POLICY & POLITICS
2021 California Economic Summit
CA FWD
The 2021 California Economic Summit will take place in Monterey on Nov. 9-10 with a virtual option on Nov.10. The Summit continues to be the premier statewide event where business, government, regions, communities and young leaders come together to develop triple-bottom-line policy solutions that balance equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Stanislaus sets 15 vaccine clinics, one with free tacos Modesto Bee
● Stanislaus County to administer flu shots at community clinics. Where to get yours Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County to administer flu shots at community clinics. Where to get yours
Modesto Bee
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is holding public clinics to increase access to flu vaccines. Flu shots can help people to stay protected against influenza outbreaks, which often surface in December and peak in January in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Modesto memory care center cited for numerous violations. Facility may lose license.
Modesto Bee
A state agency is taking legal action to revoke the license of a residential care facility in Modesto for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Parents sue Modesto in police officer’s fatal shooting of their unarmed son
Modesto Bee
The parents of Trevor Seever individually have filed wrongful death and excessive force lawsuits against Modesto in the December fatal shooting of their unarmed 29-year-old son by then-police officer Joseph Lamantia.
Chiara will resign from Oakdale council. Filling the vacancy is not a simple matter
Modesto Bee
Ericka Chiara plans to resign from the Oakdale City Council as of Dec. 10, prompting a Monday evening discussion on how to replace her.
Devin Nunes, Josh Harder could face tough elections if California districts look like this
Modesto Bee
Preliminary visualizations for California’s new congressional districts would put Central Valley Reps. Devin Nunes and Josh Harder in tougher elections in 2022 for their seats in the United States House of Representatives, experts say.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Barely half of Fresno County is vaccinated for COVID. Is a holiday surge on the way? Fresno Bee
● Fresno County youth ages 5-11 might start getting COVID shots in a few days. Here’s when Fresno Bee
● Mandates lead to run on Covid testing supplies Business Journal
Fresno’s air quality is still nasty. This is what the air district asks residents to do
Fresno Bee
The particulate matter in the air climbed Friday and reached the red level — the fourth-highest ranking out of five — overnight in parts of the Valley, according to real-time readings from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
See also:
● Air quality sensors in Fresno showing bad air again. Any rain coming to clean it? Fresno Bee
● Another bad air day in Fresno? Sensors show unhealthy morning air as burning is discouraged Fresno Bee
● Those clouds aren’t expected to bring Fresno rain. Here’s what’s up with the weather Fresno Bee
Fresno-area college instructors call for better pay, benefits. ‘I can’t work for free’
Fresno Bee
State Center Community College faculty are calling for equity and fairness in the way adjuncts are compensated for their time, which they say is a problem, particularly at community colleges in California.
Do you want speed bumps on your street? Fresno City Council repeals old ban
Fresno Bee
The council voted to repeal a city ban on speed bumps and begin a new pilot program to install them in council District 3, represented by Councilmember Miguel Arias.
’We’re definitely going to challenge this.’ Fresno denies cannabis shops. What happens now?
Fresno Bee
Lauren Fontein’s business, a dispensary/art gallery called the Artist Tree, was one of four cannabis licenses denied on appeal by the council during the hours-long meeting. Also denied were: Haven, Public Cannabis, and Cookies.
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare County’s 2021 Advisory Commission on Supervisorial Redistricting has recommended four maps to the Board of Supervisors to consider when drawing lines for new districts. One, widely expected to be adopted, will get the county sued.
See also:
● Visalia Unified trustee boundary maps to change after 2020 Census Visalia Times Delta
Local Authorities Raising Awareness of Domestic Violence
Clovis RoundUp
Domestic violence is a topic that both Clovis and Fresno are working to bring awareness to. On October 26th, the Marjaree Mason Center teamed up with Clovis PD, Fresno PD, Fresno Sheriff and Fresno DA to speak on the severity of domestic violence across Fresno County.
Fresno County judge rules against Westlands Water District’s deal with federal government
Fresno Bee
A Fresno County judge has issued a tentative ruling denying a contract between the Westlands Water District — a water supplier to major farming operators on the west side — and the federal Bureau of Reclamation over water.
