18Jan

POLICY & POLITICS

Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship

The Maddy Institute

Applications for two $56,000 Fellowships Due Friday, February 22^nd, 2019. Through the generosity of The Wonderful Company, San Joaquin Valley students will have the opportunity to become the next generation of Valley leaders through The Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship. The Maddy Institute will award two $56,000 Fellowships to Valley students who are accepted into a nationally ranked, qualified graduate program in the fall of 2019.

North SJ Valley:

Modesto Junior College instructors get big raise; other unions strike for better pay

Modesto Bee

Instructors at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College near Sonora overwhelmingly ratified a contract that amounts to a 10 percent pay increase for faculty.

Modesto police recover gun at Beyer High, arrest two students after video circulates

Modesto Bee

Modesto police on Thursday afternoon arrested two students at Beyer High School for their alleged involvement in bringing a gun to campus.

Central SJ Valley:

Here’s how Mayor Brand can improve Fresno’s parks – and win back potential voters

Fresno Bee

Despite recent evidence, Mayor Lee Brand insists he isn’t against parks. Brand also claims to be an advocate for San Joaquin River access. Now’s his chance to prove it.

Negotiations set for Fresno court workers as strikes continues

Fresno Bee

After their strike continued for a third day Thursday, SEIU Local 521 members will begin negotiations with the Fresno courthouse over what the union is calling “unfair labor practices.”

Fresno leaders grapple with best use of state money for homeless services

State money coming to the city and county of Fresno to combat homelessness sparked an hours-long debate at the Fresno City Council meeting Thursday about how to best use the money and provide services to people who are homeless

Cox named to House Ag committee; Costa to Foreign Affairs

Fresno Bee

Rep. TJ Cox and Rep. Jim Costa, both Fresno Democrats, were named to the House Agriculture Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, respectively.

South SJ Valley:

Cox, Dems submit bill to offer no-interest loans to furloughed federal workers

Fresno Bee

Rep. TJ Cox, D-Fresno, has submitted his first bill to Congress. The legislation would offer no-interest loans of up to $6,000 to federal workers not being paid during the shutdown.

McCarthy, allies retaliate against Freedom Caucus leader

The Hill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) isn’t the only House leader seeking revenge against colleagues who step out of line. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) is now retaliating against a fellow Republican for voting against him in the Speaker vote earlier this month.

Jean Fuller to lead BC’s Early College program

Bakersfield Californian

Retired state Sen. Jean Fuller is partnering with Bakersfield College to lead its Early College program. Through the program, high-school students can take college-level courses and earn a certificate or associate’s degree by the time they graduate.

State:

Capitol Chat: PG&E Problems & Newsom’s First Two Weeks

Capital Public Radio

PG&E announced it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — how will the legislature respond? Plus, a look at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first two weeks on the job.

It’s time for the California Republican Party to stop living in denial: Trump cost them big

Los Angeles Times

A new dissection of votes from the November election has produced solid evidence that President Trump cost California Republicans seven congressional seats. That was half the state’s already measly GOP House contingent.

A third party in California? Sorry, not going to happen

Los Angeles Times

Could the burgeoning number of independent voters in California constitute the basis for a third party, to compete with the Democrats and the Republicans? Three misunderstandings are feeding all the hypothesizing about a new and possibly centrist third party.

California’s thriving LGBT caucus: Because sometimes, lawmaking is personal

CALmatters

The LGBT caucus numbers seven and has chalked up hard-fought legislative victories—and a to-do list for the future. All its members are Democrats; no openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans Republican has ever won a seat in the Legislature.

Federal:

Democrats demand investigation over report that Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress

Wall Street Journal

Democrats reacted with fury Thursday night to a report from BuzzFeed News that President Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie under oath about a proposed condo project in Moscow.

● President Trump Directed His Attorney To Lie To Congress About The Moscow Tower Project Buzzfeed

● Why Trump Suborning Perjury Is Even Worse Than It Sounds New York Magazine

House Democrats’ latest gambit for ending shutdown involves bills Republicans negotiated

Roll Call

House Democrats plan to ramp up the pressure on Republicans to reopen the government by holding votes next week on spending bills the GOP helped negotiate.

