POLICY & POLITICS
Where did we rank in top 100 U.S. cities to start a business?
Fresno Bee
Fresno and Stockton ranked higher than Sacramento, which was No. 54. Fresno hit the No. 45 spot and Stockton came in at 34.
North SJ Valley:
Attorneys, judge meet privately in ex-Mayor Silva’s case
Stockton Record
Following a 20-minute meeting in the judge’s chambers Monday morning, the attorneys for former Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva and his longtime associate, Sharon Simas, indicated their clients’ cases may be headed toward resolution, possibly soon.
This is how Stanislaus County can empower voters and save money
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County is in danger of missing out on an opportunity to improve its elections and save hundreds of thousands of dollars. If our County Supervisors don’t act soon, this opportunity will be lost.
Central SJ Valley:
Fresno mayor uses first veto for office space in response to council ‘power play’
Fresno Bee
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand for the first time used his veto power on a city council vote to reassign office space. The vote on office space came during a meeting in April, when the council voted 5-1 to assign office space currently used by the city manager’s office for council purposes.
7-year-old daughter of Assemblyman Arambula wraps up testimony in father’s child abuse trial
Fresno Bee
The daughter of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula finished testifying in the misdemeanor child abuse case against her father on Monday, but the details surrounding a bruise on her head and Arambula’s subsequent arrest in December remain murky.
See also:
● Alleged victim mentions possibility of accidental injury in Arambula child abuse case abc30
3 young men were jailed in Fresno over 48 hours. All 3 left on gurneys, dead or barely alive
Fresno Bee
The increase in violence and death in Fresno started soon after the state was ordered in 2011 by the U.S. Supreme Court to reduce its prison population. That’s when California officials approved sweeping reforms called “realignment.”
State Center Trustee Payne Faces $66,000 in Election Fines
Capitol Weekly
The state agency in charge of campaign finance is proposing $66,000 in penalties for a Fresno community college trustee, citing numerous infractions over the years.
South SJ Valley:
City of Bakersfield settles lawsuit with ACLU over allegedly unlawful traffic stop
Bakersfield Californian
The city of Bakersfield has agreed to pay $60,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundations of Southern and Northern California on behalf of a man who was arrested in 2017 after he refused to answer questions from the Bakersfield Police Department during a traffic stop.
State:
Gavin Newsom wants new taxes despite CA budget surplus
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed new taxes and fees to fund health care subsidies, clean drinking water and tax credits for low-income families. But state revenue outpacing even his most optimistic predictions could present a challenge for him as he attempts to raise taxes.
See also:
● Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a big political test as he shapes his first California budget Los Angeles Times
Surprise! How some voters chose partisanship
Capitol Weekly
If the state makes selecting a political party even a tiny bit of a chore, more voters will just elect to become independent.
Federal:
FBI director tells Congress he has no evidence of ‘spying’ on Trump campaign
Washington Post
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said Tuesday that he would not call the investigation of Trump campaign advisers in 2016 “spying’’ — distancing himself from language used by President Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr.
Democrats set contempt vote for Barr over Mueller report
Los Angeles Times
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler on Monday scheduled a vote for Wednesday to hold Atty. Gen. William Barr in contempt of Congress, escalating the battle between the Democratic-led House and President Trump’s administration.
See also:
● Trump would have been charged with obstruction were he not president, hundreds of former federal prosecutors assert Washington Post
● Mueller Findings Raise Election Hacking Fears in States Pew Trusts
● What’s the evidence for ‘spying’ on Trump’s campaign? Here’s your guide. Washington Post
Treasury denies Democrats’ request for Trump’s tax returns
Los Angeles Times
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won’t be turning President Trump’s tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
See also:
● Hello constitutional crisis: The administration won’t turn over Trump’s tax returns Los Angeles Times
● Treasury denies Dems’ request for Trump tax returns San Francisco Chronicle
● Mnuchin rejects Democrats’ demand to hand over Trump’s tax returns, all but ensuring legal battle Washington Post
● Treasury Department Rejects Request for Trump Tax Returns Wall Street Journal
Washington Post
In a letter Tuesday, White House counsel Pat A. Cipollone said McGahn does not have the legal right to the documents, and the committee must address any request for the materials to the White House.
