurt businesses reopening?

Fresno Bee

Fresno County has experienced its largest one-day increase in confirmed coronavirus infections in more than a month, the Calif Department of Public Health reported on Monday.

 

U.S. Stocks Fall on Stimulus Worries

Wall Street Journal

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 400 points Monday as investors’ hopes for a fresh stimulus package before the election dwindled.

 

How did Americans spend their $1,200 stimulus checks? Here’s what a survey found

Modesto Bee

A recent survey found that the majority of Americans saved their stimulus payments or used it to repay debts. The CARES Act went into law in March and provided most Americans with direct payments during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Walters: City wagers on entertainment may backfire

CalMatters

Calif’s COVID-19 recession is having a devastating effect on local bond issues for sports and entertainment venues.

 

Jobs:

 

COVID-19 Recession at Six Months: Calif’s Unemployment Remains High

Calif Budget & Policy Center

Millions of Califns are struggling to pay for basic necessities like housing and food amid the worst recession in recent history. Calif’s unemployment remains extremely high, particularly for Black and brown Califns.

 

This Calif agency reimburses employees’ work-from-home expenses. Will others follow?

Fresno Bee

Covered Calif will reimburse its employees’ work-from-home expenses, making it one of the first state offices to commit to doing so seven months into the coronavirus outbreak.

 

AP-NORC/SAP poll: 1 in 4 US workers have weighed quitting

AP News

A quarter of U.S. workers say they have even considered quitting their jobs as worries related to the pandemic weigh on them, according to a new poll.

 

What Prop. 22’s defeat would mean for Uber and Lyft — and drivers

Los Angeles Times

The future of gig work could hinge on the success or failure of Proposition 22, called the App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative.

See also:

     Measuring the benefits of ridesharing services to urban travelers Brookings

     ‘How long can this last?’: Calif gig workers struggle to pay bills during COVID-19 Fresno Bee

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Here are the latest Fresno, Clovis schools allowed to reopen even if COVID-19 cases spike

Fresno Bee

While schools in Fresno County don’t technically need a waiver at the moment, many schools have applied for waivers as a safety measure in case Fresno County slides back into the most restrictive purple tier under Calif’s color-coded Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

 

Immanuel Schools ends legal fight with state, county over in-person classes amid COVID-19

Fresno Bee

Immanuel Schools recently agreed to a settlement with Fresno County and the Calif Attorney General’s Office over a legal dispute stemming from the government’s requirement for the private, Christian school to stop in-person classes.

See Also:

     Immanuel Schools and Fresno County agree to resolve court battle over opening violations abc30

 

Central Unified plans to continue distance learning until January

abc30

A major Central Valley school district is saying they won't be bringing students back for in-person learning any time soon.

 

BCHS students, teachers will return to campus Oct. 28

Bakersfield Califn

Bakersfield Christian High School will resume in-person campus instruction on Oct. 28. In a news release, the school said it will continue offering online instruction to students who have concerns about returning to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Panama-Buena Vista Union School District welcomes back preschoolers

Bakersfield Califn

Monday was a banner day for preschool students in Panama-Buena Vista School District. For the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the very youngest students in the district had the opportunity to come to school in person.

 

Higher Ed:

 

As revenue declines, Fresno State drops 3 sports including one it just brought back

Fresno Bee

Fresno State faced up to a harsh reality on Friday, eliminating its women’s lacrosse, men’s tennis and wrestling programs at the end of the academic year.

See also:

     The COVID-19 pandemic is revealing the regressive business model of college sports Brookings

     Fresno State terminates three sports to balance athletic budget Business Journal

 

More Colleges Require Flu Shots of Students and Employees

Wall Street Journal

More colleges are requiring students, faculty and employees to provide proof they received a flu vaccine as schools try to reduce the chances of a flu outbreak in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Bay Valley Tech, VOLT Institute offering funding, tech education for local residents

Modesto Bee

Modesto residents can look to two local schools for training in coding and mechanics, as regional institutions seek to teach more workers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Calif’s greenhouse gas emissions rose slightly in 2018

Fresno Bee

Greenhouse gas emissions in Calif increased slightly in 2018 due largely to lower hydroelectric power use, according to a newspaper report Monday.

See also

·       In worrying sign, Calif’s greenhouse gas emissions rise in latest tally San Francisco Chronicle

 

Environmentalists use wildfire danger as new weapon against housing development

San Francisco Chronicle

From steep terrain in Napa Valley to the windswept hills of Contra Costa County, Calif environmentalists opposed to development in semi-urbanized areas are increasingly fighting projects with the dangers of wildfire.

 

Energy:

 

Calif Energy Leaders Meet, Talk Details of Carbon Neutral Future

Capital Public Radio

With deadly and destructive wildfires coming year after year, and future climate scenarios looking dire, Calif government leaders and private sector innovators are meeting this week to figure out how the state can meet its long term climate change mitigation goals.

 

Opinion: It’s time for cities to track and measure gasoline consumption

CalMatters

Gasoline is a big part of the climate crisis and we must demand that our elected officials achieve big, consistent cuts in gasoline usage.

 

EDITORIAL: This is easy — new buildings should be designed for a fossil fuel-free future

Los Angeles Times

On the heels of yet another summer of near-record heat, one thing is clear: If humankind is to make meaningful progress in the fight to limit global warming, we must fundamentally alter how we create and consume energy.

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Kern County receives second West Nile Virus case of 2020

Bakersfield Califn

Kern County has received its second case of West Nile Virus this year, according to the website WestNile.ca.gov. The site updates its West Nile data every Friday. The Kern County Public Health Services Department announced Kern’s first case of 2020 on Oct. 6.

 

Coronavirus update: As infections climb nationally, is Fresno County improving?

