October 23, 2020

23Oct

POLICY & POLITICS

 

North SJ Valley:

 

Record pace: Coronavirus leads to a wave of early voting in Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

Four​​ years ago, early voting in the presidential election that put Donald Trump in the White House was record-setting.

See also:

     Coronavirus update: Stanislaus reports most​​ new cases in nearly 2 weeks Modesto Bee

 

The Modesto Bee recommends these CA Propositions & local candidates

Modesto Bee

These recommendations on Calif state propositions are intended to inform readers as they arrive at their own voting decisions.

 

Central SJ Valley:

 

Federal Agents In Fresno To Address Rise In Violent Crimes

VPR

Federal agents announced Wednesday that they are now working with local officials in​​ Fresno to mitigate the recent rise in crime. There have been 50 homicides and more than 560 shootings this year.

See also:

·       Can limiting liquor store hours help fight Fresno's rising crime? abc30

·       Once controversial, Advance Peace gets city funding to tackle Fresno violence abc30

 

Fresno council approves purchase of former Bee building

Business Journal

The Fresno City Council approved the $5.75 million purchase of the former Fresno Bee building​​ in Downtown Fresno on Thursday.

 

‘You can resign.’ Tempers flare as Fresno council members clash over Chinatown cleanup

Fresno Bee

A heated exchange between Fresno​​ councilmembers on Thursday ended after one invited another to resign from the City Council.

See Also:

     Fresno council member Garry Bredefeld accuses rest of council of corruption abc30

 

Fresno Co supervisors vote to allow themselves concealed carry in county buildings

Fresno Bee

Fresno County supervisors have voted to allow themselves and their assistants to use their concealed weapons permits while in county buildings and offices.

 

Coronavirus update: Hospitalizations climb in Fresno County

Fresno Bee

Hospitalizations of confirmed and suspected COVID-infected patients in Fresno County were higher this week than at any time in over a month. Earlier this week, 114 confirmed patients were​​ being treated in Fresno County. Of those, 24 were in the intensive-care unit.

See Also:

     Coronavirus update: More than 100 new infections reported in Fresno County Fresno Bee

     Fresno County adds more than 100 COVID-19 infections. How are other counties faring? Fresno Bee

     COVID-19 update: Number of active cases goes up Porterville Recorder

 

Editorial: Election 2020: The Fresno Bee Editorial Board’s local and state recommendations

Fresno Bee

The Fresno Bee Editorial Board recommends the following candidates and choices for local measures and Calif state propositions. This list will be updated as editorials are published.

 

Warszawski: Fresno’s congressional races have gone stale. Redistricting will help freshen them up

Fresno Bee

No matter how many TV spots, digital ads or mailers they’re subjected to, the vast majority of Fresno-area voters have long decided who they want representing them in Congress.

 

City of Hanford honors Joseph Castro

Hanford Sentinel

In recognition of his appointment as the next chancellor of the Calif State University system, the city of Hanford honored Dr. Joseph I. Castro with a proclamation Wednesday evening.

See Also:

·       City Of Hanford Honors Its Bold Native Son Fresno State News

 

South SJ Valley:

 

Kern Co to use 'reverse 911' to notify residents of nearby COVID-19 testing sites

Bakersfield Califn

Some Kern County residents can now expect to​​ hear from a “reverse 911” system to inform them of nearby coronavirus testing sites.

 

Dignity Health to host free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic Friday in Shafter

Bakersfield Califn

Dignity Health will host a free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at the Shafter Aquatic Center located at 269 Poso Avenue.

 

In Kern Co, Prop. 15 gets scarce support from its biggest beneficiaries: local school districts

Bakersfield Califn

This week the board of the Greenfield Union School District voted to endorse Proposition 15, a ballot initiative that seeks to amend 1978’s Proposition 13.

 

McCarthy, Mangone find room to disagree during televised debate

Bakersfield Califn

The Republican and Democratic candidates for Calif's 23rd Congressional District found a lot to disagree on during a televised debate on a wide range of national topics Wednesday night.

 

State:

 

Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

Public Policy Institute of Calif

The PPIC Statewide Survey delivers nonpartisan, objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of Calif residents.

