POLICY & POLITICS
Valley:
APPLY TODAY / San Joaquin Valley Spring 2019 and Washington D.C./Sacramento Summer 2019
DEADLINE DEC. 7TH - Qualify For A Scholarship Of Up To $6,000
The Maddy Institute
The Maddy Scholar Intern Program’s goal is to prepare the next generation of political, governmental, business, non-profit leaders for the San Joaquin Valley through internship opportunities in local, state and federal government offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento and throughout the region.
A numbers game: Will Fresno County reach a 20-year high for midterm election turnout?
Fresno Bee
Fresno County California had much lower voter turnout on Election Day Tuesday than for the 2016 general election. But 100,000 late ballots could drive the figure to well over 50 percent.
See Also:
● It’s all over but the counting. Here’s how many ballots Fresno County has left to process Fresno Bee
● Sit tight: 68,000 ballots still to be counted Bakersfield Californian
Analysis: Nunes’ next move, Janz’s unprecedented support, Costa’s work ethic and more
Fresno Bee
Fresno County political experts weigh in on the midterm election results for central San Joaquin Valley candidates, including Devin Nunes, Andrew Janz, Jim Costa, Elizabeth Heng, David Valadao and TJ Cox.
See also:
● 2018 election: What’s next for Devin Nunes, Jim Costa? Fresno Bee
● Midterms Wash Away Nearly Half of Climate Caucus Republicans Roll Call
● The Midterms' Most Memorable Moments Roll Call
● Two Early Consequences of the Midterm Elections Wall Street Journal
About 100,000 votes yet to process in Denham-Harder race. Friday update expected.
Modesto Bee
“Frankly, it’s panic time.” Hurry up and wait to see if Josh Harder can overtake Jeff Denham in vote-count updates.
See Also:
● Heated Central Valley Congressional Race Still Too Close To Call Capital Public Radio
Bakersfield's McCarthy denied speakership for the second time
Bakersfield Californian
If a politician can be a community’s favorite son, Bakersfield’s political prodigy Kevin McCarthy may once have fit that description.
See also:
● GOP election losses make it easier for Rep. Kevin McCarthy to finally nab leadership post Los Angeles Times
Valadao declares victory
Hanford Sentinel
Following election results from Fresno, Kings, Kern and Tulare counties, Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) declared victory over Democrat challenger TJ Cox in the race for California’s 21st Congressional District.
Dems win in local Assembly, Senate races
Hanford Sentinel
With Tuesday’s districtwide election results in, Democrats will represent the area in both the state Assembly and Senate with the expected wins of Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) and Melissa Hurtado, respectively.
Vidak, trailing by 3,000-plus votes, philosophical as final ballots trickle in
Bakersfield Californian
Andy Vidak spent Wednesday and Thursday at his ranch in Orosi, where he has 20 acres of lemons. He cleared his head from the stress of election night — and a shocking, 3,000-vote deficit — by working on fixing a water trough that services some cattle of his father's.
Strawn, Brieno battle for District E
Hanford Sentinel
The battle for District E is a tight one. As of Wednesday’s deadline, District E candidate Cheyne Strawn leads candidate Art Brieno by nine votes (363-354). Strawn’s 2.7 percent lead from last night has been trimmed to 0.76 percent.
Landslide Measure H win brings Adventist to Tulare long-term
Visalia Times Delta
With nearly 90 percent approval, Measure H passes with Tulare voters giving Adventist their blessing to run hospital.
San Joaquin Cannabis Measure Failing, Stockton Affordable Housing Plan Passing
Capital Public Radio
Measure B in San Joaquin County, a special tax on cannabis businesses with much of that revenue going towards youth programs, was coming up short on the two-thirds vote required to pass.
Fresno City Council set to be mostly Latino for first time in over a decade
Fresno Bee
For the first time in more than a decade, the Fresno City Council is poised to be composed of a majority of Latino council members.