South SJ Valley:
Perez says she will not seek reelection to Board of Supervisors
Bakersfield Californian
Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez will not run for reelection when her term ends in 2024. She mentioned to her fellow supervisors during a meeting on Tuesday she does not plan to seek a fourth term for the seat she has held since 2012.
Oil and gas companies angle for role in state's push for carbon neutrality
Bakersfield Californian
Members of the local oil and gas industry say they're ready to ramp up investment in fighting climate change, if only the state will work with them.
See also
· Wells sit idle on S.F.'s Kern River Oil Field property with no final plan for plugging them Bakersfield Californian
Household hazardous waste collection events scheduled
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County Public Works Department is holding household hazardous waste collection events in November that allow residents to drive up and drop off such items free of charge.
Community Voices: TRIP projects provide benefits 25 years out
NewsBreak
Bill Guerrero's recent letter ("Roads projects taking too much time, money," Oct. 26) attacking the city of Bakersfield Thomas Roads Improvement Program provides much grist to set the record straight.
Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment gives grants to 8 nonprofits
Bakersfield Californian
Eight local nonprofits serving children are the beneficiaries of nearly $32,000 in Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment fall grants.
State:
COVID Update:
● See how California vaccinations compare to the rest of the US, according to CDC data Fresno Bee
● After months of decline, coronavirus cases plateau in California. Can we avoid a new surge? Los Angeles Times
● COVID misinformation is rampant among California Latinos. One artist is fighting back Sacramento Bee
Is it too easy to hold a recall in California? Lawmakers raise changes after Newsom victory
Sacramento Bee
Both Democrats and Republicans on Thursday said they are open to tweaking California’s 108-year-old recall laws, but they’re far from consensus on what those changes should look like.
What’s at stake for California at climate conference as Newsom backs out?
Visalia Times Delta
It’s what some are calling the last, best chance for world leaders to agree on how to stop catastrophic climate change, and what others say could be fruitless. Either way, California will be represented.
See also:
● California governor cancels trip to UN climate conference Business Journal
● Update: Gavin Newsom cancels trip to Glasgow for UN climate talks citing ‘family obligations’ Sacramento Bee
● California must act urgently on climate CalMatters
California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion
Los Angeles Times
California has given away at least $20 billion to criminals in the form of fraudulent unemployment benefits, confirming a number smaller than originally feared but one that still accounts for more than 11% of all benefits paid since the start of the pandemic.
Federal:
COVID Update:
● Kids vaccine, cholesterol drugs, vaccine card & more Fresno Bee
● Kids ages 5-11 may soon get Pfizer COVID vaccine as FDA panel votes to support shots Fresno Bee
● US intel doesn’t expect to determine origins of COVID-19 Fresno Bee
● COVID vaccines protect you better than previous infection, another study confirms Fresno Bee
● How many Americans are required to get COVID vaccine for their job? What poll found Fresno Bee
● COVID shots more protective than past infection, study shows abc3340
● Which COVID-19 vaccine booster shot should I get? Here’s how to choose Los Angeles Times
● Vice President Kamala Harris will get a COVID-19 booster shot Sacramento Bee
● Pooled testing would keep COVID from spreading in schools CalMatters
● More than 4,996,000 people have died from the coronavirus worldwide Washington Post
● White House press secretary Jen Psaki tests positive Washington Post
● Supreme Court won’t block vaccine mandate for Maine health-care workers with religious objections Washington Post
● Ask PolitiFact: Children are far less likely to die from COVID-19. Why do they need vaccination? PolitiFact
● Delta Surge of Covid-19 Recedes, Leaving Winter Challenge Ahead Wall Street Journal
● White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Tests Positive for Covid-19 Wall Street Journal
● Moderna Confirms FDA Delayed Covid-19 Vaccine in Adolescents to Review Myocarditis Risk Wall Street Journal
● FDA authorizes COVID-19 vaccines for younger kids Roll Call
● FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine for Young Children Wall Street Journal
● Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for young kids clears FDA hurdle Los Angeles Times
Roughly 7 in 10 know 'just some,' little or nothing about spending packages: poll
The Hill
A new poll published on Sunday found that about 7 in 10 Americans know 'just some' or even less about what's in both the Biden administration's infrastructure and social spending bills.