 

Judge denies AG's request to expedite lawsuit against GOP over unofficial ballot boxes

abc30

A Calif judge has denied Attorney General Xavier Becerra's request to expedite his lawsuit against the state Republican Party. Calif Republicans have been collecting ballots from voters in unofficial ballot drop boxes.

See Also:

     Judge rejects Calif attorney general’s effort to investigate GOP ballot boxes LA Times

 

Auto Dealers Skeptical About Newsom’s Gas Car Sales Ban

Business Journal

What appears to be the death knell for gasoline-powered cars in Calif has many new car dealers worried the infrastructure, logistics and product availability needed to support the change to zero-emissions vehicles may not be achievable in a 15-year timeline.

 

Will Calif theme parks sue state to reopen? They say ‘all options are open’

Fresno Bee

The heads of Calif’s largest theme parks are​​ considering a lawsuit against the state over coronavirus reopening guidelines they consider to be too stringent, their representatives said at a press conference held one day after public health officials released the rules.

 

Federal:

 

Timeline for coronavirus relief package vote slips despite progress in talks

Roll Call

Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised doubts Thursday about getting a coronavirus aid bill passed before the Nov. 3 elections, even if a bipartisan deal is reached in the coming days.

See Also:

     Another round of $1,200 stimulus checks? Pelosi says Dems, White House closer on deal Modesto Bee

     U.S. Tops 70,000 Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day — Heights Not Seen Since July VPR

     Coronavirus updates: Calif reports highest daily death toll since late summer Sac Bee

     US reaches second-highest daily total of over 75,000 coronavirus cases The Hill

     U.S. New Coronavirus Case Count Breaks 70,000, Highest Since July WSJ

 

2nd group of judges blocks Trump order on House seats count

Bakersfield Califn

For the second time in two months, a panel of federal judges on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump's effort to exclude people in the U.S. illegally from being counted during the process of divvying up congressional seats by state.

 

Amy Coney Barrett Moves A​​ Step Closer To Confirmation After Judiciary Committee Vote

Capital Public Radio

Republicans on Senate Judiciary Committee moved Thursday to advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court, bringing President Trump's nominee within striking distance of confirmation and the court a step closer to a 6-3 conservative majority.

See Also:

      Amy​​ Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Nomination Advanced by Senate Committee WSJ

     Senate Judiciary Committee approves Amy Coney​​ Barrett's nomination CBSNews

     Senate Judiciary Committee advances Barrett nomination over Democratic boycott LA Times

 

Opinion: The Rhetoric of Court Packing Is Here

WSJ

But the blue-ribbon scheme also signals he doesn’t want to alienate the left by​​ rejecting the idea out of hand. Hardly forthright leadership. It raises the realistic fear that eventually Mr. Biden would roll over for the court-packing left.

 

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 LA Times

     Coronavirus Tracker SF Chronicle

      Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count NY 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

 

Can You Handle The Truth? PolitiFact Calif Fact Checks Mail-In Ballots

Capital Public Radio

Californians are returning mail-in ballots at a record pace, with more than 5 million already returned as of Thursday. To make sure each ballot counts, officials are urging voters to take some key​​ steps.

See Also:

     When Will Mail-In Ballots Be Counted? See States' Processing Timelines VPR

     The deadline to return Calif ballots is Nov. 3. But waiting until then is risky Sac Bee

     Advice For Making Sure Your Mail-In Ballot Gets Counted In Calif Capital Public Radio

     Poll Watchers Are Allowed In Calif. Here Are The Do's And Don'ts LAist

     America in Line Wash Post

     The U.S. has hit 100% of total 2016 early voting Wash Post

 

Debate fact check: Claims from President Trump, Joe Biden's final debate

abc30

President Donald Trump and Joe Biden met in person in Nashville for the final debate of the 2020 election. NBC's Kristen Welker was moderator for the 90-minute event and planned to focus on six main topics.

