Maddy Institute – February 10, 2021

10Feb

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

COVID Update:

● Stanislaus has 7 more deaths, little change at hospitals Modesto Bee

Merced County supervisors say state COVID plan neglects San Joaquin Valley counties

Merced Sun-Star

The Merced County Board of Supervisor’s update on Tuesday about the status of the COVID-19 included a discussion on the topic of equity — and whether the county is getting its fair share of vaccines from the state.

Stanislaus is not getting its share of COVID vaccine. ‘The unfairness has to change’

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County officials said Tuesday the county is dealing with the reality of not getting a proportional allocation of coronavirus vaccines for residents and essential workers.

Back to campus in March: Stanislaus County middle, high schools set target for reopening

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County health and education officials said Tuesday that they anticipate junior highs and high schools being able to reopen around mid-March in the same hybrid fashion occurring in elementary schools.

Central SJ Valley:

New case numbers improve, but Fresno County still in purple tier

Fresno Bee

Fresno County is receiving more doses of COVID-19 vaccines than anticipated this week, though public health officials are not sure why there was an increase, or whether it will continue next week.

● New infections continue to fall in Tulare County Visalia Times Delta

● County seeing progress in COVID cases Turlock Journal

Mass COVID-19 vaccination site to be established in Central California, Newsom says

abc30

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new mass COVID-19 vaccination site would soon be established in Central California.

● Gavin Newsom expected to announce mass COVID vaccination site today in Fresno Fresno Bee

● Fresno County gets massive boost in coronavirus vaccine doses; mobilizing clinics Fresno Bee

● Newsom to add mass vaccination site to Valley Business Journal

● CVS delays COVID-19 vaccine rollout at pharmacies until February 12 abc30

● County trying to achieve 'balance' in administering vaccines Porterville Recorder

California uses ZIP codes, outreach to boost vaccine equity

Business Journal

The experience wasn’t ideal, but targeting vulnerable ZIP codes is one way San Francisco and other U.S. cities and counties are trying to ensure they vaccinate people in largely Black, Latino and working-class communities that have borne the brunt of the pandemic.

● The frantic race to curb racial inequities in L.A. vaccine distribution Los Angeles Times

● Areas hardest hit by COVID-19 slow to get vaccine: ‘We have a lot of work to do to fix this’ Los Angeles Times

● Racial Disparities in Concerns about Getting COVID—and a Vaccine Public Policy Institute of California

VUSD has 'no explanation' as COVID-19 shutters more classrooms

Visalia Times Delta

VUSD quarantined the first two sites before, but communications coordinator Kim Batty wouldn't confirm if in-school transmission had occurred leaving some parents to assume the virus was being spread within schools.

Fresno’s Tower Theatre has another bidder. Here’s who’s looking to buy area icon

Fresno Bee

Owners of a longtime Fresno catering company have put in a bid to buy the historic Tower Theatre days after its potential sale to a church drew controversy. The 81-year-old theater and surrounding spaces gained a bid Friday from the owners of The Painted Table, according to co-owner Jeromie Garza-Hansen.

● Sarah Silverman tweets about Tower Theatre controversy abc30

This program has reduced homelessness in other cities. Will Fresno try it?

Fresno Bee

Ginger Smithfield and her four kids have one more day until they’re homeless. The sheriff is scheduled to lock them out of their northwest Fresno apartment first thing in the morning.

Fresno-area utility providers face financial crisis. Can they keep the water running?

Fresno Bee

Unpaid water bills are piling up during the pandemic, as small water providers in the central San Joaquin Valley teeter toward a financial crisis that could affect drinking water quality and affordability.

City of Clovis Approves Memorandum for CHSU Expansion

Clovis Roundup

During Monday night’s council meeting the City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Clovis and the California Health Science University (CHSU).

$19M Landmark Square to break ground in Clovis

Business Journal

Landmark Square is the future location of a new senior activity center, transit center and public library — all being built on a six-acre lot near the center of Old Town Clovis at Veterans Avenue and 3rd Street.

Another Democrat wants to unseat Devin Nunes, and is using Twitter to do it

Fresno Bee

A second Democrat is announcing a challenge to Rep. Devin Nunes in 2022 and he’s using a tactic favored by Nunes’ recent opponents: Build up a lot of Twitter supporters and raise big money opposing the Republican congressman.

