[aggregation-styles] Money The coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster on many levels. Now, the federal agency in charge with disaster relief — FEMA — is being used to steer more funding to unemployed Americans all over the country. The takeaway is that people could be getting an extra $300 weekly...
Walters: Newsom’s Third Try on COVID-19
Will the third time be the charm for Gov. Gavin Newsom and his somewhat erratic efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic while preventing irreparable damage to the state’s once-vibrant economy? Newsom won widespread praise for his earliest efforts at preventing spread of the sometimes fatal coronavirus six months ago, ordering...
Walters: Legislature Leaves Much Undone
When the Legislature reconvened in January, the stage was seemingly set for a year of sweeping action on California’s most vexing political issues, such as a chronic housing shortage, homelessness and an embarrassingly high poverty rate. Democrats enjoyed overwhelming majorities in both legislative houses, the Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, was...
Mnuchin Says Trump Still Wants Virus Deal With Democrats
WASHINGTON — Pressed by Democrats to quickly negotiate a new coronavirus relief package, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday the administration remains willing to work on a bipartisan agreement to help small businesses, the unemployed, children and schools. Democratic leaders in Congress are holding it up with hardened positions, he...
Fresno Unified Parents Plan Rally to Protest Closed Schools: ‘We Should Have A Choice’
Fresno Unified parents are planning to rally Thursday afternoon to protest what they say is the district's failure to fight for their right to choose whether their kids are in class or on distance learning. Bullard area parent Catherine Peters, who is helping to organize the event, said Tuesday that...
Survey: US Factories Grow in August for Third Straight Month
WASHINGTON — American factories expanded last month at the fastest pace since late 2018, continuing a rebound from the coronavirus recession. The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, reported Tuesday that its manufacturing index climbed to 56 in August from 54.2 in July, highest since November 2018....
Third Virus Vaccine Reaches Major Hurdle: Final US Testing
A handful of the dozens of experimental COVID-19 vaccines in human testing have reached the last and biggest hurdle — looking for the needed proof that they really work as a U.S. advisory panel suggested Tuesday a way to ration the first limited doses once a vaccine wins approval. AstraZeneca...
Newsom Signs Eviction Relief Bill Amid Virus
SACRAMENTO — Californians who haven't paid their rent since March 1 because of the coronavirus can stay in their homes through at least Jan. 31 under a new state law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed late late Monday — one day before statewide eviction protections are set to expire. The pandemic...
A Zoom Thanksgiving? Summer Could Give Way To a Bleaker Fall
As the Summer of COVID draws to a close, many experts fear an even bleaker fall and suggest that American families should start planning for Thanksgiving by Zoom. Because of the many uncertainties, public health scientists say it’s easier to forecast the weather on Thanksgiving Day than to predict how...
District Offers Veteran Central Unified Staff an Early Retirement Deal
Hundreds of Central Unified School District employees recently learned they are eligible for an early retirement incentive paying 80% of their final year's salary over a five-year period. To qualify, the employees must be age 55 or older, have worked for the district for at least five years, and agree...