POLICY & POLITICS
Biden names Central Valley advocate to lead EPA in California, western U.S.
Fresno Bee
A longtime advocate for disadvantaged communities and the environment with roots in central CA has been tapped by the Biden administration to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9, covering the southwestern U.S. and Pacific islands.
State warns more Valley groundwater agencies that their plans don’t meet standards
Fresno Bee
Six groundwater subbasins covering nearly all of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley do not have adequate plans to address falling groundwater levels, according to letters sent Thursday by the Department of Water Resources to local groundwater agencies.
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Researchers say COVID-19 omicron variant levels ‘low’ in Merced wastewater samples Merced Sun Star
Lawsuit filed against Atwater officials over alleged power abuse by city manager, police
Merced Sun Star
A tenancy dispute last year involving Atwater’s city manager, the police chief and a former resident recently escalated with the filing of a lawsuit against the city and several employees.
‘Zero faith’: Patterson residents urge mayor to resign over harassment allegations
Modesto Bee
During the Patterson City Council meeting on Tuesday, several residents urged Mayor Dennis McCord to resign, arguing he should not hold political power because of allegations he acted inappropriately with high school students.
See also:
● Editorial: In trouble over bikini photo, Patterson mayor can resign — or step aside for now Modesto Bee
Merced Irrigation District in battle with state over water rights
abc30
Local water officials are urging residents to get involved in a battle with the state over water rights. The State Water Board had a lengthy meeting Wednesday and discussed how to proceed with implementing the Bay Delta Plan.
Contractor will revamp Modesto’s old train depot for ACE. Will housing follow nearby?
Modesto Bee
A local company won a $5.23 million contract to remodel Modesto’s old train station for future passenger service. The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to award the job to Simile Construction Service.
See also:
● ACE train could be running in Turlock by 2025 Turlock Journal
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● COVID-19 booster shots increase in Fresno. What’s that mean for new omicron variant? Fresno Bee
● Fresno County health officials pushing for testing to identify COVID variants abc3
● When the Surges Just Keep Coming: A View From the Covid Vortex California Healthline
Fresno County jail inmate with terminal cancer asks judge to let him die at home
Fresno Bee
A 21-year-old jail inmate with terminal cancer will be allowed to spend his remaining days at home, despite concerns from the judge and prosecutor about his violent past.
New Assistant City Manager Appointed
Clovis Roundup
Recently appointed City Manager John Holt and retiring City Manager Luke Serpa have announced the appointment of Andrew Haussler as the new Assistant City Manager, effective January 1, 2022.
“I probably cried every day.” Tulare County jails denying prenatal care, ACLU says
Fresno Bee
Alexandra Meza was pregnant, serving a one-year sentence for felony DUI in a Tulare County jail. She couldn’t stop bleeding. She said there wasn’t a doctor available at the jail to examine her, because a physician only went to the facility at certain times.
City to pursue library site; redistricting process begins
Porterville Recorder
The Porterville City Council gave its endorsement for the city to proceed with looking at developing the Olive Avenue/Heritage Center site as the site for the new library.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern County Board of Supervisors discuss COVID-19 projections among other agenda items Ridgecrest Independent
● Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinic Thursday KGET
● What are the current COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kern County? abc23
In Bakersfield, many push for bringing back the flow of the long-dry Kern River
Los Angeles Times
Decades ago, the Kern flowed all the way through Bakersfield. But so much water has been appropriated and diverted in canals to farmland that the river has vanished in the city, leaving miles of dry riverbed.
State:
COVID Update:
● California coronavirus cases rising, showing early signs of winter surge Los Angeles Times
Sen. Alex Padilla Emphasizes Billions in Broadband Funds for California
Broadband Breakfast
Sen. Alex Padilla, the U.S. senator from California appointed to fill the remainder of Vice President Kamala Harris’ term, on Tuesday celebrated a future in which all Californians are connected to broadband.
See Also:
● How States Are Using Pandemic Relief Funds to Boost Broadband Access PEW
Why does California have the highest jobless rate in the country?
CalMatters
California has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Several factors are contributing. But the state has a lot of job openings, and high quit rates suggest workers are optimistic they can find better positions.