See Also:

     Presidential debate takeaways: Trump gets personal, Biden hits on COVID abc30

     Trump claims he prepaid 'tens of millions of dollars' taxes during the final debate. Is that even possible? abc30

     Trump And Biden Had A Real Debate, And 4 Other Takeaways VPR

     Fact-checking the final Trump-Biden presidential debate LA Times

     The Final Presidential Debate: The Moments That Mattered WSJ

     Fact-checking the final 2020 presidential debate PolitiFact

     The debate mute button was a gift to President Trump and all Americans Brookings

     Trump and Biden spar in quieter but still volatile final debate LA Times

     News Analysis: Trump cools​​ his bluster in debate but doesn’t transform a race he’s losing LA Times

     Key takeaways from the second and final Trump-Biden debate LA Times

     Donald Trump, Joe Biden Clash Over Covid, Ethics in Calmer Presidential Debate WSJ

     AP FACT CHECK: Falsehoods and fumbles in Trump-Biden debate AP News

     Fact Check: Majority of undocumented immigrants show up for court, data shows PolitiFact

     OPINION: A Good Debate, and It’s Not Quite Over WSJ

 

Meet the Mexican​​ Americans in Calif who are voting for Donald Trump

Fresno Bee

Linda Martinez-Hanna gets called a traitor. When she walked into a room at family gatherings last year, her presence prompted relatives to say, “Alli viene la Republicana” – “There comes the Republican” – as they trickled out of the room.

See Also:

     Trump’s Claim He ‘Saved’ Preexisting Conditions ‘Part Fantasy, Part​​ Delusion’ KHN

 

     Commentary: Prop. 15 backers try to mislead homeowners Fox & Hounds

 

Biden says the U.S. needs to move off oil to tackle climate change as Trump attacks the plan’s cost, economic impact

Wash Post

Trump and former vice president Joe Biden laid out starkly different visions Thursday night on whether the United States needs to transition away from fossil fuels to address climate change, in the lengthiest exchange two presidential candidates have ever had on the topic.

See Also:

     Biden’s court commission draws ire of court-packing critics and supporters Roll Call

     Amid economic downturn, Biden sticks by proposed tax​​ hikes on businesses and wealthy Americans Wash Post

     How politically damaging were Biden’s comments about closing down the oil industry? Wash Post

     Biden Team Prepares for Potentially Bumpy Transition WSJ

     Biden Misleads on Preexisting Conditions FactCheck.org

     Biden on the Stump FactCheck.org

     Joe Biden off-base on debate attack over US-China trade deficit PolitiFact

 

Fact Check: Is Kamala Harris ‘more liberal than Bernie Sanders’?

Sac Bee

Harris has been one of the Senate’s most consistent liberal votes, though whether she is the most liberal is open to interpretation.

 

Lesley Stahl says Trump and Pence insulted her and ‘60 Minutes’

Politico

Trump on Thurs released video footage of the tense interviews he and Pence had separately with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl, including a particularly combative exchange in which Stahl accuses both men of having "insulted" her and the news program.

 

Podcast: A Peculiar Way to Pick a President

NY Times

The winner-take-all system used by the Electoral College appears nowhere in the Constitution. It awards all of a state’s electors to the candidate with the most votes, no matter how small the​​ margin of victory. Critics say that means millions of votes are largely  ignored.

 

In Kern Co, Prop. 15 gets scarce support from its biggest beneficiaries: local school districts

Bakersfield Califn

This week the board of the Greenfield Union School District voted to endorse Proposition 15, a ballot initiative that seeks to amend 1978’s Proposition 13.

See Also:

     Calif voters divided over business property tax measure Proposition 15, poll finds Sac Bee

     Proposition 15: Schools & Local Communities Lose Revenue Due to Calif’s Inequitable Taxing of Commercial Properties Calif Budget and Policy Center

 

Prop 19: Creates a Complicated Property​​ Tax Scheme and Reinforces Racial Inequities in Calif

Calif Budget and Policy Center

As one of the most complicated measures on the November 2020 state ballot, Proposition 19 would make significant changes to Calif’s residential property tax system.

See Also:

     Who wins and who loses with Calif property tax measure Proposition 19 LA Times

 

Clash between former Gov. Jerry Brown and Calif sheriffs continues with Prop. 20

LA Times

Longtime adversaries are clashing once again over changes to Calif’s​​ criminal justice system, with a group representing the state’s sheriffs endorsing Proposition 20 on Thursday, while former Gov. Jerry Brown is attacking the initiative in television ads.

 

Calif NAACP president aids corporate prop campaigns — collects $1.2 million and counting

CalMatters

Alice Huffman, who is both a professional campaign consultant and long-time NAACP leader, was​​ especially sought after this year as political campaigns respond to the national reckoning over race.

