POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Stanislaus County begins COVID-19 vaccinations for children in the 5-to-11 age group Modesto Bee
Stabbing reported at Turlock High School. More details emerge about incident.
Modesto Bee
Turlock High School is on lockdown after someone was stabbed on campus just before 9 a.m. Friday.
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree stops in Mariposa, passes through Merced County on journey
Merced Sun Star
The spirit of Christmas passed through Merced and Mariposa counties in the form of a massive big rig trailer complete with an escort by law enforcement. The holiday season excitement was due to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree passing through the region on its journey to Washington D.C.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kings County seeing fewer people in hospital, therapists requested Hanford Sentinel
● Pediatric COVID vaccines: Full list of Central California locations offering Pfizer shots for kids abc30
● Children ages 5-11 begin receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Central California abc30
● Kaweah Health officials urging community to get vaccinated as hospital declares Code Triage abc30
● Visalia hospital issues alert; has the most Covid patients in the state Business Journal
● Tulare County hits grim 1,000th death milestone in coronavirus era Visalia Times Delta
● Kaweah Health declares 2nd COVID disaster in 3 months. Visalia hospital treats CA's most COVID patients Visalia Times Delta
Fresno City Council names new city clerk after controversial firing
Fresno Bee
The announcement comes five months after the city council on a split vote fired longtime former City Clerk Yvonne Spence, sparking outcry from many Black leaders in the city. Since then, Briana Parra has served as interim city clerk.
City of Fresno aims to purchase University Medical Center campus, turn it into housing, stores
abc30
The city of Fresno is hoping to take an eyesore and turn it into a beautiful new neighborhood. Thursday afternoon, the city council agreed to offer to purchase the old University Medical Center campus at Cedar and Kings Canyon from the County of Fresno.
See also:
● Editorial: Fresno City Council should say yes to turning an empty eyesore into badly needed housing Fresno Bee
Fresno County Department of Social Services warning community of EBT scam
abc30
The Fresno County Department of Social Services is warning the community about an EBT scam around the state. Officials say the scam looks to grab EBT card information and PIN numbers.
Where should $194 million in COVID relief funds go? Fresno County wants your opinion
abc30
The County of Fresno is asking its residents for input on how it should spend hundreds of millions in federal COVID relief funds. From now through Dec. 3, residents are invited to complete the Community Outreach Survey on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Fresno Unified to provide $200 stipend for subs who teach consecutive days
abc30
Some substitute teachers with the FUSD can expect to receive more pay in the upcoming school year. The school district and Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association agreed to provide an additional $200 stipend for substitutes who teach 20 consecutive days.
This candidate could be Madera’s first Indigenous Mexican-American councilmember
VPR
City of Madera residents voted Tuesday to fill a vacancy on the city council. County officials are still counting ballots from the special election but as of Thursday, an Indigenous Mexican-American candidate has garnered 61 percent of the vote.
Grits and Grace: 2020 Annual Report of the Central Valley Community Foundation
Central Valley Community Foundation
This past year loss and hardship was felt globally. 2020 was a year the world will never soon forget—nor should it. In the Central Valley, we found the worst of times revealed the unshakable strength of our community
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern Public Health reports 339 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths on Thursday Bakersfield Californian
● BC rolls out its vaccine mandate Bakersfield Californian
Facing a financial crisis, Taft voters approve one-cent sales tax measure
Bakersfield Californian
In a special election Tuesday, nearly 74 percent of voters agreed to increase their sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent. The Kern County Elections Division reports 404 people voted in favor of the increase, while 142 voted against.
Lois Henry: Public can get in on the upcoming Kern River hearing, sort of
Bakersfield Californian
The public can weigh in on the Kern River at an upcoming hearing, but the proceeding will be very narrowly focused, according to a ruling released Wednesday.
Political notebook: Congressional candidate steps down; Democrats find new office
Bakersfield Californian
Candidate for the 21st Congressional District Angel Lara has stepped down from the race. On Thursday morning, Lara announced on Twitter he would not face off against Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, in the upcoming election.
