POLICY & POLITICS
Newsom recall basics: How to vote in California’s election
CalMatters
A FAQ on the California election on whether to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. CalMatters plans to launch its Voter Guide on Aug. 16.
See also:
● Key Recall Dates in San Joaquin Valley Counties
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Delta variant striking younger people in Stanislaus County. Most are not vaccinated Modesto Bee
● Stanislaus tops 60,000 cases. How we got to the milestone Modesto Bee
Ceres settles allegations Police Department subjected employee to hostile workplace Modesto Bee
The city did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement signed in April, which The Bee recently obtained through a public records request.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Covid cases on the rise across the Central Valley, doctors urge everyone to protect themselves abc30
● Valley Children’s reports rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations with Delta variant spreading Fresno Bee
With COVID Cases On The Rise, A Fresno Doctor Worries The ER Will Get Overwhelmed Yet Again
VPR
Dr. Sukhjit Dhillon, an emergency medicine physician at UCSF Fresno, says she is concerned that the recent increase in COVID-19 cases will once again overwhelm hospital emergency rooms.
What will school be like when Fresno, Clovis students return next week? Here’s the plan
Fresno Bee
When students return to school at Fresno Unified on Aug. 12, it will be the first time in nearly a year and a half they’ll be attending full-time and in-person. Yet, school will still be unlike what it was before the pandemic, according to Fresno Unified Deputy Superintendent Misty Her.
Will Fresno’s Central schools chief face criminal charges? DA hands down decision
Fresno Bee
Central Unified Superintendent Andrew Alvarado will not face domestic violence charges after being arrested in early June, the Madera County District Attorney announced Thursday.
How did drinking water in northeast Fresno homes go bad? What the investigation found
Fresno Bee
In early January 2016, Fresno city officials began picking up on social media chatter among northeast Fresno residents who were concerned about rusty, discolored water coming out of their pipes.
See also:
● Thousands of Fresno residents with contaminated water can sue city as group, judge says Fresno Bee
● Northeast Fresno homeowners allowed to sue city over 'tainted' water in homes abc30
Pres Joe Biden’s Ag Secretary touched down in Fresno. Here’s what he saw
Fresno Bee
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stressed innovation and collaboration Thursday as he visited a Fresno County farm dealing with California’s drought.
See also:
● Drought draws Secretary of Ag Vilsack visit, stressed collaboration for solutions Fresno Bee
New Fresno firefighters will help the ‘busiest fire department in the United States’
Fresno Bee
Nineteen recruits are going through final training of their eight-week drill school before joining the Fresno Fire Department to fill 20 vacancies next month.
Fresno police chief leans on old and familiar fixes to tackle homicide, shooting surge
Fresno Bee
On the second floor of Fresno Police Department headquarters hangs a blunt geographic depiction of the city’s great intractable problem.
Fresno County looking for workers to help with recall election
abc30
The Fresno County Elections Office is looking for workers who can help in the days leading up to the recall election. These are paid positions for elections outreach coordinators and election workers.
CUSD Allowing Mask Exemptions for Students
Clovis Roundup
Clovis Unified School District (CUSD) parents now have the option to seek a mask exemption for their children following a governing board decision on Thursday, July 29.
Visalia City Council narrows applicant list down to 6, including controversial former judge
Visalia Times Delta
In his application for the council seat, former Tulare County Superior Court Judge Howard Broadman touted his experience in the legal field.
Hanford Council approves annexation of 153 acres for residential development
Hanford Sentinel
The Hanford City Council initiated proceedings to annex property on the northwest side of the intersection of Fargo and 12th and prepare it for residential development.
Central Valley Leader Champions Early Investments To Transform Healthcare For Black Communities
CAFWD
California Forward is committed to advancing policy intersections that create a more inclusive and sustainable California where all people can prosper.
Fresno’s oldest theater was just gutted. Church cited for renovations on historic building
Fresno Bee
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias was riding his bike down Van Ness Avenue when he noticed a chain link fence and what looked like construction happening at Hardy’s Theatre.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern County Public Health reports 357 new COVID-19 cases KGET
KHSD, BCSD share back-to-school safety plans
Bakersfield Californian
The beginning of the school year is rapidly approaching for most Kern County students. Wednesday, Aug. 18, marks the date that most K-12 students are expected to return to campuses — many of them for the very first time since they shuttered.
