It has been said, "Two men look through the same jail cell walls, one sees mud and one sees stars." Certainly, this is the way that I see the Fresno parks sales tax initiative. First, I think some background is in order. At the ultimate fallout of the Great Recession, Fresno's...
Recreational Cannabis Shops? Mayor Brand Says No Way.
The top story out of Thursday’s (June 14) Fresno City Council meeting was the approval of a November ballot measure taxing cannabis sales. Regulations are still needed before there is anything to tax. And two-thirds of voters would have to approve the tax for it to become law. But based...
With Hanson Ousted, It’s One and Done for Ashjian
The fact that Bob Nelson is the Fresno Unified School District superintendent might be the biggest reason that Brooke Ashjian isn't running for a second term as the Bullard High School area trustee. Ashjian supported Nelson’s ascension from assistant to full-time education chief. More than that, Ashjian made ousting Nelson’s...
Mimicking Trump, Local Officials Around U.S. Use ‘Fake News’ as a Weapon
By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press An Idaho state lawmaker urges her constituents to submit entries for her “fake news awards.” The Kentucky governor tweets #FAKENEWS to dismiss questions about his purchase of a home from a supporter. An aide to the Texas land commissioner uses the phrase to downplay...
60 Years Later, a High School Diploma for Fresno's King of the Road
The newest recipient of a Fresno High School diploma has quite a story to tell. He's mowed lawns, delivered newspapers and pumped brands of gas you don't see anymore: at a Signal station on Broadway and a Norwalk on Belmont Avenue. He also served a hitch in the U.S. Army, founded...
Did Fresno Botch Its Chance to Weigh in on Air Board Nominee?
Is this a good way to decide who sits on the Valley air board? I ask because six cities in the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District failed to weigh in on the nomination of Clovis City Councilman Drew Bessinger, who by the way, wants the assignment. Fortunately for...
Did Fresno Botch Its Chance to Weigh in on Air Board Nominee?
Is this a good way to decide who sits on the Valley air board? I ask because six cities in the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District failed to weigh in on the nomination of Clovis City Councilman Drew Bessinger, who by the way, wants the assignment. Fortunately for...
Ashjian Can Be His Own Worst Enemy. And a Student's Best Friend
Brooke Ashjian is not the simple attention seeking politician that some of his critics assume him to be. Rather, he's a complicated man largely shaped by a hard-scrabble upbringing, his Mormon religion, Armenian heritage and strong embrace of the First Amendment. He has said a thousand things I wouldn't say....
Ashjian Can Be His Own Worst Enemy. And a Student's Best Friend
Brooke Ashjian is not the simple attention seeking politician that some of his critics assume him to be. Rather, he's a complicated man largely shaped by a hard-scrabble upbringing, his Mormon religion, Armenian heritage and strong embrace of the First Amendment. He has said a thousand things I wouldn't say....
Pathway to Medical School
It’s being called a groundbreaking program. A pathway for Fresno Unified students to obtain a medical degree. The school district and California Health Sciences University (CHSU) will announce a partnership to fast track high school students through a two- or four-year college and into CHSU. It is the continuation of...