Kevin McCarthy says Democrats in Biden-won seats are in danger. These Californians are on the list
Sacramento Bee
Democrats seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives should be worried if things go the way Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy predicts. McCarthy’s statements follow a series of Republican victories in elections across the country on Tuesday.
State:
COVID Update:
● California counties that backed Trump suffer much higher COVID death rates than others Sacramento Bee
● California schools: Get Covid shots or go back to distance learning Politico
● Newsom and guards challenge vaccine mandates at prisons, warning of staff departures Los Angeles Times
● Next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations begins as parents rush to get kids their shots Los Angeles Times
California redistricting 101: What you need to know
CalMatters
An FAQ for voters on California redistricting as the state’s independent commission works toward releasing preliminary congressional and legislative maps on Nov. 10.
What Glenn Youngkin’s victory teaches California Republicans
San Francisco Chronicle
Glenn Youngkin’s victory in the Virginia governor’s race showed California Republicans a narrow path to victory in 2022 — and the answer seems to be less Donald Trump.
Lawsuit briefly blocking California assisted death law ends
AP News
An appeals court has formally ended a lawsuit that in 2018 temporarily suspended a California law that allows adults to obtain prescriptions for life-ending drugs, a gap that advocates blamed Thursday for a significant drop in its use that year.
California state worker union redoing election after finding critical flaws in ballot security
Sacramento Bee
The union representing California state attorneys, administrative law judges and legal professionals is redoing its election after a review turned up several flaws, including the possibility that members could vote more than once.
Federal:
COVID Update:
● US mandates vaccines or tests for big companies by Jan. 4 Fresno Bee
● When does COVID vaccine mandate start — and who pays for tests? What you need to know Fresno Bee
● Religious exemptions to COVID vaccine: what counts, what doesn’t and how it works Modesto Bee
● COVID is still crushing parts of the U.S. as the holiday season approaches VPR
● Biden's vaccine rules for 100 million workers are here. These are the details VPR
● GOP state officials push back on employer vaccine mandate Business Journal
● Jan. 4 deadline established for big companies to mandate vaccines, testing Business Journal
● Study shows dramatic decline in effectiveness of all three COVID-19 vaccines over time Los Angeles Times
● CDC is not manipulating its COVID-19 breakthrough data — it’s changing how it collects it Politifact
● Biden Vaccine Mandate Poses New Test for Agency Enforcing It Wall Street Journal
● 'We have had enough': DeSantis will sue Biden over workplace vaccine mandates Politico
● Biden’s Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate Divides U.S. Companies, Like the Country Wall Street Journal
● Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Means Millions of Workers Must Get Shots by Jan. 4 or Test Weekly Wall Street Journal
● U.S. Sets Jan. 4 Vaccination Deadline for Big Private Employers New York Times
● Pfizer antiviral pill reduced risk of covid hospitalization and death by 89 percent in high-risk people, company study shows Washington Post
● Pfizer Says Covid-19 Pill Is 89% Effective in Preliminary Assessment Wall Street Journal
● Military Vaccine Deadline: Clash Begins With Troops Who Refuse Shots U.S. News
● No, the COVID-19 vaccines are not weapons of mass destruction Politifact
● Opinion: Biden’s vaccine mandate and the public response | IN 60 SECONDS AEI
Pelosi amps up domestic-agenda pressure campaign, pressing Friday votes
Politico
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is punting a pair of long-anticipated votes on President Joe Biden's domestic agenda to Friday after House Democratic leaders made huge headway but failed to fully resolve months of dug-in disputes.
See also:
● Progressives are ready to vote on Biden agenda bills, Rep. Jayapal says VPR
● Manchin will get last word, even as House races to pass megabill Politico
● Nancy Pelosi’s Push for Quick Votes on Bills Hits Snags Wall Street Journal
● Budget, infrastructure bills slotted for Friday votes in House Roll Call
● Opinion: Pelosi’s SALT Scheme Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: The Revolution Joe Manchin (Probably) Can’t Stop Politico
Disappointing election results may have lit a fire under Democrats
NPR
Democrats say they are closing in on votes to turn much of President Biden's domestic agenda into law. Some Democrats say the bargaining has taken on a new urgency after Tuesday's election losses.