See also:
● Lawmakers Push to Include Medicare Drug-Pricing Provision in Biden Plan Wall Street Journal
● Democrats Fret Over How Spending Bills’ Stall Will Play With Voters Wall Street Wall Street Journal
● Debate Over Paid Family Leave Is Louder Than Ever Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Democrats join Republicans in abandoning health care cost control AEI
● Opinion: The new White House spending framework crosses Senator Manchin’s red line on work-free welfare checks AEI
● Opinion: The Spending Bill Is an Attack on Work and Marriage Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Democrats’ agenda is decimated. And that’s okay. AEI
Mitt Romney: Filibuster or bust: Maintaining the minority’s power in the Senate is critical
Washington Post
America works. America has worked for more than 200 years. The character of the American people deserves most of the credit. But close behind are our vital institutions.
A year out, political groups prepare for what could be the most expensive midterms ever
Roll Call
Super PACs, party funds and nonprofits can disrupt competitive House and Senate races.
Conservative justices challenge Biden administration’s argument in Texas abortion dispute
Washington Post
The Supreme Court on Monday is hearing two challenges to Texas’s new abortion law, the most restrictive in the nation, that abortion providers and the Justice Department argue conflicts with a constitutional right established nearly 50 years ago in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.
See also:
● California: An abortion destination? + Unions in the crosshairs + A special session? Sacramento Bee
● Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Abortion Law Wall Street Journal
● Supreme Court Agrees to Quick Consideration of Texas Abortion Law Wall Street Journal
● Biden Says Pope Told Him He Is a Good Catholic Amid Controversy Over Abortion Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: The Texas Abortion Case That Isn’t Wall Street Journal
In U.S., Far More Support Than Oppose Separation of Church and State
Pew Research Center
For example, two-thirds of U.S. adults (67%) say the Constitution was written by humans and reflects their vision, not necessarily God’s vision. And a similar share (69%) says the government should never declare any official religion.
Trump seeking to block hundreds of pages of documents from Jan. 6 committee, court filing shows
Washington Post
Former President Donald Trump is trying to withhold nearly 800 pages of documents from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to a court filing made Saturday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
See also:
● Jan. 6 attack: The Post reconstructs the Capitol siege and how Trump refused to tell the mob to disperse for 187 harrowing minutes Washington Post
● Donald Trump’s WSJ letter is wrong: Joe Biden won PA legitimately. Here’s how we know Politifact
● Most Americans trust elections are fair, but sharp divides exist, a new poll finds VPR
● Letter from Washington Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee about The Post’s Jan. 6 investigation Washington Post
● Stunning survey gives grim view of flourishing anti-democratic opinions The Hill
How ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ became code for insulting Joe Biden
Los Angeles Times
The line has become conservative code for something far more vulgar: “F— Joe Biden.” It’s all the rage among Republicans wanting to prove their conservative credentials, a not-so-secret handshake that signals they’re in sync with the party’s base.
Other:
Daylight saving time ends soon. Here are 4 things you should know
VPR
Millions of Americans want to abandon the time change we endure twice each year, disrupting our circadian rhythms and creating confusion. More than a third of U.S. states now back a permanent shift to daylight saving time.
A Brief History of Online Influence Operations
Law Fare
How can it be that society depends on whistleblowers revealing internal studies that could not pass peer review for insight into the societal harms exacerbated by multibillion-dollar companies that hundreds of millions of Americans use for hours every week?
See also:
● How to Fix Social Media Wall Street Journal
● The Facebook attention gap Axios
● Opinion: Big Tech, Big Oil—Every Industry Is Big Tobacco Now Wall Street Journal
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, November 7, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "A Ripple Effect: Will the Drought Increase Emissions?" - Guest: F. Noel Perry, Founder - Next 10. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, November 7, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) – Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: "California’s Electric: Or Soon to Be!"- Guests: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10 & State Senator Fran Pavley. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
California judge rejects water deal for major farm supplier
Business Journal
A California judge has rejected a federal contract granting permanent access to U.S. government-controlled water for the nation’s largest agricultural water supplier, saying it lacked details on costs and appropriate public notice.
See also:
● Walters: Farmers lose two skirmishes in California water war CalMatters
From the back to center stage: Latinos take starring role in Lodi wine scene
Sacramento Bee
The Lodi wine scene is defined by old-money families, some with roots stretching back to California’s founding as a state, such as sixth-generation superstar Michael David Winery. Gerardo Espinosa belongs to a wine family too, but its story is a little different.
