Maddy Institute – December 21, 2020

21Dec

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Stapley: It’s morally wrong, Stanislaus County, to continue hiding COVID outbreaks

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County leaders should stop stalling and start telling us where COVID-19 outbreaks are, so we can avoid them. It’s just common sense, and it’s not a novel idea.

● Deaths, infections continue to mount in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee

California Democrat (Cong Harder) gets powerful committee spot. Why that matters to Central Valley

Modesto Bee

As Congress becomes more gridlocked, the budget process has become the main vehicle for getting new government projects through Congress — giving even more importance to Congress’ Appropriations Committees, which were already powerful in the first place.

Election analysis: Stanislaus County is redder than other parts of California

Modesto Bee

Recent election results conclusively demonstrate that Stanislaus County is not part of California’s blue wave. California gave President-elect Joe Biden a 5 million-vote margin over President Trump, but that margin was only 1,696 votes in Stanislaus County, out of 217,517 ballots cast.

Central SJ Valley:

Central CA COVID-19 updates: Latest ICU capacities, stay-home order restrictions

abc30

A surge in COVID-19 cases has impacted California and the communities in the Central Valley. The San Joaquin Valley has been placed on a stay-home order as local hospitals are strained.

Fresno County health officials urging public to take COVID vaccine when available

abc30

Fresno County health officials say they are continuing to distribute daily doses to hospitals but with the second FDA authorized vaccine, health officials already have plans in place. It's a second shot of hope for the country.

Fresno issues 2 business COVID fines, including Waffle Shop. Owner responds with message

Fresno Bee

For the second time this December, the Waffle Shop has received a citation for operating in defiance of state and local coronavirus restrictions. The $1,000 citation was one of two the city issued to businesses this week.

● Pismo’s restaurant owner sues City of Fresno over outdoor dining rules

Fresno Bee

Measure P Advocates Claiming Victory, But Legal Challenges Not Over

VPR

Fresno Building Healthy Communities says the effort to invest in city parks has been a long time coming, in fact, nearly a decade of work to raise public awareness. Youth advocates worked to highlight the disparity between conditions in the northern parts of Fresno, and the southern parts of Fresno, where facilities were in major need of repair.

● Warszawski: Surprising reversal by courts, mayors on parks tax will boost Fresno’s quality of life Fresno Bee

EDITORIAL: How Fresno County is playing a key role in the drive to recall California Gov. Newsom

Fresno Bee

Susan Kraemer and her husband own a small pool-service company in Fresno that employs four people. Dane Wildey runs a contracting and real estate firm in the city. Both share the belief that California is on the wrong track, and for that they blame Gov. Gavin Newsom.

South SJ Valley:

Kern Public Health reports 995 new coronavirus cases Sunday

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health Services reported 995 new coronavirus cases Sunday, and no new deaths. Since the pandemic began, there have been a total of 58,200 cases and 481 deaths in Kern County.

Filing suggests TJ Cox will again run against Valadao for local congressional seat

Bakersfield Californian

Outgoing Rep. T.J. Cox has declared an intention to run again for California's 21st Congressional District seat, though it was unclear Friday how committed he remains because his candidacy paperwork was filed weeks before he ultimately conceded losing the Nov. 3 General Election.

Kern County wins award for clear financial reporting

Bakersfield Californian

The county of Kern has won a financial transparency award for its annual report of Fiscal Year 2018-19. Described as the “highest form of recognition” for government accounting and financial reporting, the Certificate of Achievement honors the county for a clear and accurate portrayal of its finances.

State:

California Legislature delays start of 2021 session due to uncontrolled COVID-19 numbers

Sacramento Bee

The California Legislature has pushed its return date to Sacramento for the start of the 2021 session back by a week to Jan. 11 due to staggering COVID-19 numbers, according to a joint statement from Democratic leadership.

California, hard-pressed cities lose in COVID stimulus deal as aid is left out

San Francisco Chronicle

A $900 billion coronavirus aid package that congressional leaders agreed to Sunday includes no dedicated money for state or local governments, undercutting hopes that California and many of its cities would be able to close growing budget gaps without major cuts.

California dropped its guard before it was hit with $2 billion in unemployment fraud

yahoo!finance

As California grapples with staggering levels of unemployment benefit fraud — $2 billion or more by one estimate — lawmakers and security experts say the state let its guard down well before the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, failing to keep up with what other states have done to flag bogus claims.

