POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Stanislaus reports seven deaths. Hospitals level off
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County reported seven deaths to COVID-19 on Thursday, and a continued leveling off in the hospital patient count.
Stanislaus County COVID clinics reopen only to shut down again due to lack of vaccines
Modesto Bee
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday for COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Modesto Centre Plaza and Stanislaus State University. Stanislaus County reopened its vaccination clinics Thursday after a two-day hiatus. Both the Modesto and Turlock clinics were one-day affairs.
Central SJ Valley:
New cases down across state, but deaths up in Fresno-area counties
Fresno Bee
The California Department of Public Health reported 22,403 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, well below the rolling seven-day average of 34,047. But the number of coronavirus deaths increased across the state by 2.1% over the previous day, and the percentage was higher in several Fresno-area counties.
See also:
Devin Nunes drops Twitter from second lawsuit over critical social media posts
Fresno Bee
Rep. Devin Nunes last week dropped Twitter from the second lawsuit he filed against the company, ending the social media giant’s role in a case over what the California Republican regarded as online harassment.
Here’s when Fresno radio host Ray Appleton will return after his suspension
Fresno Bee
A guest host filling in on KMJ talk radio on Thursday said popular Fresno host Ray Appleton will return Monday from his suspension following controversial remarks.
Fresno gets nearly $16M for rental assistance
Business Journal
The City of Fresno has received $15.8 million from the federal government to help struggling residents pay for housing and utility costs. These funds come from the most current stimulus packaged signed at the end of December 2020.
Hanford Sentinel
Congressman David G. Valadao released a statement Wednesday after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
South SJ Valley:
Kern Public Health reports 11 new coronavirus deaths, 474 new cases
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 11 new coronavirus deaths and 474 new cases Thursday. That brings Kern's deaths since the pandemic began to 583. And there have been 87,714 confirmed cases.
Women's March Kern County to unite community virtually this year
Bakersfield Californian
Like many events over the last year, the Women’s March Kern County will go virtual, but don’t let the format deter you. Organizers are committed to bringing the community together in a session packed with activists, writers, performers and more on Saturday.
Bakersfield City Council to consider repealing backyard hen ordinances
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council will soon consider repealing a series of ordinances that allow most homeowners to raise hens in their backyards.
State:
As California COVID rates decline, more focus on vaccine rollout
Modesto Bee
While California’s coronavirus rates continue to show signs of improvement from a dire winter surge, health officials remain concerned by the state’s slow rollout of vaccine.
Newsom promised 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations. California can’t tell if he hit his goal
Los Angeles Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians to “hold me accountable” to a goal of administering 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 10 days, but nearly two weeks later a series of data collection problems have left state officials unable to offer clear evidence of success or failure.
Has Florida done better than California in fighting COVID-19? Here are the facts
Fresno Bee
Here are the facts: Florida’s death rate is higher. California’s unemployment rate is 45th among the states, while Florida’s is 31st. Experts, however, say those statistics alone don’t tell the whole story.
More than 50 Bay Area restaurants, wineries sue Newsom over dining ban
Los Angeles Times
A group of more than 50 wineries and restaurants across Napa and Sonoma counties are suing to overturn a state ban on in-person dining, saying their constitutional rights are being trampled as they slip into financial ruin.
California’s bill for fighting Trump in court? $41 million so far
CalMatters
The state filed 110 lawsuits against the Trump administration over its environmental laws, immigration policies and other rules and rollbacks. So far, it’s won 23 cases, but most are still pending.
Public Policy Institute of California
As California emerges from the pandemic, can policymakers pave the way for an equitable recovery? And how can California—the most diverse state in the nation—expand opportunity across all of its communities and regions?
Federal:
Fauci resumes COVID-19 briefings in White House under Biden administration
abc30
Dr. Anthony Fauci is back in the White House briefing room. Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, was tasked by President Joe Biden to give an update on the coronavirus pandemic after largely being sidelined in recent months by former president Donald Trump.
