POLICY & POLITICS
Air quality forecast: A haze of pollution will cover the Valley floor through next week
Fresno Bee
A layer of hazy smog-like pollution is expected to continue blanketing the San Joaquin Valley for several days, and residential fires are a big part of the problem in Valley neighborhoods.
See also:
● Air district warns of high pollution concentrations, poor air in coming days Bakersfield Californian
North SJ Valley:
Stanislaus County awaits more COVID-19 vaccine. Where residents will be able to get shots
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County’s public health agency has received 25,225 doses of coronavirus vaccine and discussed plans Tuesday for vaccinating residents.
See also:
● Stanislaus County on brink of 700 deaths, 40,000 cases Modesto Bee
Stanislaus GOP removes ‘Stop the Steal’ items from site days after mob stormed U.S. Capitol
Modesto Bee
The Republican Party of Stanislaus County removed “Stop the Steal” Trump merchandise from its website five days after a mob of President Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying Democrat Joe Biden as the nation’s next president.
Stockton Councilwoman Kimberly Warmsley: 'Together we can and we will move south Stockton'
Stockton Record
Malia, 8, and Kingston, 5, stood beside their mother Kimberly Warmsley as she took her oath of office Friday afternoon at a private ceremony in Stockton City Hall.
Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year
Turlock Journal
The local region’s current water year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record according to Turlock Irrigation District, with below-average rainfall amplifying California’s existing state of drought.
Central SJ Valley:
Fresno County updates death toll for first time in 10 days
Fresno Bee
Nearly a year into the global pandemic that has upended the lives of millions, Fresno County on Monday reported an additional 805 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 75,621 countywide.
See also:
● COVID-19 deaths soar in Fresno County. How many have died in the new year? Fresno Bee
● COVID-19 update: Local hospitals on 'cusp' of rationing care Porterville Recorder
● COVID court closures could trickle down for Fresno County abc30
Fresno County announces vaccine site at fairgrounds, capable of 1,500 daily shots
Fresno Bee
Fresno County on Tuesday announced a large vaccine clinic at the Fresno County Fairgrounds capable of administering 1,500 shots a day, according to health officials.
See also:
● COVID-19 vaccination 'mega site' to open at Fresno Fairgrounds, health officials say abc30
● Editorial: Fresno County health-care workers must lead as role models in getting COVID vaccines Fresno Bee
● Tulare County health officials to fix loophole that led to ineligible vaccine registrations abc30
● COVID-19 vaccine available to all Phase 1a tiers Hanford Sentinel
● Effort continues to vaccinate Phases 1A and 1B Porterville Recorder
PPP Loan Round Two to Begin January 13
Clovis Roundup
The application process for the second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program loans will begin January 13. If documents were correctly submitted in the first round, there is no need to re-submit a new application.
Adventure Church says Tower Theatre would remain event venue under their ownership
abc30
As the sale of Fresno's iconic Tower Theatre pends, officials with Adventure Church said they plan to keep the venue as an event center in addition to holding services should they become the owners of the theater.
South SJ Valley:
Latest PPP phase will be focus of small-business webinar
Bakersfield Californian
The director of Cal State Bakersfield's Small Business Development Center will take a deep dive into the latest phase of the federal Paycheck Protection Program during a free webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
See also:
● Kern Public Health reports 2 new coronavirus deaths, 946 new cases Tuesday Bakersfield Californian
Californian exclusive: McCarthy recounts intense, emotional call with Trump over election results
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy said he implored President Donald Trump during an intense, hourlong phone conversation Monday morning to accept his electoral defeat and move forward with a peaceful transition of power.
