POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
COVID-19 cases are down, while vaccine options multiply in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
Stanislaus hospitals ease again. Vaccines in Oakdale Modesto Bee
Sue Zwahlen set to be Modesto’s next mayor as opponent Doug Ridenour concedes
Modesto Bee
Former city schools board member Sue Zwahlen is poised to become Modesto’s next mayor. She had a commanding lead Tuesday over former City Councilman Doug Ridenour in the runoff election for mayor.
See also:
Merced County expects to create ‘high-paying’ jobs as it approves self-driving cars deal
Merced Sun-Star
In a unanimous and enthusiastic vote on Tuesday, the Merced County Board of Supervisors put the official stamp of approval on a contract that local officials say will put local autonomous vehicle testing “on the map for all the right reasons.”
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
Fresno County cases, hospitalizations fall back in line with state trends Fresno Bee
On day hospitalizations go down in most counties, Fresno goes up Fresno Bee
Fresno County averaged 14 COVID deaths a day for the past week. Vaccine goals fall short Fresno Bee
Fresno County probably won’t reach its COVID vaccine goal by August. What’s going on?
Fresno Bee
Fresno County health officials say they aren’t getting enough COVID-19 vaccines to reach their goal of 600,000 vaccinated residents by August, delaying when the bulk of the community can return to normal life.
See also:
'We have been ignored': Local leaders say Valley deserves more resources to fight COVID-19 abc30
Editorial: Gov. Newsom, you promised not to forget Fresno. So give us more COVID vaccines Fresno Bee
Fresno County Officials Voice Urgent Need For More Vaccine Business Journal
Some CVS Pharmacies across CA, including Clovis, to offer COVID-19 vaccines abc30
Clovis Included In Cvs Vaccination Plan Next Week Business Journal
Tulare County hits pause button on first dose vaccination clinics abc30
California isn’t fully tracking serious workplace COVID-19 cases in Fresno. Here’s why
CalMatters
A year after the first COVID-19 case hit California, the state agency in charge of policing offices, warehouses, and other workplaces is understaffed and significantly undercounting the number of people in Fresno County and across the state who’ve fallen seriously ill with the coronavirus.
Fresno church that’s trying to buy Tower Theatre holds concert amid coronavirus pandemic
Fresno Bee
Adventure Church elected to hold the concert even after receiving a citation and notice from City of Fresno Code Enforcement to “immediately cease all community and religious assembly uses” for violating emergency stay-at-home orders.
More Fresno County elementary students to return to campus
abc30
Class will be back in session in person next week for thousands of Fresno County elementary school students after health officials determined county COVID case rates and healthcare system capacity are improving.
See also:
Fresno County schools can start bringing more students back to campuses next week Fresno Bee
Clovis Unified launches dashboard for families to track COVID cases in district abc30
CDC: Schools can safely reopen even if teachers aren't vaccinated for COVID-19 abc30
Slatic called ‘racist’ - again - during argument at Fresno Unified schools meeting
Fresno Bee
Two Fresno Unified School District board members called comments by Trustee Terry Slatic racist at Wednesday night’s regular meeting.
Warszawski: Sierra Unified tarnished its brand with soft stance on trustee who rioted at the Capitol
Fresno Bee
Shame on the district’s own Board of Trustees for undermining all that hard work. Spiffy brochures aside, it will be a while before Sierra Unified is regarded for something besides the way members defend and equivocate for an insurrectionist in their ranks.
Top Colleges in the West for Diversity (Fresno State noted)
Wall Street Journal
The West is home to the four colleges ranked highest nationwide for diversity in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings, led by La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif.
Fresno councilman wants to make FAX bus free for everyone. How will the city pay for it?
Fresno Bee
The “Zero Fare Clean Air Act” is part of a number of initiatives Councilmember Tyler Maxwell says he has planned. The zero fare policy is co-sponsored by two of his colleagues on the council — Nelson Esparza and Esmeralda Soria.
