POLICY & POLITICS
In California, a Warming Climate Will Help a Voracious Pest—and Hurt the State’s Almonds, Walnuts and Pistachios (Focus on the Valley Agriculture)
Inside Climate News
The navel orangeworm costs the state’s nut growers millions of dollars each year. And warmer growing seasons will give the insects time to do even more damage.
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Stanislaus hospital cases rise for first time in 10 days Modesto Bee
Did Modesto-area mayor use power of his office to evict renter as lawsuit claims?
Modesto Bee
A renter is suing Escalon Mayor Ed Alves, alleging Alves tried to illegally evict him and used the influence of his elected position, bringing police to the property, saying he came to the house on city business and threatening to detain him.
Modesto To Impose 15% Cap On Food Delivery Charges
Capital Public Radio
The Modesto City Council has enacted a measure that imposes a 15% cap on the amount food delivery services can charge customers and or restaurants during the pandemic. Because it's an urgency ordinance the cap goes into effect immediately.
Central SJ Valley:
Fresno County cases, hospitalizations fall back in line with state trends
Fresno Bee
One day after the number of COVID-19 patients in Fresno County intensive care units shot up, it dropped again on Wednesday to its lowest in almost two months.
See also:
● Fresno County deaths on the rise again, as officials seek more vaccine Fresno Bee
● COVID-19 update: 13 more deaths in Tulare County Porterville Recorder
Fresno healthcare facility now providing COVID-19 vaccinations to residents 65 and older
Fresno Bee
WelbeHealth in Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health, began giving COVID-19 vaccinations to qualifying residents ages 65 and older for free.
See also:
● 'Just Cruel': Digital Race For COVID-19 Vaccines Leaves Many Seniors Behind VPR
Editorial: Gov. Newsom, you promised not to forget Fresno. So give us more COVID vaccines
Fresno Bee
Fresno County got a difficult diagnosis this week related to overcoming the COVID pandemic. State officials have notified Fresno County public health leaders that in coming weeks, the county can expect no more than 8,000 doses per week of the vaccinations needed to safeguard residents from COVID infections.
See also:
● Fresno to President Biden and Kamala Harris: We need more COVID vaccine doses, help us Fresno Bee
● 'We have been ignored': Local leaders say Valley deserves more resources to fight COVID-19 abc30
Experimental COVID drug President Trump took is in Fresno. Why don’t more doctors use it?
Fresno Bee
Fresno County health officials are encouraging local doctors to use a pair of drugs with emergency approval from federal regulators as a treatment to keep high-risk coronavirus patients from having to be hospitalized for more serious care.
Does Fresno jail lead nation in COVID cases? Sheriff challenges New York Times on data
Fresno Bee
A report in the New York Times that named Fresno County as the nation’s leader in jail coronavirus cases has prompted Fresno County Sheriff’s officials to fire back, pointing out the great majority of the nation’s correctional facilities are missing from the data.
Comcast boosts internet speed for low-income Fresno homes. But will it help students?
Fresno Bee
Fresno families that rely on a special Comcast program for low-cost internet received some good news this week when the company said it would double broadband speeds.
See also:
● Comcast pledges unlimited internet data on low-income plan, a win for U.S. students Fresno Bee
Devin Nunes drops Twitter from second lawsuit over critical social media posts
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes last week dropped Twitter from the second lawsuit he filed against the company, ending the social media giant’s role in a case over what the California Republican regarded as online harassment.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern County Public Health reports 9 new coronavirus deaths, 439 new cases Thursday 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. In a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Eric Arias, Andre Gonzales and Bob Smith dissenting, the council flipped the position it held just last September, when the issue was first approved by the City Council.
Hodels weigh possibilities including affordable housing at banquet-hall lot listed for sale
Bakersfield Californian
When members of the Hodel family say they're "going fishing" by putting up a for-sale sign on the northern 2.99 acres of their Knudsen Drive campus, they mean just that.