See also:
● Amid calls to resign, McCarthy straddles a divided party Bakersfield Californian
● Reports: McCarthy rebuked Trump over Antifa, election claims Bakersfield Californian
● Kevin McCarthy's fight for survival Axios
David Valadao sworn in as member of Congress
Bakersfield Californian
Valadao, R-Hanford, narrowly defeated Democrat T.J. Cox for the seat, which represents Kings County and parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties. Regionally and nationwide it was one of the most closely watched battles for political control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
State:
How a Well-Meaning Health Policy Created California’s Coronavirus Nightmare
The Atlantic
Everyone’s worst pandemic nightmare is happening in Los Angeles. Intensive-care units are overflowing with patients gasping for breath, and there might not be enough ventilators to go around. If a patient has virtually no chance of survival, ambulances have been told not to bother transporting them to a hospital at all.
See also:
· California COVID-19 vaccine rollout hit with software system problems Los Angeles Times
· Walters: Newsom’s vaccination plan bogs down CalMatters
· Vaccine rollout a critical test for Newsom CalMatters
· Supreme Court orders Newsom to respond in churches case Porterville Recorder
· Newsom’s School Reopening Plan Puts Tight Deadlines On Districts, Legislature Capital Public Radio
Darkest days for L.A. doctors, nurses, EMTs: ‘The way most people leave is by dying’ Los Angeles Times
· Editorial: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership failures worsen California’s COVID-19 crisis Sacramento Bee
California's equity focus causing some vaccine delays, health secretary says
abc30
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly was peppered with questions about the state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout Tuesday, as many wondered why the state has only administered about a quarter of available doses.
Democrats face backlash for calling Newsom recall effort a ‘California coup’
Los Angeles Times
The California Democratic Party is facing backlash after referring to the campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom as a “coup” nearly a week after the violent pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
See also:
● Democrats liken Newsom recall effort — a legal option in California — to extremist ‘coup’ CalMatters
California Assembly impeachment vote puts Republicans in bind
CalMatters
That the California Assembly would spend its first day of the year calling for the removal of President Donald Trump-a week after he sicced a mob of white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and hooligans on Congress-is about as surprising as summer fog in San Francisco.
See also:
· Editorial: These fascist Republican Party leaders have deep roots in California’s state Capitol Modesto Bee
Capital Public Radio
Thanks to a $15 billion surplus, environmental issues like wildfire and climate change are being considered to receive $4.1 billion in spending in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget. This comes less than a year after the administration and legislature had to forgo ideas that could have helped curb the climate crisis and wildfire prevention tactics because of the pandemic.
Walters: California’s technology woes deepen
CalMatters
California Gov. Gavin Newsom envisions a technology-heavy government that’s transparent, responsive and efficient. So far, it’s going backwards.
Changes to the California Family Rights Act and Small Employer Family Leave Mediation
JD SUPRA
California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) which greatly expanded the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), which took effect on January 1, 2021.
CalPERS spent $80,000 on legal bills after one of its own leaders sued it
Merced Sun-Star
CalPERS spent about $80,000 last year defending itself from a lawsuit filed by an elected member of its own board of directors, according to cost figures provided by a spokesman for the retirement system.
Federal:
COVID Update:
U.S. Deaths Set Single-Day Record Wall Street Journal
The US has averaged more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week abc30
Covid-19 Live Updates: Distracted by D.C. Political Crisis, U.S. Sets Daily Record for Virus Deaths New York Times
Lawmaker gets COVID, wants ‘serious fines’ for maskless Republicans during Capitol riot
Fresno Bee
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington said Tuesday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, blaming her GOP colleagues who didn’t wear masks while sheltering during the Capitol riots last week.
Trump Says His Comments Before Capitol Riot Were 'Totally Appropriate'
VPR
Eight days from the end of his presidency, President Trump expressed no regret for his comments last week ahead of a riot and mob violence at the U.S. Capitol that resulted in the deaths of at least five people and multiple injuries.
See Also:
● Roots Of U.S. Capitol Insurrectionists Run Through American West VPR
● Lawmakers Were Feet and Seconds Away From Confrontation With the Mob in the Capitol Wall Street Journal
● Trump Defends Conduct, Attacks Democrats at First Post-Riot Event Wall Street Journal
● Trump takes no responsibility for riot, visits Texas AP News
● Records show fervent Trump fans fueled US Capitol takeover AP News
● QAnon reshaped Trump’s party and radicalized believers. The Capitol siege may just be the start. Washington Post
● Opinion: Politics Has No Place for Violence Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Mike Pence Comes Through for America Wall Street Journal
House To Vote On 25th Amendment Resolution Against Trump
VPR
The House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a resolution calling for Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Trump, days after violent insurrectionists breached the U.S. Capitol.