New study ranks Fresno as #10 most surveilled city in U.S.
Fox26
A new study published by Comparitech has ranked Fresno within the top 10 most surveilled cities across the United States. Comparitech found that Fresno has 4,706 cameras for 531,576 people, equal to 8.85 cameras per 1,000 people.
Clovis Trails Usage Exceeds 3 Million People for 2020
Clovis RoundUp
The City of Clovis completed their annual trail count for the year 2020. Every year, they document the volume of people using the trails in Clovis. The City Council was presented with the count of participation on the trails as a received and file item.
Valadao Introduces Critical California Water Legislation
Porterville Recorder
Today, U.S. Representative David G. Valadao introduced the Responsible, No-Cost Extension of Western Water Infrastructure Improvements, or RENEW WIIN, Act, a no-cost, clean extension of operations and storage provisions of the WIIN Act.
Vulgar emails to Rep. Devin Nunes’ wife triggered criminal investigation, documents show
Fresno Bee
The criminal case against a Southern California man accused of harassing Rep. Devin Nunes’ wife centers on two vulgar emails she received a year ago at her work email address, according to law enforcement records obtained by McClatchy.
South SJ Valley:
Kern County Public Health reports 15 new coronavirus deaths, 560 new cases Wednesday
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County Public Health Services reported 15 new coronavirus deaths and 560 new cases Wednesday morning. That brings Kern's deaths to 641 since the pandemic began. There have been 32,529 cases since the pandemic began.
See also:
As cases recede, deaths from COVID-19 climb Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield City Council repeals ordinances allowing urban hens
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council voted Wednesday to rescind a series of ordinances that allowed urban hens to be raised in most single-family homes.
McCarthy condemns Greene remarks but blasts Dem 'power grab'
Bakersfield Californian
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday he condemns Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's past remarks questioning school shootings, but he criticized a Democratic drive to oust the Georgia Republican from her committee assignments as a “partisan power grab.”
See also:
Kevin McCarthy struggling to find political balance in post-Trump Washington D.C. Visalia Times Delta
McCarthy receives criticism over post that portrays teachers on vacation Bakersfield Californian
McCarthy moves to keep splintering GOP intact, with protection for both Cheney and Greene Washington Post
State:
California considers changing vaccine plan again to put those with medical conditions next
Sacramento Bee
California is again looking to tweak who gets the COVID vaccine, this time by putting those with a disability or medical condition next in line after older residents and some essential workers, according to a proposal by a key state panel.
See also:
Commentary: Where’s the vaccine plan to address racial disparities of COVID-19? CalMatters
When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions. Capital Public Radio
COVID-19 relief is top priority for California voters, poll finds San Diego Union-Tribune
Despite Months To Prep, Why California Lags On COVID Vaccination Capital Public Radio
California joins feds in bid to speed coronavirus vaccines Bakersfield Californian
New COVID-19 vaccine sites will focus on elderly without transportation access Los Angeles Times
California getting 1 million doses this week, Gov. Newsom says Merced Sun-Star
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government
PPIC
A majority approve of Governor Newsom’s job performance and his handling of COVID-19—but the state gets low marks on the distribution of the vaccine. Two in three Californians now say they would definitely or probably get the vaccine when it is available to them; there are disparities across racial/ethnic groups.
See also:
COVID-19 relief is top priority for California voters, poll finds Los Angeles Times
Commentary: Californians Disapprove of Gov. Lockdown Wall Street Journal
Gov. Newsom's approval rating drops as recall looms, GOP challengers emerge
abc30
In the year since California saw its first coronavirus case, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has gone from a governor in command to one lurching from one political crisis to the next.