Bakersfield Californian
Both the city of Bakersfield and county of Kern are in the process of revising their homeless ordinances in the wake of Los Angeles passing a new law restricting encampments.
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer campaigns in Bakersfield
Bakersfield Californian
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer hopes his experience running a city of Democrats as a Republican will propel him into the governor’s office.
Wasco City Council Votes To Remove Mayor; He Says It’s Retaliation
VPR
In the small town of Wasco, north of Bakersfield, the city council voted this week 4 to 1 to remove Mayor Alex Garcia from his position because of a reckless driving charge.
State:
COVID Update:
● California to require health care workers to be vaccinated by Sept. 30 under new order abc30
● California to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for health workers Modesto Bee
● California says all health care workers must be vaccinated, scraps COVID testing alternative Modesto Bee
● California to mandate COVID vaccines for health workers Mercury News
● California healthcare workers must be vaccinated by end of September under new health order Los Angeles Times
● FDA Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Plan Could Be Ready Within Weeks
● Wall Street Journal
Republicans aim at GOP base in 1st California recall debate
Fresno Bee
Four Republicans hoping to claim Gov. Gavin Newsom's job in a September recall election skirmished in their first debate Wednesday, labeling the incumbent Democrat a failure whose pandemic policies sent the state into a tailspin while hewing closely to familiar conservative themes.
See also:
● California Republicans clash in first debate in Newsom recall Visalia Times Delta
● GOP endorsement fight next test for California recall rivals Fresno Bee
● Republicans go after Newsom, mask mandates and critical race theory in recall debate Los Angeles Times
● Who’s running in Newsom recall? Politicians, activists, Californians of all stripes CalMatters
● California recall candidate John Cox proposes 25% tax cut, big reductions in state spending Modesto Bee
● ‘Overreach.’ Republican recall candidates say they wouldn’t require masks in California schools Sacramento Bee
● Four Things To Know About The Newsom Recall Debate Capital Public Radio
● Newsom, in recall fight, says it’s ‘not acceptable’ for homeless to camp on streets Los Angeles Times
● Court ruling is final: Newsom may blame recall on ‘Republicans and Trump supporters’ Los Angeles Times
● How much will California’s EDD scandal cost Newsom in the recall election?
CalMatters
● Total Recall: An illustrated guide to the Newsom recall
● CalMatters
● Follow the money: Gavin Newsom recall edition CalMatters
● Editorial: Gavin Newsom has made mistakes as governor, but none so bad that he should be recalled Fresno Bee
Raises missing from some California state worker paychecks as new contracts take effect
Sacramento Bee
Some CA state workers are reporting that they did not receive expected salary increases this month, frustrating public employees who were looking forward to their first full paychecks since Newsom and the Legislature demanded wage reductions from them a year ago.
Thousands of Californians will soon lose unemployment benefits as federal programs end
Sacramento Bee
About 41,000 Californians who get emergency unemployment benefits will stop receiving them next week.
Federal:
COVID Update:
● With Delta surging, America is dangerously divided over vaccines
Los Angeles Times
● I have a long COVID. Here’s how to get the care you need
Los Angeles Times
● Federal officials eye COVID-19 booster shots for immunocompromised people Roll Call
● The CDC's booster messaging mess Axios
Compliance and Defiance: States React to New CDC Mask Guidelines
PEW
Some school districts said they will enforce the CDC’s recommendations for universal masking of teachers, staff members and students.
See also:
● Vaccine mandates are more popular than you think Brookings
Exclusive: Poll finds bipartisan infrastructure plan has wide support
Axios
The bipartisan infrastructure plan and many of its individual provisions, enjoy majority of support among likely voters, according to new polling from the advocacy group Climate Power and the left-leaning polling firm Data for Progress, provided first to Axios.
See also:
● Historic judicial nominees roll alongside infrastructure bill Roll Call
● Senate aims for weekend vote on infrastructure bill Roll Call
● CBO Estimates Infrastructure Bill Would Add $256 Billion to Deficits Wall Street Journal
Census pushes up release of redistricting data to next week
Roll Call
The Census Bureau said Thursday it will release 2020 census data used to redraw voting districts on Aug. 12, following months of delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
● In a key moment for the 2022 midterms, census redistricting data will arrive next week. New York Times
Other:
Legislative Review 2021
PEW
States collected more tax revenue over the past year than budget analysts expected when the pandemic hit.