See Also:
● Esparza beats Whelan, Arias beats Hill, Chavez keeps seat in Fresno City Council races Fresno Bee
State:
Gavin Newsom plans to go further on gun control than Jerry Brown
Fresno Bee
Gavin Newsom on Nov. 8, 2018, said he would revisit some of the bills that Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed and take other steps to advance gun control in California. He was responding to the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks.
See Also:
● Newsom vows to ‘raise the bar’ on gun control in California Fresno Bee
● ‘Best tool’ to prevent gun violence is rarely used in California Sacramento Bee
● Thousand Oaks mass shooting: 13 dead, including gunman abc30
● 'Increasing' mass shootings pose 'most serious threat' in US, expert says abc30
● Fallen Officer Made 'Ultimate Sacrifice' In Confronting Thousand Oaks Shooter VPR
● Gunman Kills 12 People At Country Music Bar In Thousand Oaks, Calif. Capital Public Radio
● Why did the troubled Thousand Oaks shooter still have a gun CALmatters
● Thousand Oaks shooting leaves 13 people dead, including gunman, and 18 injured Los Angeles Times
● Thousand Oaks shootings: Newsom blames ‘gun culture,’ Feinstein blasts GOP San Francisco Chronicle
● Raging fires and mass shootings greet Governor-elect Newsom CALmatters
● Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom criticizes gun rights advocates in remarks after Thousand Oaks shooting Los Angeles Times
● Thousand Oaks California Bar Shooting Reminds Us American Gun Culture Is Tyrann Esquire
● Newly Empowered House Democrats Vow to Act After Latest Mass Shooting Roll Call
● A year apart, some country music fans face 2 mass shootings AP News
● A Look at California Gun Laws, Among the Toughest in the Nation New York Times
● Firearm Homicides and Suicides in Major Metropolitan Areas — United States, 2012–2013 and 2015–2016 CDC
● Wasserman Schultz claims 294 mass shootings in 2015 alone PolitiFact
● How is a ‘mass shooting’ defined? PolitiFact
● EDITORIAL: A Thousand Oaks bar is the latest battlefield in our war on ourselves Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Another mass killing points up continuing dangers of gun violence San Francisco Chronicle
● EDITORIAL: Gun control works in California. But the bar shooting in Thousand Oaks proves it’s not enough Sacramento Bee
Meet your next governor, California. Here’s where Gavin Newsom stands on state issues
LA Times
Gavin Newsom’s election as governor of California is expected to shift state politics and policy even further to the left after eight years under the leadership of Gov. Jerry Brown.
Who is Gavin Newsom? 9 things to know about new CA governor
Fresno Bee
This January, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be sworn as California’s 40th governor.
See also:
● Gavin Newsom may not be staying in the Governor’s Mansion Sacramento Bee
● To succeed as governor, here’s what Gavin Newsom needs to do right now Modsto Bee
● With Gavin Newsom as governor, California's battle with Trump intensifies LA Times
Californians made their choice Tuesday and elected Gavin Newsom their next governor. Now, Newsom faces some crucial choices of his own — who will serve in his administration.
California Assembly Republicans elect Marie Waldron new leader
LA Times
California Assembly Republicans on Thursday elected a new leader, Assemblywoman Marie Waldron of Escondido, who said the minority party needs to take action to end its decline
California has 4.5 million ballots left to count. That could spell trouble for GOP
Fresno Bee
Over the next several weeks, California will still have millions of ballots to count. With so many races still uncalled, Democrats have an opportunity to capture some key victories.
An obituary for old Orange County, dead at age 129
Los Angeles Times
“Orange County,” the California collection of 34 cities and 3.2 million residents once described by President Reagan as where “all the good Republicans go to die,” died Tuesday. It was 129 years old.
California politics must accommodate growing share of Asian-American voters
Fresno Bee
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in California and account for one in every seven votes. Political parties and community organizations have been slow to react.
Get ready for 2020: Which Democrat can win presidential delegates in California?
Sacramento Bee
Californians suffering from political campaign fatigue beware: Tuesday night may have been the end of the 2018 midterm election, but it also marked the beginning of the 2020 presidential race.
