POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
COVID 19 Update:
Five more Merced County deaths from COVID-19 reported Friday. Total death count 207 Merced Sun-Star
Relentless COVID spike continues in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
Deaths, infections and hospitalizations continue to grow Modesto Bee
COVID-19 keeps spreading at Stanislaus nursing facilities. Where are the outbreaks? Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County’s ICUs in critical condition due to COVID. Where will patients go? Modesto Bee
Merced County to pay eligible residents’ rent, mortgage, utilities with CARES Act funds
Merced Sun-Star
The Merced County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously enacted a rental, mortgage and utility assistance program, saying calls by residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic haven’t fallen on deaf ears.
See also:
Deadline for Merced businesses to apply for COVID-19 assistance approaching fast Merced Sun-Star
Free money is back. Get COVID relief funds to shop at Stanislaus restaurants, stores Modesto Bee
Central SJ Valley:
COVID-19 outbreaks at 2 Fresno nursing homes add nearly 300 cases as Valley totals grow
Fresno Bee
Two Fresno nursing homes are experiencing large coronavirus outbreaks, recently adding nearly 300 new COVID-19 cases between them as the virus continues to spread in skilled nursing facilities across the central San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
A deadly week for coronavirus in Fresno County. How many lives were lost? Fresno Bee
Fresno County adds more than 600 new coronavirus cases, state reports Fresno Bee
Fresno adds nearly 1,300 cases as vaccine begins U.S. rollout Fresno Bee
Slight decrease in number of active cases Porterville Recorder
Fresno’s deadliest week, ICU bed crisis, and local businesses fined Fresno Bee
‘I’ve seen people die.’ COVID-19 slams Central Valley hospitals, as many resist lockdowns Los Angeles Times
San Joaquin Valley sees dramatic drop in ICU availability Saturday abc30
Fresno County tracks COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces. Why keep it secret?
CalMatters
Nine months into the pandemic, the public remains in the dark about most workplace outbreaks. Fresno County public health officials blame incomplete data and staffing shortages. One lawmaker may reintroduce legislation to make workplace outbreak data public statewide.
See also:
Fresno businesses seek proof for COVID restrictions. A senator wants $2.6 billion for them
Fresno Bee
Fresno restaurant and small businesses have been severely impacted by California’s latest round of COVID-19 restrictions, which includes a stay-home order for Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
Fresno business racks up $14,000 in COVID fines. Others also hit with controversial citations Fresno Bee
$9,000 in fines issued to Fresno businesses violating stay-at-home orders abc30
What The End Of CARES Act Funding Means For Fresno Nonprofits Providing COVID Assistance VPR
Fresno City Council reaffirms ability to limit large gatherings
Business Journal
A letter requesting state resources for hospitals impacted by Covid also reiterated the Fresno City Council’s authority in breaking up mass gatherings and illegal events.
See also:
California’s health order falling on many deaf ears Business Journal
Mayor-elect Dyer hopes downtown Fresno will become thriving entertainment center
abc30
The next mayor of Fresno shared his thoughts on revitalizing the downtown area during the annual State of Downtown event. This year, the event went virtual to make sure everyone stayed safe during the pandemic. But it still honored the champions of downtown, including business owners.
See also:
Warszawski: Despite drain on city finances, Fresno had no choice but to play ball with MLB Fresno Bee
Bethany Clough: Whatever happened to downtown Fresno’s first rooftop bar? Here’s the latest twist Fresno Bee
A new town in the hills above Fresno? Not without fixing air quality problems, judge says
Fresno Bee
For nearly 50 years, Fresno County leaders have dreamed of building their own city on a hill, in the foothills above Fresno and Clovis next to Millerton Lake. After nearly a decade of litigation over the impacts of urban sprawl on air quality, yet another one of the several projects in this new growth area — Friant Ranch — hit its latest snag.
Is Fresno dragging its feet cleaning up toxins from this neighborhood? Residents are angry
Fresno Bee
It started as a community meeting. It ended as a venting session for southwest Fresno residents to share their frustration and distrust with the city over contamination at the Maxie Parks Community Center.
See also:
What do Fresno’s neglected and unhealthy spaces have to do with gun and gang violence? Fresno Bee
Fresno youth leads park clean up operation to improve community spaces Fresno Bee
Special report: Toxic tap water in the Central Valley
Fresno Bee
Residents in the San Joaquin Valley, California, are struggling with contaminated tap water with toxins like nitrate. Many of those are affected are immigrant, low-income families. This special report was produced by Univision 21 and Fresnoland.