Brookings
To address these complex challenges, strengthened international cooperation backed by financial resources is more urgent than ever. Since their establishment, five big international organizations have played key roles in contributing to food and agricultural development.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Fresno-area catalytic converter thefts are skyrocketing, police say. Here are the numbers
Fresno Bee
The theft of catalytic converters in Fresno County has spiked from last year, including an explosion of 10 times as many reports in Fresno, according to local law enforcement.
Stanislaus County drops in auto theft rankings. How does new number stack up?
Modesto Bee
Auto theft is up nationwide, with California leading the country. For the first time in more than a decade, though, Stanislaus County did not make the list of the top 10 metropolitan areas where cars are stolen.
Local sleep clinic owner accused of $10M Medicare fraud scheme
Business Journal
A Hanford man has been indicted for his alleged involvement in a Medicare fraud scheme totaling $10 million. A federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment this week against Travis Gober, 42, charging him with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft.
California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion
Los Angeles Times
California has given away at least $20 billion to criminals in the form of fraudulent unemployment benefits, confirming a number smaller than originally feared but one that still accounts for more than 11% of all benefits paid since the start of the pandemic.
What we know about the increase in U.S. murders in 2020
Pew Research Center
The U.S. murder rate rose 30% between 2019 and 2020 – the largest single-year increase in more than a century, according to data published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Public Safety:
Parents sue Modesto in police officer’s fatal shooting of their unarmed son
Modesto Bee
The parents of Trevor Seever individually have filed wrongful death and excessive force lawsuits against Modesto in the December fatal shooting of their unarmed 29-year-old son by then-police officer Joseph Lamantia.
Fresno County is blocking public input for juvenile justice meetings, lawsuit alleges
Fresno Bee
A Fresno nonprofit recently filed a lawsuit against Fresno County and others, saying the processes local officials are using for juvenile justice realignment are violating open meetings laws and squeezing out public input.
In a setback for Black Lives Matter, mayoral campaigns shift to ‘law and order’
Washington Post
Mayoral candidates across the country are closing out their campaigns pledging to restore law and order, a major setback for racial justice protesters who only a year ago thought they had permanently reshaped the debate on policing in American cities.
See also:
· De-Policing and What to Do About It Manhattan Institute
· Growing share of Americans say they want more spending on police in their area Pew Research Center
Fire:
For tribes, “good fire” a key to restoring nature and people
Business Journal
Wildfires have blackened nearly 6,000 square miles (15,540 square kilometers) in California the past two years. But to the Yurok, Karuk and Hupa in the mid-Klamath region, cultural burning is about reclaiming a way of life suppressed with the arrival of white settlers.
In the Rural West, Some Residents Are Taking Firefighting Into Their Own Hands
New York Times
As wildfire seasons worsen, a growing number of rural residents are buying and outfitting fire rigs and other equipment to protect their property and themselves.
Vilsack says Biden plan is a way to reduce catastrophic wildfires, address climate change
Sacramento Bee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday that the U.S. Forest Service will be able to double or triple the scope of its wildfire prevention efforts if Congress passes President Joe Biden’s spending plan.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Fact Check: California Truck Regulations Aren’t to Blame for Cargo Backlog
GV Wire
A popular Facebook post claim that a California “truck ban” and the labor law AB 5 are clogging the state’s ports is false, according to fact-checking by USA Today.
‘Risk of permanent closure.’ California restaurants won’t get quick help from Biden spending plan
Sacramento Bee
Can your favorite local restaurant survive? It’s proving to be tough, and so far Washington has not been inclined to provide much more new help. There was some hope for money in the big spending and tax package President Biden unveiled Thursday, but there was none.
See also:
● Pandemic Prompts Officials to Relax Rules on Home Businesses Pew Trusts
U.S. Prices, Wages Rise at Fastest Pace in Decades
Wall Street Journal
Consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in 30 years in September while workers saw their biggest compensation boosts in at least 20 years. Consumer spending also rose in September despite the expiration of enhanced unemployment benefits.
A series of high-profile strikes across the country this month is testing how far President Joe Biden will go to bolster the labor movement, pitting the Democratic leader between his long-held affinity for unions and a jittery economic recovery.