See also:
● In mayoral elections nationwide, voters opt for pragmatism over ideology Washington Post
● Phil Murphy narrowly reelected governor in New Jersey AP News
● How Glenn Youngkin Kept Trump at Arm’s Length, But on His Side Wall Street Journal
● ‘Huge trouble’: Voters punish Democrats for blind spots on kitchen table issues Roll Call
● Spending $2,300, GOP newcomer Ed Durr beats top NJ lawmaker AP News
● Youngkin’s Virginia Win Provides Playbook for Republicans: Parents’ Rights Wall Street Journal
● Republicans Want Parents To Be Angry. Democrats Are Trying To Give Them Money. Huffington Post
● Who Lost on Election Day? Progressives U.S. News
● America: Love It Or Leave It U.S. News
● Opinion: The calamity facing Joe Biden and the Democrats The Economist
● Opinion: A Moderate Proposal The Atlantic
● Opinion: Pollster: ‘I blew it.’ Maybe it’s time to get rid of election polls. Newark Star-Ledger
● Opinion: Three takeaways from Virginia and New Jersey AEI
● Opinion: Biden Democrats lose big — and on cultural issues AEI
● Opinion: Democracy and the Turnout Boom Wall Street Journal
● Opinion: Youngkin’s win in Virginia started with Biden’s debacle in Afghanistan Washington Post
Lawyers for Trump, Jan. 6 panel spar in federal court over records fight
VPR
Lawyers for the Democrat-led House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack told a federal judge on Thursday that President Biden — not former President Trump — is in the best position to decide what records can be released to the panel.
See also:
● New grand jury seated as Trump criminal probe continues Sacramento Bee
● Judge questions Trump push to block records from Jan. 6 panel Roll Call
The Biden administration is suing Texas over its new voting law
VPR
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in a federal court Thursday claiming that the Republican-led law contains several provisions that "will disenfranchise eligible Texas citizens who seek to exercise their right to vote."
See also:
● Biden administration sues Texas over new voting restrictions Politico
● Justice Department Sues Texas Over Its New Voting Law Wall Street Journal
Robert Santos, a Latino, becomes first person of color confirmed as head of Census Bureau
Washington Post
The Senate on Thursday voted to confirm the first person of color and Hispanic as permanent director of the Census Bureau, a milestone that comes amid mounting concerns about an undercount of minorities in the 2020 Census.
See Also:
● Senate confirms new Census Bureau director Roll Call
Opinion: Should Congress close the revolving door in the technology industry?
Brookings
Bringing together six Democratic and six Republican co-sponsors, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Chuck Grassley’s newly-introduced American Innovation and Choice Online Act illustrates rising bipartisan momentum to regulate large technology platforms.
Other:
Opinion: Navigating media in the age of disinformation
Visalia Times Delta
A recent poll shows 95% of Americans identified misinformation as a problem when they’re trying to access important data, according to the Pearson Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
See also:
● People are using coded language to avoid social media moderation. Is it working? Politifact
● False vaccine claims persist on Facebook, despite a ban. Here’s why Politifact
Facebook Faces New Antitrust Lawsuit
New York Times
The suit, filed by the now defunct photo start-up Phhhoto, accused the social network of stalling on a deal and then putting it out of business.
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: "Climate Change and Electric Vehicles:
Public Action and Private Markets"- Guests: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10 & State Senator Fran Pavley. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Valley judge rejects Wonderful Company’s attempt to stop rival’s expansion. Here’s why
Fresno Bee
The Wonderful Company, one of the giants in the nut industry, and its affiliate Wonderful Citrus, filed legal action against the county last July challenging the validity and issuance of building permits for the project at ARO Pistachios, a Touchstone company.