Does California need stronger shoplifting laws?
San Diego Union Tribune
Proposition 47, a ballot measure approved by 60 percent of state voters in 2014, reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Critics argue this makes the consequences for smash-and-grabbers minimum.
See also:
● Fact check: Are California sentencing laws to blame for recent robberies? Sacramento Bee
What’s Next for California’s K–12 Enrollment?
Public Policy Institute of California
The statewide decline in K–12 enrollment is projected to accelerate over the next decade, though with significant variation across counties.
How Can California Protect Its Water Supply From Wildfire?
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
It’s intuitive that wildfires can affect ecosystems, harm wildlife and contaminate streams and rivers. But wildfires can also have complex, severe and direct effects on our water supply and infrastructure—effects that have only become clear in recent years.
LAO: California should give excess cap-and-trade revenue to residents
The Center Square
After seeing record revenue from the last quarter’s cap-and-trade auction, officials from the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommend California legislators use a portion of revenue from the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to support households and businesses.
Walters: California’s ‘tort wars’ heating up again
CalMatters
California’s “tort wars” over the rules governing personal injury lawsuits are heating up again and dueling ballot measures may land on the 2022 ballot.
Opinion: Protect small-business owners from lawsuit abuse
CalMatters
Legislators should look and see how small businesses are struggling and give them relief from shakedown lawsuits.
California created the nation’s first state reparations task force. Now comes the hard part
Los Angeles Times
Those are just some of more than a dozen potential remedies for those affected by slavery and its legacy of discrimination that Black community activists have implored California’s Reparations Task Force to consider at public meetings.
See Also:
● Opinion: How we repair it: White Americans’ attitudes toward reparations Brookings
Federal:
COVID Update:
● Biden health team ruled out free Covid tests for all over cost, logistics Politico
● Which COVID test is best? Rapid antigen tests more effective than thought, study says Modesto Bee
● Fauci says delta variant, not omicron, is the bigger coronavirus threat this winter Modesto Bee
● A Winter Wave of the Coronavirus is Looking Likely US News
● In a largely symbolic move, the Senate votes to block Biden's vaccine-or-test mandate NPR
● Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Booster Authorized for 16- and 17-Year-Olds Wall Street Journal
A new poll finds major warning signs for Biden and fellow Democrats
VPR
Americans don't feel the direct payments or expanded child tax credits doled out earlier this year helped them much, according to the latest NPR/Marist poll, and they don't see Democrats' signature legislation as addressing their top economic concern — inflation.
As Biden seeks to bolster democracy around the globe, U.S. confronts Jan. 6 fallout at home
Sacramento Bee
President Joe Biden must acknowledge U.S. shortfalls on democracy, including the events surrounding the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, when he meets with world leaders this week to push for democratic reforms globally, former U.S. officials say.
See also:
● Biden’s Summit Won’t Save Democracy. Here Are 18 Other Ideas for How to Fix It. Politico
● Opinion: How Biden can make his internet freedom agenda a success Brookings
Manchin says he wouldn’t defy parliamentarian on immigration
Sacramento Bee
Pivotal Sen. Joe Manchin said Wednesday he'd vote to uphold the Senate parliamentarian's decision if she rules that immigration or other provisions should fall from Democrats’ huge social and environment bill, underscoring the party's uphill fight to keep some top priorities in the legislation.
Congress clears Schumer-McConnell debt pact
Politico
The Senate passed a one-time loophole Thursday night to empower Democrats to raise the debt limit on their own, a major step toward warding off mid-December economic fallout.
See Also:
● Senate clears expedited debt limit process, Medicare cuts delay Roll Call
Yellen tries to preempt inflation data, GOP-pushed analysis of Biden’s social spending bill
Politico
In a memo issued Thursday night, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged lawmakers not to be spooked by new inflation numbers and a pending analysis of President Joe Biden’s social spending bill set to be released tomorrow.
Senate Dems launch last-ditch effort to change the rules of the chamber
Politico
It’s the Senate version of “Waiting for Godot”: Democrats are once again trying to find an answer to their filibuster dilemma in the hopes of passing voting rights legislation before it’s too late.