Fact Check: Pro-capitalism quote misattributed to Abraham Lincoln resurfaces
PolitiFact
Two years and 11 days ago, a social media post brought forth upon Facebook another quote falsely attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka dead at 72
Politico
Richard Trumka, president of the powerful AFL-CIO labor organization, has died unexpectedly, the federation announced Thursday.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, August 8, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "Fracking: Energy Bridge or a Dead End?"- Guest: Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President - Western States Petroleum Association; John Cox - Bakersfield Californian. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, August 8, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "Fracking in the Valley: Pros and Cons"- Guests: Dr. Liaosha Song, Assistant Professor of Geology - CSU Bakersfield; Dr. Anthony Rathburn, Interim Director - California Energy Research Center. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Pres Joe Biden’s Ag Secretary touched down in Fresno. Here’s what he saw
Fresno Bee
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stressed innovation and collaboration Thursday as he visited a Fresno County farm dealing with California’s drought.
See also:
● Drought draws Secretary of Ag Vilsack visit, stressed collaboration for solutions Fresno Bee
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
This loaded 3D printed gun was found on a Fresno bicyclist. Here’s why it’s called an FGC
Fresno Bee
Fresno County sheriff’s deputies early Thursday arrested a bicyclist carrying a homemade firearm as he passed through Fig Garden. The weapon was marked with initials that mean (expletive) gun control, according to the website AmmoLand.
Public Safety:
Judge halts Newsom’s planned closure of Northern California prison
Sacramento Bee
Lassen County judge this week granted the city of Susanville a temporary restraining order halting the state’s work to close a Northern Californian prison that employs 1,000 people.
Fire:
Dixie Fire: Blaze engulfs Northern California town, leveling businesses
abc30
California's largest wildfire has leveled much of the downtown and some surrounding homes in a small Northern California mountain community.
See also:
● 'We lost Greenville': Wildfire decimates California town Bakersfield Californian
● Dixie Fire Stirs Anxiety In The California Town Decimated In 2018 By The Camp Fire VPR
● ‘The town is completely gone.’ Dixie Fire devastates California Gold Rush town of Greenville Modesto Bee
● 'Catastrophically destroyed': Dixie Fire wipes out California gold rush town of Greenville Stockton Record
● The Dixie Fire is one of the largest wildfires in California’s history — and growing Sacramento Bee
● The Dixie Fire Has Destroyed Most Of A Historic Northern California Town Capital Public Radio
● Overwhelmed firefighters battle to save California communities, assess mass destruction Los Angeles Times
River Fire: Homes leveled, thousands evacuated near Colfax as crews brace for wind
Sacramento Bee
Officials listed the fire at 0% containment, but there was no sign of the huge smoke plume that exploded over the area Wednesday afternoon.
See also:
● River Fire Prompts Evacuation Order For Colfax, Destroys Structures In California’s Sierra Nevada Foothills Capital Public Radio
Here’s how you can help people displaced by Dixie and River wildfires in California
Sacramento Bee
Two large wildfires in northern California have destroyed dozens of buildings and displaced thousands from their homes, but there are ways to provide them with much-needed aid.
What’s a red flag warning, and what does it mean for California fires?
Modesto Bee
Several wildfires are burning across Northern California, including one of the largest recorded fires in the state’s history.
The West is burning. Why are campfires still allowed in some California forests, parks?
Sacramento Bee
When Jennifer Bullard arrived at Donner Memorial State Park this week for a few days of camping she expected to be roasting under the blazing sun in the heat of summer.
California wildfires have prompted evacuations of over 18,000 people; here’s where they are
Sacramento Bee
Over 18,000 people have been evacuated as wildfires continue to burn throughout Northern California.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Joe Manchin Says Fed Should Reverse Easy-Money Policies
Wall Street Journal
Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) raised alarms about inflation in a letter to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday.
Jobs:
Fresno County looking for workers to help with recall election
abc30
The Fresno County Elections Office is looking for workers who can help in the days leading up to the recall election. These are paid positions for elections outreach coordinators and election workers.
The U.S. economy added 943,000 jobs in July, as the labor market recovery boomed
Washington Post
The United States added 943,000 jobs in July, the second straight month of strong growth in the labor market, a promising sign for the country’s recovery as the pandemic threatened to undo progress in recent weeks.