See also:
● Wonderful can't stop Touchstone's expansion in Terra Bella Porterville Recorder
How test plots in Modesto-area almond orchard will help effort to improve soil
Modesto Bee
Farmers and scientists gathered at an almond orchard southwest of Modesto to help launch the Better Soil Alliance. Research plots on the 40 acres off Grayson Road are part of the effort to sustain the earth that grows the area’s top-grossing crop.
California changed the country with weed legalization — is it high time for the feds to catch up?
Los Angeles Times
Today’s landscape of marijuana lounges and unfettered access to cannabis cartridges and candies hardly resembles those chaotic early years of legalization, when the Clinton administration threatened to revoke doctors’ medical licenses.
See also:
● ‘A farce of social equity’: California is failing its Black cannabis businesses The Guardian
Here are the top crops in each California county
San Francisco Chronicle
As a result of California’s varying environmental conditions, the top crops on farms vary widely across the state. The Chronicle examined the top crop category by production value for each county to understand which crops predominate in each region.
San Francisco Chronicle
A huge facility designed to produce hundreds of thousands of pounds of cultured meat opened Thursday in Emeryville — a significant step forward in a nascent yet rapidly growing industry where meat is grown from animal cells without any need for slaughter.
Food banks embark on expansions with lessons from COVID
Fresno Bee
Food banks across the country are pursuing major expansion projects driven in part by their experiences during the pandemic, when they faced an explosion of need.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Stabbing reported at Turlock High School. More details emerge about incident.
Modesto Bee
Turlock High School is on lockdown after someone was stabbed on campus just before 9 a.m. Friday.
Fresno County Department of Social Services warning community of EBT scam
abc30
The Fresno County Department of Social Services is warning the community about an EBT scam around the state. Officials say the scam looks to grab EBT card information and PIN numbers.
Exclusive: How California state workers got caught in a $2.7 million embezzlement scheme
Sacramento Bee
Both women have pleaded guilty to wire fraud in federal court in Sacramento, and both are now cooperating with prosecutors, who have indicated in court filings that at least one other unnamed Office of AIDS worker was involved in the scheme.
See also:
● ‘I’m so shocked.’ New records reveal depth of probe into California Office of AIDS fraud Sacramento Bee
Surging Catalytic Converter Thefts Spur State Crackdowns
Pew Trusts
The number of catalytic converter thefts has skyrocketed during the pandemic, driven by high unemployment, more cars sitting in driveways and a spike in the value of the metals used to make the devices, platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Justice Dept’s White-Collar Crime Approach ‘Broadly Consistent’ With SEC, Gensler Says
Wall Street Journal
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler said he agrees with the Justice Department’s recently revised approach to prosecuting corporate misdeeds.
Public Safety:
More Californians could carry concealed guns if Supreme Court strikes down New York law
Sacramento Bee
Similar to New York, California county sheriffs have jurisdiction over who gets a concealed carry permit, and rural counties tend to issue them more frequently than urban areas, said Adam Winkler, a professor at UCLA’s School of Law.
Fire:
California inmate firefighters demand answers for why their release dates are pushed back
Sacramento Bee
New rules were put in place in May, leading them to believe that climate change and wildfires have had another effect: keeping inmates around longer to fight more fires.
PG&E to spend $125M for igniting massive California fire
Business Journal
Pacific Gas & Electric has reached a $125 million settlement agreement with California regulators over the destructive Kincade fire, which was ignited in 2019 by the utility’s equipment in a remote area of Sonoma County.
See Also:
● One of America’s Toughest CEO Jobs: Fixing PG&E Wall Street Journal
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
A tech CEO got big attention for his plan to ease the backlog at Los Angeles ports
VPR
There are currently massive supply chain problems around the world that began with the coronavirus pandemic. It's a complex problem leading to delays and shortages of products across the U.S. And a big part of it involves these two Southern California ports.