See Also:
● Trump Takes A Last Look At His Border Wall As Congress Considers Impeachment VPR
● Trump’s grip on GOP loosens as No. 3 Republican backs impeachment Los Angeles Times
● Key House Republican Liz Cheney says she’ll vote to impeach Trump as GOP backlash grows Los Angeles Times
● Republicans join impeachment effort ahead of House vote Roll Call
● As House votes to impeach Trump, Democrats weigh options for Senate trial Roll Call
● House votes to officially call on Pence to remove Trump by invoking 25th Amendment, rebuffing the vice president’s objections Washington Post
● Pence Says He Won’t Invoke 25th Amendment, Setting Stage for Impeachment Vote Wall Street Journal
● House to Vote on Trump Impeachment Today - Latest Updates Wall Street Journal
● House Set to Impeach Trump Again, With GOP Support Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: The current divide in the GOP isn’t that deep Roll Call
● Opinion: How the Republican Party Could Break New York Times
● Opinion: Trump Is the Republican Party’s Past and Its Future New York Times
Republicans Lash Out Against New Security Measures at the Capitol
NPR
Several Republican members of Congress grew angry on Tuesday over new security systems implemented at the Capitol.
See Also:
● GOP lawmakers dodge metal detectors added after Capitol riots, blast them as an ‘atrocity’ Washington Post
● Republicans Angered by New House Floor Security Measures Wall Street Journal
● As pandemic worsens, most US states resist restrictions Fresno Bee
Capitol Riot: See the Full List of Companies Halting PAC Donations
Wall Street Journal
Dozens of big U.S. companies have suspended political donations in the wake of the deadly Capitol riot, with many saying they would stop supporting Republicans who objected to the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump.
See also:
● Opinion: How the Republican Party Could Break New York Times
● YouTube Suspends President Trump’s Account Wall Street Journal
How Inauguration Day Is Shaping Up: Beefed Up Security, Limited Public Access
VPR
With just eight days until President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, law enforcement and local government officials in Washington, D.C., are implementing security measures that will make the historic transition of power look very different from those in the past.
White House readying last-minute $27B spending cuts plan
Roll Call
The Trump administration was preparing a $27.4 billion package of spending rescissions to send to Capitol Hill, likely on Wednesday, which once sent will place a temporary hold on the funds at least until President-elect Joe Biden's budget team gets situated.
Supreme Court restores requirements for medication abortions, siding with Trump Administration
Washington Post
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed with the Trump administration and reinstated requirements that women seeking medication abortions receive the drugs in person at a clinic, setting aside a judge’s ruling that protocol was dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
● Supreme Court joins with Trump on restricting abortion pills, despite coronavirus Los Angeles Times
What Will Biden’s Covid-19 Stimulus Plan Look Like?
Wall Street Journal
President-elect Joe Biden says he plans to detail Thursday the first major legislation of his incoming administration: a massive new stimulus and relief package meant to address the continuing economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Biden to Appoint Acting Agency Heads Due to Transition Delays
Wall Street Journal
President-elect Joe Biden intends to appoint acting agency heads across the federal government once he takes office because of delays to his transition and Senate consideration of his nominees, transition officials said Tuesday.
See also:
● Biden Is Expected to Name Gary Gensler for SEC Chairman Wall Street Journal
Other:
Brookings
Over the coming months, the U.S. Census Bureau will roll out the results of the 2020 census, its once-a-decade headcount that will give us precise details on the size, growth, age, and racial-ethnic makeup of the nation’s population.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
California Farm Bureau Commentary: New Stimulus Package Offers Aid for Rural California
Sierra Sun Times
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods, Congress passed and President Trump signed a package of stimulus measures intended to help Americans cope. The 5,500-page package contains many provisions important to California farmers, ranchers and rural residents.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
This ‘bizarre’ Madera homicide case might change California’s domestic violence laws
Fresno Bee
Alleged disclosure of private information from a clinic in Madera led to the tragic death of a victim of domestic violence in a case that has now sparked several legal battles and allegations of conflict of interest among the agencies involved, according to court records and multiple interviews.