See also:
On Day 2, Biden Focuses On COVID-19 Strategy With 10 Executive Actions
VPR
President Biden signed a series of orders and directives on his second day in office to take charge of stopping the spread of the coronavirus — steps that he and his advisers say will start to boost testing, vaccinations, supplies and treatments.
See Also:
Biden immediately turns to boosting federal COVID-19 response Los Angeles Times
Biden uses executive orders to address COVID-19, other health care issues
Roll Call
US issues national pandemic plan, a year after its first COVID-19 case Roll Call
FEMA would operate up to 100 federally run mass vaccination sites under Biden plan Washington Post
Biden to Sign Executive Orders to Boost Covid-19 Aid, Expand Worker Protections Wall Street Journal
Biden Moves to Jump-Start Covid Fight With Slew of Orders Wall Street Journal
Biden’s Pandemic Response Plan: What You Need to Know Wall Street Journal
Biden’s COVID-19 challenge: 100 million shots in the first 100 days. It won’t be easy Politifact
Bipartisan Senate group to meet with Biden aide on coronavirus relief
Roll Call
A group of 16 senators, evenly split between the parties, is expected to meet over the weekend with National Economic Council Director Brian Deese to discuss the finer points of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan…
Washington Post
Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin won Senate confirmation Friday as President Biden’s defense secretary, becoming the first Black American to hold the post. Biden is focusing on an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic, with plans for a speech from the White House and two new executive orders.
Biden’s Agenda Faces Early Hurdles in a Divided Congress
Wall Street Journal
Democrats’ efforts to quickly confirm President Biden’s cabinet nominees and move forward with his legislative agenda collided with the reality of a narrowly divided Congress, with Senate Republicans refusing to agree to a power-sharing agreement unless Democrats promise to preserve a 60-vote threshold to advance most bills.
U.S. Restores Ties With WHO, Seeking to Reassert Global Health Leadership
Wall Street Journal
The U.S. is moving to assert a leading role in the global effort to end the coronavirus pandemic, restoring its ties with the World Health Organization and pledging to contribute to a world-wide vaccination drive.
See also:
President Biden Quickly Rejoined Paris Climate Accord. Meeting the Emissions Goals Will Be Harder.
Wall Street Journal
President Biden’s move to rejoin the Paris climate accord within hours of his inauguration was welcomed by world leaders, but meeting the U.S.’s commitments to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions promises to be challenging.
See also:
What Is the Paris Climate Agreement and Why Is Biden Rejoining Now? Wall Street Journal
Impeachment Article Against Trump to Be Delivered to Senate Monday
Wall Street Journal
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has told him the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump will be delivered to the Senate Monday, triggering a second impeachment trial.
See also:
McConnell wants to delay Trump impeachment trial to February Los Angeles Times
Delaying impeachment trial could benefit both parties Roll Call
McConnell Proposes Starting Trump Impeachment Trial in Mid-February Wall Street Journal
Opinion: Congress should use the budget to raise the minimum wage
Roll Call
And when Congress has raised the minimum wage in the past, it has often done so as part of a package with tax cuts for small businesses. Taken together, a minimum-wage and small-business tax cut package can be a bipartisan win-win.
Opinion: Senate Filibuster Showdown
Wall Street Journal
Democrats are eager to get rolling on their priorities, and the multi-trillion-dollar question is whether they’ll blow up the Senate legislative filibuster to pass a progressive agenda with 51 votes. This procedural radicalism won’t be the political winner the party imagines.
Opinion: The GOP Hit Rock Bottom. Can Conservatives Recover?
Wall Street Journal
We have a new year and a new administration, but America’s crisis hasn’t yet passed. The dangerous forces unleashed over the past five years are still dominant in one major party and are increasingly potent in the other.
Other:
Census Estimates Show Population Decline in 16 States
PEW
With a perfect storm of aging residents, low birth rates, COVID-19 deaths and immigration cutbacks, 16 states saw population decreases last year as the United States experienced the slowest national population growth since the Great Depression.
