POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Coronavirus update, Oct. 14: Stanislaus has zero deaths for second straight day Modesto Bee
● Stanislaus County schools report COVID-19 cases for week of Oct. 3 Modesto Bee
● Board to vote on COVID vaccine or weekly testing mandate at Modesto JC, Columbia College Modesto Bee
● Parents against COVID vaccine mandate urge Oakdale school board to ‘do something’ Modesto Bee
Couper Condit abruptly resigns from Ceres City Council 10 months into his first term
Modesto Bee
Ceres City Councilman Couper Condit resigned from his position Monday, two months shy of completing his first year.
Stanislaus State awarded grant to prepare Latinos for science-savvy roles in agriculture
Modesto Bee
Latino students will get more opportunities to pursue tech-enriched, scientific careers in agriculture through the creation of a new concentration at Stanislaus State University.
Central SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● 31 Tulare County inmates test positive for COVID-19 Visalia Times Delta
‘Inhumane’ conditions: Children under Fresno County custody living in office space
Fresno Bee
A child sleeps on top of a conference room table. Another child sleeps on a mat on the floor. Two water bottles are filled with urine from a teenager staying in the office building.
See also:
● Assemblyman urges state to work with Fresno County to address children’s living conditions Fresno Bee
● Fresno County has some foster kids sleeping on office floors, tables. That’s unacceptable Fresno Bee
Tired of Fresno’s stray dogs and cats? Shelter construction due for completion next year
Fresno Bee
Fresno will have a new, $22 million, state-of-the-art animal shelter next year, and city leaders are working to fund its operations and programming.
Fight over Clovis teachers union takes a twist. Critics call it ‘union-busting strategy’
Fresno Bee
Amid a battle with pro-union organizers, Clovis Unified School District’s faculty senate voted this week to form a new employee organization called the Clovis Teachers Organization.
City of Fresno tentatively wins right to enter Tower Theatre for appraisal, inspection
abc30
The city of Fresno has won a court ruling to get access to the Tower Theatre for an inspection and appraisal. A judge issued the tentative ruling on Tuesday. The city may take the property by eminent domain, and an appraisal will help set the value.
See also:
● Judge grants Fresno city workers access to Tower Theatre. Here’s what they can do Fresno Bee
Fresno Unified board to consider re-imposing Terry Slatic's censure at Wednesday meeting
abc30
Fresno Unified school board members will discuss re-imposing a censure on Trustee Terry Slatic on Wednesday. This action follows a filibuster by Slatic in late August that shut down a meeting while members of the public were trying to address the board.
See also:
● Fresno Unified school board censures Slatic - again - after another tense debate Fresno Bee
Fresno Unified renames school for Roger Tatarian. First in district named after an Armenian
Fresno Bee
Following an emotional debate late Wednesday, the Fresno Unified school board changed the name of Forkner Elementary School to H. Roger Tatarian Elementary School.
Editorial: Gov. Newsom pledges to care about Fresno. Now he just needs to prove it with action
Fresno Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke the words with sincerity. “I want folks here in the Valley, no matter where you were in the recall — you could have been 80% pro-recall — just (to know) you matter. And we got to do more to demonstrate that.
South SJ Valley:
COVID Update:
● Kern County Public Health reports 340 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death Wednesday Bakersfield Californian
Board of Supervisors set to hold public hearing on anti-camping ordinance
KGET
The Kern County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a public hearing next month regarding a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to set up encampments on public property.
Arvin finally achieves federal standard for arsenic in drinking water
Bakersfield Californian
Federal and state officials announced Tuesday that Arvin has finally met the federal Safe Drinking Water Act's arsenic health standard after a frustrating, 13-year process that resulted in five new groundwater wells serving about 20,000 people.
McCarthy reintroduces valley fever bill
Bakersfield Californian
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, as well as a group of other House representatives from California and Arizona, reintroduced a valley fever bill aimed at incentivizing research for valley fever and other fungal diseases this week.