Federal, local law enforcement prepare for possible armed protest at California state Capitol
abc30
Authorities are bracing for potential violence at California's state Capitol building amid warnings from the FBI of the possibility of attacks at all 50 state capitals and at the U.S. Capitol in the days leading up to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Public Safety:
Advocates Say Conditions at Women’s Prison in Chowchilla Remain Poor Following Huge COVID Outbreak
VPR
Aminah Elster is the policy coordinator at the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and a formerly incarcerated person. She says the women inside the Chowchilla facility continue to tell her about unsafe living conditions even after the California Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported the highest number of positive cases, 512, at the facility on Jan. 3.
See also:
· Serial killer, respected guard and many others killed by COVID-19 surge in California prisons Los Angeles Times
Fire:
Valley firefighters, nursing students could soon be trained to administer COVID-19 shot
abc30
In an effort to get more COVID-19 doses out of the freezers and into patients, California Governor Gavin Newsom says it's all hands on deck. State officials are expanding the list of people who can vaccinate, which will include dentists, pharmacists, and 15 National Guard strike teams.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
PPP Loan Round Two to Begin January 13
Clovis Roundup
The application process for the second draw of the Paycheck Protection Program loans will begin January 13. If documents were correctly submitted in the first round, there is no need to re-submit a new application.
Latest PPP phase will be focus of small-business webinar
Bakersfield Californian
The director of Cal State Bakersfield's Small Business Development Center will take a deep dive into the latest phase of the federal Paycheck Protection Program during a free webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Jobs:
Union sues to block California gig worker initiative voters passed 2 months ago
Fresno Bee
Rideshare drivers and one of the largest unions in California are suing the state, seeking to overturn an initiative voters passed in November that exempts drivers for Uber, Lyft and other app-based companies from a labor law that requires them to provide employment benefits to more workers.
See also:
● Some UBER, LYFT drivers sue over California ballot measure Business Journal
US economy lost 140,000 jobs in December and all of them were held by women
abc30
A year ago, a rare thing happened to American women. For three months, [women] held more jobs than men in the U.S. economy - something that had only occurred one other time in history during a short period in 2009 and early 2010.
See also:
· Job openings down in most industries, while layoffs spike Business Journal
EDUCATION
K-12:
Clovis teachers say district is rushing students back to campuses. Will they unionize?
Fresno Bee
As more Clovis students plan a return to campuses, more teachers must return as well. But unlike students, some teachers say the school district has given them little to no choice but to teach in-person even as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Fresno County.
Possible layoffs looming for teachers in Fresno’s Central schools. Here’s what we know
Fresno Bee
When Central Unified School District voted to lower graduation requirements in October to be on par with nearby districts, officials said they couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be layoffs.
Sierra Unified School District Trustee Who Attended U.S. Capitol Riot Refuses To Resign
VPR
A Sierra Unified School District board trustee who was at the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday refused calls for him to step down during a Monday night board meeting.
Newsom’s School Reopening Plan Puts Tight Deadlines On Districts, Legislature
Capital Public Radio
The record $89.5 billion education budget Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled Friday includes $2 billion in grants aimed at nudging schools to reopen classrooms for its youngest students by mid-February and $4.6 billion for summer school to address students’ learning.
Where conservatives should lead on federal education policy in 2021
AEI
Conservatives have an opportunity to play a productive role in federal education policymaking. They have to do more than just say no.
Higher Ed:
UC should permanently eliminate all standardized tests for admissions, experts say
Los Angeles Times
Now that the University of California is permanently phasing out the SAT, will another standardized test take its place as an admissions requirement? The answer is no, if two expert panels have their way.