See also:
● White House Directs McGahn to Rebuff House Panel’s Subpoena Wall Street Journal
Trump battles series of foreign policy setbacks after some risky bets
Los Angeles Times
The evidence came in one hot spot after another, from North Korea to Venezuela, with pushback on multiple strategic fronts that left the White House scrambling.
Pelosi: ‘Trump is goading us to impeach him’
Roll Call
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is trying to bait Democrats into starting impeachment proceedings against him, because he knows it’s divisive.
Elections 2020:
Cory Booker proposes national license for all gun owners
Los Angeles Times
Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker is proposing that all gun owners be licensed by the federal government, a process that would include an interview and safety training.
Kamala Harris’ teacher pay price tag: $315B
Politico
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris proposed Tuesday spending a staggering $315 billion over 10 years to boost teacher pay, a move that would have an immediate pocketbook impact on a large and influential group of voters who are in high demand.
See also:
● Kamala Harris Calls for Full Repeal of Trump’s 2017 Tax Law Bloomberg
Kamala Harris unloads on pundits who say only a white man can beat Trump
Politico
The California senator says Democrats will make a big mistake if they accept conventional wisdom on what it takes to win the Rust Belt.
Fact Check: Joe Biden claims he was a staunch liberal in the Senate. He wasn’t
PolitiFact
Long seen as his Achilles’ heel in this Democratic primary, Biden’s 35-year Senate voting record reveals a history of breaking with liberal orthodoxy on a variety of issues, from his vote to authorize the Iraq War to his backing of measures that led to mass incarceration.
Other:
Alexa has been eavesdropping on you this whole time
Washington Post
Many smart-speaker owners don’t realize it, but Amazon keeps a copy of everything Alexa records after it hears its name. Apple’s Siri, and until recently Google’s Assistant, by default also keep recordings to help train their artificial intelligences.
See also:
● Questions About City Services? In These Places, Turn to Alexa. Route Fifty
Internet capitalism pits fast technology against slow democracy
Brookings
Technology-driven changes—like those we are presently experiencing—produce demands for security and stability that pose a threat to liberal democracy and capitalism.
EDITORIAL: Facebook’s FTC fine is record-breaking. The punishment it’s facing is not
San Francisco Chronicle
Facebook is facing a record penalty from the Federal Trade Commission over its privacy practices. The company reported that it expects to pay between $3 billion and $5 billion as a one-time penalty for its violation of a 2011 privacy consent decree.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, May 12 – Maddy Report: “Preempted by NBA Playoffs”
Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report – Valley Views Edition: “Census & Immigration: Distinctly Different Issues Intersect” – Guests: Laura Hill with the Public Policy Institute of California; Taryn Luna with the Sacramento Bee; Dan Walters with CALmatters; Secretary of State, Alex Padilla; Sarah Bohn, PPIC; and John Myers, Los Angeles Times. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Sun World sells grape-growing operation, moves fruit-breeding headquarters out of Kern
Bakersfield Californian
A local company known for breeding table grapes announced Monday it has sold its Kern County farming operation as part of a move to focus more closely on developing new varieties of fruit for clients around the world.
As cow milk loses popularity, big dairy and plant-based milk makers team up
Los Angeles Times
Dairy farmers are indignant about beverages being called milks when they are actually made of oats or almonds or sunflower seeds. Even worse, these impostors have been draining the market share of what cows produce.
Congressional Wine Caucus does a lot more than drink
San Francisco Chronicle
Reps. Mike Thompson and Dan Newhouse say the purpose of the Congressional Wine Caucus is to raise awareness of wine as a major agricultural industry — one that needs champions.
Weed tourism is the new wine tasting in California
San Francisco Chronicle
There is a new crop of visitors in California — they call them cannatourists. With marijuana fully legal in the state, the growers’ heartland is becoming a cultural destination, with Wine Country as a nearby model.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
3 young men were jailed in Fresno over 48 hours. All 3 left on gurneys, dead or barely alive
Fresno Bee
The increase in violence and death in Fresno started soon after the state was ordered in 2011 by the U.S. Supreme Court to reduce its prison population. That’s when California officials approved sweeping reforms called “realignment.”
