POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● As the Delta variant increases COVID-19 cases, will Stanislaus County require masks? Modesto Bee
Turlock begins another homeless emergency. Officials gave these reasons why
Modesto Bee
The Turlock City Council approved another unsheltered homeless emergency on Tuesday, four months after authorizing plans focused on reducing dangers associated with encampments.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Fresno County officials recommend everyone wear masks, even if vaccinated abc30
● Fresno County residents issued new guidelines on wearing masks in public indoor settings Fresno Bee
Delta variant cases ‘definitely rising’ in Fresno. How quickly can it spread?
Fresno Bee
The unvaccinated are “sitting ducks,” says Fresno County’s health officer.
See also:
● Can You Handle The Truth?: False Information On COVID-19 Vaccines Spreads As Cases Rise Across United States Capital Public Radio
● Delta Variant Surge May Make Unvaccinated Americans Less Likely To Get The Shot, Poll Finds Forbes
● The U.S. Surgeon General Is Calling COVID-19 Misinformation An 'Urgent Threat' NPR
● As 9 out of 10 U.S. children remain unvaccinated, Surgeon General pushes back against misinformation PBS
● You can catch the Delta variant when fully vaccinated, but symptoms will likely be mild or non-existent, data suggests Insider
How will Fresno County spend $194 million from Biden’s pandemic relief? What we know
Fresno Bee
Fresno County has received about half of its $194 million from the American Rescue Plan, with the rest scheduled to come next year. And, at least one advocacy group argues supervisors need to bring community residents and organizations into the decision-making.
Major theme park coming to Fresno? Big investor eyes $300 million in possible projects
Fresno Bee
Fresno city and development officials “rolled out the red carpet” to court a big-time Los Angeles investor interested in potentially developing an amusement park.
● Dyer: Multi-million dollar theme park could bring ‘millions’ to Fresno each year Fresno Bee
4 things to know about the investigation of Fresno apartment complex Manchester Arms
Fresno Bee
The Fresno apartment complex was on the city code enforcement’s radar long before March 29.
Valley Voices: When it comes to the need for a teachers union in Clovis, the data reveal the answer
Fresno Bee
If it ain’t broke … don’t break it! That is the message to send the California Teachers Association, which is heavily involved in the push to unionize Clovis Unified School District, hoping to pull CUSD into its fold and enrich its coffers.
City Council Discusses Clovis Water Supply and Future Projections
Clovis Roundup
The Clovis City Council adopted a resolution regarding the City’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) update and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP).
Another Fresno-area Democrat seeks to unseat David Valadao in Congress. Can he win?
Fresno Bee
Another newcomer to politics has entered the race for U.S. House District 21 held by Rep. David Valadao in California’s central San Joaquin Valley.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern Public Health reports 1 new coronavirus death, 134 new cases Wednesday Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield City Council adopts new rules of decorum for public meetings
KGET
The Bakersfield City Council voted to institute a set of new rules of decorum for its meetings following an incident last month in which the chambers were cleared after people in the audience spoke out of turn and disrupted a meeting.
Downtown businesses eye private security to bolster police presence
Bakersfield Californian
The man was camped outside the entrance to her business, and no matter how many times Kim McAbee-Carter asked him to leave, he refused.
Innovation Lab seeks applicants who want to make Bakersfield a better place
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield Innovation Lab is now accepting applications for its third class of difference makers. Over the past year, The Hub of Bakersfield has held two labs with the intent of bringing people together to make the downtown Bakersfield area a more desirable place.
Designing A Better Bakersfield And A Boundless Kern
CAFWD
In this slice of inland California, we are immensely proud of our economy, our history, and a culture that at times sets us apart from coastal California.
State:
COVID Update:
● Will California backtrack on masks, reopenings as Delta variant sparks new COVID fears? Sacramento Bee
● More California communities urge wearing masks indoors amid surging Delta variant Los Angeles Times
● Essential California: The mask mandate is back in L.A. Los Angeles Times
California approves $35 million plan for nation's first state-funded guaranteed income program
abc30
California lawmakers on Thursday approved the first state-funded guaranteed income plan in the U.S., $35 million for monthly cash payments to qualifying pregnant people and young adults who recently left foster care with no restrictions on how they spend it.
See also:
● California approves 1st state-funded guaranteed income plan KMPH
‘Flat out abuse.’ Calif lawmakers demand review of inmate welfare fund spending
Sacramento Bee
California lawmakers have joined a chorus of incarceration-reform advocates in demanding reforms over how county sheriffs spend money they collect from inmate phone calls and commissary items, calling the system an abuse and pledging legislative changes.
Larry Elder talks politics on the radio. Can he get votes in the Calif recall election?