Group asks Congress to investigate how Devin Nunes is paying for his lawsuits

Fresno Bee

A nonpartisan watchdog group filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Devin Nunes Wednesday, calling for a congressional investigation into how the California Republican is paying for his lawsuits against media companies and critics.

South SJ Valley:

Kern County Public Health reports 1 new coronavirus death, 665 new cases Tuesday

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health Services reported one new coronavirus death and 665 new cases Tuesday morning. That brings Kern's deaths to 660 since the pandemic began. There have been 98,187 cases during that time.

Bakersfield Californian

The letter came out of conversations in the group Big City Mayors (BCM), a coalition of 13 mayors in California, according to Goh. Because of the pandemic, much of the mayors' focus has been on safely reopening schools and the economy...

● Kern supervisors approve mobile vaccination clinic for rural parts of county Bakersfield Californian

Kern supervisors put budget reduction plan on hold, for now

Bakersfield Californian

With budget estimates trending above projections, the Kern County Board of Supervisors simply filed away a tentative plan to address potential financial shortfalls during a meeting on Tuesday.

Wasco Mayor tells high-speed rail board that Wasco still needs help on housing project

Bakersfield Californian

Wasco's mayor on Tuesday pressed directors of the California High-Speed Rail Authority to address worsening problems at a former farmworker housing complex vacated two years ago as part of local preparations for local construction of the train project.

Bioenergy interest heats up in Kern County

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County business developers have seen a surge of interest lately from companies looking to build waste-to-energy projects that could create hundreds if not thousands of new local jobs in producing fuels that cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

Amid GOP Civil War, Adam Kinzinger Calls Out Kevin McCarthy 'Feeding Fear' With Trump Alignment

Newsweek

As tensions continue to simmer within the Republican Party, GOP Representative Adam Kinzinger called out House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's strategy of keeping the party aligned with former President Donald Trump.

State:

California school reopening deal could come this week, Gavin Newsom says

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature are getting close to a deal on reopening elementary schools and hope to announce a final plan this week, the governor said Tuesday morning. Newsom said he met with lawmakers Monday night and that negotiations are progressing.

● Will new school plan get kids back on campus? CalMatters

Biden ‘clearly opposes any effort to recall’ Gavin Newsom, White House says

Fresno Bee

President Joe Biden opposes a movement in California to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday.

Fact check: Did Trump’s White House fail to prepare California for massive unemployment fraud?

Sacramento Bee

About $11 billion in fraudulent California unemployment claims have been paid so far, and the state’s Employment Development Department estimates that another $19 billion in claims are suspicious. The Newsom administration is under fire for its handling of the fraud, with multiple legislative hearings and audits underway.

Julie Su, who oversees California’s troubled unemployment system, to join Biden administration

Sacramento Bee

Julie Su, who oversees the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and its embattled unemployment system, was nominated Wednesday by President Joe Biden as the deputy secretary of the U.S. Labor Department.

GOP names 4 California Democrats among its top targets for 2022. Can it repeat gains?

Sacramento Bee

Fresh off an election in which the GOP flipped four California congressional districts, the national fundraising arm of House Republicans on Wednesday announced that it wants to compete for four more seats held by Golden State Democrats.

Federal:

COVID Update:

● Newly Reported U.S. Cases Stay Below 100,000 Wall Street Journal

● Brutal Covid-19 Surge in the U.S. Weakens Significantly Wall Street Journal

Biden Administration Plans Covid-19 Safety Campaign Focused on Social Distancing, Mask Wearing

Wall Street Journal

The Biden administration plans to ramp up a public safety campaign focused on social distancing and mask wearing to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the coming weeks as states begin relaxing public-health measures, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Stimulus checks would be capped at $100,000 income under Democrat plan. What we know

Fresno Bee

House Democrats unveiled a proposal Monday that would cap direct payments for individuals making up to $100,000 a year and couples making up to $200,000.