See also:
· Opinion: Thinking about the disappointing Q3 GDP report AEI
· ‘He has to take it a step further’: Biden carefully navigates ‘Striketober’ Sacramento Bee
· Treasury Secretary Yellen expresses openness to defusing debt ceiling without GOP votes Washington Post
· Narrowing Yield Gap in Treasurys Signals Worries Over Fed, Growth Wall Street Journal
· Supply-Chain Crisis Has Companies Asking: Should We Still Advertise? Wall Street Journal
Opinion: The FCC takes key steps toward securing US tech infrastructure
AEI
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a key step to protect US critical infrastructure, voting unanimously to revoke China Telecom America’s permission to provide services in the US.
Jobs:
California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion
Los Angeles Times
California has given away at least $20 billion to criminals in the form of fraudulent unemployment benefits, confirming a number smaller than originally feared but one that still accounts for more than 11% of all benefits paid since the start of the pandemic.
Child care in California hasn’t rebounded — why many workers aren’t coming back
CalMatters
California’s child care workforce is still 10% smaller than it was before the pandemic, as low wages contribute to acute staffing shortages.
See also:
● Debate Over Paid Family Leave Is Louder Than Ever Wall Street Journal
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to New Pandemic Low
Wall Street Journal
Worker filings for unemployment benefits declined last week to their lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic began, as employers competed for employees in a tightening labor market.
See also:
● Labor market shows signs of hiring uptick as coronavirus surge fades Washington Post
Workplace strikes are surging. Here’s why they won’t stop anytime soon.
Washington Post
Economists say the walkouts could contribute to near-term inflation but, over time, fundamentally change the economic standing of millions of workers.
How Bosses Can Lure Remote Workers Back to the Office
Wall Street Journal
Survey after survey shows that the majority of employees want to spend at least three days a week working remotely, and very few want to return to the office full time.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fresno Unified superintendent responds to teacher grievances as fight with union brews
Fresno Bee
Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson made his first public comment about the Fresno teacher’s union’s plans to file grievances against the district. Teachers are asking for more time to prepare for their classes, which Nelson said he is sympathetic to, but said an immediate solution is not clear.
See also:
● Gut unions and boost private schools? 2022 ballot proposals aim at California labor Sacramento Bee
● A look at the groups supporting school board protesters nationwide NPR
Gimlet
This week, producer Anna Foley investigates a viral prank plaguing schools across the country. (Includes story about Fresno school.)
As supply shortages pressure school cafeterias, Stanislaus districts rely on creativity
Modesto Bee
In Stanislaus County, the supply chain crisis has trickled down to school cafeterias, where most students depend on free meals. Nutrition services directors said prices have doubled or tripled while orders arrive late, incomplete or not at all.
See also:
● Your public school kid's lunch might be served on a pizza slice box. Here's why VPR
School Nurse Deficit Deepens as States Seek Relief
Pew Trusts
Since school doors opened this fall, school nurses have been working nonstop on COVID-19 contact tracing and quarantines. In most places, they’ve had to abandon many of their regular duties and add brutal weekend and evening hours to their schedules.
Politifact
Fact-checked statements on education.
Higher Ed:
Fresno-area college instructors call for better pay, benefits. ‘I can’t work for free’
Fresno Bee
State Center Community College faculty are calling for equity and fairness in the way adjuncts are compensated for their time, which they say is a problem, particularly at community colleges in California.
Respectful disagreement makes America great. Take, for instance, Fresno Pacific case
Fresno Bee
Fresno Pacific is a Christian school. It denied an application for a student pride club. The university president, Joseph Jones, explained that establishing a pride club “was not consistent with the Confession of Faith of the university.”
Cal State races to boost graduation rate and cut early Ds and Fs
CalMatters
With the pandemic threatening to undercut graduation rates, Cal State is pushing to re-enroll lost students and reduce early Ds and Fs that can drive students to drop out.
What Biden Can’t Do on Student Debt—and What He Won’t Do
New Yorker
The Debt Collective activists developed a theory:the Department of Education had written their memo, that they had advised Biden that he had the authority to cancel debt, and that the Administration was keeping the memo quiet because they didn’t like its conclusions.
