06Nov

POLICY & POLITICS

Valley:

The Maddy Report: Programs on Races & Propositions

The Maddy Institute

A weekly public affairs TV program covering how State and Federal policy and politics impact California, generally, and the San Joaquin Valley, in particular. We encourage you to have a deeper understanding of the issues facing our nation, state and region through a thoughtful, objective, fair and civilized exchange of ideas. For our latest shows on this midterm election please visit:

California voters: Here’s how to find your polling place

Fresno Bee

Where can I vote? California registered voters can find their local polling places to cast ballots in the midterm election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, via the Voting Information Project.

See Also:

● If you checked your Fresno County polling place through this web page, it may be wrong Fresno Bee

● Voting California Secretary of State

● Here's how to get to your voting place and avoid road work in Visalia Visalia Times-Delta

● How to register and vote on Election Day in Sacramento Sacramento Bee

● Election Day in California: Where to Vote and How to Follow the Results New York Times

● EDITORIAL: To protect your future, participate at the ballot box San Francisco Chronicle

Local Race May Tip Power Balance In California Legislature

The Business Journal

Whether Democrats win a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers of the California Legislature will likely come down to a sprawling state Senate district west of Fresno that looks on paper like it should be a lock for the party.

Janz outraises Nunes by $1 million, but can he win? Polls say no.

Visalia Times-Delta

Congressional hopeful Andrew Janz outraised his opponent Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) by more than $1 million this quarter. But will it be enough for the Fresno prosecutor to topple the eight-term incumbent come Tuesday? All the recent polls say "no."

See also:

● 22nd District: Rep. Devin Nunes and Andrew Janz Los Angeles Times

Harder welcomes Newsom to Modesto in final push. Now, voters finally get their say.

Modesto Bee

Less than 24 hours before Election Day, Josh Harder, the Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District seat, welcomed the man many believe will be California’s next governor.

In joint rally in Modesto, Cox and Denham decry opponents’ “Bay Area values”

Modesto Bee

Republican candidate for California governor John Cox rolled his tour bus into Modesto for a campaign stop Sunday. He was met there by U.S. Rep Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, who’s defending his 10th Congressional District seat.

21st District: Rep. David Valadao and TJ Cox

Los Angeles Times

California’s 21st Congressional District is somewhat anomalous: It’s represented by a Republican even though Democrats have a 16-percentage-point voter registration advantage and nominee Hillary Clinton won the district by more than 15 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.

EDITORIAL: Reasons why we’re thrilled this election season has come to an end

Modesto Bee

It was irritating enough when all you had to worry about was a few ads in your newspaper, a few more in your mailbox and a few dozen on television each night. But that was the good old days. Now, everywhere where you look or listen there are political ads.

See Also:

● EDITORIAL: The Modesto Bee recommends a mix of incumbents, newcomers Modesto Bee

EDITORIAL: The Fresno Bee’s recommendations for the election

Fresno Bee

Here are The Fresno Bee Editorial Board endorsements for the 2018 midterm elections, including Gavin Newsom for governor, Dianne Feinstein for senator of California, Andrew Janz for Congress in District 22.

State:

Voter Guide: California 2018 general election

Sacramento Bee

Tuesday’s election is upon us, but don’t fear if you haven’t cast a ballot: Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote and the people and issues on the ballot.

See Also:

● CALmatters 2018 Election Guide CALmatters

● CA VOTING GUIDE: What to know about the midterm elections abc30

● What you need to know: A procrastinators guide to voting in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee

● What to look for as Stanislaus County residents prepare to go to the polls Modesto Bee

● Election Blog: The Latest Updates On The 2018 General Election Modesto Bee

● All your last-minute Election Day questions answered Visalia Times-Delta

● Preexisting conditions, dialysis, rent control and the gas tax: A preelection guide for voters Los Angeles Times

● Race for the Senate 2018: 5 things to know on Election Day Brooking

Keep your eyes on these California races tonight

Sacramento Bee

For all the discussion leading up to the midterm elections, there is still so much we don’t know. Will there be a blue wave? Will young people show up to vote? Will polling be right this time?

● Political Junkie: Midterm Election Capital Public Radio

● Democrats More Worried Than Republicans About Election Gallup

Gavin Newsom, John Cox Make Closing Arguments In California Governor’s Race

Capital Public Radio

Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom have been barnstorming the state for much of the past week — often joining candidates in California’s competitive congressional races that could decide control of the House of Representatives.