Fairfax school board reapproves legal contract during raucous meeting
Bakersfield Californian
The Fairfax School Board revisited its controversial legal contract with Fagen, Friedman & Fulcrost LLP in a special board meeting Wednesday night. A 3-2 majority again approved a contract with the educational law firm, and the majority not only blocked discussion of the issue but chastised the dissenting minority for asking questions.
Michael Gerson: Kevin McCarthy is now our most disgraceful political leader
Washington Post
On the morning of Feb. 3, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sat in the Capitol Rotunda for a service honoring fallen U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who died during the Jan. 6 attack by domestic terrorists. On the evening of Feb. 3, McCarthy asserted that the big tent of the Republican Party should include those who have advocated political violence.
See also:
● House Removes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene From Her Committee Assignments VPR
● Congress debates rebuke of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Bakersfield Californian
● Bipartisan House majority votes to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments Los Angeles Times
● House votes to strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of committee assignments Roll Call
● Republicans worry their big tent will mean big problems in 2022 elections Washington Post
● Marjorie Taylor Greene Removed From Committees by House Vote Wall Street Journal
● House Votes to Eject Marjorie Taylor Greene From Committees New York Times
State:
Amid Rocky Vaccination Rollout, California Set To Receive 1 Million Additional Doses
Capital Public Radio
California will receive an additional 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government this week as the state's rocky rollout to inoculate millions continues to draw criticism from residents and officials.
See also:
● Sutter Health patients in Stanislaus County given wider access to COVID-19 vaccine Modesto Bee
● California Coronavirus Map and Case Count New York Times
● Jockeying over who gets COVID vaccine next: Teachers? Workers? The disabled? The sick? Los Angeles Times
● COVID advisory panel rejects higher vaccine priority for disabled Californians and those with chronic conditions CalMatters
● Covid-19 Vaccine Shortage Sparks Fights Over Who Should Get First Shots Wall Street Journal
● Covid-19 Vaccine and Seniors: What It Is Like for Older Adults Getting Their Shots Wall Street Journal
Environmental turnaround - 8 issues that will pivot in California's favor under Biden
San Francisco Chronicle
As wildfires, heat waves, water scarcity and threats to wildlife intensify in the West, California’s effort to confront these environmental crises now has support in Washington, a stark change from the past four years.
California Republicans who contested election results would be banned from Assembly under bill
Fresno Bee
Members of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election could be banned from the California Assembly floor under a new bill introduced Thursday by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Marin County.
California Supreme Court rejects lawsuit challenging rideshare vote
abc30
The California Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit Wednesday that sought to overturn a ballot measure that kept app-based ride-hailing and delivery drivers independent contractors instead of employees eligible for benefits and job protections.
Schiff in mix as Newsom deliberates on next California AG
Business Journal
The public and private jockeying to be California’s next attorney general is intensifying as Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he’s “very close” to making a decision on who he will name to the coveted job.
California lawmaker wants state to spend millions to revive tourism industry after pandemic
Sacramento Bee
California State Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, has introduced a bill that would allocate $45 million toward a “Calling All Californians” advertising campaign encouraging in-state travel once the California Department of Public Health has cleared the way.
Capital Public Radio
The campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom this week shared the false claim that Facebook tried to “shut down” the recall effort. PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with CapRadio anchor Mike Hagerty about it in this week’s Can You Handle The Truth segment.
Big Trump donors converge on Newsom recall
Politico
Big Republican donors — including some prominent backers of former President Donald Trump — are zeroing in on a new target as they dig out from the wreckage of the 2020 election: California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
See also:
● Watch: What to know about recalling California’s governor CalMatters
● Dissecting Dueling IGS & PPIC Polls on Prince Gavin Calbuzz
Commentary: Gov. Newsom’s unlikely foe: teacher unions
CalMatters
Gov. Gavin Newsom best keep his back to the wall as proliferating critics unsheathe their knives. Parents litigating to unlock classrooms, die-hard Trumpians stirring a recall campaign.
Federal:
COVID Update:
US virus deaths surpass 450K; daily toll is stubbornly high Bakersfield Californian
· New U.S. Cases Edge Down but Deaths Spike on Backlog Wall Street Journal
Democrats might use ‘reconciliation’ to pass Biden’s pandemic relief package. What’s reconciliation?