See also:
Political storms swirl around California's Newsom amid virus Bakersfield Californian
Newsom Faces New Challengers, Worrying Poll Numbers As Recall Threat Looms Capital Public Radio
His leadership in doubt, Newsom faces biggest challenge of his political life with possible recall Los Angeles Times
Gov. Newsom recall backers report raising more than $2.5 million Los Angeles Times
Two job performance polls give Gavin Newsom bad news…and worse news CalMatters
His polls are sinking. Democrats are mobilizing. The Newsom recall just got real. Politico
Political storms swirl around California’s Newsom amid virus AP News
Opinion: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to relax rules during COVID surge is a deadly mistake Modesto Bee
Walters: Two polls differ sharply on Newsom CalMatters
California lawmakers angrily demand fixes at unemployment agency after scathing audits
Los Angeles Times
California lawmakers on Wednesday demanded quick fixes to the state unemployment benefits system a week after two scathing state audits found poor planning and ineffective management caused significant delays in payments to people left jobless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See also:
California Supreme Court throws out challenge to Prop. 22
Los Angeles Times
The California Supreme Court threw out a constitutional challenge to Proposition 22, clearing the path for the voter-approved law allowing gig companies to keep treating their workers as independent contractors.
See also:
When elephants fly: A minor California Republican exodus after U.S. Capitol riot
CalMatters
On Jan. 6, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a frenzied ploy to invalidate the presidential election. And in the weeks that followed, thousands of voters have stormed out of the California Republican Party.
See also:
Opinion: No, Conservatives Shouldn’t Quit on the GOP Politico
Opinion: The end of the GOP? The Hill
Opinion: The GOP talks a good game, but let’s review those conservative principles Roll Call
Biden chooses California's Su as Deputy Labor Secretary
Politico
President Joe Biden has offered Julie Su, who heads California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the role of deputy Labor secretary, and she has accepted, two people familiar with the decision told POLITICO.
Newsom will wait to announce California AG until Becerra confirmed
Politico
Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed on Wednesday that he will wait until Attorney General Xavier Becerra is confirmed as President Joe Biden's Health and Human Services secretary before announcing a replacement.
Federal:
COVID Update:
Thousands of drugstores will be able to give COVID-19 vaccines next week, White House says Sacramento Bee
With 28 Executive Orders Signed, President Biden Is Off To A Record Start
VPR
In his first two weeks in office, President Biden has signed nearly as many executive orders as Franklin Roosevelt signed in his entire first month. And President Roosevelt holds the record.
See also:
Biden Forges Ahead On Relief Bill Without GOP, But Signals Checks Could Be Targeted
VPR
President Biden and congressional Democrats are pressing ahead on a massive $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, taking the steps in the House and Senate to approve the measure without Republican support.
See also:
About 29 million people would lose out on stimulus checks under GOP plan, experts say Fresno Bee
Biden says he’s flexible on who gets relief bill aid, tells lawmakers to ‘go big’ Los Angeles Times
Mitt Romney unveils plan to provide $3,000 per child, giving bipartisan support to President Biden’s effort Washington Post
House vote unlocks partisan path for Biden coronavirus relief bill Washington Post
Here’s the new Democratic plan for $1,400 stimulus checks Washington Post
Biden Open to Sending $1,400 Stimulus Checks to Smaller Group Wall Street Journal
Biden Vows No Retreat on $1,400 Checks, Open to Tightening Rules Bloomberg
Yellen Says ‘We Need to Act Big’ on Covid Relief Wall Street Journal
Opinion: From Covid Relief to Big Government Wall Street Journal
AP-NORC Poll: Americans open to Biden’s approach to crises
AP News
Two weeks into a new administration, a majority of Americans say they have at least some confidence in President Joe Biden and his ability to manage the myriad crises facing the nation, including the raging coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
Biden to Outline Foreign Policy Objectives During State Department Visit Wall Street Journal
USAToday
Donald Trump and his allies lost the first battle for post-election control of the Republican Party Wednesday night – but not without a fight, making clear that the political war within the GOP is nowhere near over.