See Also:

● ‘Sacred cows are going to have to be slain.’ What should California’s next governor prioritize? Fresno Bee

● John Cox or Gavin Newsom for California governor? This will help you decide Sacramento Bee

● Where California gubernatorial candidates John Cox and Gavin Newsom stand on the top issues in the state Los Angeles Times

● Gov. Jerry Brown rallies for Gavin Newsom in San Francisco Los Angeles Times

● For Gavin Newsom, a Stealth Run for California Governor New York Times

● From In-N-Out to the County Fair: Republican John Cox Tries to Make a Name in California New York Times

● Newsom promises to build on Jerry Brown’s ‘extraordinary legacy’ San Francisco Chronicle

● Gavin Newsom seeks a dynasty, John Cox mere survival, in final days of governor’s race Los Angeles Times

California's Next U.S. Senator Is A Choice Between A Negotiator And A Fighter

Capital Public Radio

According to recent polls, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the 26-year Democratic incumbent, has a strong lead over her opponent, California state Sen. Kevin De León. The race is a choice between a negotiator and a fighter.

● Feinstein-de León U.S. Senate race small potatoes when it comes to spending San Francisco Chronicle

● Dianne Feinstein, Out of Touch? Not Liberal Enough? She Begs to Differ New York Times

● Why spend $8.6 million on one state Senate race? CALmatters

California Civic Engagement Project Research Shows The Untapped Power Of Latina Voters

Capital Public Radio

Dr. Mindy Romero returns with new research on the intersection between gender differences in voting and untapped Latino and Latina voters in recent elections.

Early balloting for state candidates, props

Capitol Weekly

This is the first of two stories surveying early voting in Tuesday’s election. Tomorrow’s story, which will be posted about mid-day, will focus on California’s congressional races.

California can count votes until December 7. That could hold up congressional results

Sacramento Bee

If you’re up late tomorrow night waiting for California’s results in congressional races, you might be advised to just go to bed. That’s because California has switched in recent years to a mail-in ballot system aimed at maximizing voter turnout, at the cost of speedy election returns.

● Want Election Results? In California and Washington State, Patience Is Required KTLA5

● A Few Pieces Of Advice For Staying Level On Election Day (And Night) NPR

● Single race may tip power balance in California Legislature Sacramento Bee

Federal:

Trump makes final push in battleground states as midterm election nears

abc30

In the first of a three-state sprint to the midterm finish line, President Donald Trump continued his push for Republicans and demonizing of Democrats in Cleveland in an effort to mobilize his base on the eve of election day.

See Also:

● It’s not all about Trump: California’s future on the line Tuesday San Francisco Chronicle

● On the line: Trump, Democrats battle in campaign's final day Hanford Sentinel

● Trump's Road Show: What happened to the 'big, blue wave?' Hanford Sentinel

● Trump's high-risk strategy puts him on the midterm ballot like no one else Los Angeles Times

● How congressional elections came to be about the president AEI

For all the hype about high turnout, it will be a near miracle if half of eligible Americans vote

Los Angeles Times

But there are plenty of voting-age Americans who aren’t motivated by the national political scrum. They may not see themselves having any stake in that fight, or they may be turned off by it.

See also:

● More than one-third of Fresno County’s voters are under 35. But are they voting? Fresno Bee

● Registrar expects strong turnout; here's how to cast your vote Bakersfield Californian

● What Can We Learn From Early Voting This Year? Turnout Is High. NY Magazine

● What We Can All Do at This Moment Is Vote The New Yorker

● A staggering 36 million people have voted early, setting the stage for big midterm turnout POLITICO

● Polls point to Democratic takeover of the House, but here's what could change that Los Angeles Times

● Who says young people are unengaged? These folks are organizing, running for office and definitely voting Los Angeles Times

● 5 Reasons Why Democrats Are Poised to Take Over the House Roll Call

● The final polls tell us why Trump may sink the GOP Washington Post

Federal officials to monitor Sacramento voting centers on Election Day

Fresno Bee

President Donald Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice is coming to Sacramento and San Mateo counties on Election Day to monitor voting centers to ensure ballots are accessible to Spanish- and Chinese-speaking voters.