 

Editorial: Congress District 4 race pits obstructionist incumbent vs. business-savvy newcomer

Fresno Bee

In Calif’s sprawling 4th Congressional District, which covers foothill and mountain communities from Roseville south to Madera and Fresno counties, voters have an easy choice: Brynne Kennedy.

 

Other:

 

Column: I wish we had a national mute button

LA Times

I wish we had a national mute button to help us better listen to one another. Not just for  Thurs night’s televised presidential debate, but also for the other crucial debates we need to have as a country but can’t until we stop shouting over and drowning out and dismissing one another.

 

Commentary: Despite Concerns, Initiative Process is Here to Stay

Fox & Hounds

In a​​ series of four questions the pollsters asked voters if they were satisfied with the initiative process, if it was controlled by special interests, if there are too many propositions on the ballot, and if initiative wording is too complicated and confusing​​ for voters to understand.

 

Russian Hacks of U.S. Government Networks Prompt Election Warning

WSJ

Russian government​​ hackers have targeted dozens of state and local government and aviation computer networks since last month and stolen data from at least two servers, actions that could presage efforts to undermine the election.

 

  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

 

$30 million in EPA grants to help valley growers replace polluting tractors and almond harvesters

Bakersfield Califn

One tool officials have used for years to help clear the air is harnessing millions in federal dollars to assist valley growers in replacing old, polluting tractors and other farm equipment with new,​​ cleaner equipment.

See also:

·       Air District receives more than $30 Million in grants Hanford Sentinel

     Valley air district lands $30M boost to tractor replacement program Bus. Journal

 

Food, Family And Farm Month Showcases Campus Expertise And Community Ties

Fresno State News

The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State is launching its second annual Food, Family and Farm Month with a host of virtual events to connect Fresno State students, staff and faculty to the agricultural industry and the community.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Crime:

 

Can limiting liquor store hours help fight Fresno's rising crime?

abc30

Skyrocketing shootings throughout Fresno have prompted one city councilman to request a 10 pm curfew for minors along with limiting alcohol sales at convenience stores on the weekends.

 

Once controversial, Advance Peace gets city funding to tackle Fresno violence

abc30

Just as violent crimes spike in Fresno, the city is ready to take a new​​ approach to stopping the violence at the root of the problem. City council officially approved $125,000 for Advance Peace on Thursday.

 

Federal Agents In​​ Fresno To Address Rise In Violent Crimes

VPR

Federal agents announced Wednesday that they are now working with local officials in Fresno to mitigate the recent rise in crime. There have been 50 homicides and more than 560 shootings this year.

 

Replacing Cash Bail: Fairer Justice Or Robopocalypse?

Capital Public Radio

Calif is either about to right decades of inequality between rich and poor defendants by eliminating cash bail, or it’s about to turn over its justice system to robots.

See Also:

     Money Bail, Risk-Based Tools & the Costs for Califns – Understanding Proposition 25 Calif Budget and Policy Center

 

Analysis: Criminal Justice Reform Is Working in Calif

Calif Budget and Policy Center

With these reforms, both the prison population and crime rates are down substantially, showing that Calif’s efforts to reduce mass incarceration, while far from complete, are working.

 

Police Rethink Policies as Cities Pay Millions to Settle Misconduct Claims

WSJ

The 20 U.S. cities and counties with the biggest police departments have paid over $2 billion since 2015 for alleged misconduct and civil rights violations, according to a WSJ analysis.

 

Public Safety:

 

Fresno County D.A. slams Gov. Newsom for closing prisons during pandemic

Fresno Bee

During a press conference to discuss the recent rise in violent crime in the Fresno area, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp called on Calif Gov. Gavin Newsom to open prisons and manage the pandemic rather than releasing inmates.

 

Bill would remove D.A.s from police misconduct probes if they accept police union money

SF Chronicle

Calif Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, plans to introduce legislation that would prevent elected prosecutors from investigating police misconduct if they’ve accepted campaign funds from law-enforcement unions, Bonta announced Thursday.