See also:
● Opinion: ‘Free’ college schadenfreude AEI
Will that college degree pay off? A look at some of the numbers
Washington Post
Researchers on both ends of the political spectrum are already diving into the numbers and doing the math. They’ve found hundreds of programs they say result in no financial return at all — and not only at oft-panned for-profit institutions, but at public and nonprofit colleges and universities, as well.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Fresno’s air quality is still nasty. This is what the air district asks residents to do
Fresno Bee
The particulate matter in the air climbed Friday and reached the red level — the fourth-highest ranking out of five — overnight in parts of the Valley, according to real-time readings from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
See also:
● Air quality sensors in Fresno showing bad air again. Any rain coming to clean it? Fresno Bee
● Another bad air day in Fresno? Sensors show unhealthy morning air as burning is discouraged Fresno Bee
● Those clouds aren’t expected to bring Fresno rain. Here’s what’s up with the weather Fresno Bee
Household hazardous waste collection events scheduled
Bakersfield Californian
The Kern County Public Works Department is holding household hazardous waste collection events in November that allow residents to drive up and drop off such items free of charge.
Poor neighborhoods bear the brunt of extreme heat, ‘legacies of racist decision-making’
Los Angeles Times
It was a typical summer day in Los Angeles, but a satellite orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth could detect that it was getting much hotter in some neighborhoods than others.
California oil spill: Surfing, swimming OK but fishing out
Business Journal
Four weeks after an oil spill washed blobs of crude onto Southern California’s coast, surfers have returned to the waves and people play in the surf. But fishermen still can’t drop lines in the same waters.
Climate politics have shifted, and that gives scientists and activists hope
Washington Post
An aura of failure hung over the first UN climate status conference in Berlin in 1995. Not only were countries falling short of their commitments to curb emissions, but advocates were struggling to get climate change any attention at all on the international political agenda.
Wall Street Journal
World leaders converge on Glasgow for a climate summit this weekend, and don’t laugh. This may be the worst-timed summit in history, but the delegates can still do substantial damage to the global economy, though none of it will matter to the climate.
See also:
● What’s at stake for California at climate conference as Newsom backs out? Visalia Times Delta
● California governor cancels trip to UN climate conference Business Journal
● Update: Gavin Newsom cancels trip to Glasgow for UN climate talks citing ‘family obligations’ Sacramento Bee
● The U.N. chief warns that reliance on fossil fuels is pushing the world to the brink VPR
● As high-stakes climate summit begins, Biden apologizes for U.S. withdrawal from Paris accord Washington Post
● The COP26 Climate Talks Are Opening. Here’s What to Expect. New York Times
● Global Climate Talks Face Hurdles After G-20 Nations Struggle to Find Common Ground Wall Street Journal
● Biden’s Glasgow Challenge Is to Convince World That U.S. Can Lead on Climate Wall Street Journal
● COP26 Climate Summit Consensus Is Sought After Decades of False Starts Wall Street Journal
● FACT SHEET: President Biden Renews U.S. Leadership on World Stage at U.N. Climate Conference (COP26) White House
● Editorial: Revisiting Climate at the Supreme Court Wall Street Journal
● National climate pledges are too weak to avoid catastrophic warming. Most countries are on track to miss them anyway. Washington Post
Pew Research Center
A new Pew Research Center survey in 17 advanced economies spanning North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region finds widespread concern about the personal impact of global climate change.
Cross-sector storage and modeling needed for deep decarbonization
Joule
Noah Kittner is an assistant professor in energy in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering,. His research examines the role of energy storage in the transition to low-carbon energy systems and deep decarbonization.
The End of Nature (1989 story)
New Yorker
Nature, we believe, takes forever. It moves with infinite slowness through the many periods of its history, whose names we can dimly recall from high-school biology—the Cambrian, the Devonian, the Triassic, the Cretaceous, the Pleistocene.
Energy:
Oil and gas companies angle for role in state's push for carbon neutrality
Bakersfield Californian
Members of the local oil and gas industry say they're ready to ramp up investment in fighting climate change, if only the state will work with them.