See Also:

● US election systems more secure, but voting problems persist Hanford Sentinel

● Without evidence, Trump and Sessions warn of voter fraud in today's elections Washington Post

● How the Election Assistance Commission Came Not to Care So Much About Election Security ProPublica

● U.S. Girds for Possible Russian Meddling on Election Day Wall Street Journal

‘I know the ropes:’ Pelosi makes her case for leader as Democrats chase House majority

Stockton Record

If Democrats win the House majority on Tuesday, Rep. Nancy Pelosi could complete a monumental comeback —reclaiming the speaker’s gavel eight years after her towering legislative accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, went from her party’s political albatross to its saving grace.

4 Scenarios For What Might Happen

NPR

A lot can happen Tuesday, the culmination of a long midterm campaign that will provide the first nationwide measure of the U.S. electorate since Donald Trump was elected president.

● What is a wave election, anyway? AEI

● Voting worries and problems AEI

A Field Guide to the Most Competitive House Races in America

After two years of unified Republican government in Washington, the 2018 midterm elections are finally upon us, when Democrats will have their first opportunity to win seats in the House and wrest control of Capitol Hill from their colleagues across the aisle.

Last Exit Off the Road to Autocracy

The New York Times

Taxes and health care aren’t the only things on the ballot.

What Candidates Are Talking About in Online Ads

Atlantic

Both Democrats and Republicans have a lot to say about the economy and President Trump—but only one party is emphasizing health care.

5 Things That Defined the Fight for the Senate

Roll Call

Democrats running for re-election in states President Donald Trump carried by wide margins in 2016 are in trouble heading into Election Day.

Trump vs. Democratic Women: Headline Fight of the 2018 Campaign

Wall Street Journal

Whatever the precise outcome when votes are counted Tuesday night, the 2018 midterm campaign has represented the collision of two giant forces in American politics: President Trump and a newly energized cadre of Democratic women.

A Check on Trump? Good Luck

Wall Street Journal

Of all the many bad arguments this election season, the least credible is that Americans should elect Democrats to run Congress as a “check” on President Trump’s most reckless behavior.

The Trump Administration’s Trade War With China Is Likely to Affect Businesses in All California Congressional Districts

California Budget and Policy Center

The ongoing US trade war with China, initiated by the Trump Administration, shows little sign of ending soon.

Can Donald Trump end birthright citizenship with an executive order? Probably not

PolitiFact

Just a week before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump said he might eliminate birthright citizenship -- the longstanding policy that virtually anyone born on U.S. soil has citizenship. And he said he could use an executive order to do it.

Laws and disorder

Washington Post

For more than 200 years, Congress operated largely as the country’s founders envisioned — forging compromises on the biggest issues of the day while asserting its authority to declare war, spend taxpayer money and keep the presidency in check.

Other:

Honoring Marines and veterans everywhere

Sierra Star

To all Veterans: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

See Also:

● Telling the stories of those who served Stockton Record

● Veteran leader August Flach elected to CVMD board of directors Clovis RoundUp

More people left California in 2017 than moved here. Who they are and where they went

Modesto Bee

About 130,000 more residents left California for other states such as Texas last year than came here, as high costs left many residents without a college degree looking for an exit, according to a Bee review of the latest census estimates.

Internet Platforms Censor Campaign Ads

Wall Street Journal

Rules on ‘inflammatory’ and ‘shocking’ content give Facebook and Twitter too much political power.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Ag at Large: 'In the red' appeals to citrus growers

Clovis RoundUp

Researchers and sales-oriented industry leaders are steering California’s citrus industry toward a blood red future, and many growers are anxious to get in step.

Food truck fanatics should rejoice, dedicated court coming to downtown Modesto

Modesto Bee

The food truck craze shows no signs of slowing down, in fact in Modesto it is about to rev up even more — and become more concentrated.

Manufacturer awarded tax credit for Biola expansion

The Business Journal

NutriaAg has been awarded a $180,000 state tax credit to help expand its manufacturing facility in Biola, just west of Fresno.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Nearly 200 acres of marijuana, one of the largest ‘ever seen in the Central Valley’

Fresno Bee

A 194-acre marijuana grow has been discovered on the west side of Merced County and local and federal authorities are on scene, Sheriff Vern Warnke announced Monday at a news conference.

Recent conviction of stoned driver shows potentially deadly consequences of driving after smoking marijuana

Bakersfield Californian

While alcohol-related DUIs remain far more common, this past week a case involving a motorist prosecutors say was solely under the influence of marijuana provided a stark example of the danger of driving while stoned.

Judge wants investigator to probe whistleblower claims on prison psychiatric reports

Sacramento Bee

A federal judge in Sacramento said Monday that she intends to appoint an independent investigator to look into whether state corrections officials committed “fraud on the court” in reports they have submitted regarding the level of psychiatric care inside California’s prisons.