● Your questions about the government shutdown, answered Politifact

● EDITORIAL: Crippled government is the threat within San Francisco Chronicle

Trump grounds Pelosi after she imperils his big speech

Merced Sun-Star

She imperiled his State of the Union address. He denied her a plane to visit troops abroad. The shutdown battle between President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is playing out as a surreal game of constitutional brinkmanship.

● Pres. Trump denies Nancy Pelosi aircraft for planned trip abroad, citing government shutdown abc30

● Trump hits back at Pelosi, cancels military plane for trip Visalia Times Delta

● Nancy Pelosi shrugs off Mitch McConnell’s critiques Merced Sun-Star

● Nancy Pelosi seems to be the only foe Trump won’t personally attack Los Angeles Times

● Unable to end the shutdown, Trump and Pelosi battle to see who can be pettiest Los Angeles Times

● Trump abruptly cancels military support for Pelosi overseas trip Roll Call

● Trump Postpones Pelosi’s Foreign Trip Amid Shutdown Clash Wall Street Journal

● No Trump-Pelosi talks planned as explosive report complicates shutdown endgame Roll Call

Trump Administration Appeals Ruling Blocking Citizenship Question On 2020 Census

Capital Public Radio

The Trump administration is asking the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the first major court ruling over plans to add a question about U.S. citizenship status to the 2020 census.

Democratic leaders fret: Can we keep our big tent in 2020?

Sacramento Bee

Democratic leaders are already questioning whether a 2020 presidential candidate chosen by energized liberals can both excite the base and hold onto red-district voters who just helped deliver them the House of Representatives.

● MLK holiday represents big moment for 2020 Democrats Sacramento Bee

● Trump’s Reelection Chances May Be Better Than You Think NPR

Nasty or frugal? Key Democrats out to stop House members from living in offices

Sacramento Bee

Key Democrats are exploring whether to put an end to members of the House of Representatives living in their offices part-time or make the lawmakers pay up for lodging in prime government real estate.

Other:

Valley Public Radio Names Studios After Longtime Leader

VPR

Valley Public Radio is recognizing the longtime leadership of Mariam Stepanian, the station’s late President and General Manager by naming FM89’s studio complex in her honor.

ACLU sues government over social media surveillance

San Francisco Chronicle

Saying it’s been stonewalled by the Trump administration, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in San Francisco on Thursday seeking information on surveillance by federal agencies, including the FBI and immigration officials, of people who use social media platforms.

Pew Study: 58% say media doesn’t understand ‘people like them’

The Hill

A decided majority of Americans believe “the news media do not understand people like them,” according to a new analysis released Friday by the non-partisan Pew Research Center.

Karen Pence’s Christian-School Job Is Attacked by Intolerant Critics

National Review

Karen Pence is a believing Christian woman. She took a part-time job at a private Christian school. And this, believe it or not, is a scandal. Don’t believe me? Her job has already merited not just one, but two critical Washington Post stories.

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, January 20, at 10 a.m. on ABC 30 –Maddy Report:“New Laws – Future Legislation” – Guests: Dan Walters with CALmatters and Scott Lay with The Nooner – California Political Update. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 20, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: Valley Views Edition: “California Politics: A Look Back and A Look Forward” – Guests: John Myers (LA Times), Dan Walters and Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters), Scott Lay with The Nooner, Mindy Romero with USC Price School of Public Policy and Joel Fox with Fox & Hounds. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.

Sunday, January 20, at 7:30 a.m. on UniMas 61 (KTTF) – El Informe Maddy: “Nuevas Leyes y Legislacion futura” – Guests: Alexei Koseff, Reportero de Sacramento Bee. Host: Maddy Institute Program Coordinator, Maria Jeans.

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AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Local growers appreciate the rain — but not the wind

Bakersfield Californian

Weather turned friend and foe this week as recent storms dumped rain at an almost ideal moment for some growers — but the accompanying wind uprooted trees and caused work delays.

