Maddy Institute – December 1, 2020

01Dec

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Turlock Council chooses to abide by state campaign finance regulations

Turlock Journal

When the next Turlock City Council elections roll around in 2022, candidates will have to abide by the new mandatory contribution limits set by the State of California after the City Council decided not to create its own contribution limit ordinance.

City of Modesto levies stiff penalty on city clerk. Her attorney threatens to sue

Modesto Bee

The Modesto City Council has reduced the salary of longtime City Clerk Stephanie Lopez after an investigation concluded she had emailed public documents without having the city attorney’s office first review them and included comments critical of city officials, primarily the city attorney, in her emails.

You can now watch Stanislaus court hearings on YouTube, but in-person access is limited

Modesto Bee

If you go to the Stanislaus County Courthouse on 11th street in Modesto, expect a bailiff to ask why you’re there. The court took the step on Tuesday to limit access to only those with official business in the courthouse, such as defendants, attorneys, jurors and subpoenaed witnesses, in order to better protect against the coronavirus as cases again surge.

EDITORIAL: Why is Stanislaus County keeping vital COVID information from its residents? It’s wrong.

Modesto Bee

People in neighboring Merced County find it helpful to know the exact name and location of recent COVID-19 outbreaks pinpointed at 30 specific businesses, care homes and schools. Anyone with an electronic device easily can find that information at a tab on the county’s dashboard.

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno adds nearly 600 cases in 2 days as stay-at-home order looms

Fresno Bee

Fresno County has reported more than 2,200 coronavirus cases in the past week, averaging about 322 cases a day. Currently, there are a total of 38,568 cases since the virus first swept its way through the county, with 574 added over Sunday and Monday.

● Fresno County sees steep increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19 in November abc30

● Who gets the COVID-19 vaccine first in Fresno? Pressure mounts to focus on this group Fresno Bee

● 'Scary is the word': Tulare County hospitals grapple with increasing COVID-19 patients Visalia Times Delta

● COVID-19 update: Cases surge back up in county Porterville Recorder

Valley Voices: Despite COVID-19 outbreak, the Census count in San Joaquin Valley was a success

Fresno Bee

The San Joaquin Valley has faced and overcome a great deal in 2020. Perhaps more than we thought was possible. Regardless of best-laid plans, there are always forces beyond our control.

Kingsburg businesses receive $190K from COVID CARES funds

Hanford Sentinel

The City of Kingsburg continues to provide financial support to local businesses during the pandemic. To date, 60 businesses have received $3,000 - $4,500 totaling $190,000 from the City’s COVID CARES funding. The money will be utilized for items such as paying rent, making payroll, establishing outdoor dining and paying utilities. A list of grant recipients is attached.

Fresno County remains top agriculture county in California, report shows

abc30

Fresno County is home to over 1.4 million acres of productive pasture and farmland. It remained the top ag county in the state and nation. Ag commissioner Melissa Cregan delivered the crop report to county supervisors. Cregan told the board, "The 2019 gross production value for agriculture in Fresno County was $7.718 billion."

Lucia Vázquez clears up campaign rumors after losing VUSD board seat by 8 votes

Visalia Times Delta

Lucia Vázquez lost her 9-year seat on the Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees by eight votes in a race that had been too close to call since Election Night.

Warszawski: Fresno shouldn’t get caught up in game of chicken between Grizzlies and MLB

Fresno Bee

Major League Baseball’s sweeping plan to reshape the minor leagues has hit a final speed bump on Highway 99. That bump is none other than your Fresno Grizzlies. Whose owners, alongside the city the team has called home since 1998, aren’t about to let the demotion from Triple-A baseball go down without a fight.

South SJ Valley:

Sales tax revenue plummeted in 2020, but Bakersfield officials say it could have been worse

Bakersfield Californian

The financial future for the city of Bakersfield remains cloudy heading into the important holiday shopping season. For the first half of this year, the city saw sales tax returns go from bad to worse. And with economic shutdowns continuing into December, it’s unclear if the trend will continue downward.

After one month, new Bakersfield homeless shelter already finding housing for those in need

Bakersfield Californian

Despite facing a long learning curve, the city of Bakersfield is reporting success at its new homeless shelter after about a month of operation.