Gov. Newsom challenged to address Senate's lack of diversity

Bakersfield Californian

Should California get its first Latino U.S. senator or should the 100-member chamber maintain one Black woman’s voice? That's a weight on California Gov. Gavin Newsom's shoulders as he considers his pick to serve out the rest of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' Senate term through 2022.

● Who Will Replace Kamala Harris? It’s About More Than a Senate Seat New York Times

● Column: Picking two senators is too much. Here’s how Newsom could handle the situation Los Angeles Times

Here are 12 consultants subject to Gavin Newsom’s new lobbying ban — and one that isn’t

Sacramento Bee

Jason Kinney, a longtime associate of Gov. Gavin Newsom, can continue to lobby the governor on behalf of his clients under a new policy Newsom rolled out last week because he is not currently paid by either the California Democratic Party or Newsom’s campaigns.

Column: Reports of California’s demise are greatly exaggerated. Lawmakers should care anyway

Los Angeles Times

And although there is no mass “exodus” — roughly 40 million people still live in California — lawmakers returning to Sacramento this month would be wise to address their complacency about the state’s high housing costs and other affordability issues.

Federal:

COVID-19 Update:

● Newly Released COVID-19 Data Show Most U.S. Cities Are 'Sustained Hotspots' VPR

● U.S. Hospitalizations Hold Steady as Newly Reported Cases Decline Wall Street Journal

Stimulus update: Congress finalizes agreement on $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill

abc30

Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.

● Despite his boasts, Trump again is no deal-maker as Congress seeks pandemic relief bill Los Angeles Times

● Deal reached on $900B coronavirus relief package; votes likely Monday Roll Call

● Congress Strikes Long-Sought Stimulus Deal to Provide $900 Billion in Aid New York Times

● Americans Scraping By Say They Fear a Second Stimulus Won’t Be Enough New York Times

● White House secures ‘three martini lunch’ tax deduction in draft of coronavirus relief package Washington Post

● Lawmakers reach compromise over GOP proposal to rein in Fed’s powers, clearing path for a stimulus package deal Washington Post

● Senate majority leader announces approximately $900 billion deal on emergency relief package Washington Post

● Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Package Reaches Final Agreement in Congress Wall Street Journal

Here’s what’s in the new $900 billion stimulus package

Washington Post

Jobless benefits, aid to small businesses, stimulus checks and money for vaccine distribution are in. Aid for local governments and corporate liability shields are out.

● Congress moves to extend pandemic aid for the jobless and renters. Here’s what you need to know. Washington Post

● Here’s what’s in the new $900 billion stimulus package Washington Post

● What Is in the $900 Billion Covid-19 Aid Bill Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: Covid Political Relief Wall Street Journal

Army general apologizes for ‘miscommunication’ over vaccine shipments

Los Angeles Times

The Army general in charge of getting COVID-19 vaccines across the United States apologized Saturday for “miscommunication” with states over the number of doses to be delivered in the early stages of distribution.

● COVID-19 is crushing Native American reservations. But distrust of the government makes vaccines a hard sell Los Angeles Times

● Governors say CDC cutting vaccine allocations The Hill

● Nursing homes face daunting task of getting consent before they give coronavirus vaccines Washington Post

● Opinion: If necessary, the U.S. should pay people to get a COVID-19 vaccine Brookings

Republicans won half of California’s U.S. House seats they lost in 2018. Here’s how

Los Angeles Times

After narrowly losing a congressional seat to Democrat Gil Cisneros in 2018, Republican Young Kim focused her comeback effort on the burgeoning Asian American enclaves of Orange County.

● Voting in U.S. Got Easier in 2020. Will Changes Remain in Next Election? Wall Street Journal

SolarWinds Hack Victims: From Tech Companies to a Hospital and University

Wall Street Journal

The suspected Russian hackers behind breaches at U.S. government agencies also gained access to major U.S. technology and accounting companies, at least one hospital and a university, a Wall Street Journal analysis of internet records found.

Undercutting Trump, Barr says there’s no basis for seizing voting machines, using special counsels for election fraud, Hunter Biden

Washington Post

Outgoing Attorney General William P. Barr said Monday he saw no basis for the federal government seizing voting machines and that he did not intend to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations of voter fraud — again breaking with President Trump as the commander in chief entertains increasingly desperate measures to overturn the election.