Getting food stamps early doesn’t have to mean you go hungry later

Visalia Times Delta

The nearly four million Californians who receive CalFresh benefits will be able to buy groceries at least through February. However, the future of the program is uncertain.

Food banks’ coordinator resigns to protest alleged ‘rotten’ food at eastern Madera County sites

Sierra Star

The longtime coordinator of two eastern Madera County food banks is stepping down, temporarily stopping all operations at both locations.

In Hopes Of Preserving Agricultural Land, California Farmland Trust Buys Development Rights For Nearly 70 Farms

Capital Public Radio

The organization says an estimated 40- to 50,000 acres of farmland in the state is lost to other uses each year.

Selling Food From Your Kitchen Is Legal In California, But There’s A Catch

VPR

A new law in California allows home cooks to prepare and sell meals out of their personal digs as of January 1. But would-be household hash slingers shouldn’t grab their aprons and chef hats just yet.

Can Trump, Democrats work together on visas for farm workers?

Sacramento Bee

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose are preparing to introduce legislation that would provide a one-time opportunity for experienced agricultural workers to apply for legal status, aides confirmed.

The U.S. and China Are Hatching a Plan to Reopen Chicken Trade

Wall Street Journal

U.S. and Chinese trade officials are in talks to reopen China’s market to U.S. chicken exports as they seek to forge a new trade deal, according to people familiar with the discussions.

California OKs statewide marijuana deliveries

Visalia Times Delta

California endorsed a rule Wednesday that will allow home marijuana deliveries statewide, even into communities that have banned commercial pot sales.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Footage of Fresno jail lobby shooting will be featured on Investigation Discovery

Fresno Bee

It’s been just over two years since Thong Vang opened fire inside the lobby of the Fresno County Jail, nearly killing correctional officers Juanita Davila and Toamalama Scanlan.

Public Safety:

Local nonprofits collect donations to fight human trafficking

Business Journal

Activists, survivors and public officials braved the cold and the rain to collect donations as part of the Pledge to Stop Human Trafficking event.

SB 10: Successful referendum puts cash bail to 2020 vote

Merced Sun-Star

A law passed in August that would have abolished cash bail in California starting later this year will instead appear on the November 2020 ballot, representing a big victory and relief for the state’s more than 3,000 bail bondsmen faced with the prospect of their career being outlawed.

● Referendum Puts California’s Attempt To End To Cash Bail On Hold Until 2020 Capital Public Radio

‘Essential Employees’ At Fresno County Federal Prison Say Shutdown Affects Employee Safety

VPR

As of this week, the partial government shutdown means many federal employees are going without a paycheck, some of whom are right here in the San Joaquin Valley.

California law enforcement unions seek to block release of officer disciplinary records

Los Angeles Times

A landmark attempt to open up records of police use of force and misconduct in California has turned into a broad legal battle as law enforcement unions across the state have gone to court to stop the release of some of the documents.

Big earthquake would topple countless buildings, but many cities ignore the danger

Los Angeles Times

The Northridge quake that hit 25 years ago offered alarming evidence of how vulnerable many types of buildings are to collapse from major shaking.

Fire:

Judge blames deadly California wildfires on PG&E’s uninsulated power conductors

Fresno Bee

A federal judge said Thursday that he thinks uninsulated power conductors are big culprits in the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires.

● Will PG&E customers pay more in bankruptcy? Not if state watchdog can stop it CALmatters

● PG&E, Wildfires and the First Climate-Change Bankruptcy Wall Street Journal

● PG&E’s San Francisco Offices Seen Fetching More Than $1 Billion Bloomberg

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

Faraday Future investor buys stake in rival car company

Business Journal

The Chinese investment group that is backing electric car startup Faraday Future now is also backing another electric car company.

Gymboree files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Visalia Times Delta

Children’s clothing retailer Gymboree Group Inc. announced late Wednesday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and it will close around 800 Gymboree and Crazy 8 stores in the United States and Canada.