See also
· Wells sit idle on S.F.'s Kern River Oil Field property with no final plan for plugging them Bakersfield Californian
Exxon, Chevron Amass Cash as Oil Tops $80 a Barrel
Wall Street Journal
Big oil companies are generating their biggest cash flows in years and heeding investor calls to return it to shareholders instead of using it to drill.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Kieran Healy
I’m continuing to update the covdata package in anticipation of a Data Visualization. I revisited the Partisan Trajectories graph. For now, here’s an updated version using the 2020 Presidential election as the basis for the deciles, and more recent fatality data.
At least 65,000 more men than women have died from COVID-19 in the US
Brookings
Men are much more likely to die from COVID-19 than women. This is true globally. Notably, this gap does not appear to be explained either by differences in the number of confirmed cases or in pre-existing conditions.
COVID's endgame: Scientists have a clue about where SARS-CoV-2 is headed
VPR
The results of that experiment offer some intriguing insights into the possible endgame of the COVID-19 pandemic. After this delta-variant surge wanes this winter, as scientists forecast, what's next? Will the virus come back next year? And the year after that?
Human Services:
Modesto memory care center cited for numerous violations. Facility may lose license.
Modesto Bee
A state agency is taking legal action to revoke the license of a residential care facility in Modesto for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Who will replace the nurses driven out of the profession by pandemic stress?
VPR
The physical and emotional toll of treating COVID-19 patients is driving many nurses to leave the profession, and it's raising alarms about the state’s capacity to educate their replacements.
Transgender man can sue California hospital after Supreme Court decision not to hear appeal
Sacramento Bee
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it would not hear arguments on a California appeals court decision that let a Sacramento-area transgender man sue Mercy San Juan Medical Center over its cancellation of his hysterectomy.
Biden Administration Hopes Bigger Subsidies Will Lure More Consumers to Affordable Care Act Plans
Wall Street Journal
Open enrollment begins for federal insurance plans as Democrats hope to extend increased subsidies beyond next year
IMMIGRATION
Border agents in Facebook groups with bigoted posts saw little discipline
Los Angeles Times
Most of the Customs and Border Protection agents who participated in secretive social media groups featuring violent, bigoted posts against migrants and members of Congress received significantly watered down discipline measures.
U.S. in Talks to Pay Hundreds of Millions to Families Separated at Border
Wall Street Journal
The Biden administration is in talks to offer immigrant families that were separated during the Trump administration around $450,000 a person in compensation, according to people familiar with the matter.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Opinion: Big cities grew and became more diverse, especially among their youth
Brookings
This analysis of America’s 50 largest cities, demonstrates that for most, racial and ethnic diversity will be their signature demographic trait, with persons identifying as Latino or Hispanic, Asian American, or two or more races accounting for most of their growth as “white flight” and “Black flight” have occurred more modestly than in recent decades.
Housing:
Prefab home company to build factory in Kern County
Bakersfield Californian
A prefab home startup has chosen Kern County as the site of its latest expansion.
Opinion: California to get tough for new housing and hold local governments accountable
CalMatters
Our state has every imaginable resource to ensure a quality standard of living for all, but the California Dream is threatened by a housing supply shortage that has resulted in exorbitant housing costs and far too many people living on the streets.
See also:
● As housing crisis prevails, Fresno has a temporary solution to keep makeshift camps clean VPR
PUBLIC FINANCES
California families could save thousands under the new Biden child tax plan
Sacramento Bee
The White House’s plan to continue the child tax credit expansion for another year would mean a savings of thousands of dollars in 2022 for the millions of California families with income of less than $151,100.
See also:
● Biden Framework’s New Programs Face Expiration Dates Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: The Bad Science Behind the Child Tax Credit Expansion Wall Street Journal
California pension fund to award $1.1 million record-breaking bonus to investment chief
Sacramento Bee
CalSTRS is preparing to award a record-breaking $1.1 million bonus to one of its top executives following the 27.2% investment return the pension fund recorded in 2020-21 financial year.
The latest twist in the ‘Great Resignation’: Retiring but delaying Social Security
Washington Post
Stimulus checks and surging stock markets allow some early retirees to put off social security for now and secure higher monthly payments later
See also:
● Covid-19 Pushed Many Americans to Retire. The Economy Needs Them Back. Wall Street Journal
Opinion: American Rescue Plan funds can jump-start stalled opportunities for youth
Brookings
By investing in programs that help young people engage with education and career development, we can transform the labor market for the better.
