GENEVA — “Chaos, interruptions, personal attacks and insults," one Chinese newspaper editor said of the U.S. presidential debate. An Australian counterpart said the debate was “swamped" by the “rancor engulfing America." Denmark's prime minister bemoaned the quarrelling and interruptions on display. The first debate pitting Republican President Donald Trump against...
If Voters Raise Taxes on Corporate Landlords, Will Small Biz Foot the Bill?
When supporters of a November property tax ballot measure talk about soaking the state’s faceless corporate giants and its wealthiest landlords, they are not talking about people like John Kevranian. The co-owner of Nuts for Candy & Toys in Burlingame, Kevranian and his wife have operated this mainstay of the...
Trustee Turnover Continues at Clovis Unified. Will District Philosophies Change, Also?
A turnover of the Clovis Unified school board is nearly complete. Three new trustees on the seven-member board have been elected the past two cycles in 2016 and 2018. A fourth was appointed last year and is running to retain his seat this year. A fifth new member is guaranteed...
Challengers Outraise Incumbents in Key Valley Races. Will It Matter at the Polls?
Candidates for state and local office reported how much they raised for the November election. Aside from state and national races, voters within the cities of Fresno and Clovis will decide several school board contests. Politics 101 reviewed the latest financial reporting data, covering the period through September 19. Incumbents don't...
New US Citizen Refugees Excited for First Presidential Vote
PHOENIX — They came fleeing war and persecution in countries like Myanmar, Eritrea and Iraq, handpicked by the United States for resettlement under longstanding humanitarian traditions. Now, tens of thousands of refugees welcomed into the U.S. during the Obama administration are American citizens, voting the first time in what could...
Feds to Ship Millions of Tests in Push to Reopen K-12 Schools
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump planned to announce Monday that the federal government will begin distributing millions of rapid coronavirus tests to states this week and urging governors to use them to reopen schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The move to vastly expand U.S. testing comes as...
2020 Watch: How Much Do Debates Matter This Year?
NEW YORK — Presidential politics move fast. What we’re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign: Days to general election: 36 Days to first debate: 1 The Narrative The race is tightening somewhat in some states, but Joe Biden is maintaining a remarkably stable lead over President...
Trump’s $200 Prescription Cards Won’t Hit Mailboxes Just Yet
WASHINGTON — If you’re on Medicare, don’t run to the mailbox looking for a $200 prescription drug card courtesy of President Donald Trump. Government officials said Friday that key details of Trump's election-year giveaway still have to be fleshed out, including the exact timing and how Medicare's cost would be...
Probe Into ‘Discarded’ Ballots Becomes Campaign Outrage Fuel
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The news release from a U.S. attorney in Pennsylvania was provocative: Nine mailed-in military ballots had been “discarded” by the local election office in a swing county of one of the most important presidential battleground states. All of them were marked for President Donald Trump, it said....
Trump Camp Hopes Mideast Pacts Translate to Jewish Support
Jewish American voters have leaned Democratic for decades, but Republicans are hoping the recent steps toward normalized relations between Gulf states and Israel — which Trump vigorously touted earlier this month — bolster his appeal to Jewish voters. With battleground states like Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan collectively decided in 2016...