· House Democrats' stimulus check plan would exclude families earning more than $200k abc30

· Schumer Says Senate Democrats Working to Raise Minimum Wage Wall Street Journal

Immigrant detention centers could face new California rules under Democrat’s bill

Fresno Bee

As California prisons and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers struggle to stem the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities, a state lawmaker is introducing a bill that seeks to create safer conditions for prisoners and immigrant detainees.

· Biden and Mexico to Cooperate on Migration Despite Tension Wall Street Journal

· House Republicans warn Biden of escalating migration crisis amid surge in border numbers FoxNews

· Dems split as progressives rage over immigration vote Politico

Joe Biden wants 100% clean energy. Will California show that it’s possible?

Los Angeles Times

The undersea power line would run south from San Luis Obispo County, hugging the California coast for 200 miles before making landfall in or near Los Angeles. It would be able to carry electricity from a fleet of offshore wind turbines, providing Southern California with clean power after sundown and helping to replace fossil-fueled generators.

Biden treads carefully around Trump’s combative trade policy

Business Journal

Biden and his team are tiptoeing, though, around one of Donald Trump’s signature legacies: His go-it-alone moves to start a trade war with China and bludgeon some of America’s closest allies with tariffs on their steel, aluminum and other goods.

How the Biden Administration Can Expand Rural Broadband

New Yorker

In the past twenty years, population density has favored the building of Internet infrastructure in urban areas, but there has been little economic incentive to do so in many rural parts of the country.

Trump's 2nd impeachment trial opens with jarring video of Capitol siege; Senate agrees to proceed

abc30

Donald Trump's historic second impeachment trial opened Tuesday with graphic video showing the former president whipping up a rally crowd to march to the Capitol and "fight like hell" against his reelection defeat, followed by images of the deadly attack on Congress that came soon after.

● 'I Said The Opposite': Criticism Of Trump's Impeachment Defense Intensifies VPR

● Senate votes that Trump impeachment trial is constitutional Los Angeles Times

● Impeachment trial starts on emotional note as Trump legal team flails Roll Call

● 4 takeaways from Day One of Trump’s second impeachment trial Washington Post

● Trump Impeachment Trial: Five Takeaways From the First Day Wall Street Journal

● On Day Two of Trump Impeachment Trial, Democrats Lay Out Their Case Wall Street Journal

● Fact-checking Day 1 of Trump’s second impeachment trial: To try or not to try Politifact

● Opinion: Senate Republicans are as much on trial as Trump Los Angeles Times

● Editorial: Editorial: Impeachment is the last chance for the GOP to divorce itself from Trump’s thuggery Los Angeles Times

GOP Image Slides Giving Democrats Strong Advantage

Gallup

Americans' opinions of the Republican Party have worsened in recent months, with 37% now saying they have a favorable view of the party, down from 43% in November.

Other:

Opinion: Anger has been the drug of choice for our political system for too long

Roll Call

As the Senate takes up another Trump impeachment, anger has become the drug of choice in today’s overheated political environment.

Opinion: What George Shultz Taught Us About Making Policy

Wall Street Journal

To the world, George P. Shultz was one of the 20th century’s most consequential people—a giant of economics and diplomacy. The man we knew had a unique ability to translate ideas into policies. Call it “the Shultz way.”

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

World Ag Expo set to kick off first-ever online show

abc30

There's no need to throw on your cowboy boots for this year's farm show. In fact, you can kick your feet up and attend the virtual event from the comfort of your own couch.

● Tulare World Ag Expo Kicks Off First Virtual Show And Free Attendance In Pandemic VPR

Low-Dust Nut Harvest Replacement Program

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

The harvesting of almonds and walnuts includes three processes: shaking, sweeping (and drying), and picking up the nuts in a harvester that separates the almonds from dirt and debris-sometimes creating a large dust plume. The District has been working closely with representatives from the agricultural community to evaluate new harvesting equipment and practices that can effectively reduce dust from harvest activities.

County looks to fill Ag Advisory Committee vacancies

Porterville Recorder

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors is seeking to fill two vacant positions on the Agricultural Advisory Committee, representing the following seats

Trade Deals Key to Lifting Demand for Agricultural Products, Farmers Say

Wall Street Journal

U.S. farmers said new trade deals are critical to help boost agricultural producers after the disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration’s trade battles.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

California Commission Recommends Ending Mandatory Minimum Sentences

KQED

A newly formed state commission is recommending that California end mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes and allow judges to reconsider all criminal sentences after someone has spent 15 years in prison.