See also:

· State recovery loans on the agenda for free local webinar Bakersfield Californian

Adventist Health offering free childhood immunizations clinics this month

Bakersfield Californian

Adventist Health Bakersfield will be offering free childhood immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases at the following sites in December: All sites will be in Bakersfield and open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

State audit report calls for fixing oil-review procedures

Bakersfield Californian

A yearlong state audit of California's process for reviewing certain kinds of oilfield projects common in Kern County has identified bureaucratic shortfalls but found that regulators "generally complied" with proper procedures before handing out approvals.

State:

Surging Virus Exposes California’s Weak Spot: A Lack of Hospital Beds and Staff

New York Times

For all its size and economic might, California has long had few hospital beds relative to its population, a shortfall that state officials now say may prove catastrophic. California is experiencing its largest surge in coronavirus cases with an average of nearly 15,000 new cases a day, an increase of 50 percent from the previous record over the summer.

● Newsom warns of regional stay-at-home order as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record Los Angeles Times

● California’s COVID-19 surge: ‘It’s brutal. It’s astoundingly bad’ and about to get worse Los Angeles Times

● Restrictions ramp up as California coronavirus hospitalizations soar to new heights CalMatters

Newsom asked California doctors and nurses to join his Health Corps. Why the plan flopped

Fresno Bee

In late March, as the state scrambled to prepare for the emerging pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the creation of the California Health Corps to recruit and deploy thousands of retired doctors, newly graduated nurses and other medical professionals into COVID-19 hotspots.

‘Biblical mandate.’ California churches ready to defy Newsom after Supreme Court ruling

Fresno Bee

Greg Fairrington, pastor of a Rocklin megachurch that’s been defying California’s pandemic restrictions on indoor churchgoing, opened Sunday’s service by pulling out his cell phone and reading aloud from a fresh U.S. Supreme Court decision.

How California moved to the future of voting during a pandemic

Capital Public Radio

Mono County tried its hand at new election technology during the March 2020 primary but then the internet cut out. For the general election, it reverted to old-fashioned paper voter rolls.

Appointing a Latino or Latina senator would fulfill Newsom’s commitment

CalMatters

Gov. Gavin Newsom is fulfilling his commitment to ensure Latino leaders are heard. He regularly meets with a diverse cadre of Latino leaders, he has appointed a record number of three Latinas to his cabinet and has made Latino inclusion central to his “California for All” platform.

Results of the 2020 Statewide Elections (Education)

EdNote

In a year of historic voter turnout, voters across the country cast their ballots for important education leadership positions and on ballot measures that impacted education systems.

Walters: GOP congressional wins set stage for 2022

CalMatters

It is remarkable — even amazing — that as Democrat Joe Biden rang up a nearly 2-to-1 victory over Republican President Donald Trump in California this year, Trump’s party regained four of the seven congressional seats it lost two years ago.

The California Air Quality Guru Who Taught Business to Love the Environment

Politico

In 2011, Mary Nichols faced a dilemma. For the previous four years, she’d been working as head of the California Air Resources Board, essentially the state's top air pollution cop, and she’d just had a big win.

Federal:

Biden unveils economic team at critical moment for recovery amid COVID-19 pandemic

abc30

President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling his economic team Tuesday amid growing concerns about the pace of the nation's economic recovery as governments reimpose restrictions to curtail the surging coronavirus pandemic.

● Political fight brews over Biden’s pick for White House budget office Los Angeles Times

● Biden’s Economic Team Charts a New Course for Globalization, With Trumpian Undertones Wall Street Journal

● 'Help Is On The Way,' Biden Says As He Formally Unveils Economic Team NPR

Coronavirus Stimulus Talks Restart as Centrists Unveil Bipartisan Plan

Wall Street Journal

Lawmakers released a blitz of competing coronavirus relief proposals Tuesday, reigniting stalled talks as the pandemic surges across the country, but without any clear signs that Democratic and Republican leaders would be able to reach a consensus.

● Bipartisan talks resume on coronavirus relief package Roll Call

● Biden to meet with U.S. workers hit by pandemic, says Congress must act Reuters

Trump Threatens to Veto Defense Bill if Tech Liability Shield Stands

Wall Street Journal

President Trump threatened to veto an annual defense-policy bill if it doesn’t include language revoking a provision that gives social-media companies broad immunity for the content they publish from users on their sites.