Forgiving Student Debt by Executive Action Is Illegal, Trump Lawyers Say
Wall Street Journal
Trump administration lawyers have concluded that it would be illegal to forgive all or some of Americans’ student debt through an executive action—as congressional Democrats have urged the incoming Biden administration to do—arguing that such a move would require Congress to pass a law.
See also:
● Biden’s debt forgiveness plan would help millions of California students CalMatters
● How Biden Plans to Tackle the $1.6 Trillion Student Loan Debt Wall Street Journal
Commentary: Higher education’s reopening decisions affected the most vulnerable students
Brookings
The COVID-19 pandemic hit higher education on March 6, 2020 when the University of Washington became the first major U.S. university to cancel in-person classes and have students take courses and finals remotely. What followed was a tidal wave of shuttered campuses, canceled study abroad programs, and students and faculty alike scrambling to make sense of remote learning amid spiking infection rates across the country.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Air quality forecast: A haze of pollution will cover the Valley floor through next week
Fresno Bee
A layer of hazy smog-like pollution is expected to continue blanketing the San Joaquin Valley for several days, and residential fires are a big part of the problem in Valley neighborhoods.
See also:
● Air district warns of high pollution concentrations, poor air in coming days Bakersfield Californian
Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year
Turlock Journal
The local region’s current water year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record according to Turlock Irrigation District, with below-average rainfall amplifying California’s existing state of drought.
EPA Raises Barriers to Climate-Change Rules
Wall Street Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency is creating higher barriers for regulating the emissions that contribute to climate change, setting new rules that effectively block the federal government from imposing new restrictions on several heavy industries.
Covid-19 Took a Bite From U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2020
New York Times
Emissions plunged more than 10 percent. If the trend can be sustained, it would put the United States within striking distance of one of its major goals under the Paris climate agreement.
Opinion: 3 critical lessons California offers to improve restoration of land on a global scale
CalMatters
Scientists say the world has the next decade or so to avoid the most dire environmental scenarios, so we must invest in land restoration.
Energy:
California Is Closing the Door to Gas in New Homes
Scientific American
California's top energy bosses soon will decide when to snuff out natural gas flames in new homes. The seismic move toward omitting some gas appliances comes as the California Energy Commission retools state building codes for energy-efficient homes. It's an expansion of the state's first-in-the-nation mandates requiring solar panels on all new homes starting last year.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Fresno County updates death toll for first time in 10 days
Fresno Bee
Nearly a year into the global pandemic that has upended the lives of millions, Fresno County on Monday reported an additional 805 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 75,621 countywide.
See also:
● COVID-19 deaths soar in Fresno County. How many have died in the new year? Fresno Bee
● The US has averaged more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths a day over the past week abc30
● COVID-19 update: Local hospitals on 'cusp' of rationing care Porterville Recorder
● Kern Public Health reports 2 new coronavirus deaths, 946 new cases Tuesday Bakersfield Californian
● Stanislaus County on brink of 700 deaths, 40,000 cases Modesto Bee
● Darkest days for L.A. doctors, nurses, EMTs: ‘The way most people leave is by dying’ Los Angeles Times
● U.S. Deaths Set Single-Day Record Wall Street Journal
● Covid-19 Live Updates: Distracted by D.C. Political Crisis, U.S. Sets Daily Record for Virus Deaths New York Times
Human Services:
Fresno County announces vaccine site at fairgrounds, capable of 1,500 daily shots
Fresno Bee
Fresno County on Tuesday announced a large vaccine clinic at the Fresno County Fairgrounds capable of administering 1,500 shots a day, according to health officials.
See also:
● COVID-19 vaccination 'mega site' to open at Fresno Fairgrounds, health officials say abc30
● Tulare County health officials to fix loophole that led to ineligible vaccine registrations abc30
● COVID-19 vaccine available to all Phase 1a tiers Hanford Sentinel
● Effort continues to vaccinate Phases 1A and 1B Porterville Recorder
California COVID-19 vaccine rollout hit with software system problems
Los Angeles Times
California’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is being at least partially slowed by technical problems with a software program used by the state to coordinate vaccine distribution among a vast network of providers, according to local and state health officials.