See also:
● Oreos, Sour Patch Kids and other snacks will soon get more expensive VPR
● Supply chain crisis leaves CA scrambling CalMatters
● Supply chain delays disrupt California agriculture exports Sacramento Bee
● Here’s what California could do to fix the supply chain CalMatters
● Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas urges cargo ships to 'escape California' backlogs and reroute to his state's '24/7 functioning' ports Business Insider
● Digital gifts could win the holidays Axios
● Opinion: California Is the Supply Chain’s Weakest Link Wall Street Journal
2021 California Economic Summit Playbook
CA Fwd
The California Economic Summit has been at the center of creating solutions that move our state forward on some of our toughest challenges. As we celebrate 10 Years Together, the 2021 Summit Playbook is the program and policy guide for the 2021 Summit.
US trade deficit hits record of $80.9 billion in September
Fresno Bee
The U.S. trade deficit hit an all-time high of $80.9 billion in September as American exports fell sharply while imports, even with supply chain problems at American ports, continue to climb.
See Also:
● U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Fresh Record on Goods Demand, Higher Inflation Wall Street Journal
Five Reasons Why the Stock Market Might Be Weaker in 2022
Wall Street Journal
Can U.S. stocks avert a “sophomore slump” in 2022? Over the past 75 years, in the second year of a new U.S. president’s term, stocks have tended to fall short of their long-term average annual performance.
The Fed says it has a plan to deal with inflation which is at a 30-year high
VPR
The Fed says it will start scaling back the economic aid it provided during the pandemic. It's going to taper bond-buying, but it will also keep interest rates near zero.
See also:
● Opinion: The Federal Reserve won’t face its inflation and asset bubble problems AEI
● Opinion: Too little and too late at the Fed The Hill
Jobs:
Valley drywall company facing $7.2M in payroll fines says it’s working with state
Fresno Bee
The head of a Visalia contracting company that does drywall, stucco and painting work for projects throughout central California said the firm is cooperating with state regulators who issued citations totaling more than $7.2 million for labor violations involving employee pay.
See also:
● Owner of Visalia firm speaks out regarding $7.2M wage-theft fine Business Journal
New study finds millions of workers are ‘functionally unemployed’
CalMatters
California’s official unemployment rate is 7.5%. But a newer method of measuring unemployment reveals a far larger portion of the state is struggling to find full-time employment that pays enough to cover the cost of living.
See also:
● ‘Burned out’? Why won’t more women return to the job market? Sacramento Bee
Migrant workers who clean up climate disasters for work often pay a price
VPR
From climate disasters at home ruining his livelihood to climate disasters here being the source of it, Alvarado is now one of a growing number of primarily migrant workers who follow such catastrophes around the U.S. and aid in the cleanup and rebuilding.
U.S. economy added 531,000 jobs in October as hiring swelled again
Washington Post
The U.S. economy added 531,000 jobs in October, a strong month of growth that showed an economy gaining new momentum in the final months of the year after being slowed briefly by the coronavirus’s surge in the late summer.
See Also:
● October Jobs Report: Strong Rebound as U.S Economy Adds 531,000 Jobs Wall Street Journal
● Jobless Claims Extend Drop Toward Levels Seen Before Covid-19 Wall Street Journal
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fresno Unified to provide $200 stipend for subs who teach consecutive days
abc30
Some substitute teachers with the FUSD can expect to receive more pay in the upcoming school year. The school district and Fresno Area Substitute Teachers Association agreed to provide an additional $200 stipend for substitutes who teach 20 consecutive days.
Some Fresno elementary students return to distance learning due to COVID-19 again
Fresno Bee
For the second time in a month, Addicott Elementary School has shut down classrooms due to coronavirus concerns. Fresno Unified spokesperson confirmed the small school of about 50 students with special needs would remain shuttered until at least Monday.
California Tries to Close the Gap in Math, but Sets Off a Backlash
New York Times
Proposed guidelines in the state would de-emphasize calculus, reject the idea that some children are naturally gifted and build a connection to social justice. Critics say math shouldn’t be political.
Video: Achieving Digital Equity for California’s Students
Public Policy Institute of California
Last week, PPIC researcher Joseph Hayes presented findings from a new report showing that, despite considerable progress in digital access last year, major gaps remain, especially for low-income, Black, and Latino students.