PG&E: About 700 residents in Kern could face power outages Thursday
Bakersfield Californian
High winds have prompted PG&E to announce the utility plans to turn off power early Thursday morning to 655 customers and 34 medical baseline customers in Kern County, according to a PG&E in a news release.
State begins effort to clean up toxic 'Delano Plume'
Bakersfield Californian
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control showed off new construction that is meant to filter the toxic chemical Tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, from beneath buildings near Main Street in Delano.
State:
COVID Update:
● See how many people in California are vaccinated, and find a COVID vaccine appointment Fresno Bee
● Tracking coronavirus hospitalizations in California by county CalMatters
Some California essential workers could get cash through a Biden pandemic relief plan
Fresno Bee
Front-line farm, grocery-store and meatpacking workers in California could see financial relief through a federal program designed to alleviate pandemic-related costs.
The latest on the oil spill: A ship may have caused the pipeline damage weeks earlier
CalMatters
The last major oil spill off Huntington Beach was nearly 32 years ago — in almost the same spot. California has 23 offshore oil platforms in federal waters and eight platforms and islands in state waters.
Exclusive: Leader of California’s largest union resigns amid tax fraud, embezzlement charges
Sacramento Bee
The executive director of SEIU California, the biggest labor union in the state, is resigning after the attorney general’s office charged her and her husband with multiple counts of tax fraud, embezzlement, perjury and failure to pay unemployment insurance taxes.
See also:
● Leader of California’s largest union resigns amid tax fraud, embezzlement charges Fresno Bee
● California union leader charged with tax fraud, embezzlement Porterville Recorder
● California union director faces grand theft, perjury charges. Here’s what the complaint says Modesto Bee
● Dems close ranks behind SEIU CA + Schiff comes to Sac + Newsom sued over anti-protest law Sacramento Bee
● California union director faces grand theft, perjury charges. Here’s what the complaint says Sacramento Bee
● Top California labor official and husband accused of grand theft, embezzlement and tax evasion Los Angeles Times
PG&E is shutting off power for the second time this week. Are you prepared?
Modesto Bee
So with PG&E Corp. wrapping up an Oct. 11 power outage and preparing for another that could affect 29,000 homes and businesses in 19 counties Thursday, it’s important to be prepared with a backup power source.
See also:
● One PG&E wildfire safety blackout is ending. Another could begin in California soon Modesto Bee
Shortages, worker burnout hit California
CalMatters
California is facing a severe shortage of all of them — evidence that the state’s labor pool, supply chain and morale are far from returning to normal nearly four months after the Golden State flung off most of its pandemic restrictions and reopened its economy.
California judge blocks COVID-19 vaccine order for correctional officers
Sacramento Bee
A Kern County Superior Court judge on Thursday granted a request from the state prison guards’ union to block a vaccine mandate that was set to take effect Friday.
California 1st to require hourly wages in garment industry
Associated Press
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday approved what he termed a “nation-leading” law requiring the garment industry to pay workers by the hour instead of for each piece of clothing they produce.
California becomes first state to require ethnic studies for high school graduation
Los Angeles Times
California on Friday became the first state to make ethnic studies a required class for high school graduation to help students understand the past and present struggles and contributions of Black, Asian, Latino, Native/Indigenous Americans and other groups that have experienced racism and marginalization in America.
Gavin Newsom vetoes bill that sought to promote more diverse California state workers
Sacramento Bee
California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week vetoed legislation that would have required the California Department of Human Resources to develop employee “upward mobility goals” that would factor in race, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status and physical and mental disabilities.
California becomes first state to target Amazon production quotas
Politico
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Wednesday making California the nation's first state to impose restrictions on online delivery giants like Amazon to ensure that warehouse workers get required rest and bathroom breaks despite production quotas.
Walters: California bullet train funds stalemated
CalMatters
Costs are rising for California’s much-troubled bullet train project and Gov. Gavin Newsom is having trouble getting more construction money from the Legislature.