Public Safety:

Half of California prison employees are reluctant to get COVID vaccine, officials say

Merced Sun-Star

Many California prison staff members have been reluctant to get their COVID-19 vaccination, according to testimony from a senior California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation official at a legislative hearing this week.

California bill would limit police from buying military-style gear

San Francisco Chronicle

But it would prevent agencies from buying certain types of equipment, including armored vehicles, drones and explosives, without approval from city councils, county boards of supervisors and other governing bodies.

Walters: Prison officials goofed and people died

CalMatters

A big mistake by California prison officials spread COVID-19 and resulted in dozens of deaths, both inmates and one staff member.

Fire:

Is your home in a wildfire zone? California to develop new rules on home ‘hardening’

Sacramento Bee

Amid a continuing insurance crisis in California’s wildfire country, multiple state agencies will work together to create a unified standard for “home hardening” — the business of making buildings and communities more resistant to fires.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Fed’s aid program for midsize businesses spent only 3% of its total

Los Angeles Times

The Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program, which was designed to provide emergency support to midsize U.S. companies during the pandemic, lent a total of $17.5 billion — just 3% of its potential capacity — according to data released Tuesday by the central bank.

How States Can Direct Economic Development to Places and People in Need

PEW

To address local disparities and help struggling areas thrive, governments at all levels have spent hundreds of billions of dollars over the past 40 years on a range of geographically targeted, or “place-based,” economic development programs...

Opinion: On economic stimulus, how big is big?

AEI

Congress should recognize the many risks both from spending too much and from spending too little. From this macroeconomic perspective, the President’s $1.9 trillion proposal is clearly too large.

Jobs:

Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino holding job fair this month

abc30

Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in Coarsegold will hold a job fair at the end of the month to search for new workers. The casino is looking to fill 50 full-time and part-time positions, including guest room attendants, night cleaners, stewards and cashiers, among others.

Thousands of Californians face more delays in getting unemployment benefits

abc30

Those in need of financial assistance must now hold on longer, before receiving benefits from the Employment Development Department, California's unemployment agency. EDD officials say this latest delay is a result of 'programming infrastructure' issues.

Low-Paid Californians Take Another Blow as State Begins to Lose Jobs… Again

California Budget and Policy Center

California ended 2020 with 1.5 million fewer jobs than the state had a year ago this month. This means many California children, families, and individuals don’t have the resources they need to buy food, pay rent, and other basic needs.

Ogletree Deakins

Over 2,500 COVID-19–related employment lawsuits were filed in the United States in 2020. Ogletree Deakins’ Interactive COVID-19 Litigation Tracker highlights the industries impacted, locations, and types of claims in these matters.

Inclusion must be front and center in President Biden’s focus on clean energy jobs

Brookings

Overall, that the coming clean energy transition represents a major opportunity for accessible, inclusive employment—if more is done to bolster the clean energy workforce pipeline and ensure it becomes much more accessible to underrepresented populations.

EDUCATION

K-12:

VUSD has 'no explanation' as COVID-19 shutters more classrooms

Visalia Times Delta

COVID-19 update: Schools still reviewing re-opening plans

Porterville Recorder

Even though Tulare County is closing in on the metric that would allow schools to re-open on an expanded basis, don't look for the city's two largest districts to re-open to more students right away.

Back to campus in March: Stanislaus County middle, high schools set target for reopening

Modesto Bee

California school reopening deal could come this week, Gavin Newsom says

Fresno Bee

● Will new school plan get kids back on campus? CalMatters

● Parents organizing in California to demand school campuses reopen. Will leaders listen? Sacramento Bee

Teacher vaccines in California determined by location, luck

CalMatters

Vaccinating teachers has become a central sticking point in talks between districts and unions for returning students in person. Limited vaccine supply and a rapidly approaching end of the school year could threaten some reopening plans.

Gov. Newsom calls for closing big ‘loophole’ in school funding for high-needs students

EdSource

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed his solution to a long-running, contentious dispute over the Local Control Funding Formula, the equity-based formula for distributing the bulk of money that school districts get from the state.