Can the president pardon himself? 4 questions about the presidential pardon

PolitiFact

With news reports suggesting that the Trump White House and their legal advisors are taking a close look at the president’s pardon power, we decided to review the rules ourselves. We’ve asked a dozen legal experts for their views on four questions related to presidential pardons.

AG Barr: No evidence of fraud that'd change election outcome

abc30

Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

● Barr Says No Evidence of Widespread Voter Fraud in Election Wall Street Journal

● Arizona And Wisconsin Certify Election Results, Affirming Biden Victories NPR

● Barr: DOJ Has No Evidence Of Fraud Affecting 2020 Election Outcome NPR

● Opinion: Trump’s Fraud Claims Hit a Barr Wall Street Journal

Barr Appoints Durham Special Counsel for Investigation Into Origins of Russia Probe

Wall Street Journal

Attorney General William Barr has named Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham a special counsel, giving him protection to continue into the Biden administration his investigation of the origins of the FBI’s 2016 Russia probe.

● Justice Dept. investigated potential ‘bribery-for-pardon’ scheme involving White House Washington Post

Once ‘cocky’ Democrats recalibrate ambitions in Congress amid election setbacks

Los Angeles Times

Rep. Zoe Lofgren spent her summer doing “a very nerd-like” line-by-line reading of the 55-year-old law that governs U.S. immigration policy in anticipation of widespread Democratic election wins that would give her party the ability to enact a massive immigration overhaul next year.

Biden's Coalition Was United In Beating Trump. Governing May Reveal Its Cracks

NPR

Joe Biden won the presidency by stitching together a broad coalition of voters — Black and white, from young progressives to former Republicans, and across cities and suburbs — united by a singular mission to defeat President Trump.

Some federal judges plan to retire when Trump exits. Will Biden be able to replace them?

Los Angeles Times

For the last four years, some federal judges postponed retirement plans rather than give President Trump the opportunity to name more conservatives to the nation’s powerful appeals courts.

Column: Can Republicans dig out of the hole Trump dug? He hopes not

Los Angeles Times

“How do we get out of this?” That’s the question preoccupying the right these days. The specific “this” varies, but what unites all the concerns is the mess Trump has made.

Other:

Issue Brief: California's Digital Divide

Little Hoover Commission

Access to affordable, high-speed internet is more critical now than ever before, yet many California households go without or lack sufficient bandwidth to meet their household’s needs.

Commentary: Don’t call them data caps: A deep dive on usage-based broadband pricing

AEI

Last week, Comcast announced plans to expand its existing usage-based broadband pricing model to northeastern markets, prompting a fresh wave of criticism by some long-time opponents of the practice. But setting aside these critics’ loaded rhetoric and straw-man arguments, a more complex picture emerges.

Commentary: Building resilient rural places: Strategies from local leaders to strengthen rural assets, diversity and dynamism

Brookings

The 2016 and 2020 presidential elections ushered in new waves of national attention to rural America—and along with them came a flurry of misconceptions about rural places and the people living in them.

‘No corporate PAC’ pledges hit record in 2020, but may face uncertainty in 2022

Roll Call

Swearing off donations from corporate political action committees became all the rage among Democrats during the past two election cycles, but potential cracks in the trend have begun to emerge.

Bruce Herschensohn, R.I.P.

National Review

When Bruce Herschensohn, who died Monday at the age of 88, ran for the Senate in California in 1992, he was supposed to debate his opponent, Representative Barbara Boxer, before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Fresno County remains top agriculture county in California, report shows

abc30

Blue Diamond reports $1.59 billion in revenue. Almond milk from Turlock is a hit

Modesto Bee

Blue Diamond Growers had $1.59 billion in revenue in its latest annual report, boosted in part by the new almond milk operation in Turlock. The Sacramento-based cooperative saw a 1.5% increase in the fiscal year ending Aug. 28 over the previous year.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Under fire from D.A.s, Gavin Newsom says he is taking action to curb prison unemployment fraud

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday defended his response to a surge in unemployment insurance fraud among state prison inmates, saying his administration took action when the scheme surfaced.