Opinion: The Democrats’ Tax Plan Would Sink Real Estate
Wall Street Journal
The most lasting effects of government policies are often the unintended consequences. Americans learned this lesson the hard way in the aftermath of the 1986 Tax Reform Act.
TRANSPORTATION
Do you want speed bumps on your street? Fresno City Council repeals old ban
Fresno Bee
The council voted to repeal a city ban on speed bumps and begin a new pilot program to install them in council District 3, represented by Councilmember Miguel Arias.
Left out and overlooked: How rural Fresno County roads and transit are neglected
Fresno Bee
Roads in rural Fresno County are often neglected and underdeveloped. Potholes, flooding and basic safety measures go unfixed. There are no streetlights, sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, center lines or even speed limit signs on many roads in rural towns, and public transit service is limited.
Bullet train leaves a trail of grief among the disadvantaged of the San Joaquin Valley
Los Angeles Times
The California high-speed rail project pledged to do better. But up and down the San Joaquin Valley, the bullet train is hitting hard at people who are already struggling to survive tough economic conditions in one of the poorest regions in the nation.
See also:
● Transit, High-Speed Rail Get $20 Billion in Democratic Bill Bloomberg
American Airlines cancels 28 flights out of LAX and 1,800 nationwide
Los Angeles Times
American Airlines canceled 28 flights out of Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, according to an airport spokesman, part of hundreds of flight cancellations that the airline blamed on staffing shortages and bad weather.
FAA Plans Warnings to Pilots, Airlines Over New 5G Rollout
Wall Street Journal
U.S. air-safety regulators are preparing to issue warnings to pilots and airlines about potential interference with key cockpit safety systems by a new 5G wireless service slated to go live as soon as early December.
WATER
Drought here to stay after atmospheric river; 'weather whiplash' will become more common
Visalia Times Delta
It's going to take more than a single, measly atmospheric river, bomb cyclone storm to catapult Central California out of its second year of debilitating drought.
See also:
● Those clouds aren’t expected to bring Fresno rain. Here’s what’s up with the weather Fresno Bee
● Last Week’s Storm: the Good, the Bad and the Inconclusive Public Policy Institute of California
These small Fresno County farmers are struggling to get water from their wells amid the drought
VPR
Moua gets her water from a well. She says before the drought, water would flow effortlessly from the well through a pipe into her fields. But since August, she’s had to turn her water pump on and wait. Sometimes it takes up to half an hour.
California judge rejects water deal for major farm supplier
Business Journal
A California judge has rejected a federal contract granting permanent access to U.S. government-controlled water for the nation’s largest agricultural water supplier, saying it lacked details on costs and appropriate public notice.
See also:
● Walters: Farmers lose two skirmishes in California water war CalMatters
A California town refused to help its neighbors with water. So the state stepped in
Los Angeles Times
The mountain water in the 153-mile Friant-Kern Canal was owned by growers and cities down the line. Locally, the community’s two shallow, tainted wells were faltering because of drought and the trend of growers digging deeper wells, lowering the water table.
“Xtra”
Photojournalist captures a Fresno family's journey out of poverty
VPR
Photojournalist Ryan Christopher Jones spent five years documenting one Fresno family’s transition from poverty into the middle class. His images were recently published in “The Atlantic.”
They weren't local, but 13 servicemen were honored and remembered Friday in Bakersfield
Bakersfield Californian
None of the 13 servicemen tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, last August appeared to have family connections in Bakersfield. But when a tenuous connection was found, it was enough.
Fresno State Bulldogs back in AP Top 25 following big win over San Diego State
Fresno Bee
Fresno State moved into first place in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference with its 30-20 victory at No. 21 San Diego State, its second win this season over a ranked opponent on the road.
Music to the ears: Fresno State selected to participate in future Rose Parade
Fresno Bee
Start smelling the roses. Fresno State is going to the Rose Bowl. Not the Bulldogs football team. But the Fresno State marching band will be there for the first time ever
Ever heard of a booze-less bar? Popup coming to Fresno
Business Journal
Ian Landis of Fresno recently announced on Reddit that the “Bone Dry Sober Bar” popup event would be coming to Art Hop Nov. 4 in Downtown Fresno. It will be held at Studio Van Ness at 2055 San Joaquin St. from 6-9 p.m.
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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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