● Barr Won't Appoint Special Counsel to Probe Hunter Biden, Vote Fraud Wall Street Journal

● Trump sought to tap Sidney Powell as special counsel for election fraud Politico

● As Trump pushes baseless fraud claims, Republicans pledge tougher voting rules Reuters

Joe Biden warned of a ‘dark winter.’ Why does living in it feel so . . . unreal?

Washington Post

The “dark winter” that President-elect Joe Biden warned of during the final presidential debate last fall is now upon us. Winter officially begins on Monday, the days are at their shortest and the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has never been higher.

Amid a crisis like 'we’ve never seen,' Biden drives to fill Cabinet

Politico

It was April 2009 when then-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius received a phone call from the Obama White House. A plane was on its way to bring her to Washington to be sworn in as the Health and Human Services secretary.

● Biden’s Secretary of State Pick Antony Blinken to Face GOP Scrutiny Wall Street Journal

● A Biden Style of Government Is Emerging: Lowest Drama Possible New York Magazine

● ‘We’re in a crisis’: Biden says U.S. needs to defeat climate change as he introduces team, priorities Washington Post

● Commentary: The ‘back to the future’ Secretary of Agriculture AEI

Other:

Fact Checker: The biggest Pinocchios of 2020

Washington Post

The explosion of false and misleading statements from Trump during his presidency is well documented in our database. We have struggled to keep up with his torrent of falsehoods during the final weeks of the campaign, when he barnstormed the country making 600 to 700 false or misleading claims a week.

There are flickers of hope for local journalism. So far, it’s not nearly enough.

Washington Post

You would think that Adam Ganucheau would be feeling upbeat about the state of local journalism. After all, Mississippi Today, the nonprofit, all-digital news organization where he is editor in chief, had a triumphant year.

Americans generally approve of their news sources’ election coverage, but Republicans less so than Democrats

Pew Research Center

Overall, Americans give positive marks to the news sources they turned to most often for their coverage of Election Day and its aftermath – including four days of uncertainty before major media outlets declared Biden the winner amid Trump’s claims that the results were illegitimate in key battleground states.

Fox & Hounds Daily Says Goodbye

Fox&Hounds

With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Foster Farms facing lawsuit, union alleges ‘unsafe’ workplace amid COVID-19 outbreaks

Fresno Bee

The United Farm Workers labor union says it’s suing Foster Farms following the deaths of several workers from COVID-19 earlier this year. Elizabeth Strater, director of alternative organizing at United Farm Workers, called the suit “an act of desperation” to get Foster Farms to improve conditions for workers immediately.

Why few farmworkers isolate in California’s free COVID-19 hotel rooms

CalMatters

Despite a heavy toll of COVID-19 among California’s farmworkers, who often live in crowded homes, Newsom’s Housing for the Harvest program has made just 81 hotel reservations for isolation or quarantine as of Dec. 16. Given pervasive fear among farmworkers of using governmental programs, are Newsom’s hotel rooms the wrong answer to a persisting problem?

2,000 Christmas food boxes distributed to families in Tulare

abc30

In the South Valley, thousands of families also got some food for the holidays through the mobile food pantry. The Central California Food Bank hosted their first-ever Christmas Food Box Giveaway at the International Agri-Center in Tulare on Saturday.

Commentary: The ‘back to the future’ Secretary of Agriculture

AEI

Tom Vilsack’s reappointment as Secretary of Agriculture should not be a surprise. The former governor of Iowa and his wife supported President-elect Biden in his first run for president in 1988.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Fresno issues 2 business COVID fines, including Waffle Shop. Owner responds with message

Fresno Bee

California dropped its guard before it was hit with $2 billion in unemployment fraud

yahoo!finance

Public Safety:

Prisons in California’s Central Valley are COVID-19 hotbeds. Here’s how it happened

Fresno Bee

Coronavirus infections inside prisons have exploded in recent weeks with one of the worst surges taking place in California, where more than 40,000 inmates and staff across the state’s 35 prisons have tested positive for the virus.

See also:

● Local prisons see spike in COVID-19 cases Bakersfield Californian

Fire:

CAL FIRE crews in Fresno County showing holiday spirit

abc30

CAL FIRE crews in Fresno County are decorating their stations to help spread the holiday cheer. Officials say it's been a tough year for everyone and crews have had it hard with an already busy fire season, the Creek Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses, Sierra community members raise more than $26,000 for Creek Fire victims

Sierra Star

Local businesses and others in Sierra communities of Madera and Fresno counties came together to raise more than $26,000 in relief for people who lost homes in the Creek Fire.