See also:

● California paid $400 million in jobless benefits to inmates Bakersfield Californian

● Debit cards, illegal cell phones: How inmates pulled off giant California unemployment scam Sacramento Bee

● Commentary: Government Accountability Office report highlights flaws in the counting of unemployment benefit claimants AEI

Supreme Court Voices Doubts Over Suit Alleging Nestle, Cargill Liable for Child Slavery

Wall Street Journal

Several Supreme Court justices expressed doubts Tuesday over a lawsuit that aims to hold Nestle USA Inc. and Cargill Inc. liable for the exploitation of child slaves on Ivory Coast plantations that supply the companies with cocoa.

Public Safety:

Are California prison guards covering up misconduct? Lawmaker wants an investigation

Sacramento Bee

The chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee has requested a broad investigation into whether California prison guards are covering up misconduct. On Friday, two former California State Prison-Sacramento prison guards were charged with falsifying records to change details of an inmate’s death in 2016.

COVID-19 Infections Hit Record High In California Prisons

Capital Public Radio

Inside California’s prisons, coronavirus cases have exploded, reaching 3,861 active cases last week — the highest so far. Yet the state has slowed its early releases of inmates, raising questions about overcrowding as the infections spread through the prisons.

● COVID-19 continues to roil California prisons, jails as officials face new criticism Los Angeles Times

● COVID-19 infections hit record high in California prisons CalMatters

Fire:

Giving Tuesday donation to Central California Food Bank to help Creek Fire victims

Fresno Bee

Wells Fargo donates $50,000 to Central California Food Bank to help victims of foothill communities affected by the Creek Fire for Giving Tuesday, hoping to inspire others Tuesday morning, Dec. 1, 2020 in Fresno.

Creek Fire Update: Nears 380K Acres, 96% Contained

Clovis RoundUp

After four months and 379,895 acres burned, the Creek Fire is currently at 96% containment. The fire has been recorded as the single largest wildfire in California history. It first broke out on September 4 in the Big Creek drainage area.

California got $1.3 billion in wildfire relief. Victims have received nothing, prompting outrage

Los Angeles Times

After her home in Santa Rosa, Calif., burned down in the Tubbs fire three years ago, Linda Adrain moved into a tiny apartment. She didn’t expect to stay long. Adrain soon learned about plans for a complex for low-income senior citizens on the site of the fire-ravaged mobile home park where she had lived for a quarter-century.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Restaurants go into ‘hibernation’ for winter across US during COVID-19 pandemic

Fresno Bee

A new surge of COVID-19 has prompted many state and local governments to implement stricter regulations for bars and restaurants. Those restrictions could lead to greater financial loss for businesses in the industry, especially as fewer people choose to dine outside in the cooler temperatures.

Kingsburg businesses receive $190K from COVID CARES funds

Hanford Sentinel

California providing $500 million in aid, tax relief for small businesses amid pandemic

Visalia Times Delta

California will provide temporary tax relief and $500 million in aid to small businesses struggling because of coronavirus outbreak restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.

See also:

· State recovery loans on the agenda for free local webinar Bakersfield Californian

More than half of emergency small-business funds went to larger businesses, new data shows

Washington Post

More than half of the money from the Treasury Department’s coronavirus emergency fund for small businesses went to just 5 percent of the recipients, according to data on more than 5 million loans that was released by the government Tuesday evening in response to a Freedom of Information Act request and lawsuit.

How’s the Coronavirus Economy? Great or Awful, Depending on Whom You Ask

Wall Street Journal

The coronavirus recession has been financially devastating for many Americans. It has been a boon for others. Many are going hungry or worried about eviction. Others are paying down debt or even buying second homes. What’s left is a confounding picture of U.S. household finances.

Nasdaq Seeks Board-Diversity Rule That Most Listed Firms Don’t Meet

Wall Street Journal

Nasdaq Inc. is pushing to require the thousands of companies listed on its stock exchange to include women, racial minorities and LGBT individuals on their boards, in what would be one of the most forceful moves yet to bring greater diversity to U.S. corporations.

Jobs:

750,000 Californians are about to lose jobless benefits. What is Congress doing?