Sacramento Bee
Elder says he believes elected officials should be able to finish their term before voters get to decide whether or not to keep them.
Federal:
COVID Update:
● Can You Handle The Truth?: False Information On COVID-19 Vaccines Spreads As Cases Rise Across United States Capital Public Radio
● Delta Variant Surge May Make Unvaccinated Americans Less Likely To Get The Shot, Poll Finds Forbes
● The U.S. Surgeon General Is Calling COVID-19 Misinformation An 'Urgent Threat' NPR
● As 9 out of 10 U.S. children remain unvaccinated, Surgeon General pushes back against misinformation PBS
● You can catch the Delta variant when fully vaccinated, but symptoms will likely be mild or non-existent, data suggests Insider
Limited Power for the World’s Most Powerful Man
U.S. News
The presidential bully pulpit is crumbling and that leaves President Joe Biden with few options to advance his agenda.
White House announces ransomware task force after flood of cyberattacks
Axios
The Biden Administration has formed a multi-agency task force to address the growing threat posed by ransomware attacks, a senior administration official said Wednesday.
Santos pledges apolitical role heading Census Bureau
Roll Call
Robert Santos, President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Census Bureau, pledged to keep the agency free from political interference at his confirmation hearing Thursday.
Other:
Many Americans embrace falsehoods about critical race theory
Reuters
Critical race theory, a once-obscure academic concept that has sparked school board protests and classroom bans in some states, is largely misunderstood among the general public, even by those who say they are familiar with what it teaches about racism in America.
Surgeon general says social media companies have 'enabled misinformation' on vaccines
The Hill
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says social media companies have “enabled misinformation” on vaccines.
See also:
· Surgeon general warns misinformation an 'urgent threat' to public health ABC News
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, July 25, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: “A Conversation with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla” - Guest: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, (D-CA). Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, July 18, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "Police Use of Deadly Force: Valley Perspectives"- Guests: Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters; Ron Lawrence - California Police Chiefs Association; Alice Huffman - NAACP; Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming; Sandra Celedon, Pres. & CEO - Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
California adopts free school meals permanently, local non-profit joins coalition in support
abc30
California is the first state to adopt free school meals for K- through 12th-grade students, a need highlighted amid the pandemic. Local school leaders say this is a step in the right direction to ending food insecurity.
Ag commissioner's advisory on pesticide study causes confusion
Porterville Recorder
An 'urgent advisory' issued last month by Tulare County Agricultural Commission Tom Tucker on June 22 led to confusion about a pesticide study being conducted and eventually to Tucker issuing a clarification.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Calif prison union suspends chapter president amid misspending investigations
Modesto Bee
Top executives at the California Correctional Peace Officers Association suspended a parole chapter president this week amid multiple investigations into misuse of union money.
Lawsuit filed in case of man fatally shot by Stanislaus sheriff’s deputies
Modesto Bee
The family of a man fatally shot by Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies at a Modesto industrial complex last year has filed a lawsuit in federal court.
Feds say 2 Trump supporters plotted attack against Democratic HQ in Sacramento
Sacramento Bee
Two Bay Area men have been indicted on charges of plotting to blow up the Democratic HQ building in Sacramento because of their belief that former President Trump won the 2020 election, and authorities have seized 49 weapons.
Public Safety:
Downtown businesses eye private security to bolster police presence
Bakersfield Californian
The man was camped outside the entrance to her business, and no matter how many times Kim McAbee-Carter asked him to leave, he refused.
The Past, Present, and Future of COVID-19 in California Prisons
PPI
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted California’s prison system. California reduced the prison population more than any other state.
Fire:
River Fire: Containment over 9,500-acre wildfire increases to 36%
abc30
Firefighters continued to gain containment overnight on the River Fire burning in Madera and Mariposa counties. The 9,500-acre wildfire is now 36% contained, CAL FIRE said Thursday.
Residents warned to get ready to go as California fire grows
Fresno Bee
Residents were warned Wednesday to be ready to evacuate as a growing wildfire bears down on two remote Northern California communities near a town largely destroyed by a deadly blaze three years ago.
Fresno Bee
Firefighters are doubling their efforts on a wildfire that sparked Wednesday near California’s deadliest blaze, using burn scars from the 2018 Camp Fire to protect several Butte County communities.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
How will Fresno County spend $194 million from Biden’s pandemic relief? What we know
Fresno Bee
Fresno County has received about half of its $194 million from the American Rescue Plan, with the rest scheduled to come next year. And, at least one advocacy group argues supervisors need to bring community residents and organizations into the decision-making.
Disinformation is coming for your business
Axios
Ransomware may be the threat everyone is talking about right now, but businesses also face another growing risk: becoming a disinformation campaign's direct target or collateral damage.