Low kindergarten attendance creates first grade problem

CalMatters

Missing kindergarten has always led to learning gaps. The pandemic has exacerbated the problem by creating a larger than normal cohort of kids that will need extra attention next school year.

Higher Ed:

Event: A Conversation with California State University Chancellor Joseph I. Castro

Public Policy Institute of California

Recently appointed CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro will join PPIC President and CEO Mark Baldassare for a wide-ranging conversation about short- and long-term priorities for higher education in California.

Colleges Vowed a Safer Spring. Then Students, and Variants, Arrived.

New York Times

Many universities instituted new testing protocols, hoping to avoid the problems of the fall. But coronavirus variants and uncooperative students have already driven outbreaks.

Opinion: Creating pathways to postsecondary education will help ensure success

CalMatters

Here’s why investing in programs to promote postsecondary education is necessary to meet California’s future workforce needs.

Opinion: Another argument in favor of student debt forgiveness

CalMatters

Student loan forgiveness will give California more teachers and give our struggling children smaller class sizes.

Opinion: The Great Student Loan Scam

Wall Street Journal

The Biden Presidency is quickly turning into Barack Obama’s third term, only more liberal. Consider the Democrats calling on President Biden to use the pandemic to cancel $50,000 in student debt per borrower.

Apprenticeships:

Jill Biden calls for free access to community college for COVID-19 economic recovery

abc30

Jill Biden is pushing free access to community college and training programs, saying the schools will be an important part of Biden administration efforts to rebuild the economy.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

As oceans rise, Democrats put all hands on deck for climate change

Sacramento Bee

As the 117th Congress enters its second month and the Biden administration fills out its Cabinet, Democrats in the executive and legislative branches of the federal government are in agreement that climate change deserves swift attention and in alignment that legislation to support the transition from fossil to clean energy is a good place to begin.

Inclusion must be front and center in President Biden’s focus on clean energy jobs

Brookings

On environment, Shultz diverged from current GOP

Roll Call

The GOP stalwart endorsed a carbon tax to reflect the cost of carbon emissions to the health of the planet. His message has been ignored by party leaders.

Opinion: EVs Are the Lowest Climate Priority

Wall Street Journal

The Joe Biden administration will be piling a lot of chips on electric cars, the most popular and least useful way of fighting climate change. How much do the cars you and I drive actually contribute to emissions?

Energy:

Bioenergy interest heats up in Kern County

Bakersfield Californian

Joe Biden wants 100% clean energy. Will California show that it’s possible?

Los Angeles Times

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Kern County Public Health reports 1 new coronavirus death, 665 new cases Tuesday

Bakersfield Californian

See also:

● New infections continue to fall in Tulare County Visalia Times Delta

● County seeing progress in COVID cases Turlock Journal

● Stanislaus has 7 more deaths, little change at hospitals Modesto Bee

● Newly Reported U.S. Cases Stay Below 100,000 Wall Street Journal

● Brutal Covid-19 Surge in the U.S. Weakens Significantly Wall Street Journal

Which California counties could achieve COVID herd immunity first? Survey offers clues

Sacramento Bee

A strong majority of residents in California and in the Sacramento region now want to take the COVID-19 vaccine, probably just enough to achieve herd immunity if all of them follow through and get the shots, a survey shows.

The coronavirus is airborne. Here’s how to know if you’re breathing other people’s breath.

Washington Post

An increasingly powerful body of evidence suggests the coronavirus is airborne, capable of traveling distances well beyond six feet in tiny aerosols released when infected people talk, shout, sing or just breathe.

Federal health officials emphasize proper mask fit to protect against coronavirus variants, urging double masks in some cases

Washington Post

Federal health officials on Wednesday urged Americans to consider wearing two masks as one of several strategies to better protect themselves against the threat of more contagious variants of the coronavirus.

‘It’s very opportunistic’: Study shows why work, large families put Latinos at risk of virus

Fresno Bee

A new study shows that Latinos working in essential sectors and living in larger households during the coronavirus pandemic may contribute to why they continue to face higher rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths.

People with dementia more likely to catch and die from COVID, study finds. Why?