See also:
McCarthy moves to keep splintering GOP intact, with protection for both Cheney and Greene Washington Post
Editorial: Marjorie Taylor Greene is despicable, but expelling her from committees will only play into her hands Los Angeles Times
House argues Trump conviction would warn future presidents to follow oath
Roll Call
The House has told the Senate that the nation “cannot simply ‘move on’” without an impeachment trial and conviction of Donald Trump on a charge of inciting an insurrection just because he’s no longer in office — because future presidents would see no harm in trying something similar in their final weeks in office.
Other:
These local newspapers say Facebook and Google are killing them. Now they’re fighting back.
Washington Post
Lurking behind a groundbreaking lawsuit recently filed in federal court in West Virginia is a haunting question: What if?
Opinion: Examining the Case Against the Filibuster
The New Yorker
Conservative politics have become almost wholly symbolic. Abolishing the filibuster would go a small way toward restoring some reality to them.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, February 7, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: The Road Ahead for Zero-Emision Vehicles in CA - Guest: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, February 7, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "Climate Change and Electric Vehicles: Public Action and Private Markets" - Guests: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10 & State Senator Fran Pavley. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
California farmworkers severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, study shows
abc30
California farmworkers have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. A just-released study by the California Institute for Rural Studies shows the effects of rising infection rates and vaccine uncertainties may be putting ag workers lives at risk.
See also:
California farmworkers say they’re treated like ‘useless trash’ during COVID pandemic Fresno Bee
Farmworkers say employers, Cal/OSHA don’t enforce COVID-19 safety regulations CalMatters
Despite Essential Worker Status, Farmworkers Are Suffering Financially According to New Study VPR
Tulare's World Ag Expo plans to go on — online — despite pandemic
Bakersfield Californian
Tulare's annual World Ag Expo will go on after all — online, that is — with expectations for participants and exhibitors from around the world. Scheduled to kick off Tuesday and run through Thursday.
Bakersfield City Council repeals ordinances allowing urban hens
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council voted Wednesday to rescind a series of ordinances that allowed urban hens to be raised in most single-family homes.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
City of Fresno off to violent, deadly start in 2021
abc30
The violence that plagued 2020 has followed the city of Fresno into the new year. We're only a few weeks into 2021 and the city has already had 12 homicides - that's a 300% increase compared to this time last year.
Face masks showing up in mail are part of latest scam
abc30
Face masks are showing up in mailboxes even though the recipients are saying they didn't order them. Consumers are reporting that the masks show up in just a regular brown mailing envelope, labeled with Amazon and China. However, there is no invoice or paperwork, just the face mask.
California union freezes assets of its largest chapter after embezzlement allegation
Sacramento Bee
California’s powerful state correctional officers union froze the assets of its largest chapter two months ago, stripping authority from a woman who has accused union officers of embezzling money, according to documents obtained by The Sacramento Bee.
Public Safety:
New study ranks Fresno as #10 most surveilled city in U.S.
Fox26
A new study published by Comparitech has ranked Fresno within the top 10 most surveilled cities across the United States. Comparitech found that Fresno has 4,706 cameras for 531,576 people, equal to 8.85 cameras per 1,000 people.
'A Long Time Coming': Given DHS Warning, A Look At U.S. Domestic Extremism Threats
VPR
President Biden is reviewing the U.S. government's response to domestic extremism, including threats that gained traction under President Donald Trump.
Fearing violence and political uncertainty, Americans are buying millions more firearms
Washington Post
Firearm sales soared in January after a mob-led assault on the U.S. Capitol and the arrival of a new administration that favors tighter gun restrictions.
Fire:
California was slammed for using inmates to fight wildfires. Now it’s looking elsewhere
Merced Sun-Star
California is running short of inmates who have for decades fought the state’s wildfires, as the state braces for the possibility of yet another drought and a summer of catastrophic infernos. So it may go on a firefighter hiring spree this year.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
These state grants are available for small business owners until February 8
abc30
Small business owners have a second chance to get grant money from the state if the pandemic has impacted them. With business down about 40% due to the pandemic closures, gymnastics apparel company Snowflake Designs in Clovis is still finding ways to do business.