Family of murder-suicide victim speak out about deadly reality of domestic violence
abc30
A judge had granted Kimie Holt a domestic violence restraining order last Friday, but William Rivera violated it the following morning.
California to review sex-abuse responses of all 12 dioceses
Capital Public Radio
The California attorney general’s office will review how all 12 Roman Catholic dioceses in the state handled allegations of child sexual abuse that have resulted in payouts of hundreds of millions of dollars to victims.
The California Criminal Justice Data Gap
Stanford Law
Amid the continuing evolution of California’s criminal justice system, these data—and public access thereto—have never been more important for assessing how these changes are being implemented and what benefits they are producing.
Public Safety:
‘Your son died an American hero.’ Memorial honors 8 California police officers killed last year
Fresno Bee
10 fallen officers were enrolled Monday to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial, their names inscribed on a brass plaque and added to a monument across from the Capitol, where 1,628 names are already listed.
See also:
● Chief praises slain officer, scolds California lawmakers Bakersfield Californian
● Subpoena the Sheriffs Fox & Hounds
City of Bakersfield settles lawsuit with ACLU over allegedly unlawful traffic stop
Bakersfield Californian
The city of Bakersfield has agreed to pay $60,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundations of Southern and Northern California on behalf of a man who was arrested in 2017 after he refused to answer questions from the Bakersfield Police Department during a traffic stop.
Should cops use facial recognition software? Two California cities poised to say no
Sacramento Bee
Citing privacy fears, San Francisco and Oakland are on the verge of becoming the first cities in the United States to ban facial recognition technology from government use, the East Bay Times reports.
Fire:
Fire crews brace for long and busy fire season
abc30
Fire season is well underway. Fresno County fire crews have battled several grass fires these past few weeks. Grasses and brush which came to life during our wet winter are drying up.
“California Wildfires Have Changed, Together We Must Adapt”
Sierra News
Once again California’s wet winter created a sizable crop of new grass growth, but don’t let the wet weather fool you as the abundant grass dries. It is fuel for wildfires.
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Where did we rank in top 100 U.S. cities to start a business?
Fresno Bee
Fresno and Stockton ranked higher than Sacramento, which was No. 54. Fresno hit the No. 45 spot and Stockton came in at 34.
Macy’s too expensive? Part of Fresno store will transform into new low-cost concept
Fresno Bee
Consider it a discount version of Macy’s. Part of the Macy’s at Fresno’s Fashion Fair mall will become the chain’s low-cost store-within-a-store concept called Macy’s Backstage. It will take up 14,000 square feet inside Macy’s Men’s and Children’s.
Governor and Go-Biz Office Celebrate Small Business Month
Fox & Hounds
California, the fifth largest economy in the world, has more than 3.9 million small businesses operating in the state – over 40 percent of which are minority-owned.
US plans to hike tariffs Friday, says China broke promises
Fresno Bee
Accusing Beijing of “reneging” on commitments it made in earlier talks, the nation’s top trade negotiator said Monday that the Trump administration will increase tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods Friday, a sharp escalation in a yearlong trade dispute.
See also:
● Markets Right Now: New tariff threat spooks stock market Fresno Bee
● U.S. says it will raise tariffs, accusing China of reneging on promises Los Angeles Times
● Trump managed to bring even more chaos to the high-stakes China trade negotiations Los Angeles Times
● China says trade envoys preparing to go to Washington Los Angeles Times
● Stocks fall after Trump threatens to raise tariffs on Chinese goods Los Angeles Times
● Trade tensions will roil business for months, experts say San Francisco Chronicle
● Why Trump Is Raising Tariffs on China Wall Street Journal
● Trump administration accuses Chinese officials of ‘reneging’ on commitments in trade talks Washington Post
● White House Ratchets Up Trade Fight Wall Street Journal
● China Battles Against Trump’s Tariff Threat as Liu to Visit U.S. Bloomberg
● ‘No more concessions’. Why is China playing hardball in trade war talks with the United States? South China Morning Post
Economists flee Agriculture Dept. after feeling punished under Trump
POLITICO
Reports showing farmers hurt by the president’s policies have drawn the ire of top officials.