Whack And Stack: PG&E’s Toppling of Trees Creates New Hazards

CalMatters

Facing a potential bill for tens of thousands of dollars, the couple is wondering who is going to pay for the cleanup after PG&E left the piles of timber and woody debris that are themselves fire hazards.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Locals helping locals: Companies spend on restaurant gift cards, challenge others to do the same to keep local dining scene alive

Bakersfield Californian

Several locally owned companies have banded together to help inject cash into struggling Bakersfield restaurants and are challenging others to do the same.

To comply or not comply? How Modesto restaurants vary in handling of COVID shutdown

Modesto Bee

When Cheng Her and his business partner, Nicholas Vang, bought Modesto Sukiyaki almost a year ago, they expected challenges because they were new to the restaurant industry. But they did not expect a pandemic that has been a public health and economic disaster.

50 years of tax cuts for the rich failed to trickle down, economics study says

CBS

Per capita gross domestic product and unemployment rates were nearly identical after five years in countries that slashed taxes on the rich and in those that didn't, the study found.

Commentary: Biden should restore the Office of Economic Opportunity abolished by Reagan

Brookings

The U.S. is failing to provide economic opportunity to all its citizens. A key question — arguably the most important question — facing the new Administration and new Congress is: how to improve economic opportunity?

● Commentary: Let’s not screw up the US economy now AEI

Jobs:

California economy still staggering from COVID-19 shutdowns. And things could worsen

Sacramento Bee

On Friday, the Employment Development Department released the latest snapshot of the state’s economy: California’s unemployment rate fell eight-tenths of a point in November, to 8.2%.

● Kern unemployment rate drops to pre-pandemic level Bakersfield Californian

● New jobless numbers are out, and here’s what’s ahead for Stanislaus County residents Modesto Bee

● November unemployment rate saw small drop in county Turlock Journal

● Coronavirus Wipes Away Recent Wage Gains For Many California Workers, Report Finds Capital Public Radio

● California economy is fast losing momentum; 327,600 give up on seeking jobs Los Angeles Times

Amazon Job Pay Rate Leaves Some Warehouse Employees Struggling

Bloomberg

Despite a starting wage well above the federal minimum, the company is dragging down pay in the logistics industry and bracing for a fight with unions.

EDUCATION

K-12:

CDC: Schools Need Additional $442 Per Student to Reopen Safely

U.S. News

The estimate, which is significantly lower than other school reopening estimates compiled by various national education organizations, notably does not account for the additional costs of providing face masks for students, teachers and staff, additional costs for food service, additional costs for contract tracing, which the CDC recommends as "an essential strategy to reduce transmission," or additional costs related to social distancing.

School reopening battle intensifies as unions and Democrats face off

CalMatters

School reopenings will likely take center stage in 2021 as one of California’s biggest political battles. It’s a battle all the more noteworthy because it pits two groups that are often allies — unions and Democratic lawmakers — against each other.

Higher Ed:

CSU schools want in-person learning next fall. Here’s what Dr. Fauci says about that

Fresno Bee

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he is “cautiously optimistic” that the California State University could hold mostly in-person courses in fall 2021 — if enough people get vaccinated.

CSU campuses with most COVID-19 cases have one thing in common — they like to party

Fresno Bee

The California State University campuses with the most reported cases of COVID-19 have something else in common — they also regularly top the lists of best party schools in the state. San Diego State, Cal Poly, and Chico State are suffering some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks among the 23 CSU schools.

Apprenticeships:

Commentary: Preparing U.S. workers for the post-COVID economy: Higher education, workforce training and labor unions

Brookings

The pandemic has exacerbated the need for improvements in how we train and protect our workforce. Some of these needs are immediate, such as better worker health protections during the pandemic.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

Joe Biden introduces his environmental team, says 'no time to waste'

abc30

President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday rolled out an environmental team that he hopes will steer America toward greater action to curb climate change and protect the nation's air and water.

2020 May Be The Hottest Year On Record. Here's The Damage It Did

VPR
With just a few weeks left, 2020 is in a dead-heat tie for the hottest year on record. But whether it claims the top spot misses the point, climate scientists say. There is no shortage of disquieting statistics about what is happening to the Earth.