See also:
· Walters: Newsom’s vaccination plan bogs down CalMatters
Glacial pace of the U.S. inoculation campaign raises questions about priorities
PBS
Operation Warp Speed may have produced effective COVID vaccines in record time, but administering them has been another matter. Just 9 million of the more than 25 million doses distributed have been given out, according to the CDC. But the Trump administration on Tuesday made big changes to the program. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, joins John Yang to discuss.
See Also:
● California planning to make big changes to vaccination plan — after feds direct states to do so San Francisco Chronicle
● COVID-19 Latest: US asking states to vaccinate everyone older than 65; not hold back 2nd dose abc30
● Trump Administration Urges States To Open COVID-19 Vaccination To Everyone Over 65 VPR
● Coronavirus Vaccine Doses That Were Held Back Now Being Released Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Vaccination by Age Is the Way to Go Wall Street Journal
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County Wonderful Wellness Centers, located in Lost Hills and Delano, are extending their COVID-19 vaccinations to all eligible health care professionals in Kern County.
See also:
· Surprising number of frontline workers skeptical of vaccine. Can the state force them? Sacramento Bee
Covered California nears 1.6 million enrollment amid virus
Fresno Bee
Nearly 1.6 million people have purchased health insurance through Covered California, state officials said Tuesday, a number that reflects the state's high unemployment rate as millions of people have lost their jobs — and their employer-sponsored health coverage — during the pandemic.
What will happen to California health care plans when Joe Biden takes office?
Fresno Bee
As a result, the changes Californians can expect for their health care include smaller steps that might make health care more affordable and more stable, such as increasing subsidies to low-income Californians from the federal government.
IMMIGRATION
Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration Could be Tough to Undo
Bloomberg
President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts to reverse President Donald Trump’s immigration executive actions may not be as simple as issuing a contrary edict, as court rulings show that the government should consider both the scope of authority as well as underlying reasons for actions taken.
Politico
The incoming administration will focus on decreasing wait times to obtain citizenship, granting automatic green cards to protected undocumented immigrants and adding immigration judges to decrease backlogs on court hearings, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said on Tuesday.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Adventure Church says Tower Theatre would remain event venue under their ownership
abc30
As the sale of Fresno's iconic Tower Theatre pends, officials with Adventure Church said they plan to keep the venue as an event center in addition to holding services should they become the owners of the theater.
Longtime business near Tower Theatre moving to North Fresno
Business Journal
After more than a decade in Tower, The Painted Table catering company is relocating its business to Tornino’s Banquets at 5080 N. Blackstone Ave. — a popular venue for events of all kinds, including business breakfasts and lunches hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and other groups.
Iconic Downtown Fresno concert venue for sale
Business Journal
An iconic Downtown Fresno event venue is being listed for sale. The 80-year-old Rainbow Ballroom will be listed for sale Wednesday for just under $4 million, according to Jared Ennis, commercial agent with KW Commercial.
What’s that massive building under construction in northwest Fresno? Here are the details
Fresno Bee
A mysterious and massive building is under construction in northwest Fresno. It’s part of the Markeplace at El Paseo, the shopping center near Highway 99 and Herndon Avenue. With no signs identifying it and almost no windows, it has left neighbors wondering what it is.
Housing:
Low-barrier, winter homeless shelter for single women now open in Stockton
Stockton Record
Stockton Shelter for the Homeless opened a winter shelter for single women this past week. The new low-barrier accommodations is the first of its kind in Stockton.
Progressives must stop celebrating urban flight
AEI
As the nation enters 2021 with hopes of healing divisions, Vox published a story with the drop headline, “Young families and wealthy people are decamping for the suburbs — which might make cities more pleasant for everyone else.” This is exactly the continued nonsense from the left that continues to polarize our discourse, and it needs to stop.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Millions will get their stimulus check through prepaid debit card. Here’s what to know
Fresno Bee
Millions of Americans will receive their $600 stimulus check through prepaid debit card, the Internal Revenue Service said Thursday.
