Community Medical Centers is down 219 staff members as coronavirus cases continue to surge in Fresno County. On Thursday, CMC's website showed 40 staff members had the coronavirus. But by Friday, that same dashboard reported 104 had tested positive. In total, 219 members of the staff were in self-isolation. (Editor's...
No Virus Bill Yet: White House, GOP at Odds Over Jobless Aid
WASHINGTON — Negotiations over a new COVID-19 rescue bill were in flux Friday after the White House floated cutting an unemployment benefits boost to as little as $100 and President Donald Trump turned to a new priority, adding money to build a new FBI headquarters. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent senators...
State Withholds COVID-19 Relief Funds for ‘Sanctuary City’ Atwater
The state is cracking down on Atwater, which attracted national attention when it declared itself a "sanctuary city" for businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-May. On Thursday night, the state notified Atwater officials that the city is ineligible for $389,000 in state assistance to deal with the coronavirus. Atwater's...
COVID-19 Puts Kibosh on Central Unified’s In-Person Summer School
Central Unified's attempt to bring students back to the classroom for summer school classes turned out to be short-lived — as in, only a week. The district had carefully marked out spaces and put directional signs in hallways at Tilley Elementary School to prove to Fresno County public health officials...
Valley Children’s Hospital Says It’s Seeing More Kids With COVID-19
Like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube, Valley Children's Hospital is tired of hearing a narrative that kids aren't affected by COVID-19. Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children's Healthcare called statements that youngsters don't get the coronavirus or suffer consequences "a disservice to our children." Though...
Fresno’s Marcus Walden Readies for Most Unusual MLB Season
There is nothing like baseball's Opening Day, even if it happens in July with an empty stadium. That's the reality for Fresno native Marcus Walden and hundreds of other big-leaguers. Walden, a product of Central High and Fresno City College, takes the field Friday night at Fenway Park in anything...
White House Drops Payroll Tax Cut After GOP Allies Object
WASHINGTON — The White House reluctantly dropped its bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes Thursday as Republicans prepared to unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package, yielding to opposition to the idea among top Senate allies. “It won’t be in the base bill," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking...
Local Control Backed by State, Federal Support Will Beat COVID: Borgeas
As your state senator, I have listened to people in our community voice their experiences and concerns on California’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In some instances, our community clearly agrees on an issue. In other cases, the community is split on how to tackle these challenging circumstances. Despite these...
Out of ‘Protest,’ Great American Barbershop Opens in Fresno, Clovis
Barbershops complete with a view, a swamp cooler, a shade screen, and fresh air made their debut Thursday morning in Fresno and Clovis. Though that may sound appealing, the founder of The Great American Barbershop says it's anything but. "This is a protest," Tye Featherstone tells GV Wire℠ just after the...
Borgeas: What We’ve Learned About the Pandemic Response
As your state senator, I have listened to people in our community voice their experiences and concerns on California’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In some instances, our community clearly agrees on an issue. In other cases, the community is split on how to tackle these challenging circumstances. Despite these...