 

Juvenile justice overhaul: How the governor’s plan shifts care of serious offenders to counties

CalMatters

The state’s Division of Juvenile Justice will no longer accept newly convicted young people after July 2021 in a shutdown​​ quickly signed off on by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

 

Fire:

 

Creek Fire update: Why residents cleaning up damaged property should stop

Fresno Bee

Residents who have started cleaning up property damaged in the Creek Fire should stop immediately, Calif state Assemblyman Jim Patterson says.

See Also:

     Containment gains in Creek Fire abc30

     Creek Fire: 357,656 acres burned, 61% contained, latest evacuations orders abc30

 

PG&E says outages possible Sunday to Tuesday as winds of up to 100 m.p.h. bring extreme fire danger

SF Chronicle

Even as PG&E. canceled fire-prevention power outages for the Bay Area this week, the utility warned that more shut-offs are possible Sunday, Monday and Tuesday — across a wider swathe of its service territory — as highly dangerous fire weather appears to be looming.

 

Tough Fire Season Takes Toll on Firefighters’ Mental Health

Pew Trusts

It’s not uncommon​​ for wildland firefighters, even in a less-intense year, to develop depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, unhealthy substance use or suicidal thoughts.

 

ECONOMY/JOBS

 

Economy:

 

U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Investors Eye Stimulus Talks

WSJ

U.S. stocks rose Thursday after economic data showed an improving economy and​​ investors monitored negotiations in Wash over a fresh stimulus bill that could further support the recovery.

See Also:

     Stocks shake off a wobbly start to end higher on Wall Street Business Journal

 

Jobs:

 

Big Fresno Fair lays off its 26 full-time employees

abc30

The Big Fresno Fair has laid off its 26 full-time employees after being hit by financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A major decline in revenue forced the fair's board and state officials to make difficult decisions, including the layoffs.

 

Gap Inc. exiting malls, to shutter 350 stores by 2024

Bakersfield Califn

Gap Inc. is moving away from the nation’s malls. The SF-based retailer, which was for decades a fixture at shopping malls around the country, said Thursday that it will be closing 220 of its namesake Gap stores — or one-third of its store base — by early 2024.

 

Calif court says Uber, Lyft drivers are employees

Bakersfield Califn

A Calif appeals court on Thursday upheld an order requiring Uber and Lyft to treat their Calif drivers as employees instead of independent contractors, less than two weeks before voters will be asked to exempt the ride-hailing giants from the state's gig economy law.

See Also:

     Uber and Lyft must pay drivers as employees under Calif labor law AB 5, court rules Sac Bee

     Prop. 22 battle reaches fever pitch CalMatters

     Appeals Court Says Uber and Lyft Must Treat Calif Drivers as Employees NY Times

     Uber and Lyft Must Classify Drivers as Employees, Appeals Court Says WSJ

 

Gov. Newsom said Calif would fix its unemployment backlog by now. Where does it stand?

Sac Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom said in July he “anticipates eliminating the backlog of actionable (unemployment) claims by the end of September. “

See also:

·       As Calif shelter-in-place rules ease, unemployment claims dip SF Chronicle

·       Unemployment Data: March - Oct 22 Calif Center for Jobs and the Economy.

·       Gender Gaps in the COVID-19 Labor Market Public Policy Institute of Calif

 

US jobless claims drop to 787,000, but layoffs remain high

Fresno Bee

The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000, a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels.

See Also:

      U.S. Jobless Claims Fell to 787,000 Last Week WSJ

     Opinion: The Trump ‘Jobs Boom’ Is a Convenient Myth WSJ

 

Commentary: 2021 and Another Minimum Wage Hike Coming

Fox & Hounds

Just like earlier this year, because of the enactment of SB 3 in 2016, Calif’s minimum wage is going up again. On January 1, 2021, the state’s minimum wage will be increased for all businesses, including “small employers,” who will see a fourth wage hike in recent years.

 

EDUCATION

 

K-12:

 

Thousands of Fresno students chronically absent as schools weigh return to classrooms

Fresno Bee

Thousands of Fresno students are chronically absent from school this year compared to last year, and the overwhelming majority of those students are Hispanic, poor, and in the sixth-grade and below.

 

Clovis Unified aims to open campuses to all students for in-person learning by January

abc30

Clovis Unified now has 'target dates' to return students to in-person learning. The district's school board met Wednesday night as district administrators presented their plans based on parent and staff surveys.