California Passes Propositions On Housing, Daylight Savings And More
Capital Public Radio
Californians weighed in on 11 ballot measures Tuesday, on everything from affordable housing to farm animal confinement and whether to keep daylight saving time, approving six.
See Also:
● California’s Daylight Saving Proposition Passed. Now What? Capital Public Radio
Gov. Brown Says Way Forward For California About Unity, Not 'Resistance'
Capital Public Radio
California Gov. Jerry Brown said the results of yesterday's election — with Democrats now controlling the House and Republicans growing their ranks in the Senate — reflect the dangerous political climate growing in the nation.
See also:
● Resistance State: California in the Age of Trump CAlmatters
Federal:
Election Day +3: Here are the 13 House and 2 Senate Uncalled Races
Roll Call
Three days after Election Day, two Senate and 13 House races remain uncalled, and if the 2000 presidential race is an indication, we could be waiting weeks for the outcome of one of those Senate races
Trump scorecard: The president endorsed all of these candidates. Did they win?
Modesto Bee
President Donald Trump endorsed nearly 100 candidates across the country for the 2018 midterm elections. But did they win or lose? We look at whether the Trump bump helped or hurt in these races.
See Also:
● Trump triggers massive midterm turnout AP News
● EDITORIAL: Blue wave or no, Trumpism lives on. And it continues to be America's loudest voice Los Angeles Times
● Opinion: Trump Is Waging War on the GOP. He's Winning Weekly Standard
Conservatives agitate for change after GOP loses the House
Sacramento Bee
As Nancy Pelosi wrangles votes in her bid for House speaker, another leadership battle is playing out on the Republican side, where Kevin McCarthy faces a challenge from conservative Freedom Caucus co-founder Jim Jordan to lead the new GOP minority.
See Also:
● Pelosi unveils plans to establish new House diversity office Sacramento Bee
The 2019 Congress will have more Southern Democrats. But they won’t have much clout.
Fresno Bee
In the next Congress, the South’s clout will be diminished. Democrats took control of the House in the midterm elections, but the Republicans who represent southern districts will shrink in their numbers and influence.
See also:
● Congress will have more Latino members than ever before PBS
● The first five things the Democrats should do with their House majority Washington Post
● Early Insights on Democratic Oversight Wall Street Journal
All the Post-Election Questions You Were Too Afraid to Ask
Roll Call
To answer your post-election questions, we have retained the services of Professor U.R. Wise, the holder of the Warren G. Harding chair in political philosophy at Flyover University.
See also:
● Democrats gain hundreds of legislative seats and secure majority of state attorneys general The Washington Post
● 2018 exit polls show greater white support for Democrats Brookings
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigns at President Trump's request
abc30
Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out as the country's chief law enforcement officer after a year of blistering attacks from the president.
See Also:
● Next attorney general could come from Trump's inner circle: Sources abc30
● Hundreds in capital region protest Trump’s new acting AG after Sessions’ departure Sacramento Bee
● Acting Atty. Gen. Matt Whitaker said to have no plans to recuse himself from Russia probe Los Angeles Times
● Before he led the Justice Department, Matthew G. Whitaker promoted company accused of deceiving clients Washington Post
● EDITORIAL: New AG Whitaker has conflicts too San Francisco Chronicle
Indictments? Final report? White House braces for Mueller
Sacramento Bee
The White House is bracing for the probe of Donald Trump's presidential campaign to fire up again. Trump's advisers are privately expressing worries that the special counsel, who's been out of the news for the past month, has been stealthily compiling information and could soon issue new indictments or a damning final report.
See Also:
● House Democrats rally to protect Mueller after Sessions' ouster Los Angeles Times
● EDITORIAL: Trump administration must not mess with Mueller investigation San Diego Union-Tribune
US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall
abc30
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been hospitalized after falling in her office at the Supreme Court Wednesday night, a spokesperson for the court said.
See also:
Justice Ginsburg 'up and working' after breaking ribs, nephew says Reuters
LA Times
Democrats owe their newly elected House majority to an upsurge of votes from women, younger Americans and white college graduates, deepening divides that emerged in the election two years ago and shaping the debate within the party over how to challenge President Trump in 2020.