Opinion: California conservative: America’s far right has no monopoly on destructive extremism
Sacramento Bee
Americans’ confidence in our social institutions — government, churches, universities, corporations and the media among them — has been declining for decades and may be reaching a natural conclusion: A loss of belief in the American experiment itself.
Opinion: A new law helps neutralize the powerful gender signals we send kids
Los Angeles Times
California became the first state to require large retail stores to provide shoppers with “gender neutral” sections for some products aimed at children, such as toys and toothbrushes.
Editorial: After losing a congressional seat, participation in California redistricting is critical
Sacramento Bee
The 2020 census chronicled a new reality for California, one in which shifting migration patterns resulted in the loss of one of the state’s 53 seats in the House of Representatives and one electoral vote in the next presidential election.
Editorial: California Chainsaw Massacre
Wall Street Journal
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed legislation directing the state’s Air Resources Board to issue regulations that “prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines” by 2024 or “as soon as the state board determines is feasible, whichever is later.”
Federal:
COVID Update:
● Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Booster Shot Bolsters Immune Defense, FDA Staff Say Wall Street Journal
Biden vaccine order moves closer to enforcement
Fresno Bee
The Biden’s administration’s mandate that employers with 100 or more workers require coronavirus vaccinations or institute weekly virus testing has moved one step closer to enforcement.
Judge bars United from putting unvaccinated workers on leave
Fresno Bee
A federal judge has extended a ban on United Airlines putting employees on unpaid leave for seeking a medical or religious exemption from the airline's requirement to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Border residents rejoice as US says it will lift travel ban
Business Journal
Beleaguered business owners and families separated by COVID-19 restrictions rejoiced Wednesday after the U.S. said it will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze.
See also:
● U.S. to lift land border restrictions on Canada and Mexico for vaccinated visitors Fresno Bee
● US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated Fresno Bee
● The U.S. will soon allow nonessential travelers from Canada and Mexico again VPR
White House brings together 30 nations to combat ransomware
VPR
The White House kicked off a virtual series of meetings Wednesday focused on fighting back against a barrage of ransomware attacks with representatives from over 30 countries.
See also:
● The U.S. is hosting talks on cybersecurity with 30 nations. Russia is not invited Los Angeles Times
Biden will announce expanded operations at Port of Los Angeles as supply chain crunch continues
Los Angeles Times
The Port of Los Angeles will begin operating around the clock as the White House pushes to clear supply chain bottlenecks threatening the holiday shopping season and slowing the country’s economic recovery from the global pandemic, senior Biden administration officials said.
See also:
● Biden tries to tame inflation by having LA port open 24/7 Porterville Recorder
● Ahead of holidays, Biden tries to untangle supply chain mess Los Angeles Times
● A tangled supply chain means shipping delays. Do your holiday shopping now Los Angeles Times
● Port truckers win $30 million in wage theft settlements Los Angeles Times
Hearing on extremism in the military prompts partisan broadsides
Roll Call
The first in a series of three House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings on the recruitment of veterans by violent militia groups in the U.S. highlighted the partisan divisions that remain among lawmakers in deciding how much of, or even if, a threat exists from domestic extremist groups.
Effort to Bar Tech Companies From ‘Self-Preferencing’ Gains Traction
Wall Street Journal
Bipartisan legislation announced in the Senate Thursday aims to stop tech companies from favoring their own products
Lower prices on prescription medications? Biden, Congress consider plan to cap costs
Sacramento Bee
There’s growing consensus in Congress to make such drugs and others less expensive for seniors covered by Medicare Part D, which helps pay the cost of prescriptions.
Former Justice Department lawyer who aided Trump subpoenaed by Jan. 6 committee
Los Angeles Times
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to a former Justice Department lawyer who positioned himself as an ally of Donald Trump and aided the Republican president’s efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.