Opinion: High-quality early child care and education: The gift that lasts a lifetime
Brookings
Debate continues on Biden’s “Build Back Better” social infrastructure bill offering a historic expansion of child care and universal preschool.
Higher Ed:
Is new support the key to success for formerly incarcerated community college students?
CalMatters
The state will spend $10 million each year to provide services to formerly incarcerated students, track the impact of the programs and examine whether they should be replicated at all of the state’s community colleges.
See also:
● They were supposed to die in prison. Instead, they earned freedom as college graduates Los Angeles Times
EdSource
Enrollment at California’s community colleges dipped below 2 million students for the first time in at least three decades, the result of a pandemic that has upended education across the country.
Borrowers say they were wrongly denied loan forgiveness. Now, help is on the way
VPR
The U.S. Department of Education says it will reach out to federal student loan borrowers who may have been prematurely denied loan forgiveness under the revamped Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and will reprocess their applications.
See also:
● Biden Administration to Cut Ties With Debt Collectors for Student Loans Wall Street Journal
Opinion: Not all college students are OK with cancel culture
AEI
Thanks to new data from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), we now have up-to-date empirical evidence suggesting that not all college students are interested in blocking free speech or canceling others.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Fresno, Valley residents are asked to lessen polluting habits. Why aren’t industries?
Fresno Bee
Following a short breather, Fresno and central San Joaquin Valley residents are once again inhaling nasty air that will probably shorten each of our life spans. Which prompted the usual response from the Valley Air District: We’re all “discouraged” not to burn wood — on some days not even in EPA-registered stoves — and refrain from making excess car trips.
Earth has 11 years to cut emissions to avoid dire climate scenarios, a report says
VPR
The current rate of greenhouse gas pollution is so high that Earth has about 11 years to rein in emissions if countries want to avoid the worst damage from climate change in the future, a new study concludes.
See also:
● The U.N. says climate impacts are getting worse faster than the world is adapting VPR
● As UN tackles twin climate threats, California struggles with them, too CalMatters
● Opinion: Climate change is not an ‘existential threat’ Washington Post
Using Maps to Better Address California’s Most Complex Problems
Little Hoover Commission
California’s Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has released an updated version of CalEnviroScreen, an innovative mapping tool that uses geospatial information to identify communities in California with the highest pollution burdens and vulnerabilities.
See also:
● CalEnviroScreen 4.0 California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
● CalEPA Updates Groundbreaking Environmental Justice Tool California EPA
The 3 most important wins from COP26 so far
Axios
This will not be a historic year for making progress on addressing climate change — it can't be, with the Chinese premier Xi Jinping refusing to make new pledges and not even showing up at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. But that doesn't mean the summit was a wash.
See Also:
● COP26 Deals Aim to Limit Coal, Oil and Natural-Gas Development Wall Street Journal
● China, India and Other Developing Nations Seek $1.3 Trillion a Year in Climate Finance Wall Street Journal
● Climate Promises by Businesses Face New Scrutiny Wall Street Journal
● Greta Thunberg Leads Climate Protest, Criticizing COP26 Talks Wall Street Journal
Desert high-speed rail line could block sheep, mountain lions. Democrats want more crossings
Sacramento Bee
Caltrans is reviewing California senators’ plea to build wildlife bridges for bighorn sheep over one of the state’s forthcoming high-speed railways.
Energy:
An Energy Forum, November 17, 2021
Capitol Weekly
Join Capitol Weekly for a look at California’s energy future. A score of experts, insiders and elected officials will discuss the state’s energy policies and ambitious goals to combat climate change.
Editorial: Regulators let oil refineries avoid cutting smog. They must force them to clean up
Los Angeles Times
While the world focuses on the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, here in Southern California air quality officials will be meeting to decide how tough to get on the oil industry and its health-damaging pollution.
Opinion: Don’t be fooled by the Pied Pipers of clean fuels
CalMatters
Instead of delivering innovations to stop climate change, companies are remarketing fossil fuels as clean fuels.