Trump May Redefine Poverty, Cutting Americans From Welfare Rolls
Bloomberg
The Trump administration may alter the way it determines the national poverty threshold, putting Americans living on the margins at risk of losing access to welfare programs.
Opinion: Stop this insidious form of corporate welfare
CALmatters
California cities have given away billions of dollars in tax revenue over the past decade to some of the world’s richest private corporations. These bad deals are robbing residents of the resources they need to pay for police, firefighting, parks and other local services.
Washington Post
The proposal is the first major update to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in more than 40 years.
Jobs:
Modesto looks to ramp up spending on safety training after city worker’s death
Modesto Bee
Modesto is looking at spending nearly $624,000 over the next two years on employee safety, part of its response to last year’s electrocution of a city worker.
Check your ride: Uber and Lyft drivers planning to strike this week
Sacramento Bee
San Francisco Uber and Lyft drivers are among the thousands of ride-hailing app drivers nationwide expected to strike Wednesday morning, one day before Uber is expected to issue its initial public stock offering.
Trump Country Winning on Job Growth Even as Pay Gap Persists
Bloomberg
Jobs are now growing at a faster rate in Trump country than they are in the Democratic-leaning urban and coastal areas that long had been a main driver of the U.S. economic expansion.
EDUCATION
K-12:
KHSD seeking community input to name future school
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern High School District is seeking the public’s help in naming its new comprehensive high school in southeast Bakersfield scheduled to open in August 2022.
Let sleeping students lie? California bill pushes back school start time
Sacramento Bee
Principals at California schools could soon find themselves wondering what time Gov. Gavin Newsom’s kids wake up. For the second time in two years, California lawmakers are advancing a bill that would forbid K-12 schools from starting class earlier than 8:30 a.m.
Exploring Math Pathways under Common Core
Public Policy Institute of California
One of the paradigm shifts introduced by CCSS is how math is organized and taught in high schools. CCSS standards are organized into two pathways.
California must reform charter schools. Here’s how
CALmatters
In Sacramento, much of the debate focuses on charter schools, as the Legislature considers several related bills related to them. What’s too often lost in the discussion is the fate of California’s 6.2 million public school students.
See also:
● An NAACP Revolt on Charters Wall Street Journal
To promote success in schools, focus on teacher well-being
Brookings
Without question, teachers are central to student success. Anyone who has taught knows how rewarding it is to witness student learning.
Education secretary: Teachers should protest on ‘adult time’
Bakersfield Californian
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Monday that teachers are walking off the job too often and that protests about pay and school conditions should be done on “adult time” so students aren’t hurt.
Higher Ed:
State Center Trustee Payne Faces $66,000 in Election Fines
Capitol Weekly
The state agency in charge of campaign finance is proposing $66,000 in penalties for a Fresno community college trustee, citing numerous infractions over the years.
Inspiring four students to graduate in four years
Fresno State News
Evidence suggests faculty mentors have the ability to increase a student’s sense of belonging, retention and overall academic success.
Lyles College of Engineering Projects Day Showcase
Fresno State News
Dana’s innovation will be one of about 100 creations on display, highlighting research and design at the 12th annual Lyles College of Engineering Projects Day Showcase from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, at the Satellite Student Union.
Support students at the High-Impact Practice Symposium
Fresno State News
Fresno State students will be presenting their experiences with course-based high-impact practices during the Fresno State High-Impact Practice Symposium on Thursday and Friday, May 9 and 10.
Stockton Record
On the heels of an event where hundreds of San Joaquin County high school seniors received scholarships, Stockton Scholars announced a move Monday morning that would further benefit students set to attend community college in the fall.
Cal Grant expansion tops list of college affordability bills: Track them here
CALmatters
California’s financial aid system could get its biggest overhaul in 20 years if a proposal backed by key Assembly Democrats becomes law. And that’s just one of a slew of college affordability bills in play this legislative session.
