As the school year begins, AB 1955 goes into effect. It's a measure supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom that requires public schools to keep a child’s gender transition confidential from parents at the child’s request. The new law has prompted backlash from surprising quarters, most notably Tesla magnate Elon Musk,...
Need Pre-Natal Care? Obria Medical Is Here to Serve Valley Women
One of the key public health problems facing our community is the lack of available prenatal care for lower-income persons. The Obria Medical Clinics of Central California has been addressing this problem, with newfound support from local and national partners, and making a profound difference in our community. In the...
Rebuilding Fresno Unified Aquatics Programs Will Help Students, Promote Water Safety
Fresno’s lack of aquatic sports opportunities, low aquatic participation numbers in Fresno Unified, and the uptick in local drownings should concern everyone. This has become a visual representation of some of the bigger issues that need to be addressed for Fresno to thrive. This visual representation may seem small on...
The Benefits, Concerns, and Pathways for Hydrogen Fuel in the Central Valley
Recent publicity on SoCalGas’s Orange Cove project, covered by Edward Smith of GV Wire in his article "Stoves to Big Rigs: Hydrogen Aggressively Powers into the Valley's Energy Profile," highlights the ambitious efforts to integrate hydrogen into the Central Valley’s energy landscape. As a proponent of hydrogen technology and a...
California Should Fight the Ticketmaster Monopoly, Not Embolden It
As elected officials representing many of the same diverse and hardworking communities of the Central Valley, we share state Sen. Anna Caballero’s commitment to serving our constituents. However, we urge her to pull Senate Bill 785, which will grow the Ticketmaster monopoly and make it even less affordable for our...
What’s the Value of a Fresno Unified Diploma When These ‘Classes’ Are as Easy as A-B-C?
A regulation basketball hoop is 10 feet high. Now imagine that, in some high school gyms, it’s been moved down a notch. Then it continues to edge down from time to time. Would making a basket have the same value under these altered conditions? Definitely not. At what point would...
Ukraine Faces Its Worst Crisis Since the War Began: BBC’s Jeremy Bowen
Kharkiv, which is Ukraine's second-largest city and near Russia, is practically defenseless against air attacks, writes BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen. Two guided bombs destroyed a DIY superstore and a garden center on Saturday afternoon when it was crowded with shoppers, injuring dozens and killing at least 15 people. “The...
This Is the Rare Financial Merger That Will Help Working People and Small Business
As an advocate for California farmworkers' rights, I'm urging support for the Capital One-Discover merger. This alliance can deliver substantial benefits to low-income consumers and small businesses, enhancing financial access and fostering economic empowerment. Let's champion this merger for a fairer, more inclusive financial landscape. I view the proposed merger...
A Radical Lesson From El Salvador to Solve Fresno Housing & Homeless Crisis
Several months ago, I sat on a bench for 24 hours and had conversations with people about all kinds of topics but mostly about the needs surrounding housing and homelessness. The interaction that touched me the most was with a young mother with her very young daughter who brought me...
Hydrogen vs. Electric Batteries: A Case For Fresno’s Transportation & Ag Future
Responses to my recent op-ed, A Sustainable Future for Fresno: Rethinking Our Hydrogen Strategy, opened a local dialogue about hydrogen’s benefits to Fresno. However, some have suggested that Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) might better fulfill our green transportation future. So, let's explore the realities of our transportation needs and their...