U.S., U.K. lead pledge to end overseas oil and gas financing, but with big caveats
Politico
The United States, the U.K. and some 20 other countries and financial institutions pledged on Thursday to stop public financing for most overseas oil and gas projects by next year.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Kids doses, COVID vaccine side effects and California schools: Answers to your questions
Sacramento Bee
The FDA and CDC recently gave the green light to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11 for COVID-19. As of Nov. 3, there were more than 570,000 cases among children 5 to 17 years old in California, according to state data. There were 27 reported deaths in this age group.
See also:
● Birthday parties and sleepovers are back as parents welcome COVID vaccine for kids VPR
Yes, you can get compensated for injuries from COVID vaccines. Here’s what to know
Fresno Bee
If you or someone you know dies or gets injured from any of the three COVID-19 vaccines — which medical experts say is rare — legal compensation is available. But the process is different and generally more limited compared to other vaccines.
Axios
Rival vaccine makers are trying to elbow into the massive COVID-19 market, arguing for federal funding and claiming advantages over the current choices in the U.S.: There's huge remaining demand around the world, and researchers say there should be more support.
See also:
● Opinion: Vaccine Manufacturers Are Profiteering. History Shows How to Stop Them. Politico
Human Services:
Syphilis is resurging in the U.S., a sign of public health's funding crisis
VPR
The alarms are now clamoring. In the United States, more than 129,800 syphilis cases were recorded in 2019, double the case count of five years prior.
Millions of health care workers face deadline to get COVID vaccine under Biden mandate
Modesto Bee
Millions of health care workers have until Jan. 4 to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 under a mandate from President Joe Biden’s administration. The rule applies to workers at facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid
See also:
● Hospitals brace for strikes as California workers protest staff shortages CalMatters
IMMIGRATION
Payments to families separated at border still being negotiated, White House clarifies
Axios
The Wall Street Journal first reported that the Justice Department was in talks to pay $450,000 per person to settle lawsuits filed on behalf of the families affected. When asked about the payments this week, President Biden had said, "That's not going to happen."
See also:
● W.H. softens Biden's opposition to family separation settlements Politico
● Biden says $450K payments to families separated at southern border are 'not going to happen' Politico
● Biden ‘Perfectly Comfortable’ Paying Separated Families, White House Says Wall Street Journal
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Hanford Sentinel
Non-retail Hanford businesses will now be able to set up shop outside the Downtown area thanks to the most recent decision to change the City’s zoning laws.
Developer planned to build on 350 acres north of Clovis. A threatened salamander changed that
Fresno Bee
The Clovis City Council voted Monday to reduce its sphere of influence northeast of the city by about 1,000 acres after a developer discovered a habitat of California tiger salamanders — which are threatened in the Central Valley and endangered in other parts of California.
Housing:
City of Fresno aims to purchase University Medical Center campus, turn it into housing, stores
abc30
The city of Fresno is hoping to take an eyesore and turn it into a beautiful new neighborhood. Thursday afternoon, the city council agreed to offer to purchase the old University Medical Center campus at Cedar and Kings Canyon from the County of Fresno.
See also:
● Editorial: Fresno City Council should say yes to turning an empty eyesore into badly needed housing Fresno Bee
PUBLIC FINANCES
Where should $194 million in COVID relief funds go? Fresno County wants your opinion
abc30
The County of Fresno is asking its residents for input on how it should spend hundreds of millions in federal COVID relief funds. From now through Dec. 3, residents are invited to complete the Community Outreach Survey on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Facing a financial crisis, Taft voters approve one-cent sales tax measure
Bakersfield Californian
In a special election Tuesday, nearly 74 percent of voters agreed to increase their sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent. The Kern County Elections Division reports 404 people voted in favor of the increase, while 142 voted against.