Why Modesto is capping what delivery apps charge restaurants during COVID
Modesto Bee
Modesto is temporarily capping how much Grubhub, DoorDash and other delivery services can charge restaurants to help them survive in the new coronavirus pandemic.
Jobs:
Merced County expects to create ‘high-paying’ jobs as it approves self-driving cars deal
Merced Sun-Star
In a unanimous and enthusiastic vote on Tuesday, the Merced County Board of Supervisors put the official stamp of approval on a contract that local officials say will put local autonomous vehicle testing “on the map for all the right reasons.”
California Supreme Court throws out challenge to Prop. 22
Los Angeles Times
The California Supreme Court threw out a constitutional challenge to Proposition 22, clearing the path for the voter-approved law allowing gig companies to keep treating their workers as independent contractors.
See also:
What Can Congress Learn from California's Minimum Wage Debate?
KQED
When California began its move toward a $15-an-hour minimum wage in 2016 — through legislation signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown — it was the culmination of wage hikes in cities around the state.
See also:
Biden Wants a $15 Minimum Wage. Here’s What People Say It Would Do to the Economy. Wall Street Journal
Opinion: California’s Employment Hazard Wall Street Journal
U.S. unemployment claims fall to 779,000 but job cuts grind on
PBS
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined to 779,000 last week, a still-historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people keep losing jobs to the viral pandemic.
See also:
U.S. Unemployment Claims Fell to 779,000 Last Week Wall Street Journal
Workers lose $17 billion in unemployment aid due to delay in Congress, experts say
Fresno Bee
Workers lost out on approximately $17.6 billion in unemployment aid due to the delay in signing the coronavirus relief package in December, according The Century Foundation.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Clovis Unified launches dashboard for families to track COVID cases in district
abc30
Clovis Unified launched a new tool for families to track COVID-19 cases in the district in real-time. A new dashboard on its website posts the number of confirmed positive cases of students and staff reporting for on-site work or instruction.
More Fresno County elementary students to return to campus
abc30
Class will be back in session in person next week for thousands of Fresno County elementary school students after health officials determined county COVID case rates and healthcare system capacity are improving.
See also:
CDC: Schools can safely reopen even if teachers aren't vaccinated for COVID-19
abc30
The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says schools can safely reopen even if teachers are not vaccinated for the coronavirus.
See also:
Schools can reopen before teachers are vaccinated, CDC chief says Los Angeles Times
Teachers face pressure to return even before COVID-19 vaccinations completed Los Angeles Times
Dispute widens between Gov. Newsom, school employee unions over reopening campuses EdSource
Newsom on return of youth and high school sports: ‘We want to see this happen’
Sacramento Bee
If a high school football season doesn’t happen in this spring, or any number of other sports, really, it won’t be for a lack of effort.
Credential testing required for California teachers would be reduced under new proposal
EdSource
California teacher candidates may be able to use coursework they have taken to satisfy their degree requirements to prove they are ready to teach, instead of taking some state tests currently required to obtain a teaching credential, according to a proposal by Gov. Newsom.
Higher Ed:
Top Colleges in the West for Diversity (Fresno State Cited)
Wall Street Journal
The West is home to the four colleges ranked highest nationwide for diversity in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings, led by La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif.
California college savings program offers free money for signing up. See if you qualify
Modesto Bee
A California college saving program is offering eligible families up to $225 if they open an account and contribute regularly.
California private colleges could get reprieve tied to transfer students
EdSource
California’s private colleges and universities have won an important reprieve in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget, gaining an extra year before facing possible financial sanctions for not admitting enough transfer students from a special program.
Commentary: Invest in career-readiness training for college students
AEI
In America, we’ve promised that self-discipline, hard work, and ambition will be met with equality of opportunity. That’s a promise we’ve failed to keep far too often. Today we stand on a precipice. The question we must ask ourselves is how we will rebuild the American dream in a post-COVID-19 America.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
New report finds toxic heavy metals in popular baby foods. FDA failed to warn consumers of risk.