Jobs:
Disney to relocate 2,000 California jobs to central Florida
Los Angeles Times
The Walt Disney Co. plans to relocate about 2,000 positions from Southern California to a new facility in central Florida, in a move the entertainment giant said would consolidate operations and promote collaboration among staff.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fresno Unified schools to receive 1,000 LGBTQ-friendly books to ‘benefit every child’
Fresno Bee
More than 1,000 LGBTQ-friendly books are on their way to Fresno Unified schools, thanks to a recent donation.
Valley Voices: When it comes to the need for a teachers union in Clovis, the data reveal the answer
Fresno Bee
If it ain’t broke … don’t break it! That is the message to send the California Teachers Association, which is heavily involved in the push to unionize Clovis Unified School District, hoping to pull CUSD into its fold and enrich its coffers.
Fresno State Institute for Media and Public Trust
In our 21st century society, we use computers to access almost everything we do. Consider how many times that you’ve logged onto the internet today to shop, check bank account balances, use social networks and work remotely from home.
School Board Recalls Force Contentious Fights About Race, Virus Politics on Local Stages
U.S. News
Confrontations over masks, vaccinations and race are playing out in school districts across the country, where conservative activists are seeking to oust local officeholders to force policy change.
Higher Ed:
Bakersfield College offering free summer courses for music, art, theater
KGET
Bakersfield College will be offering free summer courses for those interested in music, theater and the arts. BC says the classes will not be for credits. Registration is limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up quickly.
UC mandates COVID-19 vaccinations and will bar most students without them from campus
Los Angeles Times
The University of California announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be required before the fall term begins for all students, faculty and others, becoming the nation’s largest public university system to mandate the vaccines even though they don’t have full federal approval.
New CSUCCESS Initiative Will Enhance Equity and Student Achievement for CSU Students
CSU
Largest-ever CSU device distribution will provide iPad Air for up to 35,000 first-year and new transfer students at eight campuses
Opinion: Community College Is the Smart Choice
Wall Street Journal
I’ve had an almost comically varied career path, founding companies in education, robotics and beverages. The most surprising part of my résumé is the most mundane: I went to community college.
Fact check: Biden still weighing options for forgiving student loan debt
USA Today
As the debate over student loan cancellation continues, social media posts surfaced claiming President Joe Biden won't follow through on his campaign promise to act on student debt.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Calif drought: La Niña could dash hopes of desperately needed rain this winter
San Francisco Chronicle
The punishing drought conditions afflicting most of California are expected to endure for months, climate experts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said Thursday.
Opinion: The Climate-Change Agenda Goes Out With a Bang
Wall Street Journal
We’re supposed to view this week as a banner occasion in the annals of climate change. The EU unveiled a mammoth new plan to control carbon emissions, while Beijing rolled out an emissions-trading scheme and the U.K. released a plan to green up transportation.
Energy:
Floating wind farms offshore could boost Calif’s power supply – here’s how they work
PBS
Northern California has some of the strongest offshore winds in the U.S., with immense potential to produce clean energy.
U.S. seeks to speed rooftop solar growth with instant permits
Reuters
The Biden administration on Thursday will roll out a tool that enables instant local permitting of rooftop solar installation.
Building Solar Farms May Not Build the Middle Class
New York Times
Some of the wealthiest companies in the world are investing in the green economy. But they’re not investing in paying union wages.
Energizing Navajo Nation: How electrification can secure a sustainable future for Indian Country
Brookings
The pandemic—and more recently, the Texas power crisis—have brought attention to infrastructure challenges that have long plagued American Indian tribes and their citizens.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Johnson & Johnson recalls sunscreen found to contain traces of benzene
Los Angeles Times
Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that it is recalling five of its sunscreen products after some samples were found to contain low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer with repeated exposure.
Surgeon general says social media companies have 'enabled misinformation' on vaccines
The Hill
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says social media companies have “enabled misinformation” on vaccines.
See also:
· Surgeon general warns misinformation an 'urgent threat' to public health ABC News
Webinar: COVID-19: Achieving Vaccine Equity and Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy
U.S. News
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States continues to under-deliver on equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly among communities hit hardest by the pandemic.
Human Services:
Will your family doctor start giving COVID vaccines? A new California effort encourages it
Fresno Bee
For most of California’s seven-month vaccination campaign, the state has largely relied on mass sites and large hospital networks to get tens of millions of shots into arms as quickly as possible.
IMMIGRATION
Biden's Pick To Lead ICE Would Take Over An Agency In Turmoil
VPR
When former President Donald Trump threatened a wave of mass deportations in the summer of 2019, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mobilized to deliver.