Washington Post
With Biden’s consent, congressional Democrats are turning to a procedural shortcut known as “reconciliation,” a budget tool that would prevent Senate Republicans from filibustering and blocking the Democrats’ plan from a floor vote.
See also:
● Senate vote paves way for passage of Biden’s economic relief plan Washington Post
● Senate Moves Forward With Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Covid-19 Relief Plan Wall Street Journal
● The Biden Administration’s Elusive Stimulus Goal: Full Employment Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: The Biden stimulus is admirably ambitious. But it brings some big risks, too. Washington Post
Things to Know: Catholic Church got $1.5 Billion in US virus relief
Fresno Bee
An Associated Press investigation has found that scores of Roman Catholic dioceses in the U.S. had more than $10 billion in cash and other readily available funds when they received at least $1.5 billion from the federal government’s small business emergency relief program.
43% of Men Believe There Was Widespread Voter Fraud in Election, Compared to 29% of Women: Poll
Newsweek
Nearly half of American men believe that widespread voter fraud affected the 2020 presidential election according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.
House Dems ask former President Trump to testify under oath in Senate impeachment trial
abc30
House Democrats on Thursday asked Donald Trump to testify under oath for his Senate impeachment trial, challenging the former president to respond to their charge that he incited a violent mob to storm the Capitol. In a response, a Trump adviser said Trump won't testify.
See also:
● Trump won’t testify at impeachment trial, legal team says Los Angeles Times
● House invitation to Trump adds wrinkle to impeachment drama Roll Call
● Trump Dismisses House Impeachment Managers’ Request That He Testify Wall Street Journal
How the Trump administration pardon process broke down in favor of the rich and well-connected
Washington Post
In all, Trump granted 237 pardons and commutations, according to the Justice Department, the majority of which he issued in a frantic final session with White House lawyers during his last night as president.
Republicans Respond to Black Lives Matter with Anti-Protest Bills
PEW
Now Republican legislators in Florida and 21 other states are considering tough new penalties for protesters who break laws. As in Florida, some of the bills also would prevent localities from cutting police budgets and give some legal protection to people who injure protesters.
Other:
Voting-Machine Company Smartmatic Sues Fox News Over Election Claims
Wall Street Journal
Voting-machine company Smartmatic USA Corp. sued Fox Corp.’s Fox News, seeking $2.7 billion in damages for what it alleges were defamatory on-air comments about the company’s products in the aftermath of the presidential election.
See also:
● Smartmatic files $2.7 billion defamation suit against Fox News over election fraud claims Washington Post
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
In California, a Warming Climate Will Help a Voracious Pest—and Hurt the State’s Almonds, Walnuts and Pistachios (Focus on the Valley)
Inside Climate News
The navel orangeworm costs the state’s nut growers millions of dollars each year. And warmer growing seasons will give the insects time to do even more damage.
Latest storm gives some relief to farmers
Madera Tribune
Although some in the agriculture industry were upset they had to move some of their citrus harvest back a week or two, many were ecstatic to see the three-day storm last week that pelted Madera County.
Why Gov. Newsom wants to invest nearly $90 million in Turlock livestock lab
Modesto Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked for $88.6 million to build a livestock health lab in Turlock much better than the one already there. Backers say the project would help assure safe food for humans while containing diseases in poultry, cattle, swine, horses and other livestock.
Toxic Heavy Metals Found in Some Baby Food, Congressional Report Says
Wall Street Journal
A congressional investigation found high levels of toxic metals in several top baby food brands and called on federal regulators to set stricter standards on the food manufacturers.
Opinion: Biden is setting a dangerous precedent
AEI
President Joe Biden’s recent executive order to expand food assistance to U.S. households, while well-intentioned, represents a substantial overreach of the executive branch and a blatant attempt to override the intent of Congress.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
McKinsey agrees to pay nearly $600M over opioid crisis
Bakersfield Californian
The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company agreed to pay nearly $600 million for its role in advising businesses on how to sell more prescription opioid painkillers amid a nationwide overdose crisis.
