Ag detectives discovered nearly 500 pounds of stolen grapes during a traffic stop on a Ford Explorer around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, the Tulare County Sheriff Office said in a social media statement Wednesday. Juan Benjamin Ventura, 47, and Dionicio Sandoval, 57, both of Reedley, were arrested and face multiple...
Former Congressman TJ Cox Wants a Trial. Will Feds Revoke Plea Offer?
Former Congressmember TJ Cox asked for a trial at a federal court hearing on Wednesday in Fresno. However, his attorney is hopeful a plea deal might be worked out with prosecutors. Cox, D-Fresno, served one term in Congress from 2019 to 2021. In August 2022, the Department of Justice charged...
ClovisFest-Hot Air Balloons, Preacher Lawson, and Horse Racing Energize the Weekend
What better way to welcome the fall season than a variety of fun, family events this weekend? ClovisFest and the Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly will entertain residents with colorful balloons floating into the sky. River Park's Oktoberfest offers a chance to sample local brews. “America’s Got Talent” comedian Preacher...
Faculty Union President Retracts Support of Petition Calling for Sandoval’s Resignation
The union representing professors, lecturers, and coaches at Fresno State formally apologized for supporting a petition calling on university President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval to resign. On Thursday, a petition was circulated among the California State University Employees Union membership calling on Sandoval to resign for what they called "poor management and...
FBI Probe in Oakland Energy Plant Questions AG Bonta Involvement: SF Chronicle
When Attorney General Rob Bonta was an assemblymember, his support of a green energy project in Oakland landed the developer a $3.4 million state grant, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. But now, after 10 years, the company behind a biodiesel plant in the heart of the Bay Area city has...
Cal State Campuses Brace for ‘Severe Consequences’ as Budget Gap Looms
California State University is anticipating state spending cuts next summer of nearly $400 million and a delay in promised state support of more than $250 million. The projected budget gap may prevent the system from enrolling new students, offering employee raises and spending more money to boost graduation rates. Cal...
Will Fresno’s $500M School Bond Projects List Excite Voters in a High-Turnout Region Like Bullard?
With a record $500 million construction bond on the November ballot, one question looms large for Fresno Unified leadership. Will the proposed projects in each of the schools district's seven regions satisfy enough voters to gain the 55% approval needed for adoption? Based on voter turnout for the March primary,...
Fresno Fighting Lawsuits from Pensioners, Planning Commissioner
The impasse between public safety pensioners and the city of Fresno has reached lawsuit level. Following through on a July letter to the city, the group that runs the pension system for the city of Fresno police and firefighters filed a lawsuit earlier this month. The pension system says the...
Wired Wednesday: Fresno Leaders Calling For Gov. Newsom to Veto AB 98
GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Justin Willis about a new California bill, AB 98, that will regulate warehouse standards and designs going forward. Several Central Valley business leaders say that this bill will stifle California business expansion. Gov. Newsom has not made the...
Closure of Merced County Fire Stations Postponed, for Now. Here’s What’s Behind the Decision
Merced County fire stations that were scheduled to close next week will keep their lights on – for now. In May, the Board of Supervisors voted to close McKee Fire Station 85 in the Merced area, along with Station 96 in Livingston. Those closures were scheduled to take place Oct....