Why U.S. Infrastructure Costs So Much
Bloomberg
If history is a guide, President Joe Biden’s $1.3 trillion investment may not fund nearly as much transportation as it would in much of the rest of the world.
See also:
● Democrats' claim of creating 'jobs, jobs, jobs' with trillion-dollar spending plan is hot air The Hill
Democrats Drop Vaping Tax From Senate Plan as They Negotiate Bill Details
Wall Street Journal
Senate Democrats are dropping a proposal that would have imposed taxes on vaping, removing a $9 billion provision backed by some public-health advocates from the party’s healthcare, education and climate-change bill, people familiar with the matter said.
Senators float tougher stance to get info from Justice Department
Roll Call
Members of the Judiciary Committee aired their frustrations at the Justice Department’s lack of response to their requests for information on Thursday and floated the possibility of using contempt of Congress or the appropriations process to demand cooperation.
Opinion: The Case for Enlarging the House of Representatives
AEI
The expansion of the House should represent a priority for democratic reform, one that would bring the chamber in line with the framers’ vision and help build a Congress that can better represent the diversity of the American people.
See also:
● Opinion: Redistricting helps Republicans, but it doesn’t guarantee control AEI
Appeals court sides with House on access to White House records
Roll Call
A federal appeals court on Thursday denied former President Donald Trump’s request to stop certain White House records from going to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, but the court fight will go on.
See also:
● House ‘democracy’ bill would cap executive power, expand disclosure Roll Call
Other:
Researchers explain why they believe Facebook mishandles political ads
VPR
Facebook has worked for years to revamp its handling of political ads — but researchers who conducted a comprehensive audit of millions of ads say the social media company's efforts have had uneven results.
See also:
● Senate Commerce Chair Urges Probe of Meta’s Facebook Over Whether It Misled Businesses Wall Street Journal
4 takeaways from senators' grilling of Instagram's CEO about kids and safety
VPR
Senators grilled the head of Instagram on Wednesday about the app's effects on children and teens, airing frustrations and attempting to extract various commitments from the company to make the platform a safer space for its youngest users.
How Courts Embraced Technology, Met the Pandemic Challenge, and Revolutionized Their Operations
PEW
What the changes mean for the millions of people who interact with the civil legal system each year—and what remains to be done
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, December 12, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "California’s Top Ten Most Influential Unelected Leaders" - Guest: John Howard, Editor - Capitol Weekly. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, December 12, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "The Power Players in State & Valley Politics"- Guests: TPaul Hurley (Visalia Times Delta); Danielle Bergstrom (Fresno Bee/Fresnoland); Mike Dunbar (Modesto Bee), Robert Price (KGET). Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Citrus Orchards impacted by fog, rain and severe cold weather
abc30
Most of the state's 250,000 acres of citrus crops are in the Central Valley, and although the rain is desperately needed, it may force growers to make some difficult decisions. With the current drought conditions in the Central Valley, every rainy day is appreciated.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Does California need stronger shoplifting laws?
San Diego Union Tribune
Proposition 47, a ballot measure approved by 60 percent of state voters in 2014, reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Critics argue this makes the consequences for smash-and-grabbers minimum.
See also:
● Fact check: Are California sentencing laws to blame for recent robberies? Sacramento Bee
Prosecutions of parents of school shooters are 'almost unheard of'
ABA Journal
Prosecutors in Michigan will have to prove that the parents of alleged school shooter Ethan Crumbley were grossly negligent or reckless to obtain a conviction for involuntary manslaughter, experts have told Reuters.
See also:
● Many parents of school shooters ignore glaring warning signs. This grandmother didn’t. Washington Post
Public Safety:
Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation recognizes first responders' heroism, service, support
Bakersfield Californian
Hundreds gathered Thursday night at the Kern County Fairgrounds for the Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation's Officer of the Year Awards Dinner.
Fire:
‘Catastrophic wildfires shall stop.’ Inside PG&E’s fire risk command center
Fresno Bee
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was holding its weekly wildfire-safety meeting the other day, and vice president Mark Quinlan opened the session with some big news: The utility’s equipment hadn’t sparked a fire in more than a month.