Program to Relieve Student Debt Proves Unforgiving
Wall Street Journal
A federal system to erase loans for public-service jobs is in disarray; ‘It feels like a broken promise’.
The real scandal is many college students are homeless
Sacramento Bee
Alexis spent her years in the foster care system dreaming of going to college. She was proud to enroll in community college at the age of 17. That dream, however, came crashing up against reality when she turned 18 and found herself homeless.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
Environment:
In Trump vs. California, the state is winning nearly all its environmental cases
Los Angeles Times
More than two years into the Trump presidency, California has embraced its role as chief antagonist — already suing the administration more times than Texas took President Obama to court during eight years in office.
UN report: Humans accelerating extinction of other species
Fresno Bee
People are putting nature in more trouble now than at any other time in human history, with extinction looming over 1 million species of plants and animals, scientists said Monday.
See also:
● Scientists: A million species are in threat of extinction abc30
● 1 Million Animal And Plant Species Are At Risk Of Extinction, U.N. Report Says Capital Public Radio
● Nature is in the worst shape in human history, U.N. report says Los Angeles Times
● Study: Humans accelerating extinction of other species San Francisco Chronicle
● Trump seeks weaker protections, as 1 million species face extinction Roll Call
● EDITORIAL: Human activities could erase 1 million of our fellow species Los Angeles Times
U.S. sinks Arctic accord due to climate change differences: diplomats
Reuters
The United States has refused to sign an agreement on challenges in the Arctic due to discrepancies over climate change wording, diplomats said on Tuesday, jeopardizing cooperation in the polar region at the sharp edge of global warming.
CalRecycle Grants $11 Million To Food Recovery Efforts As Climate Goals Loom
Capital Public Radio
The funding will go to 36 food banks, local agencies and companies that work to get surplus food to those who need it instead of letting it end up in California’s waste stream.
James Fallows on Leaf Blowers and Activism
The Atlantic
How a small group of activists (our correspondent among them) got leaf blowers banned in the nation’s capital.
Sip from a paper straw lately? Thank this Visalia company
Visalia Times-Delta
Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) is no fan of the “straw police,” but in the heart of the Central Valley a longstanding company has become just the second in America to manufacture paper straws at scale — bringing dozens of jobs and tax revenue to his district.
As you wait for Tioga Road to reopen, these big changes are coming to Yosemite
Fresno Bee
Travelers awaiting the reopening of Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will have to keep waiting as snowplows continue their journey across the remote road over the Sierra Nevada.
See also:
● WAVE technology gives researchers a new view at Yosemite National Park abc30
● Red-Legged Frogs Making Comeback In Yosemite After 50-Year Absence Sierra News
● Red-Legged Frogs Thriving In Yosemite After Long Absence Capital Public Radio
Energy:
They won’t have PG&E vehicles, but they’ll have PG&E hats — and they’re OK
Bakersfield Californian
PG&E contractors will perform routine gas meter inspections in Kern County this month as part of the utility’s ongoing efforts to provide safe and reliable gas service to customers, PG&E said in a news release Monday.
Judge: EPA illegally dragging its feet on methane gas
San Francisco Chronicle
The Trump administration has illegally delayed rules limiting the discharge of climate-changing methane gas from landfills around the United States and must act on plans for California and several other states by September, a federal judge ruled Monday.
A war is brewing over lithium mining at the edge of Death Valley
Los Angeles Times
Now this prehistoric lake bed is shaping up to be an unlikely battleground between environmentalists and battery technologists who believe the area might hold the key to a carbon-free future.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Number of US measles cases climbs to 764
abc30
The 60 additional measles cases reported this week means that the number of cases so far this year has reached a new recent record.
See also:
● Amid Measles Outbreaks, States Consider Revoking Religious Vaccine Exemptions Capital Public Radio
● Traveling and worried about measles? Here’s what health experts recommend Sacramento Bee
● How stricter vaccine laws spared California from a major measles outbreak Los Angeles Times
● Misguided doctors and bad information are fueling the return of measles Los Angeles Times
● Critics say vaccine bill will risk kids’ medical privacy. Real threat? Or red herring? Los Angeles Times
Sunscreen chemicals seep into your bloodstream in 1 day: FDA
abc30
It only takes one day for several common sunscreen ingredients to enter the bloodstream at dangerous levels, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration study shows.