See Also:

     Clovis Unified plans to bring students who want in-person instruction back to campus by January abc30

     CUSD Sets Official Date for In-Class Learning Clovis Roundup

 

Merced County schools finalize reopening plans

abc30

North Valley school districts are slowly opening their classrooms to students, but rising COVID-19 numbers could bring their plans to a halt. It was just Monday that students finally stepped through the doors of Shaffer Elementary.

 

America's School Funding Crisis: Budget Cuts, Rising Costs And No Help In Sight

VPR

In May, school funding experts predicted a looming financial disaster for the nation's K-12 schools. "I think we're about to see a school funding crisis unlike anything we have ever seen in modern history," warned Rebecca Sibilia, the founder of EdBuild.

 

Can new forms of parent engagement be an education game changer post-COVID-19?

Brookings

School closures and remote learning have​​ propelled children’s ability to learn independently to the forefront of every busy and stressed out parent’s wish list.

 

Higher Ed:

 

City of Hanford honors Joseph Castro

Hanford Sentinel

In recognition of his appointment as​​ the next chancellor of the Calif State University system, the city of Hanford honored Dr. Joseph I. Castro with a proclamation Wednesday evening.

See Also:

     City Of Hanford Honors Its Bold Native Son Fresno State News

 

Fresno State Lays Off Staff Following Cuts In State Funding Due To COVID-19

Valley Public Radio

David Celaya is one of about 30 staff members who learned last Thursday that his position was being eliminated due to budget cuts brought on by COVID-19. He’s worked for the university as a graphic designer for almost 5 years and he said he’s still in disbelief.

 

Should Calif allow affirmative action? Here’s why some say the UC isn’t diverse enough

LA Times

With Proposition 16 on the ballot this year, Calif voters will decide once again​​ whether to permit the state to use affirmative action based on race and sex.

 

Higher Education and Economic Opportunity in Calif

PPIC

Boosting college enrollment and graduation among​​ Latinos, African Americans, and low-income Californians can narrow the state’s economic divide and help meet workforce needs.

 

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

 

Environment:

 

Air District receives more than $30 Million in grants

Hanford Sentinel

The Valley Air District will augment its highly successful grant program with over $30 million in additional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) funding to replace old agricultural tractors and low-dust harvesters.

See Also:

     Valley air district lands $30M boost to tractor replacement program Business Journal

 

In worrying sign, Calif’s greenhouse gas emissions rise in latest tally

SF Chronicle

Calif’s greenhouse gas emissions rose slightly in 2018, a worrying sign for a state committed to ambitiously slashing climate-warming emissions in the coming decades.

 

Commentary: How to Save Calif’s Forests

Fox & Hounds

For about twenty million years, Calif’s forests endured countless droughts, some lasting over a century. Natural fires, started by lightening and very frequent in the Sierras, were essential to keep forest ecosystems healthy.

 

Climate Impacts​​ Highlighting Need For Summit's Public-Private Solution Space

CAFwd

With Calif’s wildfire season getting worse each year, it has become more important than ever to address the issue of climate change fueling these disasters.

 

Cities Need More Ambitious Plans to Curb Emissions, Report Finds

U.S. News

More than 450 U.S. mayors have pledged to continue honoring the Paris Agreement. And more than 1,500 local governments have moved to develop climate action plans and global greenhouse gas reduction targets.

See Also:

     Cities are pledging to confront climate change, but are their actions working? Brookings

 

Energy:

 

Calif paid millions for costly backup batteries in vacation homes. Why that’s ending

Fresno Bee

After hundreds of thousands of Northern Califns endured a string of deliberate wildfire-safety blackouts last fall, state regulators created millions of dollars in rebates so the neediest of households could buy high-tech batteries to store up electricity.

See Also:

     Calif puts limits on program that paid wealthy homeowners to install backup batteries Sac​​ Bee

 

Biden says the U.S. needs to move off oil to tackle climate change as Trump attacks the plan’s cost, economic impact

Wash Post

Trump and former vice president Joe Biden laid out starkly different visions Thursday night on whether the United States needs to transition away from fossil fuels to address climate change, in the lengthiest exchange two presidential candidates have ever had on the topic.

