The city of Fresno won a key legal battle when a federal judge denied a preliminary injunction requested by a group of smoke shop owners.

Judge Kirk Sherriff issued the 28-page ruling Friday, four days after hearing arguments from the California Smoke Shop Association and the city in his Fresno courtroom.

The city council approved new regulations on smoke shops, which went into effect in June. The requirements include increased security and operational rules. The ruling allows the requirements to remain.

CSSA argued the regulations violate equal protection under the U.S. Constitution because such rules did not apply to other types of tobacco sellers. The group also said the vagueness of enforcing flavored tobacco rules was unfair.

Sherriff disagreed ruling “that there are conceivable rational reasons for such disparate treatment.”

The city argued that 63 of 67 smoke shops previously inspected received citations for flavored tobacco, cannabis sales and gun possession.

Regarding flavored tobacco, Sherriff ruled “a reasonable person could determine if a product is flavored” by looking at its label and ingredients.

Sherriff also found no immediate harm in allowing regulations to remain.

Janz: ‘A Win for Public Safety’

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz called the ruling a “win for public safety and the city of Fresno.”

“All smoke shops will be treated equally, and there will be no special treatment for those who seek to be ‘grandfathered in’ or excluded from the new ordinance,” Janz said in a statement.

Although not argued in court, the new rules require smoke shops to apply for a conditional use permit, limiting up to 49 such shops in the city. Sherriff touched on that element in his ruling, indicating it is a likely legal restriction.

This is the second time Sherriff has ruled against CSSA. He denied a temporary restraining order to block the regulations in June.

A trial on the regulations is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2027.

Attorneys for CSSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Corona Pleads Not Guilty

A retired Fresno County judge pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in federal court last month.

Adolfo Corona entered the plea Aug. 26 in the courtroom of U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara McAuliffe. He did not have to wear shackles, McAuliffe ruled. He was released on a $28,000 bond, and had to surrender his passport, not possess any weapons, and submit a DNA sample upon request among other requirements.

Corona was initially charged in state court, but those charges were formally dismissed Sept. 3 after the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges Aug. 21.

The five-count indictment accused Corona of sexually assaulting a victim in a stairwell at the Fresno County courthouse on March 14, 2024. He also faces four charges of making false statements and attempting to alter documents. Some of those obstruction charges involve another alleged assault on a victim found passed out in his chambers in 2023.

Corona retired May 1, 2024, after serving 21 years as a judge. He returns to federal court for a status conference Nov. 12.

If convicted, Corona could face a maximum penalty of 40 years for the sexual assault charge and 20 years on each of the obstruction charges.

(GV Wire reporter Edward Smith contributed to this story.)

GOP Targeting Gray with Ad

The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced, and several other Democrats in contested districts with a new ad.

The 30-second digital-only spot blames Democrats for possibly shutting down the government, calling it “sabotage.”

Gray is one of 25 Democrats, including five in California, targeted by the NRCC.

“Out-of-touch Democrat Adam Gray would rather grind our government to a halt than crack down on violent criminals, secure our border, and protect California communities. He will risk veterans’ care, military pay, and public safety just to appease his radical base,” NRCC spokesman Christian Martinez said in a news release.

The ad targets online users in Congressional District 13, covering parts of Merced, Madera and Fresno counties.

Gray’s campaign had no immediate response.

Democrats are equally blaming Republicans and President Donald Trump.

“House Democrats will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people. That’s what this shutdown fight is all about, Mr. President,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, said.

School Board Raise Law Heads to Governor

A bill to allow school districts to give themselves even bigger raises passed the state Senate and Assembly and now heads to the governor’s desk.

AB 1390, authored by Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache, D-Lynwood, would allow a $4,500 per month raise, or $54,000 a year, for a district the size of Fresno Unified.

Fresno Unified board members earn $2,010 a month.

Last week, the Senate approved the bill 28-0, and the Assembly approved it 62-6.

All Central Valley Democrats approved — Sens. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, and Melissa Hurtado, D-Bakersfield; and Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, and Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, on the Assembly side.

On the GOP side, Assemblymembers David Tangipa, R-Clovis, and Stan Ellis, R-Bakersfield, voted no. Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, did not vote. Sens. Marie Alvarado-Gil, R-Jackson, and Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, did not cast a vote.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Oct. 13 to sign or veto the bill.