Fresno Bee

An analysis of more than 61.9 million patient records in the U.S. found that people with dementia are more than three times as likely to get infected with the coronavirus than individuals without dementia.

Coronavirus Variants and Mutations

New York Times

Each coronavirus contains nearly 30,000 letters of RNA. This genetic information allows the virus to infect cells and hijack them to make new viruses.

AP-NORC poll: A third of US adults skeptical of COVID shots

AP News

About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the U.S. hopes to achieve herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak.

WHO: 'Very Unlikely' Coronavirus Leaked From Lab, More Study Needed To Trace Source

VPR

The novel coronavirus outbreak almost certainly did not start in a Chinese lab but its path from animals to humans needs further investigation, a World Health Organization team said Tuesday after wrapping up a visit to China.

Human Services:

Mass COVID-19 vaccination site to be established in Central California, Newsom says

abc30

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new mass COVID-19 vaccination site would soon be established in Central California.

● Fresno County gets massive boost in coronavirus vaccine doses; mobilizing clinics Fresno Bee

● Newsom to add mass vaccination site to Valley Business Journal

● County trying to achieve 'balance' in administering vaccines Porterville Recorder

● County unveils drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site at fairgrounds, awaits more doses before its launch Bakersfield Californian

● Kern supervisors approve mobile vaccination clinic for rural parts of county Bakersfield Californian

● Vaccination clinic begins at Merced College. Active COVID cases fall, but concerns remain Merced Sun-Star

CVS delays COVID-19 vaccine rollout at pharmacies until February 12

abc30

CVS has pushed back its start date for administering COVID-19 vaccines to Friday, February 12. The pharmacy was previously to start their vaccine rollout on Thursday, February 11, but officials said they wanted to ensure the stores had enough available doses.

California uses ZIP codes, outreach to boost vaccine equity

Business Journal

● The frantic race to curb racial inequities in L.A. vaccine distribution Los Angeles Times

● Areas hardest hit by COVID-19 slow to get vaccine: ‘We have a lot of work to do to fix this’ Los Angeles Times

● Racial Disparities in Concerns about Getting COVID—and a Vaccine Public Policy Institute of California

Fresno County’s COVID beds will begin to go away. Here’s what leaders want to do

Fresno Bee

Fresno County officials said about half of the beds that have been available to house the homeless through the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to go offline next month, and officials say long-term funding remains unclear.

How Kaiser members can get COVID vaccine, and why some older patients may have to wait

Fresno Bee

Kaiser is now vaccinating its members 75 and older after starting with the health care workers and the long term care staffers and patients who made up the state’s Phase 1A category.

Families can soon apply for funds to cover COVID funeral costs, Democratic lawmakers say

Fresno Bee

Families that have lost loved ones to COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for funds to help cover funeral expenses, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced Monday during a news conference in New York.

In Hard-Hit Indian Country, Tribes Rapidly Roll Out Vaccines

PEW

Tribal nations have used familiar community gathering places to give out shots, and they’re drawing from years of experience bringing medical care to more remote areas.

Mandated vaccines threaten to divide long-term care industry

Roll Call

A vaccine mandate also raises ethical issues. Distrust in the government is widespread among low-income communities of color, which make up a disproportionate share of the long-term care workforce.

How a sluggish vaccination program could delay a return to normal and invite vaccine-resistant variants to emerge

Washington Post

Yet as the country faces a deadly pandemic made even bleaker by emerging and more infectious variants of the coronavirus, which causes the disease covid-19, epidemiologists and public health experts say the Biden administration must set its sights even higher.

Covid-19 Vaccine Efforts Get a Boost From Black Communities’ Pastors

Wall Street Journal

Advocates try to counter hesitancy of many Black adults who may avoid the shots over safety worries, mistrust of the medical field

IMMIGRATION

Immigrant detention centers could face new California rules under Democrat’s bill

Fresno Bee

H-1B visa: Outsourcers’ group welcomes Biden administration delay on lottery rule

Mercury News

An outsourcing-industry group has welcomed a Biden administration move to delay switching the controversial H-1B visa program from a lottery-based allocation to one based on wages.