Record revenues expected in California Budget proposal
Turlock Journal
Governor Gavin Newsom last week submitted his 2021-22 State Budget proposal to the Legislature – a record $227.2 billion fiscal blueprint that is a staunch reversal from summer fears of a drop in California revenue.
Tax Season Is Coming, and It Could Be Messy
Wall Street Journal
The annual tax-filing season is about to start, and it could be much messier than usual. Many taxpayers will forgo their usual in-person meetings with tax preparers due to the pandemic. Millions will need to file tax returns to get the balance they are owed for stimulus payments.
For Remote Workers, Time Is Running Out to Fix State-Tax Messes
Wall Street Journal
If you’ve worked from home this year, and that home is in a different state from your office, think about your taxes immediately. Acting now could help avoid surprise bills, interest and penalties when filing state taxes next year.
TRANSPORTATION
MAX buses make fewer trips because workers out with COVID-19, for other reasons
Modesto Bee
Modesto Area Express has reduced how often its buses run by about 25 percent in response to having fewer workers on the job because of COVID-19 and for other reasons.
Trouble for Gavin Newsom’s electric car plan? Democrats criticize it at hearing
Fresno Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus recovery proposal is too focused on promoting electric cars and not enough on supporting small businesses, some lawmakers said Monday.
State bullet train delays ‘beyond comprehension,’ contractor says in blistering letter
Los Angeles Times
One of the state’s top bullet train contractors has sent a scorching 36-page letter to California high-speed rail officials, contradicting state claims that the line’s construction pace is on target and warning the project could miss a key 2022 federal deadline.
People flying into US will soon have to provide negative COVID result, CDC says
Fresno Bee
The CDC announced Tuesday that anyone traveling into the U.S. via airplane must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to their airline, citing the rise of new coronavirus strains around the world that appear to be more contagious.
A Democratic Congress Could Boost Biden’s Transportation Agenda
City Lab
For clean transportation advocates, Wednesday, Jan. 6 started out on a high note...The results of the Jan. 5 Georgia Senate runoffs reshaped President-elect Joe Biden’s chances for transformative policymaking across many fronts, including the nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems.
WATER
Current drought conditions contributing to historically dry year
Turlock Journal
The local region’s current water year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record according to Turlock Irrigation District, with below-average rainfall amplifying California’s existing state of drought.
Sierra Sun Times
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Monday, as part of a 12-state coalition, submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) arguing that its new draft guidance misinterprets the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
A New Year Will Bring Opportunities for Continued Progress
California Farm Water Coalition
Much has been written in the last few weeks about the impact an incoming Biden administration will have on the war of lawsuits between California and the Trump administration. Unfortunately, because conflict is often more interesting to write about than cooperative progress towards joint goals, these articles miss a lot of the positive work underway in our state.
Event: Building Resilience for Cities and Farms with Water Partnerships
Public Policy Institute of California
California’s urban and agricultural regions face different but equally daunting water challenges. Partnerships can help build a more secure water future for cities and farms, bring environmental benefits, and improve resilience across California’s water system.
“Xtra”
Abandoned Tower District bank in Fresno has a new tenant. It’s a cannabis dispensary
Fresno Bee
The former Bank of America branch in Fresno’s Tower District has a new tenant. If all goes as planned, the building, which has been vacant since 2017, could become one of the city’s first cannabis dispensaries.
2021 Whiskey Flat Days canceled due to COVID-19
Bakersfield Californian
Whiskerinos will have wait another year. The Kernville Chamber of Commerce announced that Whiskey Flat Days and Wild West Daze Rodeo have been canceled.
Restoring Streetcar No. 10 a 'huge' project at Kern County Museum
Bakersfield Californian
There's no question that the Kern County Museum, like thousands of local businesses and nonprofits, has suffered greatly from a decrease in foot traffic and fundraising opportunities.