See also:
Well water throughout California contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ CalMatters
How Fracking Has Contaminated Drinking Water Consumer Reports
Washington Monthly ranks Fresno State among top 30 universities for fifth consecutive year
Fresno State News
Fresno State is ranked among Washington Monthly’s top 30 national universities that best
serve the country in the areas of social mobility, research and civic engagement.
See also:
Fresno GOP hosts Clovis Trump rally, calls election stolen despite Supreme Court rejection
Fresno Bee
The Fresno County Republican Party hosted a “Rally and Trump/Patriot Parade” on Saturday afternoon in Clovis. Speakers included party chairman Fred Vanderhoof, who repeated President Donald Trump’s claims that the election was fraudulent. Vanderhoof said his party wants to keep fighting for Trump.
EDITORIAL: We asked Valley Republican lawmakers if Biden won the election. Here’s what they said
Fresno Bee
Most GOP members in Congress continue to refuse to admit that Joe Biden won the presidential election over Donald Trump. In a recent tally by The Washington Post, only 27 of the 249 congressional GOP members have agreed that Biden will be the next president.
serve the country in the areas of social mobility, research and civic engagement.
California Congressman Devin Nunes likely had COVID-19 and didn’t know it
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes likely had COVID-19 at some point, he indicated on a conservative radio show Friday. Nunes, R-Tulare, said he had taken an antibody test that showed he tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
See also:
South SJ Valley:
COVID 19 Update:
Kern County surpasses 50,000 coronavirus cases since pandemic's start Bakersfield Californian
Kern businesses received nearly $1 billion in PPP funds
Bakersfield Californian
Close to $1 billion flowed directly to businesses in Kern County this year as part of the Paycheck Protection Program meant to keep small businesses afloat amid the economic fallout of the pandemic, according to federal data released earlier this month.
Lois Henry: Could "angel investors" buy a piece of the Friant-Kern Canal?
SJV Water
An investor funding proposal that could substantially increase the Friant-Kern Canal’s historic flow capacity is gaining interest among the Friant Water Authority’s member districts.
Six bidders join federal auctions of 7 oil and gas parcels in Kern
Bakersfield Californian
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management raised $54,254.52 this week through a series of seven online auctions totaling a little more than 4,133 acres of federal oil and gas property in Kern County.
Kevin McCarthy joins TX lawsuit to overturn election. What about other CA lawmakers?
Sacramento Bee
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy joined more than 100 other Republicans in backing a Texas lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to review President-elect Joe Biden’s projected victory.
See also:
Opinion: These Republicans may not be capable of shame, but you should know who they are Washington Post
Former Congressional candidate Kim Mangone diagnosed with colon cancer, undergoes procedure
KGET
Kim Mangone (D-Quartz Hill), the congressional candidate who ran against Rep. Kevin McCarthy in 2020, announced Friday she has been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Her campaign says she underwent an emergency procedure and doctors believe they removed the cancerous mass.
KGET
Former Kern County Assemblymember Nicole Parra announced Friday she intends to run for the 21st Congressional District seat in 2022. That’s the seat Republican David Valadao just reclaimed from Democrat T.J. Cox, who had ousted him in 2018.
East Bakersfield residents ask for protection of building that for years served Black veterans
Bakersfield Californian
A decision by the Kern County Board of Supervisors to try to sell two buildings at the edge of Martin Luther King Jr. Park has some in the east Bakersfield community concerned.
State:
California needs a new top cop. Here’s what Gov. Gavin Newsom will consider
Los Angeles Times
Groups that have the governor’s ear are already talking about what they would like to see in the next attorney general, including someone who will take aggressive action on criminal justice reform, police accountability, gun control and the environment.
See also:
Newsom losing another top official CalMatters
EDITORIAL: The U.S. Senate has enough men. Gavin Newsom must replace Kamala Harris with a woman
Sacramento Bee
Nearly 2,000 Americans have served as United States Senators. As of today, 1,928 of them have been men. Only 57 of them have been women. This striking disparity provides a clear mandate for Gov. Gavin Newsom as he considers a replacement for Sen. Kamala D. Harris, who will become vice president of the United States in January.