See also:
● Judges, Prosecutors Diverge on Sentencing Jan. 6 Capitol Rioters Wall Street Journal
Biden administration hosts Israel and UAE in move to build on Abraham accords
Los Angeles Times
The Biden administration is attempting to build on landmark accords that normalized relations between Israel and a handful of Arab or Muslim nations, but without leaving out the Palestinians, whose cause for statehood seems more distant than ever.
Biden approval at 50 percent in CNN poll
CNN
Half of Americans approve of President Biden's performance as president, according to a new CNN poll that was quickly shared by White House staff after a string of tough polling numbers.
Opinion: Biden’s Climate Ambitions Are Too Costly for Voters
Wall Street Journal
President Biden is pushing much stronger climate policies with much higher price tags. Before his election, he promised to spend $2 trillion over four years on climate policies—equivalent to $1,500 per person per year. And Mr. Biden’s current promise—100% carbon emission reduction by 2050—will be even more phenomenally expensive.
See also:
● Opinion: How Democrats are using the pandemic to advance long-term spending priorities AEI
Other:
How quickly will we reach post-COVID life? Americans’ optimism is waning, poll finds
Modesto Bee
A new poll found Americans are increasingly pessimistic about when a normal, post-COVID-19 life will begin.
Redistricting Opens New Opportunities for Communities of Color
Public Policy Institute of California
California’s population has grown more diverse over the last 50 years, with particularly strong growth among Latino and Asian American populations. This growth has potential consequences for the political districts currently being drawn.
See also:
● How will diverse voters be represented in California’s new election districts? CalMatters
Gymnastics Stars Call for Ouster of U.S. Olympic Directors
Wall Street Journal
Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman are asking Congress to dissolve the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Board
Opinion: Markets are addressing Facebook’s problems
AEI
It’s easy to conclude that more government regulation is the answer. Even Facebook asks for more regulation. But more regulation and antitrust prosecutions won’t solve these problems: We already have laws against deceitful business practices and violating business agreements. And antitrust regulators struggle to show that Facebook has actual market power.
MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING
Sunday, October 10, at 10 a.m on ABC30 – Maddy Report: "The Road Ahead for Zero-Emision Vehicles in CA" - Guest: F. Noel Perry, Founder of Next 10. Host: Maddy Institute Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
Sunday, October 10, 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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
‘Inhumane’ conditions: Children under Fresno County custody living in office space
Fresno Bee
A child sleeps on top of a conference room table. Another child sleeps on a mat on the floor. Two water bottles are filled with urine from a teenager staying in the office building.
See also:
● Assemblyman urges state to work with Fresno County to address children’s living conditions Fresno Bee
● Fresno County has some foster kids sleeping on office floors, tables. That’s unacceptable Fresno Bee
Public Safety:
California prosecutor joins suit against 'ghost gun' sellers
Porterville Recorder
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is joining a lawsuit targeting three online sellers of “ghost guns,” the untraceable firearms made from build-it-yourself kits that he said can be assembled in minutes and are increasingly being used in violent crimes.
Fire:
Alisal Fire passes 15,000 acres in Santa Barbara County
Fresno Bee
The Alisal Fire had scorched a total 15,442 acres as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, with 5% containment, Matt Farris, a division chief with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said at a news conference.
KNP Complex Fire: More evacuation orders, warnings lifted for some Tulare County residents
abc30
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has lifted more evacuation orders and warnings for residents in Tulare County affected by the KNP Complex Fire. Authorities have removed the evacuation orders for the areas of Wilsonia and Grant Grove Village on Wednesday.
Evacuation orders, warnings lifted for residents impacted by Windy Fire
abc30
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office lifted evacuation orders and warnings for residents impacted by the Windy Fire on Wednesday at noon.