See also:
● U.S. Economy Added 943,000 Jobs in July, Unemployment Rate Fell to 5.4% Wall Street Journal
AEI
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, American dynamism was in decline, with business creation and labor market fluidity consistently falling since the year 2000.
EDUCATION
K-12:
What will school be like when Fresno, Clovis students return next week? Here’s the plan
Fresno Bee
When students return to school at Fresno Unified on Aug. 12, it will be the first time in nearly a year and a half they’ll be attending full-time and in-person. Yet, school will still be unlike what it was before the pandemic, according to Fresno Unified Deputy Superintendent Misty Her.
Will Fresno’s Central schools chief face criminal charges? DA hands down decision
Fresno Bee
Central Unified Superintendent Andrew Alvarado will not face domestic violence charges after being arrested in early June, the Madera County District Attorney announced Thursday.
KHSD, BCSD share back-to-school safety plans
Bakersfield Californian
The beginning of the school year is rapidly approaching for most Kern County students. Wednesday, Aug. 18, marks the date that most K-12 students are expected to return to campuses — many of them for the very first time since they shuttered.
The head of the most powerful U.S. teachers’ union signals an openness to vaccine mandates.
New York Times
The president of the most powerful teachers’ union signaled a growing openness to vaccine mandates for teachers, as the highly contagious Delta variant rips through the country and millions of unvaccinated children are about to return to the classroom.
See also:
● Mask Mandate Bans Spark Confusion, Concern as Unvaccinated Kids Head to School US News
Higher Ed:
Community colleges offer cash, textbooks to students who get vaccinated
Cal Matters
Community college districts are opting for a mix of mandates, incentives and encouragement.
New tribal colleges offer ‘sense of belonging’ for Native students but hit roadblocks
CalMatters
Tribal colleges provide culturally relevant education for Native students. But in California, they face an uphill battle because of lack of funding and a lengthy accreditation process.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
That recycling symbol doesn’t always mean what you think it does
CalMatters
At least 85% of single-use plastic items don’t get recycled, even if they carry the familiar triangular symbol. A California bill would restrict which plastics can bear the mark.
Biden, reversing Trump order, announces tougher car pollution standards
Sacramento Bee
President Joe Biden unveiled plans Thursday to strengthen car pollution standards through 2026, putting the United States on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — though not as quickly as many environmentalists say is needed.
See also:
● Biden, reversing Trump order, announces tougher car pollution standards Los Angeles Times
● Biden Toughens Fuel-Efficiency Standards, Challenges Auto Makers to Sell More EVs Wall Street Journal
Sacramento wants 3,800 car charging stations by 2025. Here’s where they’re needed
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom last year set California on a path to eliminate the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, leading cities like Sacramento to draw up plans for tomorrow’s electric vehicle drivers.
Energy:
State cites technical reasons for denying 42 more fracking applications
Bakersfield Californian
Less than a month after causing an uproar over discretionary denials of local oilfield permits, the state's top oil regulator has again rejected a series of fracking applications — this time on technical grounds.
California drought squeezes power supplies: Hydro plant at Lake Oroville shuts down
Modesto Bee
The giant hydropower plant at Lake Oroville shut down on a historic first Thursday because of the drought, putting another dent in California’s defense against rolling blackouts.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Moderna vaccine remains 93% effective against symptomatic COVID at 6 months, company says
abc30
Moderna says its vaccine is 93% effective against symptomatic illness at six months (though this data collection ended before delta emerged in the U.S.).
Capital Public Radio
The delta variant has changed California’s COVID-19 landscape in a big way. New research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that even fully immunized people can contract the virus and pass it onto others.
Human Services:
With COVID Cases On The Rise, A Fresno Doctor Worries The ER Will Get Overwhelmed Yet Again
VPR
Dr. Sukhjit Dhillon, an emergency medicine physician at UCSF Fresno, says she is concerned that the recent increase in COVID-19 cases will once again overwhelm hospital emergency rooms.
Coronavirus booster shots for the immunocompromised expected to be authorized soon
Washington Post
Federal health officials are racing to ensure that millions of Americans with weakened immune systems can get additional shots of coronavirus vaccines to protect them against the highly contagious delta variant.