Mental health clinics wait on Congress
Roll Call
The promise of higher federal Medicaid payments is giving eight states the chance to show that one-stop mental health clinics with 24-hour crisis care could offer patients a better option than the de facto safety net of police departments and emergency rooms.
This State Has a Bundle of Ideas to Lower Drug Prices
PEW Charitable Trust
Maine and other states are fed up with federal inaction.
Human Services:
Newsom plan to cover young undocumented immigrants would divert public health dollars
Fresno Bee
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants the state to provide health coverage to low-income young adults who are in the country illegally, but his plan would siphon public health dollars from several counties battling surging rates of sexually transmitted diseases.
See also:
● A Plan To Cover Immigrants Would Divert Public Health Dollars California Health Line
Effects Of Surgery On A Warming Planet: Can Anesthesia Go Green?
Capital Public Radio
Anesthesia revolutionized surgery by vanquishing patients’ pain. But many of the chemicals are greenhouse gases.
Medicaid Work Requirements Hit Roadblocks
Pew Trusts
Toward the end of 2018, the Trump administration seemed to be marching briskly toward its goal of requiring able-bodied adults in Medicaid to prove they had jobs to participate in the public health plan for the poor.
IMMIGRATION
Free Immigration Applications May Become Harder To Get Under Federal Proposal
Capital Public Radio
A plan in the works from the Trump administration could make it harder for immigrants to request an exemption from fees when they seek to become citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
FCC’s 5G Deployment Push Usurps Local Control
Public CEO
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed an expansion of its rules for Over-the-Air Reception Devices in what it says is an effort to spur the deployment of 5G infrastructure.
Housing:
Apartment complex bans its residents from posting negative reviews
abc30
A resident says her apartment complex wants her to agree to never post anything negative about the complex on social media, or else face a $10,000 fine.
Rental Market Being Squeezed By Home-Sharing Apps Like Airbnb
Sierra News
The success of Airbnb and other home-sharing websites has created “a serious shortage” of long-term rental properties in Eastern Madera County, say those familiar with the rental market.
Opinion: SCA 5 Needs to be Defeated
Fox & Hounds
Advanced by Sen. Ben Allen, D-Los Angeles, and Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, SCA 5 would lower the current two-thirds vote requirement to pass local school district parcel taxes to 55% percent.
Guess What? California Needs More Housing
Fox & Hounds
The major findings of a recently released report came as no surprise to most of us: California needs more housing – lots of it. This, by the way, comes on the heels of enactment of a package of bills to, presumably, solve the problem.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Gavin Newsom wants new taxes despite CA budget surplus
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed new taxes and fees to fund health care subsidies, clean drinking water and tax credits for low-income families. But state revenue outpacing even his most optimistic predictions could present a challenge for him as he attempts to raise taxes.
See also:
● Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a big political test as he shapes his first California budget Los Angeles Times
TurboTax and H&R Block are sued for allegedly keeping Americans from filing taxes for free
Los Angeles Times
It is a truth universally acknowledged that preparing and filing your taxes causes pain comparable only to root canal and giving birth. If you’re looking for someone to blame, look to the commercial tax preparation firms Intuit (maker of TurboTax) and H&R Block.
California Budget Center
SSI/SSP Grants Have Lost More Than One-Third of Their Purchasing Power Since 1989-90
Fed Flags Risky Business Debt as Vulnerability for U.S. Financial System
Wall Street Journal
The Federal Reserve identified rising sales of risky corporate debt as a top vulnerability facing the U.S. financial system, according to a report released Monday.
TRANSPORTATION
Gas prices rise yet again across California. Is the end in sight?
Sacramento Bee
Gas prices are continuing to increase throughout California, where the average statewide cost remains by far the highest in the nation.