See Also:

     How politically damaging were Biden’s comments about closing down the oil industry? Wash Post

 

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

 

Health:

 

Coronavirus update: Hospitalizations climb in Fresno County

Fresno Bee

Hospitalizations of confirmed and suspected COVID-infected patients in Fresno County were higher this week than at any time in over a month. Earlier this week, 114 confirmed patients were being treated in Fresno County. Of those, 24 were in the intensive-care unit.

See Also:

     Coronavirus update: More than 100 new infections reported in Fresno County Fresno Bee

     Fresno County adds more than 100 COVID-19 infections. How are other counties faring? Fresno Bee

     COVID-19 update: Number of active cases goes up Porterville Recorder

     U.S. Tops 70,000 Coronavirus Cases In 1 Day — Heights Not Seen Since July VPR

     Coronavirus update: Stanislaus reports most new cases in nearly 2 weeks Modesto Bee

     Coronavirus updates: Calif reports highest​​ daily death toll since late summer Sac Bee

     US reaches second-highest daily total of over 75,000 coronavirus cases The Hill

     U.S. New Coronavirus Case Count Breaks 70,000, Highest Since July WSJ

 

FDA approves first COVID-19 drug: the antiviral remdesivir

Business Journal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat COVID-19: remdesivir, an antiviral medicine given through an IV for patients needing hospitalization.

See Also:

     Covid-19 Drug Remdesivir Fully Approved by FDA WSJ

     FDA approves first COVID-19 drug: antiviral remdesivir LA Times

 

Public Health Professors Study COVID-19 Impact on Rural, Latinx Health

UC Merced

The coronavirus has impacted everyone in different ways and three public health professors are examining specifically how rural, Latinx​​ communities in Calif have been affected in a new study funded by the University of Calif Office of the President.

 

Trump says COVID-19 vaccine is coming ‘within weeks.’ Experts say that’s not possible

Miami Herald

But according to scientific experts, there’s no way that’s happening, at least not with a vaccine that has proven safe and effective through appropriately timed clinical trials.

See also:

 

Calif has escaped the national surge in coronavirus cases. But new dangers lie ahead

LA Times

Calif has largely avoided a new wave of coronavirus cases that has sparked alarm elsewhere in the country, but the state faces new dangers in the coming weeks as key businesses reopen and the holidays arrive.

 

As the Coronavirus Surges, a New Culprit Emerges: Pandemic Fatigue

NY Times

Exhaustion and impatience are creating new risks as cases soar in parts of the world. “They have had enough,” one U.S. mayor said of her​​ residents.

 

How Covid-19 Death-Rate Predictions Have Changed Since March

WSJ

In the next four weeks, it predicts the total number of deaths attributed to the new coronavirus will surpass 240,000—adding roughly 17,000 deaths to the current tally.

 

Opinion: Young People Care More About Covid Than You Think

Bloomberg

It turns out that lots of young adults are doing their part to follow social distancing rules and that they’re closer in alignment with their elders than is commonly assumed.

 

Opinion: Domestic abuse is rising globally. We should not ignore it.

AEI

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on across the US and the world. Yet significant questions​​ remain, not only about finding a cure, but about finding relief from the problems exacerbated by the reaction to COVID.

 

Human Services:

 

Hospital Bills For Uninsured COVID-19 Patients Are Covered, But No One Tells Them

VPR

But TriStar​​ doesn't tell its patients that upfront. Neither do other hospitals or national health systems contacted by WPLN News. There's no requirement to, which is one of the program's shortcomings.

 

Kern Co to use 'reverse 911' to notify residents of nearby COVID-19 testing sites

Bakersfield Califn

Some Kern County residents can​​ now expect to hear from a “reverse 911” system to inform them of nearby coronavirus testing sites.

 

Dignity Health to host free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic Friday in Shafter

Bakersfield Califn

Dignity Health will host a free drive-thru flu vaccine clinic on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at the Shafter Aquatic​​ Center located at 269 Poso Avenue.

 

Reducing Health Disparities Through Collective Action

CAFwd

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all knew at​​ CA Pan-Ethnic Health Network that racial disparities were going to be an issue. We knew that COVID would just show the health disparities that were already there,” said Mihae Jung, community advocacy director, CPEHN.