See also:
● Tulare sheriff removes evacuation orders for Sequoia wildfire as containment increases Fresno Bee
● All Windy Fire evacuation orders, warnings to be lifted Porterville Recorder
● Windy Fire damage assessment could take months to complete as containment nears Visalia Delta Times
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Accelerating Inflation Spreads Through the Economy
Wall Street Journal
U.S. inflation accelerated last month and remained at its highest rate in over a decade, with price increases from pandemic-related labor and materials shortages rippling through the economy.
See also:
● Fed Worried About Inflation Risk as It Firmed Up Tapering Plan Wall Street Journal
● Tight Labor Market, Supply Constraints Point to Persistent Inflation Wall Street Journal
● Inflation rises 5.4% from year ago, matching 13-year high Hanford Sentinel
● Gas, food and transportation network shortages all helped drive up consumer prices VPR
● As prices increase because of inflation, consumers are forced to pay more VPR
● Biden tries to tame inflation by having LA port open 24/7 Porterville Recorder
● Post-Covid Global Economy Falters Due to Inflation and Supply-Chain Woes Wall Street Journal
Biden will announce expanded operations at Port of Los Angeles as supply chain crunch continues
Los Angeles Times
The Port of Los Angeles will begin operating around the clock as the White House pushes to clear supply chain bottlenecks threatening the holiday shopping season and slowing the country’s economic recovery from the global pandemic, senior Biden administration officials said.
See also:
● Biden tries to tame inflation by having LA port open 24/7 Porterville Recorder
● Ahead of holidays, Biden tries to untangle supply chain mess Los Angeles Times
● A tangled supply chain means shipping delays. Do your holiday shopping now Los Angeles Times
● Port truckers win $30 million in wage theft settlements Los Angeles Times
Wall Street, Companies May Have to Give Up More to Settle With SEC
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street regulators said Wednesday they plan to require companies in some cases to admit wrongdoing when they settle civil enforcement actions.
Opinion: An uncounted cost of making the IRS America's No.1 welfare agency
The Hill
As a result of partisan legislation Biden signed in March, starting July 15 the IRS has sent out billions of dollars in new checks every month to tens of millions of American households. An estimated 39 million households, including 65 million children, have started to receive these monthly checks.
Jobs:
Some California essential workers could get cash through a Biden pandemic relief plan
Fresno Bee
Front-line farm, grocery-store and meatpacking workers in California could see financial relief through a federal program designed to alleviate pandemic-related costs.
Shortages, worker burnout hit California
CalMatters
California is facing a severe shortage of all of them — evidence that the state’s labor pool, supply chain and morale are far from returning to normal nearly four months after the Golden State flung off most of its pandemic restrictions and reopened its economy.
Film TV workers union says strike to start next week
Business Journal
The union representing film and television crews says its 60,000 members will begin a nationwide strike on Monday if it does not reach a deal that satisfies demands for fair and safe working conditions.
See also:
● Hollywood Crews Threaten Strike if Deal Isn’t Reached With Producers Wall Street Journal
Opinion: California’s legal climate hurting small business owners
CalMatters
California small businesses are still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, but we shouldn’t be. Every day, more Americans are vaccinated and more businesses are opening up, yet small business owners continue to suffer unnecessary hardship.
EDUCATION
K-12:
Fight over Clovis teachers union takes a twist. Critics call it ‘union-busting strategy’
Fresno Bee
Amid a battle with pro-union organizers, Clovis Unified School District’s faculty senate voted this week to form a new employee organization called the Clovis Teachers Organization.
Parents against COVID vaccine mandate urge Oakdale school board to ‘do something’
Modesto Bee
Parents packed an Oakdale school board meeting on Monday to protest Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students, urging trustees to fight it.
What we know about online learning and the homework gap amid the pandemic
Pew Research Center
Some students who lacked the home internet connectivity needed to finish schoolwork during this time – an experience often called the “homework gap” – may continue to feel the effects this school year.
Can Four Equal Five? Assessing the Four-Day School Week
RAND Corporation
Champions of the shorter week contend that it saves money, improves student attendance, and helps recruit and retain teachers to rural districts by offering them an extra day off each week.