Biden and Mexico to Cooperate on Migration Despite Tension

Wall Street Journal

Now, President Biden is preparing to undo much of Mr. Trump’s immigration legacy, while also facing differences with the Mexican populist over a range of other bilateral issues like security cooperation and climate change.

House Republicans warn Biden of escalating migration crisis amid surge in border numbers

FoxNews

More than 50 House Republicans on Tuesday warned President Biden of a brewing "crisis" of illegal migration at the southern border amid indications of a surge in numbers -- just as Biden has forged forward with a number of policies limiting border security and interior enforcement.

Dems split as progressives rage over immigration vote

Politico

It took fewer than three weeks of Washington control for Democrats to confront the vexing politics of immigration.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Fresno’s Tower Theatre has another bidder. Here’s who’s looking to buy area icon

Fresno Bee

● Sarah Silverman tweets about Tower Theatre controversy abc30

City of Clovis Approves Memorandum for CHSU Expansion

Clovis Roundup

During Monday night’s council meeting the City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Clovis and the California Health Science University (CHSU).

$19M Landmark Square to break ground in Clovis

Business Journal

Mayor tells high-speed rail board that Wasco still needs help on housing project

Bakersfield Californian

Housing:

This program has reduced homelessness in other cities. Will Fresno try it?

Fresno Bee

Ginger Smithfield and her four kids have one more day until they’re homeless. The sheriff is scheduled to lock them out of their northwest Fresno apartment first thing in the morning.

Rent is eating up a dangerous share of Californians' pay: This map shows how much

abc30

Ever hear of the financial advice that you should only spend one-third of your income on housing? For many Californians, that's just not possible. In more than two-thirds of California zip codes, the typical family now spends at least 30% of its income on rent.

Are we trapped in another housing bubble? A rapid rise in home prices has some experts worried

Visalia Times Delta

Home prices are rising coast to coast and are outstripping wages and rents. Some say it's another housing bubble. But it's nothing like the mid 2000s.

Covid-19 Mortgage Relief Ends Soon for Millions of Homeowners

Wall Street Journal

But the relief programs, largely designed to last a maximum of 12 months, are set to expire in the coming months, a serious challenge for borrowers who are still out of work or are earning less than they did pre-pandemic.

US Construction Spending up 1% in December Led by Housing

U.S. News

U.S. construction spending rose a moderate 1% in December as the number of new homes offset a sustained weakness in nonresidential construction.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Stimulus checks would be capped at $100,000 income under Democrat plan. What we know

Fresno Bee

House Democrats unveiled a proposal Monday that would cap direct payments for individuals making up to $100,000 a year and couples making up to $200,000.

What you need to know before tax season starts Friday

abc30

This week, the IRS will start to collect tax returns, but before you file, know there are a number of changes this year.

State and Local Governments Relied on Debt for Budgetary Help In 2020

PEW

State and local governments have sought a variety of ways to cope with the fiscal fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, including borrowing on the municipal bond market.

TRANSPORTATION

California high-speed rail asks Newsom to release $4.1 billion as cost continues to swell

Fresno Bee

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators to release about $4.1 billion in state bond funds to ensure that there is enough money to complete construction that’s now underway on the bullet-train route in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties.

● Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants fast trains. He'll have to succeed where Obama couldn't CNN

● Walters: Is a mini-bullet train worth the cost? CalMatters

Turlock Transit first in state to utilize air-cleaning tech for drivers

Turlock Journal

Turlock will soon become the first city in California to install air cleaning devices across its entire operational bus fleet, protecting its drivers from the risk of airborne transmission of the coronavirus through new, innovative technology.

A notable change is coming soon for riders of most buses in Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

The Modesto Area Express is merging with Stanislaus Regional Transit, bringing a single operator for most buses in the county. The new entity’s board will hold its first meeting Wednesday, Feb. 10.

WATER

Fresno-area utility providers face financial crisis. Can they keep the water running?

Fresno Bee

“Xtra”

City Council Unveils New Clovis Flag

Clovis RoundUp

Mayor Drew Bessinger unveiled the new City of Clovis flag during the City Council meeting on February 8. Clovis City Manager Luke Serpa presented the flag for everyone in the council chamber. He placed it next to the California flag by the speaker’s podium.