 

IMMIGRATION

 

New Calif law aims to help immigrants find work. Here’s how

Merced Sun-Star

Before he came to the U.S. as an asylum seeker, Mohamed worked as a licensed pharmacist in his home country in the Middle East for two years. But upon his arrival, he had to start the entire licensure process over again, a process which took him about four years.

 

Judge urges US to help find parents deported without kids

Bakersfield Califn

A federal judge on Thursday urged the Trump administration to do more to help​​ court-appointed researchers find hundreds of parents who were separated from their children after they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border beginning in 2017.

See also:

 

Majority of undocumented immigrants show up for court, data shows

PolitiFact

Defenders of President Donald Trump’s aggressive​​ approach to illegal U.S.-Mexico border crossings say the country faces a binary choice: hold offenders in detention centers while their cases are adjudicated, or allow them to fall off immigration authorities’ radar.

 

LAND USE/HOUSING

 

Land Use:

 

Oceano Dunes reopening to street-legal vehicles on October 30

abc30

Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo County will reopen next week as part of a phased plan, officials announced on Tuesday. Calif State Parks said they plan to allow vehicles back at the recreation area and Pismo​​ State Beach in three steps.

 

Feds near decision on Hard Rock casino after finishing environmental report

Bakersfield Califn

The federal government is nearing a decision on the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino planned for south of Bakersfield.

 

Housing:

 

Time to test the market? Calif home sellers walking away with record amounts of cash

Modesto Bee

Despite the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Californians who sold their homes this summer pocketed record levels of cash – on average a half-million dollars in Silicon Valley – far more than people in the rest of the country.

See also:

 

How liberal politics, COVID-19 and a high cost of living are fueling a new Calif exodus

Modesto Bee

The Navy veteran is a gun fan, but he felt he couldn’t talk about his hobby or express other conservative​​ opinions without running the risk of making someone angry.

 

PUBLIC FINANCES

 

Stapley: Avoiding hard decisions by asking Turlock voters for more taxes is a recipe for failure

Modesto Bee

Turlock, Calif: Rich in charm, poor in government. Do I mean City Hall is lacking in dollars or leadership? The answer is “yes.”

 

Calif tax revenue billions higher than expected, thanks in part to​​ federal help

Sac Bee

From July through September, Calif collected $8.7 billion more in tax revenue than anticipated, according to the state’s Department of Finance, a bright sign amid a year of devastating economic news.

See Also:

 

Calif state workers can bank more time off for later under new pay cut policy

Sac Bee

The Calif Human Resources Department removed caps on state employees’ leave balances Tuesday, a change that ensures workers can store up the days off they’re accruing under state pay cut agreements.

See also:

 

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:

 

Modesto’s plan for ACE train depot passes muster with guardians of historic treasures

Modesto Bee

Plans for a restored train depot in downtown Modesto have won approval from agencies charged with preserving history.

 

WATER

 

LOIS HENRY: Locals speak up for the Kern River at the State Water Board

Bakersfield Califn

Love was overflowing for the Kern River Tuesday at the State Water Resources Control Board’s monthly meeting. A slew of Bakersfield locals told board members how much an actual, wet river means for residents.

 

Guide to drinking water: How to stay safe from common contaminants in Central Calif

Fresno Bee

Do you know whether your drinking water is polluted with a contaminant? If so, this guide provides a summary of known health risks of contaminants, and how you can protect you and your family if your water is known to be polluted.

See Also:

 

Calif’s Landmark Groundwater Law Falls Short, Advocates Say

Capital Public Radio

In the midst of the last drought, Calif took its first step to regulate how the state uses groundwater. But advocates worry the new rules have favored big agricultural users over small communities, particularly in areas like the San Joaquin Valley.

 

“Xtra”

 

Clovis PD Provides Tips For Safe Halloween Outings

Clovis Roundup

With Halloween and other festivities around the corner, the Clovis Police Department is encouraging residents to celebrate safely with low-risk​​ activities.

 

Food and Fall fun at Madera Fair

Madera Tribune

Madera District Fair will open its gates for a socially safe fair food and trick or​​ treating event Oct. 30 and 31 called Madera Fair Drive Thru Treats at the fairgrounds.  

 

Stanislaus County ice skating rinks consider new state coronavirus safety guidelines

Modesto Bee

The state released new coronavirus safety guidelines for outdoor ice skating on Tuesday, prompting owners of local rinks to weigh their options.