California is well acquainted with transformative construction: think Oroville Dam, the Bay Bridge, and the Arroyo Seco Parkway (also known as the Pasadena Freeway). The state is once again in charge of the nation’s biggest public works project, a 171-mile high-speed rail line between Bakersfield and Merced – the “starter” portion...
A Big Idea: Turn Two Local Crises Into a Regional Homelessness Solution
Over the last couple of weeks, two stories — about something other than the weather — have dominated local headlines. The first concerns the closure of the Madera Community Hospital, an important community resource and sparkling facility. It sits nearly empty, seemingly destined to follow the same path as other...
After 60 Years, Time to Honor Fresno Birthplace of National Farmworkers Union
It has been 60 years since the formation of the most successful farmworker union in U.S. history. On September 30, 1962 Cesar Chavez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta gathered about 250 farmworkers in Fresno for the inaugural convention of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), now the United Farm...
Sneaky Move by Class Action Lawyers Will Make Life Insurance Premiums Skyrocket
Got insurance? Don’t bet your life on it! In a recent move, California class action lawyers are turning their attention to filing new dubious class action lawsuits against life insurance companies based on lapsed insurance policy payments. This tactic will not only raise liability costs, but it will also...
Sloan: I Never Intended for Esparza Conversation to Become Public
This is in response to GV Wire's July 29 story "Fresno Council President ‘a Little Pissant Millennial,’ Ex-City Attorney Reportedly Fumed" and reporter David Taub's inquiry regarding the circumstances of my conversation with City Council President Nelson Esparza: First, I will reiterate, what I described before is exactly what...
Fresno County’s Drilling Push is Wrong Solution to Energy Woes
No one in the Valley wants to pay more to get to work, to run a business or to be comfortable in their home. But the unanimous resolution by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to drill for oil and frack for gas here will not help us with the...
State Auditor Needs to Probe Dept. of Water Resources’ Faulty Data
We need to talk about what happened to all the water that was lost. We already know what happened to thousands of farmers: They went without. We know what happened in cities up and down the state: They went dry. We know what happened to salmon eggs and juveniles:...
The US and EU Must Unite to Stop Putin’s War on Ukraine
Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ended 72 years of peace in Western Europe and is a reminder of the long and painful struggle by Central and Eastern Europe to take charge of their future and break free from Soviet domination. Putin’s assault on Ukraine is an assault on democracy...
Biden Not Up to the Task in Ukraine Crisis
Robert Gates said Joe Biden has been on the wrong side of every foreign policy action for the past fifty years. He was against the mission to go after Khomeini, he botched the Afghanistan departure, and other historic shortcomings. During the Obama administration, Barry believed in the concept of,...
A Call to Action That Makes Every Fresno Student Excited to Be at School
How do we transform Fresno Unified schools so that kids can’t wait to go to school every day? How do we turn schools into humanizing and intellectually vital places that ignite a lifelong love of learning, creativity, passion, and confidence? When we build that, achievement will soar. In January,...