As polarized as Americans are, they agree on this: Gerrymandering is wrong
Los Angeles Times
America’s deeply divided electorate agreed on at least one thing on election day: Voters hate gerrymandering. In red states, blue states and purple states, they’ve had it with politicians drawing their own districts, choosing their own voters and distorting democracy.
Sarah Sanders promotes an altered video of CNN reporter, sparking allegations of visual propaganda
Washington Post
The Trump administration is plainly upset with the behavior of a certain CNN reporter. But how far is it willing to go to make its case that the reporter acted improperly during a news conference with President Trump?
See also:
● White House suspends credentials for CNN correspondent Jim Acosta abc30
● White House Posted Video That Exaggerated Incident With CNN Reporter, Social-Media Firm Says The Wall Street Journal
● Expert: Acosta video distributed by White House was doctored Sacramento Bee
● White House, amid outcry, stands by edited video of CNN reporter to justify barring him Los Angeles Times
Other:
Pulling Back From the Online Brink
Wall Street Journal
An old friend and I meet face-to-face after an internet duel.
Temple Grandin offers hope for fellow autistic people in Modesto
Fresno Bee
Temple Grandin, a prominent expert on both livestock behavior and autism in humans, spoke in Modesto, CA, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Grandin herself is autistic. Modesto Junior College hosted the talks.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
After cannabis vote, legal medical marijuana dispensaries on brink of closing throughout Kern County
Bakersfield Californian
The future of the marijuana industry in Kern County was thrown into disarray after voters rejected all three cannabis measures on Tuesday’s ballot.
California Food Banks Receive ‘Trade Aid’ Food, But It Comes With A Cost
Capital Public Radio
California Food Banks are taking in large volumes of frozen meat, milk and produce from the USDA. It’s part of the Trump administration’s effort to aid U.S. farmers hit by counter-tariffs from China.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
Former mayoral and city council candidate accused of fraudulently signing brother's mail-in ballot
Bakersfield Californian
Recent City Council candidate Gilberto de la Torre is accused of fraudulently signing and submitting his brother's and another person's voter mail-in ballots when he ran for mayor two years ago, according to a report filed by the District Attorney's office.
Public Safety:
See: “Top Stories: State” for articles on Gun Control
Aiming to improve Fresno’s lagging 911 wait times, council turns to baseball
Fresno Bee
Fresno City Council unanimously voted on Thursday to add eight new dispatchers to Fresno Police Department using $1.9 million received through the sale of a city parking lot to the Fresno Grizzlies.
Gavin Newsom plans to go further on gun control than Jerry Brown
Fire:
‘The whole town’s on fire’: Butte wildfire grows to 18,000 acres as residents flee on foot
Fresno Bee
An uncontrolled wildfire raced across the Butte County community of Paradise Thursday afternoon, destroying a large swath of downtown and sending residents fleeing on foot past burning homes, businesses and a local church.
See Also:
● Camp Fire: Tens of thousands flee fast-moving Butte Co. fire abc30
● Officials order evacuations as Camp Fire threatens Northern California abc30
● Tens of thousands flee fast-moving Northern California fire Hanford Sentinel
● ‘God help us!’ Tens of thousands flee raging NorCal fire Stockton Record
● 2 Firefighters, Multiple Civilians Injured In Fast-Moving Wildfire In Butte County Capital Public Radio
● 'Mass devastation' as fire destroys at least 1,000 structures in Northern California town of Paradise Los Angeles Times
● Camp Fire devastates Paradise near Chico — businesses, church, numerous homes burn San Francisco Chronicle
● Wildfire devastates California town of Paradise AP News
Highway 101 closed in Ventura County due to 10,000-acre wildfire
Sacramento Bee
A wind-driven vegetation fire in Ventura County prompted authorities to close Highway 101 south of Camarillo and order evacuations Thursday afternoon.