Changes to the Brown Act Affecting Use of Social Media for Members of Legislative Bodies
aalrr
On October 8, 2020, our firm published an alert relating to Governor Newsom signing Assembly Bill 992 (“AB 992”) into law and the substantive changes to the Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act”) enacted pursuant to AB 992.
Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural Poem Is a Stunning Vision of Democracy
New Yorker
Among the firsts in Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” is the concept of democracy that it assumed. Democracy, according to the twenty-two-year-old poet, is an aspiration—a thing of the future.
Beyond coronavirus and economic relief: What voters want
AEI
So what do Americans want president-elect Biden to do? What do recent polls tell us about Joe Biden’s mandate? Actually, quite a lot.
A turning point? Americans grapple with COVID-19 amid enduring partisan and racial divisions
Survey Center on American Life
Findings from the November 2020 American Perspectives Survey
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
New walnut variety enables early harvest
Business Journal
UC Davis researchers have bred a new walnut variety designed to provide growers with a way to harvest earlier and boost the efficiency of the state’s $1.6 billion walnut industry.
Tulare County Prepares For Vaccine Distribution To Farmworkers
VPR
Tulare County is still in phase 1A of its vaccine distribution, but the county’s Health and Human Services Department is already working with other organizations on vaccine distribution for farmworkers.
Washington Post
President Biden is expected on Friday to significantly increase federal food assistance for millions of hungry families among executive actions intended to stabilize the deterioration of the economy weighed down by the raging coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Fresno man trolls people on social media reading about his arrest in Clovis
Fresno Bee
Within hours of bailing out of jail, a Fresno man taunted people on social media who commented about his arrest. David Hernandez, 24, was arrested on burglary charges early Thursday after police said he tried breaking into a Clovis home while using a 10-inch hunting knife to pry open a door.
Delano First In Kern County To Enforce Stay-At-Home Order With Fines
VPR
An ordinance passed Tuesday by the Delano City Council will allow code enforcement to issue citations for people violating stay-at home-orders. It’s the first of its kind in Kern County.
35 States Reform Criminal Justice Policies Through Justice Reinvestment
PEW
Although reforms vary from state to state, all aim to improve public safety and control taxpayer costs by prioritizing prison space for people convicted of serious offenses and investing some of the savings in alternatives to incarceration that are effective at reducing recidivism.
Doctor that promoted false hydroxychloroquine claims arrested in connection with Capitol riot
The Hill
Federal officials this weekend arrested the head of a fringe medical group that has promoted false claims about vaccines and the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Nearly 1 In 5 Defendants In Capitol Riot Cases Served In The Military
NPR
As a violent mob descended on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and aides hid wherever they could, waiting for the military and police to arrive. But many of those who stormed the Capitol were military veterans themselves, who had once sworn to protect the Constitution.
Public Safety:
Fewer than half of white Americans are willing to mask up in public, study finds
Modesto Bee
White people are less likely to wear a mask when in contact with people outside of their household, according to a newly released survey.
Fire:
Is fire season now a year-round reality? Experts weigh in on extreme Bay Area weather
San Francisco Chronicle
Sanchez said the window for wildfires to break out and impact communities, and potentially become large, destructive fires, is widening. In just the first few weeks of 2021, Cal Fire reported 143 fires that have burned 861 acres so far. Last year during the same time frame, 48 fires resulted in 15 acres burned.
Powerful winds spark new blazes in California's year-round fire 'season'
The Guardian
Unusually warm and dry conditions coupled with powerful wind gusts have ignited a spate of winter wildfires that call into question the idea that California has a “fire season” at all any more.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Joe Biden’s Economic To-Do List
U.S. News
Joe Biden took the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States exactly one year after the coronavirus was officially identified as present in the country.
