A state watchdog agency is reviewing a complaint filed by Assemblyman Jim Patterson of Fresno against the top consultant on the California bullet train project. In addition, the consultant’s company has suspended him because of the probe, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. Questions About $51 Million Change Order Roy...
High-Speed Rail Cost Jumps to $20.4B for Central Valley Segment
SACRAMENTO — The state's reworked plan for high-speed rail now estimates a $20.4 billion price tag to complete 171 miles of track from Merced to Bakersfield by 2028, nearly a decade later than the initial estimate for a much longer Los Angeles-to-San Francisco line. Rail officials issued an update to...
Fresno Health Care Advocate Among State’s Women of the Year
Fresno non-profit leader Davena Witcher, who is working to build a health center for underserved residents of Mendota, was recognized Monday as a California Woman of the Year honoree in ceremonies at the state Capitol. Each year, the state Legislature recognizes one woman in each district from across the state for...
Jim Patterson Opposes De Leon's 100% Carbon-Free Energy Bill
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers on Tuesday revived a long-stalled proposal to set a goal of generating 100 percent of the state's energy from carbon-free sources. With other controversial and high-stakes energy legislation also moving forward, California lawmakers face an array of decisions with vast implications for the Western energy grid,...
Anti-Abortionists Cheer Supreme Court Ruling on California Law
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court effectively put an end Tuesday to a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion. The 5-4 ruling also casts doubts on similar laws in Hawaii and Illinois. The California law took effect in 2016. It requires centers that are...
Those Excruciatingly Long Lines? DMV Finally Does Something.
In reaction to growing outrage from California drivers and state legislators over waits of up to five hours at DMV locations throughout the state, DMV officials said Thursday that help is on the way. Beginning in June, the DMV will open 40 locations — including the Fresno and Clovis offices...