Inmate rips out her own eye and eats it: Report slams mental healthcare in California prisons

Los Angeles Times

The woman sitting in a Chino prison cell had screaming fits every 15 minutes for four hours before she finally lay on the floor and ripped out her own eye.

Public Safety:

Teens can learn about law enforcement careers with SUSD Explorer program

Stockton Record

Teenagers interested in law enforcement can receive training and education in various aspects of police work from a new program offered by the Stockton Unified School District Police Department.

Supreme Court turns away challenge to California gun control

Sacramento Bee

The Supreme Court is refusing a new invitation to rule on gun rights, leaving in place California restrictions on carrying concealed handguns in public. The justices on Monday rejected an appeal from Sacramento residents who argued that they were unfairly denied permits to be armed in public.

See Also:

● Kavanaugh makes no difference on attempt to upend Calif. concealed handgun law San Francisco Chronicle

Fire:

‘Entering Burn Area’: Yosemite After the Fire

New York Times

America’s national parks are increasingly bearing the burden of climate change, as rising temperatures and new weather patterns create mega blazes. A report from the burn zone.

ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:

Jittery investors await outcome of midterm elections

Hanford Sentinel

The midterm elections are certain to have implications for Wall Street, regardless of how they shape the balance of power in Congress.

Supervisors to take up Amazon incentive package and Secret Witness report at Tuesday meeting

Bakersfield Californian

A $3 million hiring incentive for Amazon will be on the agenda of the 2 p.m. Tuesday meeting of the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Stocks mostly rise, but Apple falls further

Los Angeles Times

U.S. stocks mostly rose Monday. Financial and healthcare companies finished higher, while Apple and other technology companies continued to fall. Asian indexes fell on weak economic data in China and a lack of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Amazon, Facebook and Google are all being looked at for antitrust violations, Trump says

San Francisco Chronicle

The federal government is continuing to study Silicon Valley giants for potential violations of antitrust law, according to President Donald Trump, in his latest criticism of the embattled tech industry.

What would it take to get US debt under control?

AEI

A Congressional Budget Office report highlights the difficulty the country faces in stabilizing the federal debt. Lawmakers should act now while the economy is strong and pursue aggressive changes in tax and spending policies to reduce future deficits.

Jobs:

Lowe’s closing 51 stores, including four in California

Sacramento Bee

Home improvement chain Lowe’s announced Monday it is closing 51 locations in the U.S. and Canada, including four in California.

Wage Gains of 3% Taking Hold as U.S. Employers ‘Need to Pay Up’

Bloomberg

At CNH Industrial NV’s factory in Racine, Wisconsin, workers are building bright red Case IH tractors the company’s known for, and they’ll sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But there’s something even more valuable on the assembly line: the employees.

EDUCATION

What will the 2018 midterm elections mean for education?

AEI

On November 6, Americans will hit the polls to vote for a new Congress and dozens of governors, as well as on a myriad of state referendums and initiatives. How will these elections affect federal and state education policies?

K-12:

Principal didn’t mean to say teacher committed ‘misconduct’ for making pupil do pushups

Fresno Bee

In Fresno, CA, Superior Court, Slater Elementary School Principal Kelli Wilkins testified Monday that teacher Joshua Gehris had the freedom to make fourth-graders do pushups and other exercises as discipline.

Edison High School students learning how to install solar panels

abc30

Monday morning Edison High School Juniors learned solar panel installation 101. Before they could harness the power of the sun, they needed to learn safety. Most panels will be installed on roofs and today their learning a very valuable lesson, how to not fall off.

FALSE: Attack Ad’s Claim Tony Thurmond Was ‘Reprimanded’ By Obama

Capital Public Radio

Was candidate for California schools chief Tony Thurmond "reprimanded" by the Obama administration over assault and sexual harassment problems in his school district?

See Also:

● FALSE: Attack Ad’s Claim Tony Thurmond Was ‘Sued By The ACLU’ Capital Public Radio

● Ad Wrongly Implies Marshall Tuck Is ‘Backed’ By Betsy DeVos Capital Public Radio

Higher Ed:

93% of faculty vote “no confidence” in UOP’s Eibeck

Stockton Record

Faculty members have strongly expressed their lack of confidence in the leadership of University of the Pacific president Pamela Eibeck.

ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:

Feds violated Endangered Species Act by ending red wolf protections, judge rules

Fresno Bee

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act when it rolled back protections for the critically endangered red wolves.