See also:
● Consulting Giant McKinsey To Settle States' Opioid Claims For $573 Million VPR
Arrested in Capitol Riot: Organized Militants and a Horde of Radicals
New York Times
At least 21 of those charged so far had ties to militant groups and militias, according to court documents and other records. At least 22 said they were current or former members of the military.
Public Safety:
Does Fresno jail lead nation in COVID cases? Sheriff challenges New York Times on data
Fresno Bee
A report in the New York Times that named Fresno County as the nation’s leader in jail coronavirus cases has prompted Fresno County Sheriff’s officials to fire back, pointing out the great majority of the nation’s correctional facilities are missing from the data.
California issues largest COVID-19 penalty to San Quentin State Prison after deadly outbreak
Fresno Bee
The prison faces a $421,880 fine stemming from a June inspection by regulators from Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA.
Hanford OKs Park Resource Officer pilot program
Hanford Sentinel
In an effort to increase safety at parks throughout the city, the city of Hanford decided to move forward on a first-of-its-kind program.
Fire:
California Looking To Spend Millions On More Fire Crews
KABC
California is in desperate need of more firefighters. After reliance on firefighting inmates fell through due to the ongoing pandemic, the state is looking for more long-term stability.
Some PG&E fire survivors in a race against time to get paid
San Francisco Chronicle
So about a year after the fire, Ames joined tens of thousands of other Northern California wildfire survivors in seeking compensation from PG&E Corp. through the company’s bankruptcy case.
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...Business owners can apply now at CAReliefGrant.com. Lendistry is overseeing the process.
Modesto To Impose 15% Cap On Food Delivery Charges
Capital Public Radio
The Modesto City Council has enacted a measure that imposes a 15% cap on the amount food delivery services can charge customers and or restaurants during the pandemic. Because it's an urgency ordinance the cap goes into effect immediately.
Fresno barbershop owner says businesses like his need protection from COVID lawsuits
Fresno Bee
After settling in California and saving my resources for years, I opened up my dream business. I wanted to create a space for families and adults to network and socialize, something more than just a barbershop or a tap house, a home.
Commentary: It’s time to reform AB 5 to help California’s business climate
CalMatters
As California inches toward progress on COVID-19 vaccinations, we must face overlapping challenges of an unprecedented health crisis and an economic crisis. At the top of the list of issues we must deal with: California’s business climate; it is one of the worst in the country.
Jobs:
California prison employees file lawsuit demanding hazard pay during COVID pandemic
Fresno Bee
Correctional officers at a California federal prison are suing the federal government in a bid to force their employer to pay them hazard pay for working during the pandemic.
How EDD and Bank of America make millions on California unemployment
CalMatters
State records obtained by CalMatters show that the employment agency made $22.5 million on unemployment debit card fees as the pandemic ravaged the job market, but it failed to track how much Bank of America earned off a debit card contract during the spike in benefits.
See also:
● New EDD director vows changes after audits reveal disastrous mishaps abc30
● California lawmakers propose slate of reforms for state’s troubled unemployment agency Los Angeles Times
● Reports of unemployment fraud increase as states mail out tax forms The Hill
U.S. unemployment claims fall to 779,000, but job cuts grind on
Los Angeles Times
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 COVID-19 pandemic.
See also:
● The economy gained just 49,000 jobs in January, as recover sputters amid pressure from virus Washington Post
● U.S. Employers Added 49,000 Jobs in January Wall Street Journal
● Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims U.S. Department of Labor
● CBO projects rapid declines in unemployment — without another $1.9 trillion in stimulus AEI
The critical role of workforce training in the labor market recovery
Brookings
The challenge of long-term unemployment for some workers, coupled with the high likelihood that some industries will see weaker labor demand for some time, requires a workforce development strategy that supports workers who will need to switch industries and occupations.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Comcast boosts internet speed for low-income Fresno homes. But will it help students?
Fresno Bee
Fresno families that rely on a special Comcast program for low-cost internet received some good news this week when the company said it would double broadband speeds.