California becomes first state to require ethnic studies for high school graduation
Los Angeles Times
California on Friday became the first state to make ethnic studies a required class for high school graduation to help students understand the past and present struggles and contributions of Black, Asian, Latino, Native/Indigenous Americans and other groups that have experienced racism and marginalization in America.
AEI
Social and emotional learning (SEL) has drifted ever closer to being a central purpose of education without a full and proper examination of its role or a sufficient discussion about its practices or expectations for its effectiveness
Higher Ed:
Stanislaus State awarded grant to prepare Latinos for science-savvy roles in agriculture
Modesto Bee
Latino students will get more opportunities to pursue tech-enriched, scientific careers in agriculture through the creation of a new concentration at Stanislaus State University.
Board to vote on COVID vaccine or weekly testing mandate at Modesto JC, Columbia College
Modesto Bee
The Yosemite Community College District board will vote next week on requiring students, staff and faculty who use campus facilities to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or test weekly.
UC workforce churn: Why a quarter of lecturers don’t return each year
CalMatters
About a quarter of the more than 6,000 lecturers at the University of California don’t return annually. Relatively low pay and little job stability are some of the reasons why, a CalMatters analysis shows. If lecturers strike, more than a third of classes will be canceled.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
Investigators examine role of unprecedented port gridlock in O.C. oil spill
Los Angeles Times
With the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach facing unprecedented gridlock, investigators are trying to determine what role the congested shipping lanes played in the massive oil spill that has fouled the Orange County coast since early this month.
Energy:
New wind farms would dot US coastlines under Biden plan
Porterville Recorder
Seven major offshore wind farms would be developed on the East and West coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico under a plan announced Wednesday by the Biden administration.
U.S. households will pay more to heat their homes this winter, officials say
VPR
A report released Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration predicts that home heating costs will go up because fuel prices are rising and demand has increased over the previous winter.
Why PG&E’s wildfire safety triggers are sparking controversy instead of deadly blazes
Mercury News
During this tinder-dry wildfire season, a change to PG&E’s power lines has dramatically reduced the risk of sparking calamitous and killer blazes. But every time a rogue squirrel gets zapped, hundreds of rural residents are suddenly plunged into darkness.
Gas Crisis Prompts Fresh Proposals From EU
Wall Street Journal
The European Union is considering new measures, including joint purchases of gas to build up the bloc’s strategic reserves, to help alleviate future energy crises like one the continent now faces.
See also:
● Opinion: Global energy crisis could dim climate hopes Axios
Opinion: Oil spill shows need to transition to clean energy
CalMatters
The oil spill in Huntington Beach demonstrates why we need to ban offshore drilling. The spill, estimated at between 24,000 gallons and 131,000 gallons of oil, is just the tip of the iceberg.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
Fauci warns America isn’t out of the COVID woods yet as cold weather looms
Fresno Bee
Dr. Anthony Fauci said America isn’t even close to getting COVID-19 under control.
COVID lungs: Transplants are last resort for many California patients
CalMatters
Ten percent of people who have undergone transplants this year in California had their lungs wrecked by COVID-19. Doctors worry there are more transplants to come, and that non-COVID patients will be waiting longer for new lungs.
WHO Creates New Team to Study Covid-19 Origins
Wall Street Journal
The World Health Organization established a new panel of scientists whose mandate will include attempting to revive a stalled inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus that caused a global pandemic.
FDA spells out lower sodium goals for food industry
Business Journal
Food companies are coming under renewed pressure to use less salt after U.S. regulators spelled out long-awaited guidelines aimed at reducing sodium levels in dozens of foods including condiments, cereals, french fries and potato chips.
See also:
● Eating too much salt is making Americans sick. Even a 12% reduction can save lives VPR
A study of COVID vaccine boosters suggests Moderna or Pfizer works best
VPR
If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as your first COVID-19 shot, a booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine apparently could produce a stronger immune response than a second dose of J&J's vaccine.