See also:
Gavin Newsom taps Dee Dee Myers to oversee California’s economic recovery
Sacramento Bee
Facing an economy ravaged by coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced he is bringing on Dee Dee Myers to serve as senior advisor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as GO-Biz.
See also:
California governor taps new senior staff amid tough stretch Business Journal
Gavin Newsom bans his paid consultants from lobbying in new ‘ethics memo’
Sacramento Bee
A month after he caught heat for attending the not-so-socially-distanced birthday party of a prominent California lobbyist, Gov. Gavin Newsom is instituting a lobbying ban among his campaign and political consultants.
See also:
EDITORIAL: By making a lobbyist his top aide, Gov. Gavin Newsom raises troubling ethical questions Sacramento Bee
Gingrich and Huckabee back Newsom recall effort
Politico
The California activist movement to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom just got a national shot in the arm from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, two former Republican leaders who still have large conservative followings.
See also:
A whistleblower said high-level prison officials were wasting money. Was the inquiry biased?
Sacramento Bee
Two high-ranking officials in California’s prison system might have broken state rules so that one of them could work from home, make a 250-mile commute on state time and use a state vehicle for the drive.
Poor and diverse voters fuel California’s record ballots cast
CalMatters
California’s decision to mail a ballot to every registered voter resulted in record ballots cast in the general election — but it was poor and diverse communities that fueled the increases.
See also:
Federal:
‘I feel hopeful today.’ U.S. begins COVID-19 vaccinations
Los Angeles Times
The largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history got underway Monday as health workers in select hospitals rolled up their sleeves for shots to protect them from COVID-19 and start beating back the pandemic — a day of optimism even as the nation’s death toll neared 300,000.
See also:
First Covid-19 Vaccine Given to U.S. Public Wall Street Journal
The first Californians get the COVID vaccine this week. The rest of us will be watching Sacramento Bee
Members of White House staff to get early access to coronavirus vaccine Washington Post
Timeline: How long until the COVID-19 vaccine gets to the general public? Los Angeles Times
Fate of new COVID-19 relief legislation may hinge on business liability protection
Los Angeles Times
Congressional action on coronavirus relief legislation may hinge on a little-known question that turns out to be political dynamite: Should private businesses be immune from lawsuits involving COVID-19?
See also:
Fact check: Mitch McConnell says Democrats want to create a ‘slush fund’ for Gavin Newsom Sacramento Bee
Congressional Leaders Weigh Narrow Covid-19 Relief Bill Wall Street Journal
Congress Eyes Targeted Coronavirus Aid for Small Businesses Wall Street Journal
Looming Deadline Could Push States to Misspend CARES Act Money Pew Trusts
U.S. lawmakers plan to split $908 billion COVID-19 plan into two parts Reuters
Bipartisan group strikes deal on coronavirus relief package Roll Call
Opinion: More economic relief and stimulus: Why and how Brookings
Opinion: Republicans should care about state and local financial relief in this crisis The Hill
Opinion: State and Local Governments Need Help. Pass COVID Relief Now. The Bulwark
On eve of electoral college cementing Biden victory, Trump says he won’t give in
Los Angeles Times
With his efforts to overturn election results now fueling violence and injury, President Trump this weekend again promoted debunked claims in an apparent attempt to undermine an electoral college vote Monday that will officially cement his defeat.
See also:
What’s in store when the electoral college meets Los Angeles Times
Electors Across The Country Vote For President: What You Need To Know NPR
Post-election: Timeline of what happens between now and Inauguration Day 2021 abc30
Opinion: It’s time to abolish the Electoral College Brookings
Opinion: The Secret to Beating the Electoral College The Atlantic
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s last-chance lawsuit to undo Biden’s election victory
Los Angeles Times
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a highly unusual lawsuit backed by President Trump that urged the justices to overturn the election result by nullifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in four key states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia.
See also:
After Supreme Court Defeat, Trump's Backers In Congress Are Quiet On What Comes Next VPR
Top House Republican joins group supporting Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate election results Washington Post
Majority in Fox News poll says Trump disputing results is weakening democracy The Hill
‘An Indelible Stain’: How the G.O.P. Tried to Topple a Pillar of Democracy New York Times
‘The last wall’: How dozens of judges across the political spectrum rejected Trump’s efforts to overturn the election Washington Post
EDITORIAL: Trump’s Challenge Is Over Wall Street Journal
Opinion: The GOP’s Minority Rule Caucus reveals its contempt for democracy
Washington Post
The 18 Republican state attorneys general and 126 Republican House members who asked the Supreme Court to throw out the results of the 2020 election may thus be more impudent than the Civil War seditionists in whose steps they followed.
