Are incumbent Fresno councilmembers protected from being drawn out of their own district? Despite language in the city charter and advice received from their consultant, the answer experts told GV Wire is "no." Last week, the City Council examined the first set of electoral maps, submitted by the public and...
‘That’s Not Acceptable’ : Limited Vaccine Supply Prompts Appeal from Karbassi, Council
In a plea to President Joe Biden, the Fresno City Council unanimously passed a resolution asking for a dramatic increase in COVID-19 vaccine allocations for Fresno County. "We don't have enough vaccine," said Councilman Mike Karbassi, the resolution's sponsor. In addition to the appealing to the president, Karbassi's resolution asks...
Fresno Homeless Efforts Lack ‘Clear Strategic Plan’ says Grand Jury
A “crib sheet” is required to keep track of all the local governmental and nonprofit entities working to resolve the homeless issue, the Fresno County grand jury says in findings released in its 2020 annual report. "As a result, duplicative and sometimes overlapping roles, fuzzy lines of authority, and a...
COVID-19 Vaccine Will Arrive in Fresno Next Month, Says Councilwoman
Fresno County will receive a supply of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the year, says Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria. She said city officials are in regular contact with Fresno County's health officer, Dr. Rais Vohra, on the timing. "He just spoke to us and confirmed that we would...
Give Kids Better Options or ‘Gangs Will Give Them Something To Do,’ Local Leaders Say
The kids spoke and the Fresno City Council reacted, promising to invest nearly $10 million dollars to support youth in the coming year. A Wednesday night summit involved several dozen young people who spoke directly to leaders at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Councilmembers said the meeting helped peel back layers and...
Fresno City Council Punts Controversial VMT Decision for One Week
With less than two weeks to adopt a threshold to adhere to a controversial state environmental law, known as VMT, the Fresno City Council delayed taking action Thursday morning. "I just actually wanted to see if we could put it over for next meeting. So, motion to table. I need...
Democrats Growing in State. Fresno and Clovis Too.
Just released voter registration numbers show an increase in voter registration statewide, with gains for Democrats and a marked increase in no party preference registrants. Listen to this article: The Secretary of State released new numbers today for voter registration as of Oct. 1, 2019. State records show that...
Soria Tired of Waiting Her Turn in Congressional Challenge to Costa
Just a day after she held her first congressional fundraiser, Esmeralda Soria sat next to the man she wants to knock out of office. Soria and incumbent 16th district Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) attended a Fresno State event announcing the expansion of the Maddy Institute (see item below). The interaction...
Soria Tired of Waiting Her Turn in Congressional Challenge to Costa
Just a day after she held her first congressional fundraiser, Esmeralda Soria sat next to the man she wants to knock out of office. Soria and incumbent 16th district Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) attended a Fresno State event announcing the expansion of the Maddy Institute (see item below). The interaction...
Balch Exits Mayoral Race, Citing Family Priorities
Elliott Balch, the chief operating officer of the Central Valley Community Foundation, pulled the plug on his Fresno mayoral campaign Tuesday night. Balch's exit, along with Mayor Lee Brand's earlier decision to not seek reelection, reduces the field to just two candidates, county prosecutor Andrew Janz and police chief Jerry...