SACRAMENTO — California is requiring people to wear masks in most indoor settings and outdoors when distancing isn't possible under a statewide order issued Thursday. “Science shows that face coverings and masks work,” Gov Gavin Newsom said in a statement announcing the order. “They are critical to keeping those who...
Merced, Clovis Among State’s Fastest-Growing Cities
Merced and Clovis cracked the list of 10 fastest-growing cities in California, according to May data from the state Department of Finance. Merced grew at a 2.37% clip in 2019 and now has 88,120 residents. The city ranks sixth in the state in growth percentage. Clovis is the state's 10th...
Eviction Protection Bill Will Trigger Commercial Mortgage Crisis: Opponents
A state bill would enact a moratorium on commercial evictions for small businesses and nonprofits during the COVID-19 state of emergency. It just passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be heard in appropriations in June. Commercial real estate interests say Senate Bill 939 trades a short-term business revenue problem...
Want a Real Education, California Students? Go on Strike!
Dear California Kids, Don’t let us adults destroy your futures! This moment gives you unprecedented power to fix what’s wrong with how California treats kids. I am begging you to use it. Before COVID-19, California was shortchanging its 9.1 million children in education and health. Now in crisis, the state’s...
Fresno County Gets Chance to Plead With State: Allow ‘Dine-in’ Food Service
Letter sent, letter received, and a Monday phone meeting is set. The subject: Allow Fresno County to open restaurants. Fresno County's interim health officer Vohra and health director David Pomaville got the immediate attention of state Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell with a two-page letter. "We are requesting to move further...
Newsom Reopening Metrics Unreachable? Fresno County Says at Least One Is.
More than two dozen California counties have asked for permission to loosen their stay-at-home orders beyond what the state allows. But Fresno County is not one of them — yet. That changes today. County health officials have a call scheduled with state authorities in an attempt to change some of...
Sen. Borgeas Wants COVID-19 Legal Immunity for Businesses
Restaurants and other businesses on the verge of reopening face legal uncertainty from COVID-19 after they open their doors. State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) says the threat of coronavirus lawsuits against businesses is real and wants to stop them before they start. The annual state budgeting that starts next week...
As We Reopen, We Can’t Let Our Guard Down Against This Virus
We are at the point in the pandemic where the cracks in California's unified response to COVID-19 are showing. Three northern counties reopened in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home orders. And, closer to home, the city of Parlier allowed barbershops and hair salons to reopen last week. People, of course,...
Bakersfield Doctors' Statements Called 'Reckless, Untested Musings'
It was news that sounded too good to be true. And, critics say it was. Two doctors who are co-owners of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield held a news conference last week to say that California's statewide stay at home order is an unnecessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their...
SLO County Doesn't Want 'Out-of-Towners' on Its Beaches
Call it the COVID-19 version of coastal protection. San Luis Obispo County is sending a message to people in neighboring counties: Stay away from our beaches. "We are considering anyone who is not a San Luis Obispo County resident to be an out-of-towner," said county health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein on...