Bakersfield Recycles Day to be Nov. 10

Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield Recycles Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rabobank Arena.

Energy:

Iran defiant as U.S. sanctions start without largest oil importers

Los Angeles Times

The Trump administration slapped tough U.S. sanctions on Iran’s energy, banking and shipping industries Monday but granted waivers to the six largest importers of Iranian oil, leaving gaping holes in the White House effort to punish Tehran for what it considers regional terrorism.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Court takes whole-grain cereals off the hook for cancer warnings

San Francisco Chronicle

Makers of whole-grain cereals like Cheerios and Grape-Nuts Flakes won’t have to tell California consumers that their products contain a chemical that may cause cancer.

Another Burst of Polio-Like Cases in Children Alarms Doctors]

Wall Street Journal

Every two years since 2014 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented a spike in AFM, almost always in children. The CDC is investigating 219 reports of patients with AFM so far this year, with 80 cases in 25 states confirmed, up from 33 the year before. In 2016 the CDC confirmed 149 cases of AFM and in 2014 there were 120 cases.

Human Services:

How this election could affect your health care: Some key races to watch

abcnews

Voters this year have told pollsters in no uncertain terms that health care is important to them. In particular, maintaining insurance protections for preexisting conditions is the top issue to many.

● Pre-existing conditions: Does any GOP proposal match the ACA? PolitiFact

● Democrats’ Final Midterm Pitch: Two Words — Health Care Roll Call

Stanislaus’ social services workers are out on strike. Here’s why.

Modesto Bee

A few hundred Stanislaus County social workers, child support specialists and other government workers picketed outside the Community Services Agency on Monday, in what could be the first strike against the county in decades.

See Also:

● County employees, claiming high turnover, are set to strike next week Modesto Bee

Social Security Lifts More Americans Above Poverty Than Any Other Program

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Social Security benefits play a vital role in reducing poverty in every state, and they lift more Americans above the poverty line than any other program.

IMMIGRATION

On election eve, Trump continues to play up military's role at border

abc30

By the end of Monday there will be 5,200 active duty service members serving along the border in what is officially a support mission to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but on the eve of the mid-term election President Trump continues to play the deployment as a campaign issue.

● First in migrant caravan reach Mexico City, still hundreds of miles from U.S. border Los Angeles Times

● What happened to the last migrant caravan San Diego Union-Tribune

Construction of 6-mile Texas border wall to begin February after $145M contract awarded

abc30

Federal authorities have awarded a $145 million contract to a Texas company to build 6 miles of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump asks Supreme Court to bypass lower courts and rule on DACA

San Francisco Chronicle

The Trump administration took the rare step Monday of asking the U.S. Supreme Court to bypass lower courts — particularly the federal appeals court in San Francisco — and directly review lawsuits challenging the president’s repeal of a program shielding 700,000 young, undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Donald Trump's “Pants on Fire” claim that Democrats let a cop-killing immigrant into the country

PolitiFact

In his final push before the midterms, President Donald Trump promoted a political video that says Democrats are responsible for letting a murderer stay in the country illegally to kill people.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Sears closing at Valley Plaza has collateral damage

Bakersfield Californian

Last month Sears filed for bankruptcy and announced it would be shuttering yet more stores nationwide in its latest round of closings. Among them is Sears at Valley Plaza, leaving a huge two-story void at the aging shopping center.

Housing:

Fresno Realtor to serve as president of state association

The Business Journal

Jared Martin of Fresno has been named president of the California Association of Realtors.

Landlords get people off the streets with the help of vouchers, collaboration

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County makes it financially feasible and operationally convenient to rent to people who were previously homeless.

New proposal to house homeless families: Stanislaus County migrant farmworker center

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County supervisors are considering a proposal to use an Empire migrant center as a cold-weather shelter for homeless families.

One home got 14 offers. Another, none. What’s up with Sacramento’s real estate market?

Sacramento Bee

A spacious Rocklin home sits on the market for weeks with no offers. At the same time, a tiny bungalow in South Land Park gets 14 offers immediately. What gives?

Why Is California’s Rent Control Initiative Tanking So Badly?

Capital Public Radio

Proposition 10, a California initiative to allow more rent control, appears to be failing overwhelmingly, and its sponsors are already talking about trying again in 2020.