IMMIGRATION
Biden’s immigration plan runs into on-the-ground realities
CNN
The president of Guatemala had a private piece of advice for Vice President Kamala Harris when she visited earlier this summer, on her goal of slowing the rush of hopeful migrants to the US border with Mexico.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Fresno’s oldest theater was just gutted. Church cited for renovations on historic building
Fresno Bee
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias was riding his bike down Van Ness Avenue when he noticed a chain link fence and what looked like construction happening at Hardy’s Theatre.
Repairs on Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest start next week
abc30
A popular trail at Sequoia National Forest is getting a little sprucing up. Repair work is set to begin next week at the Trail of 100 Giants located in the Long Meadow Giant Sequoia Grove.
Hanford Council approves annexation of 153 acres for residential development
Hanford Sentinel
The Hanford City Council initiated proceedings to annex property on the northwest side of the intersection of Fargo and 12th and prepare it for residential development.
Housing:
Bakersfield Californian
Both the city of Bakersfield and county of Kern are in the process of revising their homeless ordinances in the wake of Los Angeles passing a new law restricting encampments.
Eviction moratoriums extended in U.S. — Californians were already protected. What you need to know
Los Angeles Times
The federal eviction moratorium received a two-month extension from the Biden administration Tuesday after an earlier moratorium expired Sunday.
See also:
● Eviction Moratorium’s Renewal Squeezes Small Landlords Wall Street Journal
PUBLIC FINANCES
Market Watch
The Biden administration will raise gas mileage standards and cut tailpipe pollution between now and model year 2026, officials announced Thursday.
TRANSPORTATION
Half of new U.S. car sales would be electric by 2030 in goals set by Biden order
Sacramento Bee
With the auto industry’s backing, President Joe Biden signed an executive on Thursday that calls for half of new car sales in 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles.
See also:
● Biden, reversing Trump order, announces tougher car pollution standards Los Angeles Times
● Biden Toughens Fuel-Efficiency Standards, Challenges Auto Makers to Sell More EVs Wall Street Journal
Sacramento wants 3,800 car charging stations by 2025. Here’s where they’re needed
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom last year set California on a path to eliminate the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, leading cities like Sacramento to draw up plans for tomorrow’s electric vehicle drivers.
Raging wildfires shut down some California highways. Here are the closed roads
Sacramento Bee
Wildfires blazing across Northern California have forced the closure of several state highways as evacuation orders continue to climb for some fires.
WATER
How did drinking water in northeast Fresno homes go bad? What the investigation found
Fresno Bee
In early January 2016, Fresno city officials began picking up on social media chatter among northeast Fresno residents who were concerned about rusty, discolored water coming out of their pipes.
See also:
● Thousands of Fresno residents with contaminated water can sue city as group, judge says Fresno Bee
● Northeast Fresno homeowners allowed to sue city over 'tainted' water in homes abc30
Council approves authority to oversee casino water treatment projects
Porterville Recorder
The Porterville City Council approved the formation of a joint Tribe-city authority to oversee water treatment projects that are being done as part of the relocation of Eagle Mountain Casino.
Severe drought is forcing one of Sonoma's best Syrah vineyards to make no wine
San Francisco Chronicle
Because of drought, one of Sonoma County's best Syrah vineyards will bear no fruit this year.
Lake Oroville reaches all-time low level; hydroelectric plant shuts down for first time ever
Mercury News
Lake Oroville’s water level has fallen so low that on Thursday, its power plant was shut down because there is no longer enough water to spin the turbines and generate electricity.
See also:
● California hits drought milestone as Oroville hydropower stops for first time Politico
Facing ‘dire water shortages,’ California bans Delta pumping
CalMatters
Growers’ groups voiced strong opposition, questioning the water board’s power to stop senior rights holders from pumping the water.
“Xtra”
Clovis sprinter Jenna Prandini earns Olympic medal as part of U.S. relay
Fresno Bee
The 100 meters and 200 meters at the Tokyo Olympics did not work out the way Jenna Prandini wished or wanted, but the Clovis track and field star is coming home with a silver medal after running a leg on the United States 4 x 100 meter relay team.
Fresno Bee
Northwest Fresno is getting a big influx of new restaurants. From Indian food and boba tea to barbecue, the restaurants range from big chains to locally-owned restaurants. A wave of openings will happen over the next few months.
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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.
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