Barr Kept Hunter Biden Probes From Public to Avoid Election Politics
Wall Street Journal
Attorney General William Barr, in the weeks before November’s election, instructed prosecutors and senior colleagues to prevent word of investigations into Hunter Biden from becoming public and keep the Justice Department out of campaign politics.
See also:
Trump Pursues Appointing Special Counsel to Probe Election, Hunter Biden Wall Street Journal
Pres. Trump Signs Bill To Avoid Government Shutdown Ahead Of Deadline
VPR
After facing a series of delays, the Senate approved by voice vote a one-week temporary funding measure Friday afternoon to avert a government shutdown hours before a critical deadline.
Other:
Opinion: How the new Biden administration can control infodemics
Brookings
A key element in any pandemic control strategy is to make sure people receive accurate information about both the disease itself and the necessary steps to take to combat it.
See also:
The American public shows mixed familiarity with new and evolving forms of news Pew Research
Commentary: How the Biden administration should tackle AI oversight Brookings
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, December 20, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “California Politics: What Does 2020 Mean for 2021?" - Guests: Dan Walters, CalMatters; John Myers, Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, December 20, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: No show this week! - Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Fresh food initiatives feed, teach communities of color
Bakersfield Californian
Bruce Babcock only has to walk across the street from his house in a residential neighborhood to get to the 10-acre patch (40,500 square meters) of farmland where he labors to help feed his community.
Hundreds line up for drive-thru food box distribution at northeast Bakersfield church
Bakersfield Californian
The line of cars Friday morning stretched nearly a mile from Highway 178 at Fairfax Road to the driveway at Canyon Hills Assembly of God. In the church's big parking lot, boxes of food — and even spiritual sustenance — were waiting.
Fruit breeders plant seeds of global success
Bakersfield Californian
Large investments are being made in the high-tech labs and experimental ag fields where Kern County scientists breed new varieties of fruit to help farmers around the world adapt to shifting consumer tastes, developing markets and changing climates.
New coronavirus outbreaks reported at Foster Farms poultry processing plants
Los Angeles Times
Foster Farms, one of the West Coast’s largest producers of poultry, is facing scrutiny for new clusters of coronavirus infections at its facilities in California’s Central Valley, which follow a deadly, months-long outbreak this year.
New bill pushes California to stock, distribute masks to farmworkers during wildfires
CalMatters
State Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) wants the state to acquire a stockpile of N-95 masks and set up a strike team to distribute them to farmworkers when they continue to work under dangerous conditions during wildfires in order to keep the country fed.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Los Angeles Times
Police agencies across the state upheld just 49 racial profiling complaints from 2016 to 2019, less than 2% of the roughly 3,500 allegations filed, a Times analysis of California Department of Justice statistics found.
City accepts COPS grant to bring four new officers to Turlock
Turlock Journal
The Turlock City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to accept a grant from the Department of Justice that will allow the Turlock Police Department to add four new officers to the ranks.
Public Safety:
High-risk inmates aren’t prioritized in state’s early releases
CalMatters
More than 7,500 prisoners sent home in the program — which aims to slow the spread of COVID-19 — would have been released within months anyway. Thousands with health conditions remain in prison, and the virus keeps spreading.
Fire:
Turlock Rural receives fire grant
Turlock Journal
The Turlock Rural Fire Department was given a $10,000 grant from security company ADT on Wednesday. “This grant will be used to purchase replacement hydraulic tools for vehicle rescues,” said Howenstine.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Fresno businesses seek proof for COVID restrictions. A senator wants $2.6 billion for them
Fresno Bee
Fresno restaurant and small businesses have been severely impacted by California’s latest round of COVID-19 restrictions, which includes a stay-home order for Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
Fresno business racks up $14,000 in COVID fines. Others also hit with controversial citations Fresno Bee
$9,000 in fines issued to Fresno businesses violating stay-at-home orders abc30
Kern businesses received nearly $1 billion in PPP funds
Bakersfield Californian
Close to $1 billion flowed directly to businesses in Kern County this year as part of the Paycheck Protection Program meant to keep small businesses afloat amid the economic fallout of the pandemic, according to federal data released earlier this month.