See also:
● Comcast pledges unlimited internet data on low-income plan, a win for U.S. students Fresno Bee
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. Board members were discussing a project that would replace a fence around Bullard High School to increase student safety and security.
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
● Not everyone is happy that Fresno County schools can reopen more classrooms next week Fresno Bee
● CUSD Students K-6 Allowed to Return to Classrooms Clovis Roundup
VUSD keeps quarantining certain schools
Visalia Times Delta
Visalia Unified School District confirmed on Thursday it quarantined a classroom at another of its elementary schools.
Stanislaus County school district to bring struggling 7th-12th graders back to campus
Modesto Bee
Starting Feb. 16, Ceres Unified School District will bring back to campuses small cohorts of those seventh- through 12th-grade students struggling most with distance learning.
Modesto students were failing under home study. How in-person learning hubs brought them back
Modesto Bee
The hubs provide these at-risk kids with a structured classroom setting in a stable cohort of no more than 14 students and two supervising paraprofessionals.
Fewer Children Are Attending School, Remotely and In Person
Wall Street Journal
More children have been absent from school this academic year than a year earlier, with attendance declining as the pandemic wears on, new research and data show.
Editorials/Opinions:
· Covid-19 Testing in Schools Bolsters Safety but Is Hard to Set Up, Studies Find Wall Street Journal
· Editorial: Start reopening California schools. Now Los Angeles Times
· Opinion: Gov. Newsom’s unlikely foe: teacher unions CalMatters
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. Gavin Newsom.
Higher Ed:
Biden officials considering executive action on student loan relief
abc30
The Biden administration is reviewing whether it can take steps to provide student debt relief through executive action, even as it continues to call on Congress to pass legislation to help borrowers and their families.
See also:
● Cancel $50,000 in student loan debt? Democrats urge Biden to do that in new resolution Sacramento Bee
● Biden officials considering action on student debt relief Los Angeles Times
● Biden Administration Weighs Forgiving Student Debt by Executive Action Wall Street Journal
How a new $250,000 grant and program will boost entrepreneurship at CSU Stanislaus
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus State University has received a $250,000 grant to establish a mentorship program for emerging entrepreneurs that will launch in fall 2021.
Helping Community Colleges Build on Progress during the Pandemic
Public Policy Institute of California
Ongoing disruptions to California’s colleges and universities have raised concerns about whether the pandemic has made students less likely to enroll and stay in college.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
In California, a Warming Climate Will Help a Voracious Pest—and Hurt the State’s Almonds, Walnuts and Pistachios (Focus on the Valley)
Inside Climate News
The navel orangeworm costs the state’s nut growers millions of dollars each year. And warmer growing seasons will give the insects time to do even more damage.
Environmental turnaround - 8 issues that will pivot in California's favor under Biden
San Francisco Chronicle
As wildfires, heat waves, water scarcity and threats to wildlife intensify in the West, California’s effort to confront these environmental crises now has support in Washington, a stark change from the past four years.
Got Climate Anxiety? These People Are Doing Something About It
New York Times
Over the past five years, according to researchers at Yale University and George Mason University, the number of Americans who are “very worried” about climate change has more than doubled, to 26 percent.
Energy:
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:
Fresno County cases, hospitalizations fall back in line with state trends
Fresno Bee
One day after the number of COVID-19 patients in Fresno County intensive care units shot up, it dropped again on Wednesday to its lowest in almost two months.
See also:
● Fresno County deaths on the rise again, as officials seek more vaccine Fresno Bee
● COVID-19 update: 13 more deaths in Tulare County Porterville Recorder
● Kern County Public Health reports 9 new coronavirus deaths, 439 new cases Thursday Bakersfield Californian
● US virus deaths surpass 450K; daily toll is stubbornly high Bakersfield Californian
● Stanislaus hospital cases rise for first time in 10 days Modesto Bee
● California Coronavirus Map and Case Count New York Times
● New U.S. Cases Edge Down but Deaths Spike on Backlog Wall Street Journal
Experimental COVID drug President Trump took is in Fresno. Why don’t more doctors use it?