Fresno Bee

As cases surge around the nation and Americans wait to hear this week whether the federal government will reach a new COVID-19 relief deal, Fresno County’s infections still seem to be heading in the right direction.

See Also:

     COVID-19 cases in Fresno County lurch past a milestone. Could it hurt businesses reopening? Fresno Bee

     No Merced County COVID-19 deaths for almost a week. Positive tests rise slightly Fresno Bee

     County reports 49 new COVID-19 cases in Kern Monday Bakersfield Califn

     Coronavirus update: Stanislaus reports first death in 3 days, 49 new cases Modesto Bee

 

‘Darkest’ months of the COVID-19 pandemic could come this winter, experts say

Sacramento Bee

Health experts say the number of coronavirus cases could rise during the winter months ahead of the flu season.

     Calif's feared surge of virus cases hasn't happened Bakersfield Califn

     COVID-19 death toll nears 17,000 in Calif Los Angeles Times

     New U.S. Coronavirus Cases March Higher Wall Street Journal

     Confirmed coronavirus cases top 40 million worldwide Los Angeles Times

     40 Million Coronavirus Cases Are Now Reported Worldwide VPR

 

Coronavirus Test Results Get Faster, But Still Too Slow To Help Slow Disease Spread

VPR

People are getting the results of coronavirus tests in the U.S. faster than they were in the spring, but testing still takes far too long to help with effective disease control measures such as contact tracing and quarantining, according to the results of a large national survey.

 

Emissions Exposure May Increase COVID-19 Mortality

Pew Trusts

For years, the effort to reduce transportation emissions has largely centered on fighting climate change. But some advocates say the pandemic underscores the need to focus on human health as well.

 

Human Services:

 

Free COVID-19 mobile test site will be at Virginia Park on Tuesday

Bakersfield Califn

According to a memo from the Kern County Public Health Services Department, the test will be self-swab administered. Pre-registration is required, but the county will accept a limited amount of walk-ups.

 

10,000 surgical masks donated to Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

The Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco Bay Area donated masks to aid Stanislaus County's most vulnerable citizens. Officials held a small outdoor ceremony at 10th Street Place in Modesto to accept the donation.

 

Can air filters help prevent coronavirus spread in your home? Here’s what experts say

Sacramento Bee

As winter nears, more people will be spending time with others indoors, a scenario that favors high coronavirus transmission. On top of mask wearing and social distancing, experts say investing in air filters can be a helpful addition to infection prevention plans.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

Trump, COVID-19 tie up immigration courts for thousands in Calif, attorneys say

Fresno Bee

Many central San Joaquin Valley immigrants will live with uncertainty for months or even years after having their immigration cases pushed back to as far as 2024 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Supreme Court to Review Two of Trump Admin’s Immigration Policies

Wall Street Journal

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review two of the Trump administration’s most visible immigration actions: its construction of a southern U.S. border wall with military funds and its requirement that asylum seekers at the border wait in Mexico while their requests are considered.

See also:

     Supreme Court To Hear Cases Tied To Trump's Policies On Mexico Border VPR

 

U.S. Borders With Canada And Mexico Will Stay Closed Another Month

Capital Public Radio

Bill Blair, Canada's public safety minister, tweeted, "We are extending non-essential travel restrictions with the United States until November 21st, 2020. Our decisions will continue to be based on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe."

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Balch Park closes until 2022

Visalia Times Delta

Balch Park and Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest are closed to the public as a result of the SQF Complex, the largest fire in Tulare County history. The popular recreation and camping destinations likely won't reopen until May 2022, according to Cal Fire officials.

 

Housing:

 

Supervisors to consider funding Delano homeless shelter on Tuesday

Bakersfield Califn

The Kern County Board of Supervisors will consider funding a new homeless shelter in Delano at its meeting Tuesday. Intended to help unsheltered individuals in a rural part of Kern County, the 30-bed facility is slated to open at 531 High St. in the first part of November.

 

Builder confidence in new homes continues record-breaking climb

UPI

The National Association of Home Builders said Monday that builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes in October surpassed last month's record high.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

Who wins and who loses with property tax measure Prop. 19

Los Angeles Times

One of the most complicated measures on Calif’s ballot this November is Proposition 19, which gives new property tax breaks to older homeowners, increases property taxes for those inheriting their parents’ properties.

 

TRANSPORTATION

 

Do you want to improve Fresno streets and transit system? This agency wants your ideas

Fresno Bee

Tired of dangerous intersections, missing sidewalks and potholes? Want faster bus service and safer bike routes? Then share your ideas in this survey by Thursday, Oct. 22. There are also Spanish and Punjabi versions of the form.

See also:

     2020 Transportation Needs Survey Fresno Council of Governments

 

Airport traffic rebounds to levels not seen since March, TSA says

Sacramento Bee

For the first time since March, more than 1 million people were traveling on airplanes Sunday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.

 

WATER

 

New reservoir in Stanislaus County could move forward with approval of final study

Modesto Bee

The Del Puerto Water District board is set to vote Wednesday on approving a final environmental impact study on a much-disputed storage reservoir in western Stanislaus County.

 

“Xtra”

 

How do you prepare for a Pandemic Halloween? Answers to your questions in Q&A Wednesday

Fresno Bee

Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos are fast approaching, and we know there are questions about what is safe for celebrating. Are there ways to do trick-or-treating safely? Is a costume mask protective against COVID-19? Is it OK to have a party at my house since the virus rates are lower?

 

One Stanislaus Co seasonal ice rink closed due to COVID, but another plans to open

Modesto Bee

Modesto On Ice — the popular outdoor ice skating rink in downtown — will not open this season because of the new coronavirus pandemic and uncertainty from the state over its reopening guidance.

 

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

 

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute was established to honor the legacy of one of Calif’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 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.

 

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