See also:
Deadline for Merced businesses to apply for COVID-19 assistance approaching fast Merced Sun-Star
Free money is back. Get COVID relief funds to shop at Stanislaus restaurants, stores Modesto Bee
What The End Of CARES Act Funding Means For Fresno Nonprofits Providing COVID Assistance VPR
Broad Support for Job Training and Child Care to Boost Recovery
Public Policy Institute of California
The effects of the current recession are concentrated among low-income workers, African Americans, Latinos, and women. Their prospects for economic recovery are made all the more challenging by long-term trends of high income inequality and low economic mobility.
Jobs:
Fresno County tracks COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces. Why keep it secret?
CalMatters
Nine months into the pandemic, the public remains in the dark about most workplace outbreaks. Fresno County public health officials blame incomplete data and staffing shortages. One lawmaker may reintroduce legislation to make workplace outbreak data public statewide.
A COVID vaccine is on the way. Will employers require their workers get the shot?
Sacramento Bee
Vaccines to battle an out-of-control COVID-19 pandemic are in arms in Britain and have been cleared for emergency use in the U.S. Doses could come to Sacramento as soon as Monday. But the new drugs pose a question: Can employers require workers to get vaccinated?
How the Coronavirus Outbreak Has – and Hasn’t – Changed the Way Americans Work
Pew Research
About half of new teleworkers say they have more flexibility now; majority who are working in person worry about virus exposure.
See also:
What the Numbers Tell Us About Work Right Now Wall Street Journal
Telecommuting and Work in the COVID-19 Pandemic Rand Corporation
EDUCATION
K-12:
Parents protest distance learning, district says decision protects students, staff
Hanford Sentinel
When Heather Parreira received a notice informing her that Hanford Elementary School District students would be going back to distance learning, she felt overwhelmingly dismayed.
Schools are allowed to stay open when COVID-19 surges, but have trouble staffing them
Bakersfield Californian
Rosedale Union School District is the biggest district in Kern County that brought general education students of all grade levels onto campus this fall. It has vocal support from its families, administration and board to bring students on campus as quickly as possible.
Walters: High school ethnic studies – the third version
CalMatters
The third draft of a model ethnic studies curriculum for California high school students has been released and it is a big improvement on its predecessors.
Higher Ed:
Washington Monthly ranks Fresno State among top 30 universities for fifth consecutive year
Fresno State News
Fresno State is ranked among Washington Monthly’s top 30 national universities that best serve the country in the areas of social mobility, research and civic engagement.
Saul Jimenez-Sandoval ready to take over the reins at Fresno State
abc30
Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval is very familiar with Fresno State. He has spent the last 20 years at the university, first as a professor and most recently as provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Top officials at most UC schools call for tuition increase
Fresno Bee
Officials at the majority of University of California campuses are calling for its regents to consider a tuition increase for the 2022 school year due to drops in revenue from the coronavirus pandemic.
College Sports Has Reported at Least 6,629 Virus Cases. There Are Many More.
New York Times
The N.C.A.A. does not track coronavirus cases, but a New York Times analysis shows the pandemic’s toll across college athletics. Many universities have kept their case counts from the public.
New data sheds light on parent debt burden for college students
CalMatters
The new information gives new insight into intergenerational debt. Experts argue that the federal loans taken out by low-income parents can be a net negative for the family.
Gaspar: Free speech rights, reputations clash
Bakersfield Californian
Two history professors at Bakersfield College, Matthew Garrett and Erin Miller, face disciplinary action up to and including being fired for allegedly engaging in unprofessional conduct toward fellow BC colleagues Oliver Rosales and Andrew Bond.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Biden eyes Gina McCarthy as domestic 'climate czar': report
The Hill
President-elect Joe Biden is considering former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Gina McCarthy for a position overseeing climate policy across the federal government, Reuters reported Monday.
Opinion: Making climate policy stick
Brookings
When Biden takes office in January, he will likely be the first new president since George H W Bush in 1989 to move into the White House without his party controlling both houses of Congress.
Los Angeles Times
Representatives from nearly every country on Earth met in Paris five years ago and promised to work together in an unprecedented effort to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, with a preferred goal of capping the rise at 1.5 degrees.
Climate change boosts support for divisive tech
Axios
The United Nations, the International Energy Agency, and most scientific and technical experts say nuclear power and carbon capture technology are essential to reach global goals to neutralize heat-trapping emissions by mid-century.