Energy:

Fracking: From Breaking Shale to Breaking Even

Wall Street Journal

Everyone seems to have an opinion about fracking. The revolutionary and controversial oil-and-gas exploration technique has raised the ire of oil sheikhs, investors and environmentalists while minting billionaires and wiping out tens of billions of dollars fronted by many of their lenders and investors.

California’s clean energy future requires reimagining the power grid

GreenBiz

Fundamental changes in how the electric power grid is planned, designed, built and operated are necessary to meet future challenges that are arriving quickly.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Central CA COVID-19 updates: Latest ICU capacities, stay-home order restrictions

abc30

A surge in COVID-19 cases has impacted California and the communities in the Central Valley. The San Joaquin Valley has been placed on a stay-home order as local hospitals are strained.

● Newly Released COVID-19 Data Show Most U.S. Cities Are 'Sustained Hotspots' VPR

● California battles skyrocketing coronavirus cases The Hill

Kern Public Health reports 995 new coronavirus cases Sunday

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health Services reported 995 new coronavirus cases Sunday, and no new deaths. Since the pandemic began, there have been a total of 58,200 cases and 481 deaths in Kern County.

● Kern Public Health: 518 new coronavirus cases, 2 new deaths reported Saturday Bakersfield Californian

● Stanislaus hospitals are overrun. County reports 39 coronavirus deaths in five days. Modesto Bee

● Deaths, infections up, hospitalizations down in county Modesto Bee

● Deaths, infections continue to mount in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee

● U.S. Hospitalizations Hold Steady as Newly Reported Cases Decline Wall Street Journal

NIH launching study on rare allergic reactions to coronavirus vaccine

Washington Post

Officials at the National Institutes of Health are rushing to devise a study to find out why, in a few rare cases, people have had severe allergic reactions to the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.

As Christmas Nears, Virus Experts Look for Lessons From Thanksgiving

New York Times

More than three weeks after Thanksgiving, epidemiologists and local health officials across the country are picking apart the holiday, seeking signs of the pandemic’s latest riddle: the Thanksgiving effect.

New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

BBC
The rapid spread of a new variant of coronavirus has been blamed for the introduction of strict tier four mixing rules for millions of people, harsher restrictions on mixing at Christmas in England, Scotland and Wales, and other countries placing the UK on a travel ban.

Human Services:

Overwhelmed California hospitals contemplate rationing care

Fresno Bee

California hospitals are battling to find beds to house patients amid fears the explosion of coronavirus cases will exhaust staffing resources.

● Fresno patients are not receiving adequate care in latest COVID surge, hospital staff say Fresno Bee

Fresno County health officials urging public to take COVID vaccine when available

abc30

● COVID-19 is crushing Native American reservations. But distrust of the government makes vaccines a hard sell Los Angeles Times

● Governors say CDC cutting vaccine allocations The Hill

● Nursing homes face daunting task of getting consent before they give coronavirus vaccines Washington Post

● Opinion: If necessary, the U.S. should pay people to get a COVID-19 vaccine Brookings

● Warszawski: Fresno has COVID-19 vaccine. Who should be last to get it? Fresno Bee

Moderna vaccine OK’d for use in California after experts’ endorsement

Fresno Bee

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for adults, shipments are set to begin on Monday, rolling out the second preventative vaccine after Pfizer’s.

● Group greenlights Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in California as hospitals struggle Los Angeles Times

● Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine Could Widen Immunization Effort Wall Street Journal

● U.S. Starts Delivery of Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine Wall Street Journal

California is short on Spanish-speaking physicians. Why that’s a big problem in a pandemic

Fresno Bee

The high number of coronavirus infections and deaths among California’s Latino communities is underscoring the state’s shortage of culturally competent, Spanish-speaking doctors.

Panel votes to put people 75 and older, essential workers next in line for COVID-19 vaccine

abc30

An expert committee put people 75 and older and essential workers like firefighters, teachers and grocery store workers next in line for COVID-19 shots as a second vaccine began rolling out Sunday to hospitals, a desperately needed boost as the nation works to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.

● Front-line essential workers and adults 75 and over should be next to get the coronavirus vaccine, a CDC advisory group says Washington Post

● Adults over 75, frontline essential workers should be in second Covid-19 vaccine priority group, says CDC advisory panel STAT

In an especially stressful year, new hotline provides relief for those in need

Bakersfield Californian

December is already the most stressful time of the year for many Americans, but add a pandemic into the mix and the stress can be too much to handle. That’s why the Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force has launched a new mental health and wellness hotline.