See Also:
● Large fires threaten Ventura County communities; 101 Freeway closed, more than 1,000 homes evacuated Los Angeles Times
PG&E says it will not preemptively shut off power Thursday in Northern California
Fresno Bee
PG&E said Wednesday that it will not be shutting off power to Northern California residents in response to high fire risk conditions and the massive, rapidly growing Camp Fire in Butte County.
See Also:
● PG&E calls off preventative Northern California power shutdowns San Francisco Chronicle
ECONOMY / JOBS
Economy:
Madera businesses learn about growth hacking
abc30
Growth hacking is the latest buzz word in Silicon Valley and now it's made its way to the Central Valley. Dave Martin, owner of Nettra, recently put on a small business workshop for the Madera County Economic Development.
Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals More Rate Increases Ahead
Wall Street Journal
Central bank offers a mostly upbeat assessment of economy.
Jobs:
Black Bear diner is coming to Northwest Fresno, and they're hiring
abc30
A restaurant known for its old-fashion comfort food is coming to Fresno and held open interviews. The Black Bear Diner will be located at the Old Marie Calendars on Shaw and Marty in Northwest Fresno.
Growing number of employers offering student loan repayment assistance
abc30
Nearly a third of workers say they're distracted on the job by financial headaches and, for 44 million Americans, one burden is near the top of the debt heap. Consumers are facing over 1.5 trillion dollars in student loan debt. That's a trillion with a 'T'.
Google bows to worker pressure on sexual misconduct policy
Sacramento Bee
Google bends to workers' will after mass protests shine a light on weaknesses in the company's sexual harassment policies.
See Also:
● Google reforms sexual misconduct rules Stockton Record
● After worker protest, Google stops requiring arbitration in sexual misconduct cases Los Angeles Times
Editoriail: Is Big Labor Anti-Worker?
Wall Street Journal
Office workers say the AFL-CIO and SEIU treat them poorly.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Here are your new Fresno, Clovis and Central school board trustees
Fresno Bee
The 2018 election results are in for school board positions in Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified and Central Unified school districts. Outgoing board members will attend a final meeting in November.
School board election results
Hanford Sentinel
Along with City Council races and bond measures, Tuesday’s election included several contested school boards races in Kings County.
KHSD shakeup: Two women, both retired teachers, to join the board
Bakersfield Californian
The makeup of the Kern High School District board of trustees will be significantly different next year.
Financing California’s Public Schools
PPIC
Most funding for California’s public schools comes from the state. Per pupil funding has increased dramatically over the past several years, but school district costs are also rising.
Jury decides in student’s forced pushups case. District’s lawyer says humility is good
Fresno Bee
A Fresno teacher did nothing wrong when he ordered a 9-year-old fourth-grade girl to do pushups and other exercises in front of students for talking during a class lesson, a Superior Court jury ruled Wednesday.
The importance of gender in early childhood education policy
Brookings
In a new video, 2018 Echidna Scholar Jin Chi describes her research that shows how incorporating gender equality into early childhood learning can help to combat the stereotypes and cultural norms that hold girls back in schools around the world, with a particular focus on China.
Higher Ed:
California universities make millions on applications they reject
Sacramento Bee
California universities also featured prominently among university revenue from declined applications.
New Reforms at California Community Colleges
PPIC
California community colleges are reforming to the way they assess their students’ college readiness and place them in remedial courses. A recently passed measure—Assembly Bill (AB) 1805—may increase both the uniformity and transparency of placement policies. PPIC researchindicates that AB 1805 has the potential to improve student outcomes and narrow achievement gaps.
ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY
County revises oil permitting process, amends environmental review to address legal challenges
Bakersfield Californian
An environmental review document scheduled for review Friday by Kern's Planning Commission is expected to address ongoing legal challenges to the county's relatively new process for permitting local oil and gas production.
Election hangovers, bold pitches at Energy Summit
Bakersfield Californian
It wouldn't be a Kern County Energy Summit without commentaries on the downsides of government regulation. But Wednesday morning's annual industry gathering also offered something for those who see the cup as half full.