See also:
● Vaccine mix-and-match approach bolsters antibodies, study finds Fresno Bee
● Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Booster Shot Bolsters Immune Defense, FDA Staff Say Wall Street Journal
Federal Action Needed to Address Antibiotic Resistance in Older Americans
Pew
According to the most recent antibiotic resistance report from the CDC, in 2017 six common antibiotic-resistant pathogens (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) caused an estimated 30,000 deaths in the U.S. and resulted in $4.6 billion in health care costs.
Brookings
Black and Latino or Hispanic people experienced a staggering 2.9- and 3-year downturn in life expectancy, respectively, compared to 1.2 years for white people.
Human Services:
5 ways US regulators could go further to beat back bias in medical AI
AI in Healthcare
Not every piece of AI-bearing software on the healthcare market is subject to FDA approval. But the agency could do more to police regulated products for algorithmic biases that may affect clinical outcomes in vulnerable subpopulations.
Organizations Across Sectors Partner to Improve Health Equity in Communities
PEW
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, is supporting five collaborative projects over the next year to inform policy decisions with health and equity implications.
IMMIGRATION
Green card recapture effort faces uncertain Senate future
Roll Call
Option may be Democrats’ best chance to make major changes to immigration policy through reconciliation
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
What’s up with these empty buildings in Fresno? Here’s what we know about prime vacancies
Fresno Bee
The Fresno Bee is asking readers what businesses they’d like to see come to town.
Housing:
Townhomes growing in popularity throughout the Valley
abc30
A neighborhood quickly taking shape at Copper and Willow in northeast Fresno, the Brambles, had both houses and two-story townhomes being built for families.
Are immigrants getting left out of California’s rent relief?
CalMatters
Non-English speaking immigrants face some of the biggest hurdles to receiving California rent relief. Advocates say informal leases, lack of technology access and language barriers are getting in the way.
Mass Evictions Didn’t Result After U.S. Ban Ended, Despite Fears
Wall Street Journal
Rental assistance, local policy changes helped keep eviction rates lower than expected.
Mathews: Will Granny Flats Replace Green Lawns In California’s Backyards?
Zocalo Public Square
Historic Deregulation Is Freeing Homeowners to Build in Hopes of Easing the Growing Housing Crisis
PUBLIC FINANCES
Some California essential workers could get cash through a Biden pandemic relief plan
Sacramento Bee
The Farm and Food Workers Relief Program, offered through the United States Department of Agriculture, promises $700 million in grants for those workers across the U.S. The Biden administration has not said when it plans to release the money.
Analysis of Biden tax policy evaluates effect on low income, middle class, wealthy
Porterville Recorder
While President Joe Biden and Congress try to figure out how to pass his major spending initiatives — and to what extent they'll be passed — Democrats also intend to implement another major change in federal income tax policy as part of the process.
Social Security checks getting big boost as inflation rises
Business Journal
Millions of retirees on Social Security will get a 5.9% boost in benefits for 2022. The biggest cost-of-living adjustment in 39 years follows a burst in inflation as the economy struggles to shake off the drag of the coronavirus pandemic.
See also:
● Social Security benefits set to rise 5.9% in 2022, the biggest bump in nearly 40 years Los Angeles Times
TRANSPORTATION
California bullet train’s latest woe: Will it be high speed?
Business Journal
A new and fundamental debate has emerged in the battle over California’s high-speed rail project that could again significantly downgrade the troubled effort: Should the trains even be high speed when the system launches?
WATER
“Xtra”
Local malls to debut new stores in time for holidays
Business Journal
A slate of new businesses is set to open in two Central Valley malls and shopping centers, many of them in time for Christmas.
New Fresno coffee shop to offer a taste of Yemen
Business Journal
The owner of a new Yemeni coffee shop in Fresno hopes to bring a taste of the drink’s origins to the Central Valley while at the same time bringing awareness to the situation in the war-torn country.
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