Fresno Bee

Unemployment insurance for self-employed people has been a lifesaver for Lis McKinley, not just for her finances but – at 61 – also for her health. McKinley owns and runs Let’s Make Room, which helps people reorganize and move their homes.

Unions laud California directive urging hospitals test health workers weekly for COVID-19

Fresno Bee

Labor groups and spouses of medical personnel lauded California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health for new recommendations for routine weekly COVID-19 tests of health care personnel at the state’s general acute care hospitals.

Here’s what California workers need to know about the state’s new COVID-19 workplace rules

Sacramento Bee

More than eight months into the pandemic, California officially has rules in place aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces. The emergency rules will be in effect at least until late May. The standards board of Cal-OSHA may extend the period and could also work to make those rules permanent.

See also:

· New workplace laws affect employers large, small Bakersfield Californian

DoorDash Denied Arbitration of California Drivers’ Tip Claims

BloombergLaw

Food-delivery platform DoorDash Inc. must face allegations that it impermissibly used customer tips to meet minimum pay requirements for drivers, after a California appeals court declined Monday to compel arbitration of claims filed on behalf of the state.

See also:

● The Lopsided Telework Revolution RAND

EDUCATION

K-12:

How is distance learning affecting your child’s education in Fresno County? Let us know

Fresno Bee

The digital divide has been affecting teachers, students, and parents in Fresno. In a recent survey released by The Bee’s Education Lab, community members said internet connectivity has made teaching and learning more difficult.

KHSD pausing in-person services and athletics because of rising COVID rates

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern High School District announced that it is pausing all of its in-person services, athletics and activities because of rising COVID-19 rates locally.

CIF puts high school sports on hold at least another month due to COVID surge

Modesto Bee

High school sports – both practice and competition – won’t start until January at the earliest, the California Interscholastic Sports Federation wrote in a statement late Tuesday afternoon.

● High school sports postponed again as COVID cases rise Turlock Journal

California is failing to provide free and equal education to all during pandemic, suit alleges

Los Angeles Times

The state of California has failed during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a free and equal education to all students, violating the state Constitution and discriminating against Black, Latino and low-income families, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

Less siloed, more inclusive: Changes to special education teacher preparation expected to have big impact on schools

EdSource

As the pandemic has drawn more attention to the needs of students in special education, the state is moving forward with changes to teacher preparation programs intended to improve learning conditions for California’s nearly 800,000 students with special needs.

State Leaders Empower Students to Be Active Digital Citizens

EdNote

Educators overwhelmingly agree that digital citizenship is critical to help students make informed decisions online and to build inclusive online communities. However, recent surveys show that most digital citizenship education focuses primarily on cyberbullying and privacy.

Commentary: Schools can expect more COVID-19 aid, but whether it matters is up to them

AEI

Don't let politically potent cries for short-term relief crowd out necessary discussion about how to use funds to open schools and fuel long-term improvement.

Commentary: SAT math scores mirror and maintain racial inequality

Brookings

In 1926, the SAT was created to give talented students, regardless of income, the chance to compete for college admission and scholarships. Nearly 100 years later, it often excludes the lower-income students it was created to help. Although the original exam was primarily aimed at economic diversity, part of its stated modern mission is to help increase racial diversity, too.

Higher Ed:

Fresno State to offer weekly COVID-19 testing for students, staff through mid-January

abc30

Fresno State announced its plans for the spring 2021 semester after a fall semester that included mostly remote learning. Outgoing University President Dr. Joseph Castro sent an email to the campus saying plans may need to be adjusted due to a surge of COVID-19 cases in Fresno County.

Fresno State will make big changes due to COVID-19 this spring. What you need to know

Fresno Bee

Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases expected over the winter, Fresno State will ramp up its campus population for the spring semester, adding more classes and dorm-residing students, according to a letter sent out to students from President Joseph I. Castro on Monday.

California State University extends fall 2021 application deadline to Dec. 15

abc30

Students applying to the California State University (CSU) system will have a couple more weeks to turn in their applications for the fall 2021 semester, officials announced on Tuesday.

DeVos knocks free college push as 'socialist takeover of higher education'

The Hill

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos knocked the push for free college as a “socialist takeover of higher education” during an online conference Tuesday.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Air district strongly discourages residents from burning wood

Bakersfield Californian

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is reminding Central Valley residents that current outdoor conditions are not conducive to burning wood.