Energy:
Six bidders join federal auctions of 7 oil and gas parcels in Kern
Bakersfield Californian
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management raised $54,254.52 this week through a series of seven online auctions totaling a little more than 4,133 acres of federal oil and gas property in Kern County.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
COVID-19 outbreaks at 2 Fresno nursing homes add nearly 300 cases as Valley totals grow
Fresno Bee
Two Fresno nursing homes are experiencing large coronavirus outbreaks, recently adding nearly 300 new COVID-19 cases between them as the virus continues to spread in skilled nursing facilities across the central San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
A deadly week for coronavirus in Fresno County. How many lives were lost? Fresno Bee
Fresno County adds more than 600 new coronavirus cases, state reports Fresno Bee
Fresno adds nearly 1,300 cases as vaccine begins U.S. rollout Fresno Bee
Slight decrease in number of active cases Porterville Recorder
Kern County surpasses 50,000 coronavirus cases since pandemic's start Bakersfield Californian
Five more Merced County deaths from COVID-19 reported Friday. Total death count 207 Merced Sun-Star
Relentless COVID spike continues in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
Deaths, infections and hospitalizations continue to grow Modesto Bee
COVID-19 keeps spreading at Stanislaus nursing facilities. Where are the outbreaks? Modesto Bee
Some ICUs at California hospitals are completely full: ‘It is the worst we have seen’
Los Angeles Times
At least three counties in the San Joaquin Valley have reached 0% capacity in their hospitals’ intensive care units, making the state’s agricultural hub the first area in California to become maxed out.
See also:
San Joaquin Valley sees dramatic drop in ICU availability Saturday abc30
Stanislaus County’s ICUs in critical condition due to COVID. Where will patients go? Modesto Bee
California vaccinations could start Monday, but it won’t slow COVID-19 crisis imperiling hospitals Los Angeles Times
ICU capacity explained: What to know about a key coronavirus metric in California Los Angeles Times
Here’s Why Vaccinated People Still Need to Wear a Mask
New York Times
The new vaccines will probably prevent you from getting sick with Covid. No one knows yet whether they will keep you from spreading the virus to others — but that information is coming.
See also:
Human Services:
Who gets it first? Here’s how Fresno County plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine
Fresno Bee
As Fresno County prepares for COVID-19 vaccines to arrive, the public health department will rely heavily on its partnerships with community based organizations to connect, inform and distribute the vaccine to hard-to-reach communities.
See also:
US says Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to start arriving in states Monday abc30
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine set to arrive in the Central Valley this week abc30
Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine: What are the side effects? Who will get it first? Here's what we know abc30
Here’s how California plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in coming weeks Los Angeles Times
'Hold Their Feet To the Fire': Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine To Hard-Hit Indian Country VPR
FDA authorizes the first coronavirus vaccine, a rare moment of hope in the deadly pandemic Washington Post
Getting Covid Vaccines to People Will Cost States Billions They Don’t Have Wall Street Journal
As Pfizer’s Covid-19 Vaccine Rolls Out, Next Step Is Getting People to Take It Wall Street Journal
States will start getting COVID-19 vaccine Monday, US says AP News
Opinion: COVID-19 vaccine must be given with equity in mind CalMatters
California residents can use tech to learn of possible COVID-19 exposure
Turlock Journal
The California Department of Public Health and the California Department of technology have partnered together to launch new technology that will help people know if they have been potentially exposed to COVID-19.
See also:
Some 4 million Californians sign up for smartphone COVID-19 alerts in first few days San Diego Union-Tribune
COVID tests lagging: Slower turnaround times creeping back for Californians
CalMatters
The average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results rose 30% in November as people flocked to test sites before Thanksgiving. Pressure on labs is expected to intensify.
IMMIGRATION
On Immigration, Activists' Demands May Exceed Biden Realities
NPR
Immigration activists are gearing up for a fight to push President-elect Joe Biden to do more to counter the measures taken by President Trump that made life more uncomfortable for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Fresno youth leads park clean up operation to improve community spaces
Fresno Bee
Inspired by the tragic loss of his brother, Kieshaun White works to make Fresno parks and neighborhoods safer and cleaner so children can thrive.
See also:
A new town in the hills above Fresno? Not without fixing air quality problems, judge says
Fresno Bee
For nearly 50 years, Fresno County leaders have dreamed of building their own city on a hill, in the foothills above Fresno and Clovis next to Millerton Lake. After nearly a decade of litigation over the impacts of urban sprawl on air quality, yet another one of the several projects in this new growth area — Friant Ranch — hit its latest snag.