Trump inherited a booming economy — and handed Biden a nation 'in shambles'
NBCNews
More so than other presidents, and to the endless frustration of economists, Donald Trump correlated stock market performance with the nation’s economic health. However, President Joe Biden is unlikely to measure his own achievements by the gyrations of the stock market, economic experts say — and that message is likely to resonate with an anxious population.
Jobs:
EDD extends deadline for identity verification based on long waits for ID.me
abc10
California's Employment Development Department said it will give people more time to verify their identity after people reported waiting days for ID.me.
Instacart to cut 1,900 jobs, including its only unionized workers
Los Angeles Times
Instacart Inc. is cutting about 1,900 employees’ jobs, including 10 workers who recently formed a union, as the company seeks to boost its ranks of contract workers.
U.S. Unemployment Claims Remained Elevated Last Week
Wall Street Journal
The number of jobless claims last week was down slightly from the week ended Jan. 9, when applications jumped by more than 100,000 to 926,000. The Labor Department said the increase for the Jan. 9 week—initially estimated as the largest weekly increase since March—was smaller than previously thought.
See also:
Unemployment Claims Stay Stubbornly High As Biden Takes Office VPR
U.S. jobless claims decline to a still-high 900,000 Los Angeles Times
Is the US ready to unify around a $15 minimum wage?
yahoo!finance
Part of newly inaugurated US president Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan includes a hotly debated measure: an almost doubling of the US federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
EDUCATION
K-12:
President Biden pushes to reopen schools within 100 days as part of COVID-19 response
abc30
President Joe Biden is pledging to reopen most K-12 schools within 100 days -- an ambitious goal as Covid cases surge and teachers across the country fight some plans to reopen.
Burton delays reopening; PUSD still set to reopen for K-6 Monday
Porterville Recorder
Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) and Burton School District (BSD) had high hopes of seeing their students return to campus in Monday, but after new guidelines for reopening schools were released by the California Department of Health (CDH) on January 14, both districts are having to revise their plans. BSD has completely cancelled reopening their campuses, while PUSD still plans to reopen, but have to modify their plans.
Bakersfield Californian
Last year in Kern County, 1.7 percent of teachers were Black men. So Thursday the second annual BEST Man Teach event served as a local recruitment effort among high school students to help swell the ranks of educators with Black men.
Opinion: Students need Pell Grants to double
CalMatters
The Pell Grant program can make college a reality for more students like me, a third year student at UC Berkeley.
Opinion: Students need ethnic studies that is true to the legacy of the discipline
CalMatters
If ethnic studies is done right, it has the potential to teach us to love deeply, to fight hard and to stand in solidarity with communities of color.
Event: How should schools spend federal COVID-19 aid?
AEI
With federal coronavirus relief, schools are wrestling with a host of thorny questions. Especially under the new Joe Biden administration, how much federal aid is coming? What rules will govern its use?
Higher Ed:
President Biden instructs Department of Education to extend student loan relief
abc30
At the request of President Joe Biden, acting Secretary of Education will extend the pause on Federal Student Loan payments and collections and keep the interest rate at 0% through Sept. 30.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Valley Air News: District welcomes new board members
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
With the new year comes new faces to the Valley Air District’s Governing Board, providing leadership and direction to aid with our mission of improving air quality and quality of life for all Valley residents.
After warm, dry start to winter, it's going to get wetter and colder — and that's good!
Bakersfield Californian
If these forecasts come to pass, it could provide a significant boost to the seasonal outlook, which has been much drier than normal. Current Kern River Basin snow sensor computer models place the 2021 Kern River snowmelt yield (with normal future precipitation conditions) at about 35 percent of normal.
World leaders laud U.S. return to Paris climate accord under Biden
Los Angeles Times
World leaders breathed a sigh of relief Thursday that the United States under President Biden is rejoining the global effort to curb climate change, a cause that his predecessor had shunned.