See Also:

● Gymboree stores set to close amid company’s bankruptcy Bakersfield Californian

Stocks gain after reports of possible progress on U.S.-China trade dispute

Los Angeles Times

U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after a report that U.S. officials could reduce the new tariffs on Chinese imports as part of trade negotiations between the two countries — the latest in a series of potentially conflicting updates on the trade dispute.

See Also:

● U.S. Debates Lifting China Tariffs to Hasten Trade Deal, Calm Markets Wall Street Journal

The real threat the government shutdown poses for the American economy

Brookings

The government shutdown has produced a serious economic threat that’s hiding in plain sight: the U.S. economy is flying blind. The people who collect, analyze and release all the basic data tracking the path of the economy and its principal aspects are on furlough.

Jobs:

‘Shame on them:’ Gavin Newsom reacts to word that unpaid federal workers can’t get unemployment

Fresno Bee

The Department of Labor says unpaid federal workers in California and seven other states affected by the government shutdown aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. Gov. Newsom called it “a disgrace.”

● People across Valley open hearts and wallets to help furloughed federal employees abc30

● Tens of thousands more federal employees called back to work during shutdown abc30

● Defying Trump Administration, Gov. Gavin Newsom Says California Will Pay Federal Workers During Shutdown Capital Public Radio

● State Department Brings Employees Back To Work Despite Shutdown Capital Public Radio

Walking out for higher wages: More public employees decide to ‘fight back’ in California

Sacramento Bee

California public employees have recently taken to strikes at University California hospitals, Los Angeles schools and courts throughout the Central Valley to press for better wages and working conditions.

As artificial intelligence is used more and more for things like employee recruiting, a look at potential bias

Marketplace

Artificial Intelligence matching systems are more and more present in our lives — determining everything from who we see in dating apps to movie recommendations. But when machines learn from humans, they can also learn human biases—including race and gender biases.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Student in altercation with school board member attending school

abc30

A Bullard high school student who was involved in a physical encounter with a school board member last week has been back in class all week. His family hired an attorney after seeing surveillance video of the clash with board member Terry Slatic.

Should children attend full-day kindergarten? California law may soon require it.

Merced Sun-Star

California may soon require that all the state’s kindergarteners attend a full day of school, if a bill introduced last week becomes law. Under the legislation, schools must transition from half-day programs to full-day programs by the 2021-22 school year.

Modesto police recover gun at Beyer High, arrest two students after video circulates

Modesto Bee

Modesto police on Thursday afternoon arrested two students at Beyer High School for their alleged involvement in bringing a gun to campus.

Local schools excel in state business competition, heading to nationals

Bakersfield Californian

The Rabobank Convention Center has hosted many events over the years where businesses sell their wares. This week, there was one key difference — all the businesses were created by high school students.

One Step Closer to a Statewide Educational Data System

PPIC

Governor Newsom’s recently proposed budget includes $10 million in one-time funding for the planning, creation, and implementation of a statewide longitudinal data system—including early childhood education, K–12, higher education, the workforce, and health and human services.

At Los Angeles Teachers’ Strike, a Rallying Cry: More Funding, Fewer Charters

New York Times

After more than a year of protracted negotiations, the district’s 30,000 public schoolteachers walked out demanding higher pay, smaller class sizes and more support staff for students. But the union is also using the strike as a way to draw attention to what it sees as the growing problem of charter schools.

Higher Ed:

Deadline FAST APPROACHING: Wonderful Public Service Graduate Fellowship

The Maddy Institute

Media Institute sponsoring seminar on science and environmental reporting March 18 at Fresno State

Institute for Media and Public Trust

The Fresno State Institute for Media and Public trust will hold a seminar on science and environmental reporting on the afternoon of March 18 at Fresno State.

California student debt is way up. New study shows how much

Fresno Bee

California’s student debt rose by about $70 billion from late 2008 to late 2018, a jump of about 116 percent. The $132 billion owed by Californians translates to about $3,300 in student debt per resident.