Felony counts in Caldor Fire case include allegation involving machine gun
Sacramento Bee
El Dorado County prosecutors filed felony charges Thursday against the father and son accused of starting the devastating Caldor Fire, including counts charging the son with converting a firearm into a machine gun and possessing a silencer.
California woman suspected of starting Fawn Fire to be transferred to state hospital
Modesto Bee
A Northern California woman held in custody on suspicion of starting a wildfire near Redding has been ordered transferred, temporarily, into a state hospital after last month being deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
Sequoia National Park reopens with limited big tree access as KNP Complex Fire still smolders
Visalia Times Delta
The beloved sequoia grove, which includes the Earth's largest tree, General Sherman, will reopen beginning Saturday. The grove will be open four days a week to start, from Thursday through Sunday.
How Can California Protect Its Water Supply From Wildfire?
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
It’s intuitive that wildfires can affect ecosystems, harm wildlife and contaminate streams and rivers. But wildfires can also have complex, severe and direct effects on our water supply and infrastructure—effects that have only become clear in recent years.
‘Catastrophic wildfires shall stop.’ Inside PG&E’s fire risk command center
Modesto Bee
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was holding its weekly wildfire-safety meeting the other day, and vice president Mark Quinlan opened the session with some big news: The utility’s equipment hadn’t sparked a fire in more than a month.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Fresno restaurant goes back to takeout only, citing omicron, staffing. Will others follow?
Fresno Bee
Fresno restaurant Ramen vs. Pho has closed its dining room and gone back to doing only takeout and delivery orders. The little restaurant on West Shaw Avenue cited COVID-19 and other issues – including the labor shortage – for the decision.
See also:
● As the pandemic drags on, California restaurants tell Congress they need help to stay open Sacramento Bee
Why does California have the highest jobless rate in the country?
CalMatters
California has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Several factors are contributing. But the state has a lot of job openings, and high quit rates suggest workers are optimistic they can find better positions.
UCLA Newsroom
Since March 2020, the state of the pandemic has determined the course of the economy nationally and across California. By the end of 2020, it became clear that consumer behavior, not government restrictions, had the greatest effect on economic outcomes.
Another eye-popping inflation reading is ahead. Next year could look very different.
Politico
Republicans have pounded Democrats for months over spiking gasoline and grocery costs, a phenomenon they’ve dubbed “Bidenflation.” By the time next year’s elections roll around, that line of attack may lose its punch.
See alsoL
● Prices climbed 6.8% in November compared with last year, largest rise in nearly four decades, as inflation spreads through economy Washington Post
● U.S. Inflation Hit a 39-Year High in November Wall Street Journal
● Price Jumps Prompt Pocketbook Policies in States PEW
Jobs:
Starbucks workers form their 1st union in the U.S. in a big win for labor
VPR
Starbucks workers have voted to form their first U.S. union. Workers from one store in Buffalo, N.Y., voted to unionize, in a watershed moment for Starbucks, which operates 8,953 stores in the United States.
See also:
● Starbucks faces union test as worker votes are counted Sacramento Bee
● Starbucks workers vote to unionize at a store in Buffalo, N.Y. LA Times
● Starbucks workers in Buffalo win watershed union vote Washington Post
● Starbucks Workers at Buffalo-Area Store Vote in Favor of Unionizing Wall Street Journal
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims
Department of Labor
In the week ending December 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 184,000, a decrease of 43,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since September 6, 1969 when itn was 182,000.
See Also:
● U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level in 52 Years Wall Street Journal
● Decoding December’s Job Gains: We May Be Nearing Full Employment US News
● CPI: The new jobs number Axios
After Covid Closures, a New Quest to Make Offices Less Awful
Wall Street Journal
To lure workers back, companies are renovating spaces, using software so staff can coordinate visits and dangling upgraded food to make offices more appealing. ‘You want to create a pull, not a push.’
EDUCATION
K-12:
What’s Next for California’s K–12 Enrollment?
Public Policy Institute of California
The statewide decline in K–12 enrollment is projected to accelerate over the next decade, though with significant variation across counties.
Want to Build Back Better? Consider Early Childhood Districts
EdNote
Even if the bill does not pass, the slow rollout of American Rescue Plan Act funds suggests that our current early care and education infrastructure is not up to the task of running an optimal system.