Opinion: Is this the end of cities in America?
The Hill
What developed this year is a cascade of residents leaving large cities in blue states. Among the biggest losers this year, in terms of total population loss, were New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and the District of Columbia.
Housing:
Renting in the Valley is getting harder as more move to Valley amid COVID-19
abc30
Renting an apartment in Fresno is getting harder to do. "The last 25 years, California has been woefully inadequate in building housing stock both single-family homes and multifamily apartments both market-rate and affordable," said Greg Terzakis with the California Apartment Association.
California Struggles To House Thousands Of Homeless Placed In Hotels During Pandemic
Capital Public Radio
After three years of bouncing between shelters, relatives' couches and a tent she pitched in downtown San Francisco, Gillette Christa, 63, and her 17-month-old dog, Shepherd, finally got into stable housing.
Study: Lifting eviction moratoriums leads to higher COVID-19 case rates, deaths
CalMatters
After 16 weeks, the mortality rates in states that lifted moratoriums was an estimated 5.4 times higher.
See also:
How California renters are bracing for an eviction tsunami CalMatters
U.S. Poised for Wave of Evictions in January as Federal Ban Expires Wall Street Journal
Opinion: To weather the coming eviction crisis, cities need better rent relief programs Brookings
Brookings
For most of the 20th century, the U.S. has relied on homeownership—subsidized through federal tax policy—as a means of wealth-building. While homeownership can be an effective asset-building mechanism, it also poses some financial risks to households.
PUBLIC FINANCES
California’s tax windfall is $15.5 billion, Newsom tells tech industry group
Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s upcoming state budget will assume California’s tax windfall is $15.5 billion, he said Tuesday during an event held by a technology industry trade group.
See also:
Opinion: California’s Business-Climate Deniers National Review
Why California says it overpaid some workers’ unemployment aid and wants the money back
Sacramento Bee
Absent actions from the state or Congress, thousands like Travis in California may be on the hook to pay back parts of their unemployment aid because of how they reported their income to the state.
Commentary: Closing the racial wealth gap requires heavy, progressive taxation of wealth
Brookings
Centuries of discrimination and exploitation have left Black Americans much poorer than white Americans. The median white household has a net worth 10 times that of the median Black household.
TRANSPORTATION
DMV temporarily halts behind-the-wheel driving tests
Hanford Sentinel
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is temporarily suspending behind-the-wheel driving tests for at least two weeks beginning Dece. 14. The DMV is taking this step for the health and safety of customers and employees during the current statewide surge in COVID-19 cases.
Opinion: Cities deserve transit aid: It's only fair
The Hill
Notably, $15 billion proposed falls well short of the $32 billion requested by the transit industry. Yet, the scope of the transit crisis is severe and requires immediate attention of any sort.
WATER
Special report: Toxic tap water in the Central Valley
Fresno Bee
Residents in the San Joaquin Valley, California, are struggling with contaminated tap water with toxins like nitrate. Many of those are affected are immigrant, low-income families. This special report was produced by Univision 21 and Fresnoland.
See also:
How Fracking Has Contaminated Drinking Water
Consumer Reports
The oil and gas extraction technique threatens water in North Dakota and elsewhere, but activists are fighting back
Lois Henry: Could "angel investors" buy a piece of the Friant-Kern Canal?
SJV Water
An investor funding proposal that could substantially increase the Friant-Kern Canal’s historic flow capacity is gaining interest among the Friant Water Authority’s member districts.
“Xtra”
Warszawski: Despite drain on city finances, Fresno had no choice but to play ball with MLB
Fresno Bee
Hooray! for the return of professional soccer in the new/old form of Central Valley Fuego Futbol Club. Boo! for MLB strong-arming our Fresno Grizzlies three levels deeper into the bush leagues.
Bethany Clough: Whatever happened to downtown Fresno’s first rooftop bar? Here’s the latest twist
Fresno Bee
Fresno’s first rooftop bar, Quail State, was ready to open downtown this week. Within 24 hours of announcing its opening, reservations booked up for two weeks. They had planned to start serving drinks on ground floor sidewalk patio space at the corner of Fulton and Mariposa streets, instead of having people go inside to get to the rooftop space.
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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 California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.
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