The California Air Quality Guru Who Taught Business to Love the Environment

Politico

Big Companies Urge Biden, Congress to Address Climate Change

Wall Street Journal

A broad cross section of big U.S. corporations including Amazon.com Inc., Citigroup Inc. and Ford Motor Co. are calling on Congress to work closely with President-elect Joe Biden to address the threat of climate change.

Once-Ignored Promises to Tribes Could Change the Environmental Landscape

Pew Trusts

If Native treaty rights had been honored, the natural landscape of the U.S. might look very different today. In recent years, some courts, political leaders and regulators have decided it’s time to start honoring those treaty obligations.

Energy:

State audit report calls for fixing oil-review procedures

Bakersfield Californian

Agencies should follow CARB’s leadership on emissions from gas appliances

CalMatters

California led the nation earlier this year with the country’s first gas-powered vehicle phase-out, but the state’s air regulators aren’t stopping there. An overlooked directive during a recent California Air Resources Board meeting was the first step in phasing out gas-powered appliances in our homes, citing the health and climate risks.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno adds nearly 600 cases in 2 days as stay-at-home order looms

Fresno Bee

● Fresno County sees steep increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19 in November abc30

● 'Scary is the word': Tulare County hospitals grapple with increasing COVID-19 patients Visalia Times Delta

● COVID-19 update: Cases surge back up in county Porterville Recorder

● Hospital patients near 200 in Stanislaus; 237 new cases Modesto Bee

COVID-19 was silently spreading across US as early as December 2019, CDC study says

Fresno Bee

The first confirmed coronavirus case in the U.S. was reported on Jan. 19 in a Washington man after returning from Wuhan, China, where the first outbreak of COVID-19 occurred.

CDC says 2-week coronavirus quarantines can be cut to 10 or 7 days

Washington Post

The standard 14-day coronavirus quarantines potentially can be shortened to 10 days or even seven, according to revised guidance issued Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an effort to boost compliance with one of the most important tools for limiting spread of the virus.

FDA approves Roche test that detects antibodies that fight coronavirus

UPI

Federal regulators have given emergency approval for a new blood test that can measure antibodies in people who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Human Services:

California will receive 327,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine by mid-December. Who gets them?

Fresno Bee

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that California could receive as many as 327,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine as early as mid-December, with another round of supply anticipated three weeks later.

● 1st COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers, nursing homes, CDC advisory panel recommends abc30

● U.K. Authorizes Pfizer, BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use Wall Street Journal

Health-care workers, nursing home residents should get coronavirus vaccine first, panel says

Washington Post

An estimated 20 million health-care workers should get top priority for a vaccine to keep the nation’s hospitals and clinics functioning, an advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Tuesday.

● If There Aren’t Enough Vaccines for All Health Care Workers in California, Which Doctors, Nurses or Aides Will Get It First? KQED

● Hospitals likely to be first local recipients of COVID-19 vaccine Bakersfield Californian

● CDC Panel Recommends Giving First Covid-19 Vaccines to Health Workers, Nursing Homes Wall Street Journal

Adventist Health offering free childhood immunizations clinics this month

Bakersfield Californian

Surging Virus Exposes California’s Weak Spot: A Lack of Hospital Beds and Staff

New York Times

Commentary: Health care policy in the Biden era

AEI

Democrats hoped a victory in the presidential election would translate into strengthened numbers in Congress too, and thus provide a mandate to enact far-reaching health care legislation. It didn’t work out that way.

IMMIGRATION

L.A. Times files lawsuit seeking records on abuse claims at U.S. immigration detention centers

Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seeking the release of records detailing allegations of widespread sexual abuse and harassment at immigration detention centers.

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s H-1B Visa Rules on Highly Skilled Foreign Workers

Wall Street Journal

A federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday set aside two Trump administration policies that required employers to pay foreign workers on H-1B visas significantly higher wages and narrowed eligibility for the program valued by U.S. tech firms and other employers.