Washington Post
A federal judge temporarily blocked construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, ruling late Thursday that the Trump administration had failed to justify its decision granting a permit for the 1,200-mile long project designed to connect Canada’s oil sands fields with Texas' Gulf Coast refineries.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Scientists may have found the key ingredient for a universal flu vaccine, and it comes from llamas
Los Angeles Times
Along with soulful eyes, endearingly long necks and warm fuzzy coats, llamas have a far less appreciated feature: They make an array of immune system antibodies so tiny they can fit into crevices on the surface of an invading virus.
FDA expected to impose severe restrictions on e-cigarettes
Los Angeles Times
The Food and Drug Administration, alarmed by a huge increase in vaping among minors, is expected to impose severe restrictions on the sale of most e-cigarettes products throughout the United States — actions that will likely have a significant effect on an industry that has grown exponentially in recent years with little government oversight.
See also:
● FDA plans curbs on e-cigarette sales over concerns about surge in teen vaping Washington Post
Human Services:
Medicare sign up deadline is approaching
Bakersfield Californiian
The deadline is approaching to sign up for Medicare coverage for 2019.
Hospital that closed in June when 1 deal fell apart now has 2 proposals to reopen it
Fresno Bee
Coalinga Regional Medical Center has two proposals to reopen the bankrupt hospital. Cura HealthCare, a Carlsbad, California, company, and Dr. Gurpreet Singh, of Modesto, will present proposals this week.
Covered California leaps into open enrollment with multi-city tour featuring dance
Sacramento Bee
Covered California, the Golden State’s health insurance marketplace, leaped into its open enrollment period at its headquarters in Sacramento on Thursday morning, commissioning a choreographer and dancers to depict how unexpected life events can leave people thankful they have medical coverage.
Community Medical Centers opens sobering center on Waterloo Road
Stockton Record
Until recently, when police picked up someone off the streets incapable of caring for themselves because they were under the influence of alcohol or something else, they had few choices: take them to a hospital emergency room and wait, or haul them off to jail. Now, there is another option, a sobering center operated by Community Medical Centers.
The votes have been counted, the results are (mostly) in: What’s next for health care?
The Conversation
Ever since the legislative battle over the passage of the Affordable Care Act, health care has dominated the political landscape in the United States. First, the bruising fight to enact the Affordable Care Act. It was followed by the equally bruising battle over its implementation, which has lingered on.
See also:
● Election Shifts Health-Care Landscape Across the U.S. Wall Street Journal
Los Angeles Times
A decade after President Obama took office pledging to extend healthcare protections to all Americans and setting off an unprecedented partisan battle, the fight is effectively over.
IMMIGRATION
Trump to make good on pre-election promise to crack down on asylum seekers
abc30
Administration officials said Thursday that President Trump will sign a proclamation Friday making good on his pre-election promise to crack down on asylum seekers.
See Also:
● Trump moves to sharply restrict asylum, as major immigration issues head toward Supreme Court Los Angeles Times
● Trump to issue travel ban-like rule at southern border asylum seekers San Francisco Chronicle
● Trump administration tightens immigration asylum rules as caravans approach Washington Post
Court orders Trump administration to continue DACA
San Francisco Chronicle
An Obama administration program protecting hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented immigrants from deportation was legally established and remains in force despite President Trump’s order to abolish it, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Thursday.
See also:
● Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra hails DACA ruling as 'tremendous victory' for 'Dreamers' Los Angeles Times
● Appeals court rules against Trump on DACA immigrant policy Los Angeles Times
● Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Consider DACA Program Roll Call
● Appeals court panel says Trump administration can't end DACA, setting up Supreme Court fight Washington Post
● Appeals Court Rules Against Trump on Canceling DACA Protections Wall Street Journal
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
Hotel Fresno renovation gets major financial boost
abc30
City Hall has been trying to figure out what to do with the old Hotel Fresno since it was abandoned nearly 40 years ago. Several development efforts have fallen short for a lack of money, but the latest plan got a big boost.