Washington Post
A congressional report found many of the products made by the country’s largest commercial baby food manufacturers contain significant levels of toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, which can endanger infant development.
Opinion: President Biden’s 30% Conservation Commitment Is Good News for People, Too
Pew Trusts
Pursuing and meeting this target could yield significant benefits, not only for a huge range of wildlife species and their habitats, but for people as well.
Editorial: Trump targeted California’s deserts on his way out. Biden has to avert the damage
Los Angeles Times
The Trump proposal has less to do with renewable energy and more about the former president’s drive to reduce protections for public lands to allow for more exploitation by the oil, gas and mining industries.
Energy:
Local demand is helping California surpass renewable energy targets
UCLA Newsroom
In California, local demand for renewable energy is helping the state exceed its clean energy goals, according to a new UCLA study.
CalMatters
Last August, hundreds of thousands of Californians saw their lights go out when climate change produced a record-breaking heat wave that drove peak electricity demand to unsustainable levels.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Kern County Public Health reports 15 new coronavirus deaths, 560 new cases Wednesday
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County Public Health Services reported 15 new coronavirus deaths and 560 new cases Wednesday morning. That brings Kern's deaths to 641 since the pandemic began. There have been 32,529 cases since the pandemic began.
See also:
As cases recede, deaths from COVID-19 climb Bakersfield Californian
COVID-19 cases are down, while vaccine options multiply in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
Stanislaus hospitals ease again. Vaccines in Oakdale Modesto Bee
Fresno County cases, hospitalizations fall back in line with state trends Fresno Bee
On day hospitalizations go down in most counties, Fresno goes up Fresno Bee
Fresno County averaged 14 COVID deaths a day for the past week. Vaccine goals fall short Fresno Bee
California COVID death rate at all-time high as infections slow Fresno Bee
Study finds AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may reduce virus transmission
Los Angeles Times
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine does more than prevent people from falling seriously ill — it appears to reduce transmission of the coronavirus and offers strong protection for three months on just a single dose, researchers said Wednesday in an encouraging turn in the campaign to suppress the outbreak.
See also:
CalMatters
An influential state committee holds fast, for now, to California’s decision to make age — not disability or chronic health condition — the primary criteria for getting a faster COVID vaccine.
'Lay Low And Cool It': Fauci Warns Against Super Bowl Parties Becoming Superspreaders
VPR
While acknowledging that the Super Bowl is not officially a national holiday, Fauci on Today compared it to other major events that have prompted upticks in the country's COVID-19 case count, like Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
Time to mandate medical-grade or double masks? Experts debate as COVID variants spread
Fresno Bee
With at least three more contagious variants of the coronavirus spreading in the U.S., infectious diseases experts are debating if it’s time to mandate medical-grade or double masks in the country.
Human Services:
Tulare County hits pause button on first dose vaccination clinics
abc30
Around 20,000 Tulare County residents have received their first doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and local health officials say the time for their second shot is now, or is coming up soon.
See also:
Fresno County Officials Voice Urgent Need For More Vaccine Business Journal
California joins feds in bid to speed coronavirus vaccines Bakersfield Californian
California getting 1 million doses this week, Gov. Newsom says Merced Sun-Star
COVID-19 cases are down, while vaccine options multiply in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee
Despite Months To Prep, Why California Lags On COVID Vaccination Capital Public Radio
When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions. Capital Public Radio
COVID-19 relief is top priority for California voters, poll finds San Diego Union-Tribune
Some CVS Pharmacies across CA, including Clovis, to offer COVID-19 vaccines
abc30
Next week, several pharmacies will be offering more than just a flu vaccine. They'll also be offering a COVID-19 vaccine to patients that are eligible for one.