Schools Confront a Wave of Student Misbehavior, Driven by Months of Remote Learning
Wall Street Journal
School districts across the U.S. say they are seeing a surge of student misbehavior in the return to in-person learning, after months of closures and disruptions due to the pandemic.
See also:
● GAO: Hate on the Rise in U.S. Schools US News
Higher Ed:
With Standardized Testing Out, UC Explores Next Steps in Making Admissions More Equitable
KGED
The University of California’s historic move to abandon standardized exams may not be the last of changes coming to the admissions process for the public university system.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Biden names Central Valley advocate to lead EPA in California, western U.S.
Fresno Bee
A longtime advocate for disadvantaged communities and the environment with roots in central CA has been tapped by the Biden administration to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 9, covering the southwestern U.S. and Pacific islands.
1st of series of storms moves into Central CA, bringing rain and snow
abc30
After almost a month of seeing no rain in Central California, a series of storms will bring a soggy stretch of weather into the region over the next week. Central Valley residents woke up to rain as the first storm arrived overnight on Thursday.
See also:
● Rain in Fresno contributes to crashes and clogged drains but is a welcome sight to locals abc30
Food waste becomes California’s newest climate change target
Sacramento Bee
Banana peels, chicken bones and leftover veggies won't have a place in California trashcans under the nation's largest mandatory residential food waste recycling program that's set to take effect in January.
See also:
● California pushes composting to lower food waste emissions AP News
California eyes tough standards for trucks, lawn equipment
Sacramento Bee
Along with speeding tickets, truck drivers in California could soon have to worry about pollution tickets while traveling the state's roads. State regulators on Thursday will consider cracking down on heavy duty trucks weighing more than 14,000 pounds (6,350 kilograms).
See also:
● Landmark California smog rules target lawn equipment, big rig trucks CalMatters
California’s Public Pensions Are Major Fossil Fuel Investors
Bloomberg
California’s climate-conscious policies aren’t matched by the investment choices of its largest public pension funds, according to a report from two environmental groups.
The Millions of Tons of Carbon Emissions That Don’t Officially Exist
New Yorker
According to William Moomaw, an emeritus professor of international environmental policy at Tufts University, and lead author of several I.P.C.C. reports, negotiators thought of biomass as only a minor part of energy production.
Energy:
Opinion: The Stealth Gas-Heating Tax
Wall Street Journal
It could be a rough winter for energy prices across the U.S., and the Democratic spending plan will make it worse. The House passed what it calls a “fee” on methane that amounts to a stealth tax on natural gas and everyone who uses it.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Poop sleuths hunt for early signs of omicron in sewage
VPR
Scientists have detected traces of omicron in wastewater in Houston, Boulder, Colo., and two cities in Northern California. It's a signal that indicates the coronavirus variant is present in those cities, and it highlights the useful data produced by wastewater surveillance research as omicron looms.
Adventist Health rolls out new device aimed at quickly detecting brain injuries
Bakersfield Californian
When someone has taken a blow to the head through a fall, car crash or sports, the go-to tool to detect the seriousness of the injury is the CT scan, but on Thursday, Adventist Health demonstrated a new medical device in its arsenal: the BrainScope.
Judge halts California ban on ‘pay to delay’ pharma deals
Courthouse News Science
A federal judge on Thursday suspended California’s first-in-the-nation ban on pharmaceutical industry pay-for-delay deals, ruling the law intended to increase the flow of affordable generic drugs likely violates out-of-state commerce protections.
Washington Post
The pharmaceutical industry relies on drug-pricing practices that are “unsustainable, unjustified and unfair,” according to findings from a nearly three-year investigation by the House Oversight Committee.
Policymakers Must Act to Bolster Public Health Data Collection and Reporting
PEW
The COVID-19 pandemic made clear that improvements are needed in the nation’s public health system. A new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) aims to lay out a framework for necessary changes.
Op-Ed: The FDA may be about to make the abortion pill more accessible
Los Angeles Times
While the constitutional fight continues in court, there is another opportunity in the coming days for the federal government to help maintain abortion access: by allowing people to get abortion pills as soon as they need them.