Fresno Bee
Fresno County health officials are encouraging local doctors to use a pair of drugs with emergency approval from federal regulators as a treatment to keep high-risk coronavirus patients from having to be hospitalized for more serious care.
In race to vaccinate, could California see another surge?
CalMatters
During some of the darkest days in the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom offered some optimism: the winter surge of COVID-19 would be it. Liquid gold — the first batch of vaccines — was just days away.
CDC finds heightened COVID-19 risk for LGBTQ, calls for more data gathering
Fresno Bee
Gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans are more prone to have underlying health conditions that could put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study on Thursday.
COVID deaths rise by 13: Officials urge public to stay home for Super Bowl
Porterville Recorder
According to the daily report published by the Tulare County Health and Human on Wednesday, the number of overall cases in the county increased by 143 cases since Tuesday. Since March 11 there have been 45,541 total COVID-19 cases in Tulare County.
See also:
● Superspreader Sunday? Experts worry Super Bowl could trigger coronavirus explosion. Washington Post
Months after contracting COVID-19, some will try anything to regain their sense of smell
Los Angeles Times
People dealing with smell dysfunction have scheduled medical appointments, joined support groups and spent months using smell kits to retrain their noses. Universities have launched studies on recovering smell after COVID-19, starting treatment trials using nasal rinses and essential oils.
Double Face Masks? N95? Protect Yourself Against New Covid-19 Variants With These Mask Upgrades
Wall Street Journal
As new, more-contagious coronavirus variants circulate, doctors say it’s important to improve the effectiveness of your mask practices—such as by “double masking” to wear two at once.
Opinion: Americans deserve a healthy dose of bipartisanship
Roll Call
Americans want their elected officials to come together and tackle the issues that matter most to them. No issue offers more opportunities for collaboration than drug pricing.
Human Services:
Fresno healthcare facility now providing COVID-19 vaccinations to residents 65 and older
Fresno Bee
WelbeHealth in Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno County Department of Public Health, began giving COVID-19 vaccinations to qualifying residents ages 65 and older for free.
See also:
● 'Just Cruel': Digital Race For COVID-19 Vaccines Leaves Many Seniors Behind VPR
● Jockeying over who gets COVID vaccine next: Teachers? Workers? The disabled? The sick? Los Angeles Times
● COVID advisory panel rejects higher vaccine priority for disabled Californians and those with chronic conditions CalMatters
● Covid-19 Vaccine Shortage Sparks Fights Over Who Should Get First Shots Wall Street Journal
● Covid-19 Vaccine and Seniors: What It Is Like for Older Adults Getting Their Shots Wall Street Journal
Editorial: Gov. Newsom, you promised not to forget Fresno. So give us more COVID vaccines
Fresno Bee
Fresno County got a difficult diagnosis this week related to overcoming the COVID pandemic. State officials have notified Fresno County public health leaders that in coming weeks, the county can expect no more than 8,000 doses per week of the vaccinations needed to safeguard residents from COVID infections.
See also:
● Fresno to President Biden and Kamala Harris: We need more COVID vaccine doses, help us Fresno Bee
Amid Rocky Vaccination Rollout, California Set To Receive 1 Million Additional Doses
Capital Public Radio
California will receive an additional 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from the federal government this week as the state's rocky rollout to inoculate millions continues to draw criticism from residents and officials.
See also:
● Sutter Health patients in Stanislaus County given wider access to COVID-19 vaccine Modesto Bee
Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
Los Angeles Times
Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. drug regulators to clear its experimental COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, setting up what is likely to be a fast-moving review process that could lead to millions more doses becoming available to step up a stumbling immunization drive.
See also:
● Johnson & Johnson seeks emergency FDA authorization for single-shot coronavirus vaccine Washington Post
● Johnson & Johnson Asks U.S. Regulators for Emergency Approval of Its Covid-19 Vaccine Wall Street Journal
FDA Plans Speedy Review of Possible Covid-19 Boosters
Wall Street Journal
The Food and Drug Administration plans to develop speedy means of evaluating possible booster shots for Covid-19 vaccines to ensure that they will work against new variants, the agency’s acting commissioner said Thursday.