Waterpark in Manteca takes shape; construction begins with a flurry for 2020 opening
Modesto Bee
It’s beginning to look just a little like waterslides in Manteca again. Ground was broken Thursday at the site of the new, massive Great Wolf Lodge just off Highway 120.
Housing:
Mission at Kern plans 40-bed expansion, first in decades
Bakersfield Californian
The Mission at Kern County plans to add 40 beds that will serve as emergency shelter for men when they open next fall.
Council OKs funding for Hotel Fresno affordable housing
Business Journal
One of Fresno’s oldest and most revered historic sights may have a new life as an apartment complex after the city council signed off on bonds to fund the restoration project.
California’s rent control initiative was crushed in the election. Don't expect the issue to go away
Los Angeles Times
The defeat of a ballot measure that would have allowed for the expansion of rent control across California has buoyed landlords and left tenants pinning their hopes on the state’s new governor for relief.
Poll shows heavy support for local control over housing
Public CEO
In January 2017, state lawmakers returned to the Capitol determined to make a difference on the state housing crisis. Dozens of bills were touted – including Senate Bill 35, by state Sen. Scott Weiner, D-San Francisco, which ended up as the most far-reaching law to reduce obstacles to housing construction in modern California history.
PUBLIC FINANCES
High court to hear Brown pension reform Dec. 5
Calpensions
As he requested, Gov. Brown will get a chance before leaving office to defend a public employee union challenge to his pension reform that some think could result in a ruling allowing pension cuts.
CalSTRS votes to build a second headquarters in West Sacramento
Sacramento Bee
The California State Teachers Retirement System on Thursday committed to a $300 million expansion of its West Sacramento headquarters, voting to build a second 275,000 square foot office building along the Sacramento River.
Democratic House Win Sets Up Clash Over Trump Tax Cuts
Wall Street Journal
New majority will seek to reverse tax cuts for high-income households, a battle with Republicans that will color bipartisan cooperation on other issues.
TRANSPORTATION
Key tips to driving safely when the wintertime Valley fog forms
Fresno Bee
It may not feel like it, but winter is quickly approaching and the CHP would like to make sure the motoring public is prepared for its arrival.
Uber fined $750,000 for letting drivers work after customers complained of drunk driving
Los Angeles Times
The California Public Utilities Commission fined Uber $750,000 for failing to follow a “zero tolerance” policy on investigating and suspending drivers in response to customer complaints that they were driving while intoxicated.
WATER
Did gas, homeless people and sick kids kill California’s water bond?
Fresno Bee
California voters in the November general election rejected Proposition 3, the first first time in almost 30 years a water bond has been defeated. Backers say the money would have fixed crumbling infrastructure and help disadvantaged communities get clean drinking water.
State board again delays vote on contentious river plan
Los Angeles Times
Under pressure from Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration, state regulators once again postponed a vote on a contentious plan to force San Francisco and several big San Joaquin Valley irrigation districts to give up some of their water supplies for environmental protection.
EDITORIAL: Water board’s concerns don’t include us
Modesto Bee
Pressured by two governors, state water board delays vote on taking more of Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers for fish. But they sure didn’t have to like it.
Opinion: Trump is weaponizing California's water issues
LA Times
Few political issues have been more contentious in the West than water
“Xtra”
Honor a vet at these Veterans Day events in the central San Joaquin Valley
Fresno Bee
Here is a listing of upcoming events to mark Veterans Day.
See Also:
● Fresno veterans parade is largest in the nation – and it’s changing dates this year Fresno Bee
● VFW Post 8900 in West Central Fresno is getting a makeover just in time for Veterans Day abc30
● Veterans Day: Here's where service members can get freebies, discounts and deals abc30
Retired couple recognized for volunteering more than 5,000 hours to City of Fresno
abc30
The couple’s astounding feat now getting recognized by the City. November 8th will now be recognized as Clifford and Madeline Day in the City of Fresno.
An organic eatery went in where? New restaurant brings healthful food to ag heartland
Modesto Bee
Say organic food and some might envision earthy-crunchy concoctions that are high on health and low on flavor.