Modesto Junior College instructors get big raise; other unions strike for better pay

Modesto Bee

Instructors at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College near Sonora overwhelmingly ratified a contract that amounts to a 10 percent pay increase for faculty.

Jean Fuller to lead BC’s Early College program

Bakersfield Californian

UC regents relax rules restricting paid outside jobs for chancellors and top managers

Los Angeles Times

University of California regents voted Thursday to weaken the rules for allowing chancellors and other senior managers to engage in outside professional activities, two years after cracking down on former UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi for moonlighting.

UC regents vote to end student adviser program, with support of student leaders

San Francisco Chronicle

In a move that had the surprising support of University of California student leaders, the UC regents voted Thursday to end the role of “student adviser to the regents,” a pilot program that has let a third student participate on the board, but not vote.

Remember When Politicians Promised to Make College Affordable?

Wall Street Journal

Most Americans can’t remember a time when politicians weren’t claiming to make education more affordable by funneling more money to colleges. But after the latest surge in “affordability” policies, implemented over the last decade, the staggering costs are becoming clear.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Tornado touches down in outskirts of Clovis, with wind speeds reaching up to 85 mph

Fresno Bee

A tornado touched down in Fresno County just outside of Clovis on Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. The tornado touched down at around 3:20 p.m. in the area of Herndon Avenue and Academy Avenue, according to Meteorologist Brian Ochs.

‘This is not controversial’: Bipartisan group of economists calls for carbon tax

Washington Post

Forty-five top economists from across the political spectrum are calling for the United States to put a tax on carbon, saying it is by far the best way for the nation to address climate change.

To curb climate change, we have to suck carbon from the sky. But how?

National Geographic

Once considered a distraction, scientists now say using technology—and nature—to remove CO2 from the atmosphere is not only possible: It’s a must.

To save the planet, the Green New Deal needs to improve urban land use

Brookings

The Fourth National Climate Assessment, released in November 2018, pulls no punches. United States communities are already experiencing tangible harms from climate change, and without substantial changes in human behavior, the situation will get worse.

Media Institute sponsoring seminar on science and environmental reporting March 18 at Fresno State

Institute for Media and Public Trust

The Fresno State Institute for Media and Public trust will hold a seminar on science and environmental reporting on the afternoon of March 18 at Fresno State.

Energy:

State offering grants for renewable energy projects on ag land

Business Journal

The California Energy Commission is offering grants ranging from $25,000 to $350,000 to fund renewable energy projects installed on land with agricultural operations. Applications for the Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program (REAP) will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 5.

How Does Your State Make Electricity?

New York Times

America isn’t making electricity the way it did two decades ago: Natural gas has edged out coal as the country’s leading generation source renewables like wind and solar have made small yet speedy gains. But, each state has its own story.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Grant to support Bee’s efforts in coverage of children’s health in Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

The Modesto Bee has been chosen among 50 newsrooms to host a reporter as part of the groundbreaking Report for America program. The grant will help pay for a full-time reporter in our newsroom to cover the physical and emotional health and well-being of children throughout Stanislaus County and the Central Valley.

Three Fentanyl Overdoses In One Day Raise Opioid Concerns In Fresno County

VPR

Law enforcement and health professionals in Fresno are reeling after three people overdosed last week on the opioid drug fentanyl.

The clampdown on opioid prescriptions is hurting pain patients

Los Angeles Times

The CDC needs to revise its guidelines to recommend that physicians not abandon pain patients or engage in “forced tapering.”

Human Services:

Tulare still thinking over hospital loan request

Visalia Times Delta

The Tulare hospital board is asking the city for more money, a request that delayed the city council’s decision on the loan. At the Tulare City Council’s last meeting, city officials received an update on the now $9-million loan request.

New efforts launched to help those with untreated mental illness in Stanislaus County

Modesto Bee

A pair of programs are targeting the need for mental health treatment in Stanislaus County. Modesto-area residents have struggled with access to treatment. And untreated mental illness is a prominent issue with its ties to homelessness.

How a Surgeon General could help improve health care in California

Sacramento Bee

Buried in the flurry of recent policy and leadership ideas from our new governor was a proposal to create a surgeon general for the state of California.