See also:
What Is the Paris Climate Agreement and Why Is Biden Rejoining Now? Wall Street Journal
Two Biden priorities, climate and conservation, collide in the California desert
Los Angeles Times
The Trump administration left President Biden a dilemma in the California desert: a plan to remove protections from millions of acres of public lands and open vast areas to solar and wind farms.
See also:
Tracking Biden’s environmental actions Washington Post
Opinion: Biden’s climate team must avoid Obama-era climate hypocrisy AEI
Energy:
Tule River Tribe receives $25,000 grant for clean energy project
Porterville Recorder
California Native American Tribes taking action on climate change are getting a boost from a new State program designed to support tribally led efforts.
Biden halts oil and gas leases, permits on US land and water
Bakersfield Californian
The Biden administration announced Thursday the suspension of new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits for U.S. lands and waters for 60 days, as officials moved quickly to reverse Trump administration policies on energy and the environment.
Biden's climate steps could have big impact on energy firms
Bakersfield Californian
President Joe Biden has put his team to work reviewing dozens of actions taken by former President Donald Trump, aiming to reverse orders that he says harm the environment or endanger public health.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
New cases down across state, but deaths up in Fresno-area counties
Fresno Bee
The California Department of Public Health reported 22,403 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, well below the rolling seven-day average of 34,047. But the number of coronavirus deaths increased across the state by 2.1% over the previous day, and the percentage was higher in several Fresno-area counties.
See also:
Fresno County passes 1,000 COVID deaths, but region falls below 1,000 hospitalizations Fresno Bee
California cases by age group; Fresno-area deaths hit milestone Fresno Bee
Kern Public Health reports 11 new coronavirus deaths, 474 new cases Bakersfield Californian
Stanislaus reports seven deaths. Hospitals level off Modesto Bee
Current, Deadly U.S. Coronavirus Surge Has Peaked, Researchers Say VPR
Biden says death toll from pandemic likely will top 500,000 next month, says it will take months ‘for us to turn things around’ Washington Post
Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count New York Times
First COVID case in US reported one year ago today. A timeline of a frantic year
Modesto Bee
One year ago today, the U.S. announced it found its first case of the coronavirus, the mysterious pneumonia-like illness that experts believe sprang from an animal market in Wuhan, China just a couple months prior.
More hope for nursing home residents? Drug protects them against COVID, study finds
Modesto Bee
An antibody-based drug that’s already being used as a COVID-19 treatment may now help prevent the disease in nursing home residents and staff, some of the most vulnerable individuals due to age and underlying health conditions, according to its developers.
COVID-19 cases, new syndrome on the rise among children, especially Latino children
CalMatters
As COVID-19 cases increase among adults, they have also increased in children, along with cases of a new inflammatory syndrome. Also like the adult population, Latino kids have borne a disproportionate brunt of the cases.
Fauci Says Vaccines Should Protect Against New Coronavirus Variants
Wall Street Journal
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, said he expected existing vaccines to protect the public against new variants of the coronavirus.
Human Services:
Fresno COVID-19 vaccination clinic inoculating seniors 72 and older
Fresno Bee
WelbeHealth in Fresno started its coronavirus vaccination clinic for those 72 and older, but hopes to inoculate those 65 and older soon.
See also:
It could take until June to vaccinate Californians 65 and older, health officials say Fresno Bee
Vaccine distribution underway among Valley's American Indians abc30
‘We will roll up our sleeves, get to work.’ Merced County opens COVID vaccination clinics Merced Sun-Star
Hospitals still under strain from COVID-19, but some see hope the virus has peaked
Bakersfield Californian
New daily cases of COVID-19 in Kern County have dipped and so have hospitalizations for those with the virus, but hospitals are still being clobbered by record-high patient levels.
California says it's safe to resume Moderna COVID-19 vaccine distribution
abc30
California says it's safe to resume using a batch of coronavirus vaccine from Moderna after some people fell ill and a halt to injections was recommended. The decision frees up more than 300,000 doses to counties, cities and hospitals struggling to obtain supplies.