See also:
● Pain at the pump: After 2 months, are you seeing a slowdown in rising gas prices Fresno Bee
● Another case of extreme over-taxation has California consumers paying at the pump Bakersfield Californian
Congress taking a serious look at taxing miles driven
Fresno Bee
This sort of tax, if expanded nationwide, could be a big way governments pay for all those infrastructure improvements that the White House and Congress are striving to fund.
Trump tweets could stall High-Speed Rail
Gilroy Disoatch
The $79 billion High-Speed Rail that promises to connect Northern and Southern California could be stalled in its tracks by a new obstacle: the Trump administration.
EDITORIAL: California’s struggling high-speed rail plan can’t afford more failures
San Francisco Chronicle
It’s getting harder by the day to love high-speed rail. The vaunted train is scaling back sharply, now reduced to a relatively short stretch through farm country with the full route years in the future.
See also:
● Unacceptable: Legislators Shoot Down High Speed Rail Line from Merced to Bakersfield NBC
● California’s high-speed rail progress depends on situations beyond its control, officials say HSR
Which airlines damage the most wheelchairs? New rules mean you can find out
Los Angeles Times
The first federally mandated reports are out showing how many mobility devices get damaged by airlines, and the data paint a disturbing picture.
Supervisors To Vote Tuesday On North Fork Roundabout
Sierra News
The Madera County Board of Supervisors will decide at their regular meeting Tuesday whether to approve a $1.97-million dollar contract to build Madera County’s first public roundabout in North Fork at the intersection of Roads 225 and 274.
WATER
Time for California to define hydropower for what it is
Modesto Bee
Modesto and Turlock made it onto the pages of the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles Times a few days ago, but not for reasons we might hope.
“Xtra”
G-Eazy finds a second home in Fresno and everything else you missed at Grizzly Fest 2019
Fresno Bee
G-Eazy used to ride an Amtrak train between Oakland and Fresno, ferrying between divorced parents. These were trips spent looking out the window, dreaming of a night like this – on stage, getting turned up in front of thousands of screaming fans.
See also:
● Grizzly Fest promoters call event a success despite losing money abc30
Mexico’s most successful pop/rock band just added Fresno to its U.S. tour
Fresno Bee
Back in February, Maná announced U.S. dates for its Rayando El Sol tour — the band’s first American tour in three years. As tickets sold, the popular Mexican rock band continued to extend the tour. It’s now up to 30 stops — and includes Fresno.
See also:
● Mexican rock band Maná returning to Fresno abc30
Fresno Chaffee Zoo launches new live webcam
abc30
If you find yourself unable to visit the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you can now take a look inside via their new webcam! It showcases the animals of the African Adventure exhibit. You can log in and check out what the animals are up to!
New restaurants and bowling alley bring downtown Dinuba to life
abc30
Dinuba is welcoming some new businesses into the downtown area, enticing people to come back once more.
Hundreds come out for the Bass Lake Fishing Derby. The grand prize fish are still out there
Sierra Star
More than 1,000 fishermen gathered in Bass Lake over the weekend hoping to reel in a slice of the $55,000 Bass Lake Fishing Derby prize money. But for the majority of participants that hope never materialized.
Give Big Kern givers invited to rise and shine — and give — early
Bakersfield Californian
Kern Community Foundation, the host agency for Give Big Kern, “One Day to Celebrate the Giving Spirit of Kern County!” invites Kern’s giving community members and nonprofit partners to join them at 5 a.m. Tuesday at the Liberty Bell in downtown Bakersfield.
On The Road: The parks of summer and fall — avoiding the crowds, enjoying tranquility
Stockton Record
Summer vacation is almost here, and families are plotting their summer (and early fall) destinations. If you are considering Western states and national parks, you may soon discover that both campgrounds and in-park lodging accommodations are booked solid.
Fresno State summer youth camps
Fresno State News
Fresno State offers a number of academic and athletic summer campus for children of all ages.
Two wines fests create dilemma for Modesto columnist. Perfect pinots or zesty zins?
Modesto Bee
I have a major problem. Two of my favorite wine festivals happen to be on the same weekend, May 17-19. Both the 22nd annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival and the 15th annual ZinFest Wine Festival in Lodi are near the top of my list of wine festivals.
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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.
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