Joe Mathews, Author at GV Wire

We’re Doing This COVID-19 Mask Thing All Wrong

July 11, 2020

Agoston Haraszthy didn’t hesitate to wear masks. A Hungarian immigrant, he became San Diego’s first sheriff by portraying himself as a military colonel. Then, he sold himself as a metallurgist to win a top job ...

Photo of U.S. Constitution and American flag

Can California Save America From Itself?

Joe Mathews

July 2, 2020

“Go to my website or use the hashtag #LetsGetTheCalOuttaHere!” shouts Gwyneth Paltrow in the Netflix series The Politician. Running for governor on a platform of leading California’s secession from the United S...

Photo of young students raising their hands in a classroom

Want a Real Education, California Students? Go on Strike!

Joe Mathews

May 29, 2020

Dear California Kids, Don’t let us adults destroy your futures! This moment gives you unprecedented power to fix what’s wrong with how California treats kids. I am begging you to use it. Joe Ma...

Photo combination of Jack London and his novel, The Scarlet Plague

The 21st Century California Plague That Jack London Saw Coming

Joe Mathews

April 11, 2020

Jack London saw this coming. Why didn’t we? In 1910 the California author, already famous for The Call of the Wild and White Fang, wrote a short post-apocalyptic novel about a 21st century pandemic in his ho...

California Should Lead the National COVID Response

Joe Mathews

April 4, 2020

America, I see you flailing —and failing —to respond to this pandemic. Why don’t you just let California handle it? No joke. In normal times, you wouldn’t want Californians running anything. While we are str...

California Must Make Up Every Missed School Day

Joe Mathews

March 27, 2020

Not one day. Our kids should not lose one day of school, not a single day of instruction, to the coronavirus. Or to anything else. Joe Mathews Opinion Let me be clear: I’m not arguing ag...

California’s Rainy Day Fund Is Ready For Its Coronavirus Close-Up

Joe Mathews

March 14, 2020

By THE RAINY DAY FUND, as told to JOE MATHEWS I’m ready for my close-up, Ms. Gerwig! OK, as a budget fund without acting credits, I shouldn’t expect Greta Gerwig to put me in her next film—even if both sh...

Photo of Panorama Vista Preserve, Bakersfield

From Bakersfield, You Can See Forever

Joe Mathews

March 6, 2020

From Yosemite Valley to the Golden Gate, California boasts extraordinary vistas. But if you’re looking for the most thought-provoking view in the state, skip the beaches and mountains, and head for Bakersfield’...

Image of Fresno City Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria, Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez and Nelson Esparza

Latino Wave Is Changing Fresno’s Small-Town Political Culture

Joe Mathews

January 24, 2020

Looking for California’s biggest wave? Try Fresno. As Fresno emerges as the Golden State’s next great city, it’s also experiencing an opening up of its small-town political culture. At this transformation’s ...

Billie Eilish Really Is the California Girl Next Door

Joe Mathews

January 16, 2020

If Billie Eilish lives in the neighborhood, is she one of us? It might seem preposterous to think of Eilish as the California girl next door. The 18-year-old is the first international pop star born in the 2...

California Legislature OKs Bill to Mail Ballot to All Voters

All Big Fresno Fair Concerts Canceled. That’s Not Enough for This City Councilman.

As COVID Shutdowns Expand, Will Area Schools Open Next Month?

Family Says Race Led to Lake Altercation with Fresno Deputies. What Does Video Show?

How Many Valley Drinking Water Wells Will Go Dry in 20 Years?

All Big Fresno Fair Concerts Canceled. That’s Not Enough for This City Councilman.

Defiant Restaurant Owner Hires Top Attorney to Challenge Closure Orders

Five Myths About COVID-19 Politicians Insist Are True

Paraplegic Rower Found Dead During California-Hawaii Voyage

McDonald’s Is Giving Out Totally Free Fries Today for National French Fry Day

Washington’s NFL Team Drops ‘Redskins’ Name After 87 Years

Don’t Risk Your Health by Attending Harvard Block Sale: Soria

Walters: It’s Time to Enforce Law and Help At-Risk Kids

Walters: Will California’s Schools Reopen Their Doors?

COVID-19 Exposes Why Postal Service Needs to Get Back Into Banking

Opinion: A More Accurate Name Is ‘Selective Black Lives Matter’

Eid al-Fitr Marks End of Ramadan, but COVID-19 Curtails Big Events

LIVE: Daily Briefing from Gov. Gavin Newsom

COVID-19 Brings a New Kind of Ramadan for Muslim Community

Must Muslims Fast for Ramadan During COVID-19?

Trump’s Superpower Turns to Kryptonite

Ex-Bush Officials Launch Super PAC Backing Biden Over Trump

With Student Gathering, Trump Gets a More Boisterous Crowd

Trump Rally Highlights Vulnerabilities Heading Into Election

Joe Mathews

We’re Doing This COVID-19 Mask Thing All Wrong

Can California Save America From Itself?

Want a Real Education, California Students? Go on Strike!

The 21st Century California Plague That Jack London Saw Coming

California Should Lead the National COVID Response

California Must Make Up Every Missed School Day

California’s Rainy Day Fund Is Ready For Its Coronavirus Close-Up

From Bakersfield, You Can See Forever

Latino Wave Is Changing Fresno’s Small-Town Political Culture

Billie Eilish Really Is the California Girl Next Door

Author Joe Mathews