See also:
Clovis Included In Cvs Vaccination Plan Next Week Business Journal
Thousands of drugstores will be able to give COVID-19 vaccines next week, White House says Sacramento Bee
New COVID-19 vaccine sites will focus on elderly without transportation access Los Angeles Times
California considers changing vaccine plan again to put those with medical conditions next
Sacramento Bee
California is again looking to tweak who gets the COVID vaccine, this time by putting those with a disability or medical condition next in line after older residents and some essential workers, according to a proposal by a key state panel.
See also:
California isn’t fully tracking serious workplace COVID-19 cases in Fresno. Here’s why
CalMatters
A year after the first COVID-19 case hit California, the state agency in charge of policing offices, warehouses, and other workplaces is understaffed and significantly undercounting the number of people in Fresno County and across the state who’ve fallen seriously ill with the coronavirus.
IMMIGRATION
Hundreds deported under Biden, including witness to El Paso Walmart shooting
abc30
President Joe Biden's administration has deported hundreds of immigrants in its early days despite his campaign pledge to stop removing most people in the U.S. illegally at the beginning of his term.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Clovis Trails Usage Exceeds 3 Million People for 2020
Clovis RoundUp
The City of Clovis completed their annual trail count for the year 2020. Every year, they document the volume of people using the trails in Clovis. The City Council was presented with the count of participation on the trails as a received and file item.
City Council Names New Senior Center and New Transit Center
Clovis RoundUp
On February 1, City Council voted on the naming of the new buildings that will begin construction in the Clovis Landmark Square later this year.
Caltrans Releases New Safety Guidance for Land Use Projects Statewide: Consider Bikes and Peds
StreetsBlog Cal
Caltrans has long emphasized safety as a key aspect of its work on the state transportation system. However, it has also long prioritized the safety – and convenience – of car drivers and passengers, giving little attention to other people using the system, including bike riders and walkers.
Housing:
Walters: Housing crisis hasn’t gone away
CalMatters
A year ago, California’s most pressing political issue was, by common consent, a housing crisis. Despite declining population growth, California had for years been falling short of building enough housing to meet demand, especially from low- and moderate-income families.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Fact Check: Sanders’s claim the 2017 tax cut went to the ‘wealthiest’ and ‘large corporations’
Washington Post
As we have explained before, any broad-based tax cut is going to mostly benefit the wealthy because they already pay a large share of income taxes.
TRANSPORTATION
Fresno councilman wants to make FAX bus free for everyone. How will the city pay for it?
Fresno Bee
The “Zero Fare Clean Air Act” is part of a number of initiatives Councilmember Tyler Maxwell says he has planned. The zero fare policy is co-sponsored by two of his colleagues on the council — Nelson Esparza and Esmeralda Soria.
Automakers Drop Efforts to Derail California Climate Rules
New York Times
Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and several other major automakers said Tuesday they would no longer try to block California from setting its own strict fuel-economy standards, signaling that the auto industry is ready to work with President Biden on his largest effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Report: California Outpaces Other States on Electric Vehicles
U.S. News
As the push for transportation electrification in the U.S. grows under the Biden administration, California has far outpaced others with its policy efforts, according to a report released Wednesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
WATER
California's Sierra snowpack lags despite recent big storms
Bakersfield Californian
Recent storms have boosted California’s vital Sierra Nevada snowpack but not enough to fully compensate for a dry start to winter and residents should use water wisely, a state official said Wednesday after the season’s latest measurements.
See also:
California Needs More Storms, Groundwater To Avoid Prolonged Drought, Experts Say Capital Public Radio
California is still thirsty after the recent series of winter storms, rainfall figures show Los Angeles Times
“Xtra”
Fighter jets to zoom across skies for 'Valley Thunder' training exercise
Visalia Times Delta
Don't be alarmed if you see fighter jets zooming across Central Valley skies this month. Beginning this week, the 144th Fighter Wing and the 194th Fighter Squadron are hosting a two-week training exercise called Valley Thunder.
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