Human Services:
From maggots to sex abuse, nursing homes sue California to overturn citations, fines
CalMatters
California nursing homes have filed more than 400 lawsuits since 2016 to appeal state citations and fines alleging poor patient care. Regulators downgraded nearly a third of sanctions involving a death. Advocates say the appeals system favors nursing homes.
With Too Few Nurses, It Won’t Take Much to Overwhelm Hospitals This Winter
Pew Trusts
Even as a new COVID-19 variant starts to spread in the United States, staff shortages have made it impossible for many hospitals to operate at full capacity. That means they’re less prepared to manage an influx of patients this winter.
IMMIGRATION
Manchin says he wouldn’t defy parliamentarian on immigration
Sacramento Bee
Pivotal Sen. Joe Manchin said Wednesday he'd vote to uphold the Senate parliamentarian's decision if she rules that immigration or other provisions should fall from Democrats’ huge social and environment bill, underscoring the party's uphill fight to keep some top priorities in the legislation.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Splash pad, game tables, walking paths coming to west Modesto park with $8.5M grant
Modesto Bee
Modesto has been awarded another $8.5 million state grant to renovate and remake a park in one of its poorer neighborhoods. California State Parks announced Wednesday the city has been awarded the grant for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in west Modesto.
$8.5M grant awarded to Hanford for Heroes Park
Hanford Sentinel
In preparation for a grant application to the State of California, earlier this year the City of Hanford asked residents to “Design Your Dream Park.”
City receives $7.8 million grant for rec center/park; Poplar receives $1.2 million for park
Porterville Recorder
The grants awarded through the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program, represent the single-largest investment in state history in expanding access to parks in underserved communities.
Housing:
Looking to buy a home in Modesto? New market index predicts prices are likely to drop
Modesto Bee
The Modesto metropolitan area is one of three housing markets in the nation at high risk of a price decline over the next year, according to new data. The market risk indicator indicates the local market is at a 50%-75% risk of a price decline over the next 12 months.
Contractor will revamp Modesto’s old train depot for ACE. Will housing follow nearby?
Modesto Bee
A local company won a $5.23 million contract to remodel Modesto’s old train station for future passenger service. The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to award the job to Simile Construction Service.
New agreement for Campus Pointe housing excludes refund for developer Kashian
Fresno Bee
The Fresno City Council is set to consider an updated agreement with Campus Pointe developers on Thursday. The agreement excludes a refund of roughly half a million dollars that the council was expected to vote on last week.
Fresno apartment rent prices fell slightly in November. Will this trend continue?
Fresno Bee
November was the second straight month in which the average monthly rent for apartments went down in the city of Fresno after 14 consecutive months of increases.
Rental housing planned for vacant lot at key intersection along North Chester Avenue
Bakersfield Californian
The rumors are wrong: Construction work going on at the southwest corner of North Chester Avenue and Merle Haggard Drive in Oildale is not — repeat, not — leading toward a new shopping center at the site.
Veterans find a home in new affordable housing complex
Bakersfield Californian
The Housing Authority has been working on the more than $20 million project for the last five years, hoping to ease the rental burden on Kern County’s many veterans.
Bubble watch: California lenders taking less mortgage risk
Mercury News
Lenders want better-financed borrowers in the Golden State when I compared averages for the state’s big markets vs. the other 15 metropolitan areas tracked as well as the nation overall.
You Won't be My Neighbor: Opposition to High Density Development
Urban Affairs Review
I use a conjoint survey experiment to provide evidence that preferences for single-family development are ubiquitous. Across every demographic subgroup analyzed, respondents preferred single-family home developments by a wide margin.
PUBLIC FINANCES
California pension fund sunk $340 million into its headquarters before COVID. Was it a mistake?
Sacramento Bee
The reality of a depressed COVID-19 commercial real estate market is testing the California State Teachers’ Retirement System’s plan to pay for a $340 million expansion of its headquarters in part by renting out space to commercial tenants.
California’s Public Pensions Are Major Fossil Fuel Investors
Bloomberg
California’s climate-conscious policies aren’t matched by the investment choices of its largest public pension funds, according to a report from two environmental groups.
