POLICY & POLITICS ‘No reason that boy should’ve died’: More people than ever are dying in California jails (focus on Valley County Jails) Modesto Bee Inmate deaths at California county jails increased after the US Supreme Court ordered reforms because of overcrowding, an investigation, OverCorrection: Crisis in California Jails, by McClatchy and ProPublica found. In Fresno […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: What do we like, dislike about Modesto? Many opinions – and chance to let mayor know Modesto Bee Residents can tell Mayor Ted Brandvold and other city officials what direction they want the city to go in during a Thursday meeting at Modesto Centre Plaza. Central SJ Valley: Fresno […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Who’s raised more than AOC? This Central Valley Democrat (Answer: Josh Harder) San Francisco Chronicle Five of California’s seven Democratic congressional freshmen are among the nation’s top rookie fundraisers, according to Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports. They are led by Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock (Stanislaus County). See also: […]

POLICY & POLITICS Central Valley Tops List Of U.S. Ag Counties Business Journal California once again led the nation in agricultural sales in 2017, with six Valley counties — along with one along the state’s Central Coast — topping ag sales across the nation. Valley Olive Oil Makers Judged Among Best In The State Business […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Rep. Harder questions Education Secretary DeVos’ plan to cut literacy programs Modesto Bee California representative Josh Harder challenged Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at a hearing on April 10, 2019. Harder, who is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, questioned DeVos’ motives about cutting literacy programming. […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Modesto district to spend millions on school upgrades. Where your money is going Modesto Bee Modesto City Schools is poised in May to issue the first $26 million in bonds for renovations and improvements for elementary schools and junior high campuses. GM will retire from one of Stanislaus County’s […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Cong Harder: How legislation in Washington, D.C. can help homeless in Modesto Modesto Bee In Stanislaus County, there are upward of a thousand people without a place to call home. Hundreds of folks in our community don’t have a bed in homeless shelters and spend their nights in the […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: High-end hotel coming to downtown Modesto? City is looking into a proposal for one Modesto Bee The city could be taking a hard look at a proposal for a high-end, 200-room hotel next to Modesto Centre Plaza, which supporters believe will be a key driver to an improved downtown […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: UC Merced chancellor visits DC, discusses immigration with congressional leaders Fresno Bee Dorothy Leland made her way to Capitol Hill this week for the first convening of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. See also: ·       Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis to speak at UC Merced […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Why Harder, other valley reps are asking EPA for close review of delta water plan Modesto Bee Political leaders from the valley are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to closely scrutinize new water quality standards proposed for the San Joaquin-Sacramento delta. Mayor at odds with Modesto’s $2.6 million offer […]