Behind Trump’s final push to limit immigration

Politico

Donald Trump is not done with immigration yet. Since Election Day, the president’s staffers have pushed through changes that make it easier to deny visas to immigrants, lengthened the citizenship test and appointed new members to an immigration policy board.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

In-N-Out update: Building permit for north Visalia location under review

Visalia Times Delta

Construction on the second In-N-Out location in Visalia is underway. The building permit for the project, at the northwest corner or Riggin Avenue and Dinuba Boulevard, is currently in review, said Visalia city economic development manager Devon Jones.

Sequoia National Forest Land near fire to remain closed

Porterville Recorder

Sequoia National Forest land near the Castle Fire that burned in the Sequoia Complex will remain closed through December 31. Despite cooler temperatures, hot spots continue to smolder and burn through dry vegetation.

Housing:

After one month, new Bakersfield homeless shelter already finding housing for those in need

Bakersfield Californian

Despite facing a long learning curve, the city of Bakersfield is reporting success at its new homeless shelter after about a month of operation.

Median Home Price Sets New Record in California

New York Times

Fueled by low interest rates and a historic housing shortage, California’s median home price in September reached $712,430, closing out four straight months of record highs.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Familiar holdups threaten omnibus; tax extenders also at risk

Roll Call

Funding for veterans medical care and border security remain holdups in the drive to reach agreement on a 12-bill spending package for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

When Will You Get Your 2021 Income Tax Refund?

CPA

The IRS usually starts accepting e-filed income tax returns and starts processing refunds in late January. Although the 2020 tax season was significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the IRS extended the deadline past the usual April 15 date, the agency has not said there will be a delay in the 2021 tax season.

State government won’t give workers a break on parking passes despite telework

Sacramento Bee

Kayley Smith was at home on maternity leave when she got the call two years ago. After four years on a waiting list, she was offered a parking pass at the Department of Health Care Services building downtown where she works.

TRANSPORTATION

CDC issues warning against traveling to Mexico as country continues to see rise in COVID-19 cases

abc30

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Americans not to travel to Mexico as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country. This week, Mexico's death toll rose to 105,940 - the fourth highest in the world - with 1,113,543 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.

As recovery bills languish, transit systems cut service

Roll Call

As if the rhetorical predictions weren’t already dire, Washington’s transit agency threw down a gauntlet when it released its fiscal 2022 budget proposal this week.

Nineteen closed stations. Service scaled back to one train every half-hour. No weekend service. All on the doorstep of Congress.

The Covid Pandemic Could Cut Business Travel by 36%—Permanently

Wall Street Journal

Even if Covid-19 vaccines become widespread, business travel is likely to be changed by the pandemic. Travel budgets have been slashed and some meetings will remain virtual; conferences and conventions may be crimped.

WATER

Council to look at $35 million in wastewater management projects

Porterville Recorder

Three wastewater projects totaling $35 million will be considered at tonight's Porterville City Council meeting. The main purposes of the projects include to prepare for the relocation of Eagle Mountain Casino near the Porterville Airport and to meet groundwater usage requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Commentary: Delta tunnel would be costly and an ill-conceived response to today’s challenges

CalMatters

Jennifer Pierre’s commentary is disguising another ill-conceived water grab. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tunnel plan has nothing to do with ecosystem restoration or environmental justice.

“Xtra”

100 years of Christmas Tree Lane. Holiday light show opens this week. How it will be different

Fresno Bee

Christmas Tree Lane officially turns on its lights Tuesday night, though anyone passing down the two-mile stretch of old Fig Garden recently will have seen some final tinkering, as the long-standing holiday extravaganza gears up for its 98th season in spite of the coronavirus pandemic.

Candy Cane Lane Will Be Lighting Up The Holidays

Clovis RoundUp

Ready for the shiny Christmas lights and lawn reindeers over on Candy Cane Lane? A walk down the street is a fun experience for the holidays, but it might be cold so driving through is also an option (note: some information incorrect: not open until “12:30 am” and driving—not walking—is being encouraged).

Lemoore Christmas tree raised for 101st time

Hanford Sentinel

The Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department raised the city's Christmas tree Sunday afternoon. The nearly 70-foot tree marks the 101st Christmas tree in city history.

Despite pandemic, City and community offering Christmas cheer

Turlock Journal

The holidays may look and feel different this year, but there are still countless ways to kick off the Christmas season throughout Turlock this weekend.