See also:
Despite reactions, California says virus vaccine can be used Business Journal
COVID-19 vaccine appointments canceled in Madera County due to shortage in doses abc30
Warszawski: Quit holding out, Gov. Newsom. Fresno, San Joaquin Valley need more COVID vaccine Fresno Bee
State errors confound vaccine rollout in California, as Sacramento pleads for more doses
Sacramento Bee
Each Tuesday, Sacramento County health officials await an email from the state alerting them to how many doses of COVID-19 vaccine they’ll receive — a number that helps local pharmacies and health officials organize the massive distribution effort.
See also:
California is running critically low on COVID-19 vaccines as people vie for shots Los Angeles Times
Rite Aid expands COVID-19 testing, includes self-swab testing KGET
Amazon ‘ready to assist’ Biden administration with COVID vaccine, company says. How?
Sacramento Bee
Amazon wants to help President Joe Biden’s administration vaccinate millions of Americans — but how? The Biden administration has a goal of administering 100 million COVID-19 vaccines in his first 100 days in office, McClatchy News reported.
See also:
‘How am I going to keep this up?’ COVID intensifies plight of family caregivers
CalMatters
The pandemic has made a stressful task only harder for the 4.7 million Californias who care for a relative or close friend over the age of 50.
IMMIGRATION
Fresno’s Muslim community felt ‘terrorized’ by Trump’s travel ban, celebrates its repeal
Fresno Bee
The central San Joaquin Valley Muslim community on Wednesday celebrated the repeal of what became known as the Muslim ban that “terrorized” them since it was implemented by former President Donald Trump.
How Joe Biden’s immigration plan works, and what it would mean for California
Fresno Bee
President Joe Biden on his first day in office sent Congress an extensive immigration proposal that could have big implications for California, which is home to the largest undocumented immigrant population in the nation.
See also:
Biden plans early legislation to offer legal status to 11 million immigrants without it Los Angeles Times
Fresno DACA recipient says she feels hope after Joe Biden's inauguration
abc30
President Joe Biden has already signed a series of executive orders that focus on immigration. That includes preserving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
See also:
Valley farmworkers excited, relieved to hear of Joe Biden's DACA plan abc30
‘We’ve been here before’: Can Biden deliver on citizenship promise to Dreamers? Merced Sun-Star
Biden halts border wall building after Trump's final surge
Bakersfield Californian
In the days before Joe Biden became president, construction crews worked quickly to finish Donald Trump’s wall at an iconic cross-border park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which then-first lady Pat Nixon inaugurated in 1971 as symbol of international friendship.
See also:
Biden inherits border chaos from Trump, but for now his next steps are uncertain Los Angeles Times
Biden Suspends Deportations, Stops 'Remain In Mexico' Policy
VPR
The newly inaugurated Biden administration wasted no time in taking two major steps to dismantle much-criticized Trump-era immigration policies in its first day in office.
See also:
Joe Biden’s halt on deportations doesn’t include all immigrants. Here’s what to know Sacramento Bee
Creating a Safety Net for Immigrant Communities
Public Policy Institute of California
California is home to about 11 million immigrants, three-quarters of whom are naturalized or legally residing. But about 2.5 million are undocumented and ineligible for most safety net benefits.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
City Council Discuss New Loma Vista Marketplace Plans
Clovis Roundup
On Tuesday, Jan. 19 City Council meeting, one of the items discussed was an amendment to the Planned Commercial Center (P-C-C) Zone District to establish the Loma Vista Marketplace P-C-C Zone District Standards.
Federal government approves Hard Rock casino proposed for south of Bakersfield
Bakersfield Californian
The federal government has approved a plan by the Tejon Indian Tribe to operate a Hard Rock Casino resort 14 miles south of Bakersfield. Now it is up to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who must concur with the decision before the plan can become a reality.