Owning your home doesn't make you rich. Owning somebody else's does

Los Angeles Times

In the United States more than almost anywhere else, wealth and income are concentrated among business owners and landlords. That club, blessed by capitalism, is becoming increasingly difficult to join.

Another Southern California home-price boom is cooling. Is a crash looming?

Los Angeles Times

The housing market is slowing down, leading many would-be buyers to ponder if a crash is on the horizon. The history of Southern California housing booms is that they build steadily and end suddenly.

PUBLIC FINANCES

$1 billion lawsuit over CalPERS insurance rates moves forward with trial date

Sacramento Bee

A class-action lawsuit that could cost CalPERS $1 billion is headed to trial in June, and many of the 122,000 retirees who bought an insurance plan at the center of the case are receiving small checks from an agreement that settled a portion of the claims.

TRANSPORTATION

Will California's gas tax get the ax? Polls show a close decision.

Visalia Times-Delta

Over the last year, outdated roads and bridges have been repaired across Tulare County and the state. But at what cost to taxpayers?

See Also:

● Anti-gas-tax campaign draws threat of legal action with fuel-card giveaway San Francisco Chronicle

● Prop. 6 gas tax repeal in statistical dead heat in latest Union-Tribune/10News poll San Diego Union-Tribune

● California Transit Agencies Resist a Gas Tax Repeal CityLab

Rural communities find inventive ways to get residents on the road

Fresno Bee

The tiny town of Cantua Creek surrounded by the some of the world’s most bountiful farmland, many of the men work the fields and a small group of women seem to run everything else. They take the kids to school. They buy the groceries. They make sure health insurance is available. They travel to Sacramento to lobby lawmakers for safe drinking water.

How could bullet-train station transform downtown Fresno? City has an ambitious plan

Fresno Bee

When – or perhaps “if” – high-speed trains begin running on a route now being built in the central San Joaquin Valley, Fresno has plans ready for how to make the most of development opportunities around a future downtown station.

Think the DMV is all about long waits? Feds targeting workers issuing phony licenses

Sacramento Bee

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has become infamous in recent months for long lines, ancient computing technology and mismanagement of its Motor Voter registration program. But those are hardly the only challenges facing the DMV.

Injured scooter riders line up to sue Bird and Lime, but 'user agreements' could shield companies

San Diego Union-Tribune

Since start-up scooter companies first deployed thousands of so-called dockless rental scooters in Southern California about a year ago, injuries have been mounting across the country.

WATER

Prop 3 pours money on Central Valley water projects, faces opposition

Visalia Times-Delta

Voters across the Central Valley have been flooded with water initiatives this election season. President Trump's Western Water Memo sought to "ease regulatory burdens" that he says keeps water out of Valley farms, while Proposition 3 will appropriate billions of dollars to Valley water projects.

See four months of Oroville Dam spillway construction in one minute

Modesto Bee

The California Department of Water Resources released this time-lapse video showing four months of daily construction progress on the Oroville Dam spillway between June 26 and October 31, 2018.

Officials: California dam spillway will be ready for rain

APnews

California water officials said Wednesday that the $1.1 billion spifirllway at the nation’s tallest dam will be in full working order if it’s needed this winter, nearly two years after it was damaged and thousands were forced to flee.

A Water Budget for the Environment

PPIC

California’s freshwater ecosystems—and many native species that rely on them—are in decline and becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought. Allocating water to these ecosystems is contentious because it often conflicts with urban and agricultural uses. There may be a way to meet environmental needs that reduces conflict.

EDITORIAL: SF must do better in sharing water

San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco needs to protect and share California’s most precious and vital resource. That means working with the State Water Board to reduce the amount of water the city takes from the Tuolumne River at certain times of the year.

“Xtra”

Cookies, queso and face creams: Here are Election Day deals for voters (and non-voters)

Fresno Bee

A handful of national restaurant chains and food outlets are offering Election Day discounts on Tuesday. The best part might be that some of them are for everyone - whether you vote or not.

Anonymous, scrawled words of love touch Modesto’s Jewish community

Modesto Bee

It was a simple, anonymous note, appearing on a bench early Saturday morning at the local synagogue in Modesto. But its message of caring is huge, and timely.

On The Road: Big Sur to Morro Bay — touring California coast in fall, winter

Stockton Record

With fall upon us and winter quickly approaching, too many people shelve their road trip, camping and resort travels until warmer weather arrives. Think the California coast during these cooler days.

New management group running Copper River Country Club

The Business Journal

A new era of leadership has been announced for Copper River Country Club in Fresno.