IRS Boosts 401(k) Contribution Annual Cap to $20,500
Wall Street Journal
Workers will be able to set aside up to $20,500 in their 401(k) accounts in 2022, up $1,000 from this year, the Internal Revenue Service said Thursday. The change is part of the tax code’s annual inflation adjustments and doesn’t require Congress to act.
Opinion: The inflation tax is not only real, it's massive
The Hill
If you are under the impression that the “inflation tax” is only an allusion to the shrinking impact inflation has on the purchasing power of your income and savings, you should continue reading.
AEI
Democrats in Congress are eyeing America’s wealthiest individuals and most successful companies as they devise a tax program to pay for their reconciliation spending plans. These tax plans aim to make the rich pay their “fair share.”
TRANSPORTATION
‘There’s a big need.’ How a lack of public transit impacts people in rural Fresno County
Fresno Bee
Not having transportation that reliably gets you where you need to be is certainly frustrating, but for hundreds of thousands of residents in rural areas of Fresno County, completing daily tasks like grocery shopping or going to a doctor’s office become monumental if transportation is required.
Desert high-speed rail line could block sheep, mountain lions. Democrats want more crossings
Sacramento Bee
California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are concerned the addition of the railroad in its proposed form would inhibit animals, including the endangered bighorn sheep, from crossing the interstate where the tracks will be built along.
FAA Refers 37 Cases Involving Unruly Airline Passengers for Possible Criminal Prosecution
Wall Street Journal
The cases are considered the most egregious among the 227 passenger disturbances for which the FAA has initiated enforcement, and the people involved now could face criminal prosecution.
WATER
Family farms struggling as California drought worsens: ‘We haven’t faced anything like this’
Fresno Bee
Water in the Central Valley has become scarcer as the state grows not only drier, but hotter. That’s forcing small farmers like Moua to compete with larger ones for the limited water supply in one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions.
See also:
● What will it take for California drought to end? It’s way more complicated than ‘rain’ Sacramento Bee
Frustrations mount over drinking water reliability in Boulder Creek: ‘We’re at the breaking point’
Mercury News
More than a year after the historic fire was put out much of the Boulder Creek region is still without reliable drinking water. The CZU Complex destroyed most of the Big Basin Water Company’s pipelines and tanks, along with its only surface water treatment plant.
Lois Henry: Public can get in on the upcoming Kern River hearing, sort of
Bakersfield Californian
The public can weigh in on the Kern River at an upcoming hearing, but the proceeding will be very narrowly focused, according to a ruling released Wednesday.
California Department of Water Resources
Water is a precious and limited resource, especially in drought-prone California where the next dry period could be right around the corner. As a result, water conservation and the efficient use of California’s water supply are major priorities for the State.
Opinion: Reevaluate water distribution before resorting to desalination
CalMatters
Desalination is a distraction from the need for California to regulate our water supply to ensure it is equitably distributed.
“Xtra”
Remembering the dead: Dia de los Muertos celebration returns to historic California town
Sacramento Bee
The annual All Souls Day celebration — marking Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead — returned Tuesday night to the historic former Mexican mining town of Hornitos in the rolling foothills about 20 miles northeast of Merced.
Madera Pomegranate, Fruit and Nut Festival happening this weekend
abc30
For Home Grown Cellars owner Alexander Lehman, this year's harvest is one for the history books. Owner Alexander Lehman says, "There was frost, there was smoke, there was heat and a lot of it. There was dryness -- lack of water."
‘It’s a whole other world.’ Tech start-up opens Fresno’s first virtual reality escape room
Fresno Bee
These aren’t just typical escape-room mind puzzles, either. Escaping the virtual worlds can take 45 minutes to an hour and players have to get a little physical. They may have to throw objects or even shoot a bow and arrow. It can get sweaty, Sandhu says.
For years customers asked this Fresno restaurant to open a second location. Now it has
Fresno Bee
The location of the newest Benaddiction breakfast restaurant may be new, but the vibe is pure Benaddiction to those familiar with it. The food is the same, with its twist on diner food like breakfast burritos, French toast, pancakes with rum-soaked pineapple, and its signature “eggs Benaddict.”
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