Gavin Newsom Proposes ‘Down Payment’ On Universal Healthcare In California

Capital Public Radio

When the newly-inaugurated Democratic governor unveiled several budget proposals on universal health care last week, PolitiFact California decided to examine whether they move his pledge forward on the Newsom-Meter and, if so, by how much.

Trump’s Proposed ACA Rules Could Raise Costs for Millions of People

Wall Street Journal

The Trump administration on Thursday proposed changes that could raise health insurance costs for millions of Americans who get coverage on the job or receive subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

See Also:

● How Trump Administration Has Undermined Health Law Wall Street Journal

IMMIGRATION

Border patrol releases dramatic ‘civil unrest readiness exercise’ video amid shutdown

Fresno Bee

CBP posted video of a “large scale civil unrest readiness exercise” at a Calexico, CA, entry last month, drawing criticism that agents who made it shouldn’t be working amid a shutdown over the border wall.

Under Trump, more kids separated at border than originally estimated: Report

abc30

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, more kids may have been separated from their parents at the border, according to an internal government report.

Can Trump, Democrats work together on visas for farm workers?

Sacramento Bee

Latest migrant caravan begins arriving in southern Mexico

Los Angeles Times

Hundreds of U.S.-bound migrants in the latest caravan of Central Americans have arrived in southern Mexico, where authorities were processing them in an orderly fashion for temporary immigration status.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Fresno Downtown revitalization going strong in the new year

abc30

South Fulton Street in Downtown Fresno is undergoing a transformation. “I encourage people to come on out and give it a try again,” said Jimmy Cerracchio, CEO Downtown Fresno Partnership.

Caglia pulls plug on controversial Fresno industrial park

Business Journal

Developer Richard Caglia is backing off of plans for a 110-acre industrial park in Fresno that stirred environmental concerns from neighbors. The project was slated to add about 2 million square feet of commercial space to Central and Cedar avenues.

Visalia’s Sears location property sold

Business Journal

Central Valley shopping center developer David Paynter confirmed recently that his company has purchased the Sears building at Visalia’s Sequoia Mall, which he owns.

Walters: Should California revive redevelopment?

Sacramento Bee

An anything-is-possible attitude enveloped post-World War II America. It also spawned what was called “redevelopment,” a tool that would, it was said, clean up inner city slums and help their residents enjoy the nation’s ever-expanding prosperity.

To save the planet, the Green New Deal needs to improve urban land use

Brookings

Housing:

Homeless center plan comes to a halt

Hanford Sentinel

After four months of meetings and back and forth discussions, a plan to purchase a downtown building for a proposed homeless service center is now officially off the table.

Concerns about homeless population expressed at Tuesday’s Council meeting

Porterville Recorder

Tuesday night brought the first City Council meeting of the year to Porterville, and it was long, but full of lively conversation and debate.

Microsoft Pledges $500 Million Investment To Tackle Affordable Housing Crisis

Capital Public Radio

Most of the money will help preserve and build new homes for low and middle-income residents. A smaller portion will go toward homeless services and programs to keep people from being evicted.

Finally, California seems determined to end homelessness

CALmatters

The opposite of homelessness is obvious: having a home. When we picture a home, that picture comes with basic necessities: a bed and bathroom, a place to store food, a place of privacy for school work and family time.

California sees its first home sales drop in four years

OCRegister

According to real estate watcher Zillow, 25.9 percent of new homes on the market in Los Angeles and Orange counties in the fourth quarter had price cuts — No. 17 of 34 major markets studied nationally.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Despite slow start, city sees strong interest in oversight committee that will review Measure N funds

Bakersfield Californian

The city of Bakersfield has only received six applications so far for an oversight committee that will monitor how money raised by the recent sales tax increase is spent but officials expect more to come in before next week’s deadline.

Some Fresno IRS employees return to work without pay

Business Journal

Hundreds of IRS employees in the Fresno area were called back to the job today to work without pay during the partial government shutdown.

