The U.S. Department of Energy has reportedly concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic most likely arose from a laboratory leak, according to a classified intelligence report that has been provided to the White House and key members of Congress. The report reveals that the Energy Department was previously undecided on how...
The Biden Admin Getting Ready for the End of the COVID Public Health Emergency
The White House is preparing to end the COVID public health emergency, even as cases rise, the administration's coronavirus response coordinator said Tuesday. During the transition, the federal government will cease buying COVID vaccines, treatment and diagnostics as the virus becomes integrated into the normal healthcare market, like influenza is....
COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert
LONDON (AP) — The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. The U.K. on Saturday tightened its rules on mask-wearing and on...
Fresno County Isn’t Done With COVID. Get Ready for Another Winter Surge.
Fresno County health officials warn of a rise in COVID -19 cases and other respiratory viruses, including influenza and RSV, that could heavily impact local hospitals. The number of hospitalized COVID patients and deaths in Fresno County has plateaued. However, health officials say that the numbers aren't declining fast enough...
Despite San Jose Tragedy, Fresno City Hall Workers Bypass Metal Detectors
There was once a time when all who came through Fresno City Hall had to go through tight security screening. Implemented in January 2020 at a cost of $1.2 million, the public and employees would either go through a metal detector, manual/visual inspections, and place bags through an x-ray machine....
Should Grocers Pay Workers More During COVID? City Council Will Decide
Update, 4/08/2021, 1 p.m.: Fresno City Council President Luis Chavez pulled his bill that would mandate "hero pay" for grocery and drug store workers at the start of Thursday's meeting. He said that "there are some last minute amendments that didn't get distributed on time." He intends to hear the...
Fresno City Hall Reopens on Tuesday
Fresno City Hall, shuttered for most of the past 12 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen partially on Tuesday. The city announced that the Panning and Development Department will offer limited in-person appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. However, city council chambers will...
Fresno Parent ‘Speechless’ After Son Assigned to ‘*Covid-A’ School Group
Danielle Loucks was looking at the message from her son's middle school about his two-day in-person class schedule starting in April when the phrase "*Covid - A" jumped out at her. The message from Fresno Unified's Computech Middle School talked about the groupings, also known as cohorts, that students would...
How Will Fresno Spend New Round of Federal COVID Funds? Council Counts the Ways.
The $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan is so big, it could fund Fresno's $1 billion a year budget for approximately 1,900 years. Fresno's current share, city officials say, is $155 million. The city council discussed the item at Thursday's meeting, and several members had plans how to spend the...
Valadao Skips Swearing In for House Seat Following Positive COVID Test
While his colleagues were being sworn in, Congressman David Valadao stayed home in Hanford, waiting out a COVID-19 diagnosis. "I received a rapid antigen COVID-19 test that showed a positive read. I am now waiting for the results from my PCR test, which takes longer and is more accurate. I...