IMMIGRATION
Border Patrol Releases More Migrants Into U.S. After Mexico Stops Taking Some Back
Wall Street Journal
U.S. Border Patrol agents are increasingly releasing asylum-seeking families into the U.S. after Mexican authorities began refusing to take some families back in January, U.S. officials said.
Editorial: Rebuilding the refugee resettlement system after Trump poses a challenge for Biden
Los Angeles Times
Until immigration hard-liners began running amok in the White House four years ago. the United States stood as the global leader in accepting refugees for permanent resettlement — more than 3.4 million people since the end of the Vietnam War.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Chico Flat restoration project takes shape
Porterville Recorder
Many visitors to the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest cherish the dispersed recreation areas along the Upper Kern River as havens for free, self-contained riverside camping that, owing to their lower elevation and ease of access from Mountain 99, are generally available for use year-round.
Yosemite National Park Reopens After Devastating Wind Storm Topples Sequoias
New York Times
Yosemite National Park finally reopened on Monday, nearly two weeks after it closed in the wake of what conservationists said was the most devastating storm there in more than 20 years.
Housing:
Hodels weigh possibilities including affordable housing at banquet-hall lot listed for sale
Bakersfield Californian
When members of the Hodel family say they're "going fishing" by putting up a for-sale sign on the northern 2.99 acres of their Knudsen Drive campus, they mean just that.
This year’s homeless count was canceled. Is it time to rethink it?
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles County’s annual homeless count is a civic ritual bringing thousands of volunteers together in a common cause. It is also a reckoning with the shortcomings of all that’s been done to salve the county’s most perplexing human crisis.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Biden Plan To Expand Child Tax Credit Could Help Lift Millions Of Kids Out Of Poverty
NPR
A big part of President Biden's coronavirus relief package is focused on children. The president says he wants to expand the federal child tax credit, which gives families money for each child they have — or at least reduces their taxes.
Westly: COVID-19 pandemic provides a great opportunity for California to reform tax system
Sacramento Bee
California leads the world in innovation and unicorn companies but, unfortunately, we also lead the country in roller-coaster swings in our state budget. A soaring stock market and recent IPOs like Airbnb’s $100 billion offering last quarter have turned an expected $54 billion gap in the state’s budget into a $15 billion tax surplus.
TRANSPORTATION
Saving transit in California is key to an equitable recovery
CalMatters
California transit agencies need immediate assistance from the federal and state government to overcome today’s challenges from COVID-19.
Editorial: Automakers supported Trump’s clean-car rollback. Biden shouldn’t bend to their wishes now
Los Angeles Times
After siding with President Trump’s reckless attempt to roll back clean-car standards and stalling the fight against climate change, a group of auto companies announced Tuesday that “in a gesture of goodwill” they would withdraw from a lawsuit challenging California’s authority to cut vehicle emissions.
WATER
California Needs More Storms, Groundwater To Avoid Prolonged Drought, Experts Say
Capital Public Radio
Northern California was walloped at the end of January by the winter’s first big storm, which poured heavy rain and loads of snow across the region. That was great for the snowpack in the Sierra, which supplies around a third of California’s water needs.
“Xtra”
Fresno County Blossom Trail opens virtually
Hanford Sentinel
With a few adjustments for COVID-19 and stormy weather making way for sunshine in the forecast later in the week, trail visitors may see orchards start to bloom in the next couple of weeks. These first blossoms signal the beginning of Fresno County’s Blossom Trail season.
Parks and Leisure offering activities for whole family
Porterville Recorder
The Porterville Parks and Leisure Department is ready to host two activity nights for the whole family. Both activities are virtual, allowing participants of all ages to join in on the fun.
Bethany Clough: Northwest Fresno lost its pizza place. Now this new pizza restaurant is coming soon
Fresno Bee
When locally owned DaVinci’s Pizza closed its restaurant at the northwest corner of Herndon and Marks avenues, the neighborhood was sad to see it go. People mourned the closure on a Facebook page dedicated to the neighborhood.