See also:
● ICE may finally get Senate-confirmed director after more than four years without one Los Angeles Times
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Is Yosemite safe to visit during the River Fire? Travelers worried, but go anyway
Fresno Bee
As the River Fire burned for a fourth day near Yosemite, travelers headed to the national park in central California were conflicted about their visits.
More businesses headed to The Row in northeast Fresno
abc30
The shops at The Row are coming to life. Now local businesses like Revival 23 are ready to build the space of their dreams.
Housing:
4 things to know about the investigation of Fresno apartment complex Manchester Arms
Fresno Bee
Here are four important things you need to know from The Fresno Bee’s five-month investigation of the Manchester Arms apartment complex.
Turlock begins another homeless emergency. Officials gave these reasons why
Modesto Bee
The Turlock City Council approved another unsheltered homeless emergency on Tuesday, four months after authorizing plans focused on reducing dangers associated with encampments.
Is homelessness Newsom’s weak point in recall? Republicans are counting on it
CalMatters
As part of their plans to reduce homelessness, Republican recall candidates are calling for a clean-up of the state. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters.
California's efforts to slow pace of evictions
Bakersfield Californian
A federal freeze on most evictions enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31, after the Biden administration extended the date by a month.
How the pandemic drove rents higher and made housing inequality worse
PBS NewsHour
The pandemic uprooted thousands of people, leaving a glut of luxury apartments available in cities.
US home sales stall as buyer stampede leaves scant inventory
Fresno Bee
In the most competitive housing market in U.S. history, sales are beginning to stall. Home transactions fell 1.2% in June from May, the largest drop for the month in records going back to 2012, according to seasonally adjusted data from Redfin Corp.
PUBLIC FINANCES
First child tax credit payments have been sent: Here's what you need to know
abc30
Tens of millions of families have been sent the first payment of the expanded child tax credit, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department said Wednesday night.
See also:
● The Expanded Child Tax Credit Is Here. Here's What You Need To Know VPR
Another stimulus is available for Californians. Are you eligible?
Los Angeles Times
More Californians can expect another $600 or $1,100 stimulus check, thanks to the second phase of the Golden State Stimulus.
Drowning Prevention Could Get a Boost in Federal Budget
PEW
A child in Oregon tests the water in the Columbia River as smoke from fire on the Washington state side of the river wafts into the air during a sweltering heatwave.
GOP tax attack
Axios
Republican senators are rallying against one of the main ways President Biden wants to pay for his infrastructure deal.
Wall Street Journal
An advisory to be issued today cites the risks of electronic surveillance without warrants and of having to surrender corporate and customer data to the government.
TRANSPORTATION
Railroad project on former dinner train line stirs up dust, anger from Oakdale neighbors
Modesto Bee
The Sierra Northern Railway is known for an Oakdale dinner train that once took excursions into the scenic foothills. Lately, the growing shortline railroad is moving more freight and its new transfer station is stirring up complaints about dust, noise and more from residents.
High speed rail may — or may not be — part of budget
Porterville Recorder
California's High Speed Rail, which could be dubbed the train to nowhere, could be continuing to head toward a slow death. The fate of the high speed rail now being constructed in the Valley should be determined this summer.
High-Speed Rail Gets Boost From New Coalition
Wall Street Journal
As Congress considers making the greatest single investment in passenger rail in U.S. history, a coalition of high-speed rail boosters is readying a response: Go faster, and spend more.
WATER
LOIS HENRY: Valley rivers going dry
Bakersfield Californian
Southern SJV Rivers are running at near historic lows — again. In fact, the Bakersfield City Council passed a resolution Wednesday officially declaring the Kern River as running at only 17 percent of normal, its second driest year since record keeping began in 1893.
With drought worsening, should California have much tougher water restrictions?
Sacramento Bee
When Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Californians to voluntarily conserve water last week as he stood in front of the retreating shoreline at Lopez Lake in San Luis Obispo County, some must have had déjà vu.
“Xtra”
Four new openings in downtown Modesto include vegan eatery, boutique, cafe, bar
Modesto Bee
Downtown Modesto is a bustle of activity again after remaining largely static throughout the pandemic — with only a small handful of openings and smaller handful of closings over the past 15 months.
Retail sales grew more than expected in June
AXIOS
U.S. retail sales rose 0.6% in June from May, the Commerce Department reported Friday morning, beating expectations of a 0.4% decline.
● U.S. Retail Sales Rose in June Wall Street Journal
China’s growth: Look at what I do, not what I say
AEI
As usual, it took China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) just two weeks to survey 1.4 billion people.
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Maddy Institute Updated List of San Joaquin Valley Elected Officials HERE.
The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute 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.
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