ACA plans prove popular as millions lose jobs, health insurance amid pandemic

Washington Post

About 8.2 million people signed up for health plans for the coming year through the Affordable Care Act’s federal insurance marketplaces, driven largely by soaring unemployment and other effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

IMMIGRATION

Will California include immigration centers in its COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans?

Fresno Bee

More than two dozen organizations are urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to include the state’s immigration detention centers to be part of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plans and discussions.

With punt, Supreme Court largely ends Trump census plan to exclude immigrants lacking documentation

Los Angeles Times

The Supreme Court on Friday put off a decision on President Trump’s plan to narrow the census count by excluding residents living in the country illegally. The justices by a 6-3 vote said it was “premature” to rule on the issue because it was unclear how or whether the Census Bureau would furnish data on residents who were not in “lawful status.”

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

HUD’s $450k Grant To Aid Southwest Fresno Revitalization

Business Journal

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson awarded $450,000 to the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno to revitalize the California Avenue neighborhood in Southwest Fresno.

Measure P Advocates Claiming Victory, But Legal Challenges Not Over

VPR

● Warszawski: Surprising reversal by courts, mayors on parks tax will boost Fresno’s quality of life Fresno Bee

Housing:

Retro Report Explores The History Of Evictions In Fresno

VPR

According to Retro Report Field Producer Daniel Casarez, the roots of Fresno’s eviction rates go all the way back to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and the discriminatory practice of redlining.

The Great Real Estate Reset

Brookings

Real estate plays a defining role in the American economy. It is by far the largest asset class in the United States, comprising over 40% of private assets nationally, followed by bonds, stocks, and cash.

PUBLIC FINANCES

It’s a deal. Californians could see more unemployment payments, stimulus checks soon

Fresno Bee

Millions of Californians would get quick financial help — stimulus checks, more unemployment benefits and other aid — under the economic relief agreement announced Sunday by congressional leaders.

TRANSPORTATION

Average US price of gas up 4 cents a gallon to $2.26

Fresno Bee

The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline jumped 4 cents a gallon over the past two weeks to $2.26. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that a rise in crude oil prices spurred the increase.

U.S. airport traffic rising despite holiday travel warnings

Los Angeles Times

More than 1 million people have passed through U.S. airport security checkpoints in each of the last two days in a sign that public health pleas to avoid holiday travel are being ignored, despite an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

A Bumpy Ride For California’s Amtrak As Pandemic Surges

CalMatters

Gabriella Choe has been a regular Amtrak passenger for the past four years, traveling from Oakland to Sacramento to see her parents. Before the pandemic, she rode the train nearly every other weekend. But as the pandemic worsens, her visits are now infrequent, and she doesn’t plan on traveling for Christmas.

Commentary: We should design cities for shorter distances, not faster speeds

Brookings

The COVID-19 pandemic and recession have initiated the most consequential transportation upheaval of our lifetimes. Stay-at-home orders, job losses, and public health fears have meant fewer vehicles on the road, a surge in e-commerce deliveries, frightening drops in transit ridership, and a genuine biking renaissance.

WATER

Temperance Flat Dam returns $171 million to state. Still, backers swear it’s ‘not dead’

Fresno Bee

Backers of a $3 billion project to construct the tallest dam in California swear the project isn’t dead, despite the Temperance Flat Reservoir Authority returning money and canceling applications.

California Attorney General Continues to Challenge Trump Administration’s ‘Unlawful Assault’ on the Clean Water Act

Sierra Sun Times

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in support of a lawsuit by environmental organizations challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rule redefining “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.

Reclamation and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority finalize plan to increase water storage in San Luis Reservoir

Bureau of Reclamation

Today, the Bureau of Reclamation and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority finalized the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project’s Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report.

“Xtra”

HolidayLights at CALM again makes USA Today's list of top zoo light shows

Bakersfield Californian

Overall 2020 has been a trying year, but it's great to hear that some things don't change. HolidayLights at CALM was again honored as one of the 10 best zoo light shows in the U.S.

Hmong Community Grieves Cancellation Of Its Fresno New Year Celebration, Largest In Country

VPR

Vietnam War veteran, Chongge Vang, 80, has been confined to his Sanger home during the pandemic, keeping busy with chores on his two-and-a-half acre property. “I have nothing to do, so I have to walk around and then clean up, water all the trees, all the fruit, you know. That’s what I do,” he says.