Yosemite sets planned reopening, but 1 entrance closed longer. Winds felled giant sequoias
Modesto Bee
Yosemite National Park hopes to reopen Tuesday, but the park’s south entrance via Highway 41 will be closed to visitors past that date for safety reasons as crews work to repair downed electrical lines, the park announced Thursday.
Housing:
Fresno receives $15.8 million to help residents with rent, utility payments
abc30
Nearly $16 million in federal funding will help Fresno residents pay for housing and utility costs. These latest funds come from the recent stimulus bill, which is separate from the CARES Act.
Time running out to extend California’s eviction moratorium
CalMatters
Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders need to reach an agreement by Jan. 31 for California renters to avoid the beginning of a statewide eviction tsunami.
California’s 17 Million Renters Face Housing Instability and Inequity Before and After COVID-19
California Budget & Policy Center
Almost 17 million Californians — 44% of all state residents — live in homes that are rented. As the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have unfolded, the urgent needs of California’s renters have rightly received significant attention, including calls for eviction moratoriums, rental assistance, and production of more affordable housing.
See also:
Event: Developing Sustainable, Affordable Housing in California's Communities
Hopin
Join us for an informative and interactive event to learn about how to get involved in creating sustainable and affordable housing in your community.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Where do stimulus checks stand after Biden, new Senate are sworn in? What we know
Sacramento Bee
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package with $1,400 stimulus checks unveiled by President Joe Biden last week could reach the House of Representatives floor soon. If the legislation passes the House, it would also have to pass the newly Democratic-controlled Senate.
TRANSPORTATION
Southwest Airlines is a ‘game changer’ for Fresno business, says mayor. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer hailed Southwest Airlines’ Thursday announcement that it will begin flights to and from Fresno Yosemite International Airport starting in April, saying it’s a pivotal moment for both business and leisure travel for the city and broader San Joaquin Valley.
See also:
Southwest Airlines unveils date to begin Fresno service. Here’s where they will be flying Fresno Bee
Southwest Airlines to begin flights from Fresno airport on April 25 abc30
Buttigieg cites gas tax hike at hearing, but aide walks it back
Roll Call
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg on Thursday put a gas tax hike on the table of ways to pay for federal highway programs, only to have a spokesman later rule out that possibility.
Biden signs order requiring masks on planes, buses, trains and at airports
Washington Post
President Biden signed an order Thursday mandating masks in airports and on many planes, trains, ships and intercity buses. His action comes on the heels of a Wednesday order — his first as president — requiring masks on federal property.
Biden administration promises an EV era, new world for the auto industry
Road Show
President Joe Biden calls for sweeping changes to bolster the US auto industry, usher in EVs and transform transportation. We lay it all out.
Opinion: Keep the Trains and Buses Running
New York Times
The coronavirus pandemic is jeopardizing the long-term health of the public transit systems that provide a crucial circulatory system for major American cities — particularly for lower-income residents who depend on trains and buses to get to work, the market or the doctor.
WATER
Kamala Harris says California’s water crisis is a racial injustice. Will she champion equity?
Fresno Bee
A month before she began campaigning for the second-highest political position in the United States, now-Vice President Kamala Harris briefly turned her attention to a small town with a big drinking water problem.
Low Income Communities Drowning In Water Debt, New California Water Board Survey Finds
VPR
Low income communities across the San Joaquin Valley and other regions of the state are being hit hard by rising water and utility debt according to a recent survey released by the California Water Board.
Walters: After COVID-19, drought threat still looms
CalMatters
California is enveloped in balmy weather that’s more like spring than mid-winter — and that’s not a good thing. We have seen only scant rain and snow this winter, indicating that the state may be experiencing one of its periodic droughts and adding another layer of crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession.
“Xtra”
New restaurant opens first Turlock site to lines, another new chain also coming soon
Modesto Bee
While we still may not know why the proverbial chicken crossed the road, we do know why a lot of folks in Turlock are — and it’s to get to that chicken. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, a fast-food fried chicken chain, has opened its first store in Turlock.