It’s a Big Deal: Newsom’s Housing Budget, Explained

Public CEO

No wonder Gov. Gavin Newsom dropped those hints earlier this week about an upcoming “Marshall Plan” for affordable housing. We got the first glimpses of his plans today, as Newsom unveiled his first governor’s budget. And yeah, it’s a big deal.

How Wealthy Americans Like Jack Benny Avoided Paying a 70% Tax Rate

Wall Street Journal

It wasn’t that long ago, in 1980, that America had a top income-tax rate of 70% for individuals, nearly double the current top rate of 37%. And it wasn’t unusual.

TRANSPORTATION

TSA absentee rate still high, but down from Sunday’s peak

Business Journal

TSA officials say the rate of airport screeners missing work during the partial government shutdown has stabilized — but still at unusually high numbers — just before a three-day holiday weekend that is likely to bring bigger airport crowds.

● Furloughed IRS workers back on job to send out refunds, and they’re not happy San Francisco Chronicle

Tune In – Tune Up kicks off another new year

Valley Air News

Valley residents can get their old gas-hogging, high-polluting vehicles checked at the first Tune In Tune Up event of 2019 on January 26 at the Fresno Fairgrounds. The free Saturday event offers emissions testing on a first-come, first-served basis.

WATER

Storm front moves through region

Fresno Bee

Showers and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for the central San Joaquin Valley on Thursday after an overnight storm dropped about a half-inch of rain in Fresno, according to the National Weather Service.

● Local flood control agencies prepare all year for heavy rain in winter abc30

● First major storm of year hits the Foothills, Mariposa County abc30

● Flooding? Sandbags available in Visalia, Tulare and nine county fire stations Visalia Times Delta

● Storm brings more than half-inch of rain, gusty winds to Stockton Stockton Record

● California storm moving out after battering state for 3 days Bakersfield Californian

● Flood advisory for Kern County Bakersfield Californian

“Xtra”

Clovis Rodeo announces music lineup. Here’s who’s playing and when you can get tickets

Fresno Bee

The Clovis Rodeo every year seems to scout country music’s up-and-comers artists — the chart-climbers, let’s say. This year, that means Russell Dickerson, who ended 2018 with two country radio hits and a spot on Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces of Country Music Class of 2019.

Country music star Luke Bryan announces he’s coming to Fresno this summer

Fresno Bee

Country music singer Luke Bryan announced he will hold a concert in Fresno in Aug. 2019. at the Save Mart Center. The venue, however, has yet to confirm the performance.

Snowshoes or Skis on old Logging Roads

Sierra Star

Now that winter is upon us once again, there are recreational areas within and around our national park for adventure. You may not be a seasoned skier and the thought of attempting those downhill runs at the local resorts is not within your comfort zone. Here is a suggestion that will bring you back to the wilderness with less risk and more enjoyment.

Take me home! Animals available for adoption

Bakersfield Californian

These three animals at Kern County Animal Services are looking for their forever homes. Can you help?

Are feral cats supposed to be gone from Hart Park by June? Not necessarily, say county officials

Bakersfield Californian

They say they are working together to manage the feral cat population at Hart Park. And they are. They do. But sometimes it seems Kern County Animal Services and feline advocate group The Cat People see the issue of cats in the park with different eyes and from different perspectives.

The first Women’s March Modesto protested Trump. Saturday’s will be different

Modesto Bee

The third annual Women’s March Modesto on Saturday will celebrate the November 2018 election, when Democrats flipped the House of Representatives and made other gains. That’s a switch from the first march, amid shock that Donald Trump had just been elected president.

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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.

The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno was established to honor the legacy of one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders of the last half of the 20th Century by engaging, preparing and inspiring a new generation of governmental leaders for the 21st Century. Its mission is to inspire citizen participation, elevate government performance, provide non-partisan analysis and assist in providing solutions for public policy issues important to the region, state and nation.

This document is to be used for informational purposes only. Unless specifically noted, The Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno does not officially endorse or support views that may be expressed in the document. If you want to print a story, please do so now before the link expires.