Here’s what to know ahead of tax season if you got child tax credit payments in 2021
Fresno Bee
Families who received child tax credit payments will need to confirm they got the right amount when filing taxes. The temporarily enhanced tax credits provide eligible parents with up to $3,600 per child over the course of a year.
TRANSPORTATION
Contractor will revamp Modesto’s old train depot for ACE. Will housing follow nearby?
Modesto Bee
A local company won a $5.23 million contract to remodel Modesto’s old train station for future passenger service. The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to award the job to Simile Construction Service.
See also:
● ACE train could be running in Turlock by 2025 Turlock Journal
Fresno County’s rural residents face transportation gaps. How electric rideshare programs help
Fresno Bee
Electric vehicle programs are filling the gaps in rural towns where the need is imminent but with limited or nonexistent public transportation.The program has also expanded into Cantua Creek because rideshare programs started there fell away during the pandemic.
California adopts tough standards for trucks, lawn equipment
abc News
State regulators voted to crack down on heavy duty trucks weighing more than 14,000 pounds — those big semi-trailers that make up just 3% of all vehicles in California but spend so much time on the road they account for more than half of all pollution on roads.
See also:
● California’s heavy-duty trucks don’t have to get smog-checked. Why that’s about to change Sacramento Bee
No More Stairs: Cash Influx to Make Transit More Accessible
PEW
More than 25M Americans have self-reported travel-limiting disabilities, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Money included in the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden aims to make public transportation more accessible.
American Airlines to Reduce International Flights Due to Boeing Dreamliner Delays
Wall Street Journal
A schedule cut by the world’s largest carrier by passenger traffic is the latest sign of broader fallout for Boeing’s prolonged Dreamliner production problems that have largely prevented it from handing over the popular wide-body jets to airlines for more than a year.
WATER
State warns more Valley groundwater agencies that their plans don’t meet standards
Fresno Bee
Six groundwater subbasins covering nearly all of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley do not have adequate plans to address falling groundwater levels, according to letters sent Thursday by the Department of Water Resources to local groundwater agencies.
Merced Irrigation District in battle with state over water rights
abc30
Local water officials are urging residents to get involved in a battle with the state over water rights. The State Water Board had a lengthy meeting Wednesday and discussed how to proceed with implementing the Bay Delta Plan.
In Bakersfield, many push for bringing back the flow of the long-dry Kern River
Los Angeles Times
Decades ago, the Kern flowed all the way through Bakersfield. But so much water has been appropriated and diverted in canals to farmland that the river has vanished in the city, leaving miles of dry riverbed.
Daily showers paving the way for heavy rain next week
Los Angeles Times
Light to moderate precipitation in Southern California on Thursday may pave the way for a much stronger Pacific storm early next week, forecasters said.
How Can California Protect Its Water Supply From Wildfire?
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
It’s intuitive that wildfires can affect ecosystems, harm wildlife and contaminate streams and rivers. But wildfires can also have complex, severe and direct effects on our water supply and infrastructure—effects that have only become clear in recent years.
Conservation Emergency Regulations
California Water Board
The State Water Board finds that an emergency exists due to severe drought conditions and that adoption of proposed emergency regulations is necessary to address the emergency.
“Xtra”
More restaurants announced for Ceres’ Gateway Center. Who’s coming to town, and when?
Modesto Bee
Construction of the long-planned Ceres Gateway Center began Thursday, the developer announced, and the city has approved three additional national chains for the shopping area along Highway 99.
Where to tour homes decked for holidays in Riverbank, Modesto. More entertainment
Modesto Bee
A tour of homes decorated in holiday splendor, along with music and theater top the entertainment options planned Dec. 11-18 in the Modesto region.
Was your Fresno utility bill payment declined? Here’s why, and how you can pay your bill
Fresno Bee
The city of Fresno’s utility bill online payment system is temporarily down, but city officials said there are other ways to pay and any late fees stemming from the issue will be waived.
Fresno Bee
Fig Garden Village in Fresno is getting a new store, a Columbia Sportswear shop. The store will hold its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17. It’s located near Hungry Bear Cookies.
North of the River Christmas Parade set for Saturday
Bakersfield Californian
The 48th annual North of the River Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, organizers said this week, announcing the annual nonmotorized parade through Oildale.
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