University of California San Francisco researchers believe at least seven different COVID-19 lineages made their way into California. Genome detectives using a method called "Genomic epidemiology," tracked the virus evolution and spread in Northern California from late January to mid-March 2020. Samples from 36 patients spanning nine counties and the Grand...
COVID Contact Tracing Scammers Ask for Social Security Numbers
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned residents Monday about a new fraud scheme involving phony COVID-19 contact tracers. In this scheme, scam artists pretend to be contact tracers to trick Californians into divulging private personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial information, or health insurance information. These scam artists...
COVID-19 Spike Puts Fresno County on State’s Radar
The California Department of Public Health is paying extra attention to Fresno County after a spike in coronavirus cases. Fresno County Department of Public Health's Interim Health Officer Rais Vohra announced the development to reporters during a Monday afternoon Zoom call. "We've actually come to the attention of the state because...
Yosemite Reopens Thursday. You’ll Need a Reservation to Get In.
Most of Yosemite National Park will reopen to visitors on Thursday, but most people will need to reserve a spot in advance to get in. Information posted on the park website Monday said only 1,700 vehicle passes will be issued each day and must be booked online. The number of reservations...
Fresno Moves Ahead On Budget Hearings, Despite No Budget
Budget hearings start Tuesday in Fresno, but the city council will have limited information on how much revenue is available. Mayor Lee Brand has not submitted a budget, saying there is too much uncertainty because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He asked the council to pass a continuing...
BP to Cut 10,000 Jobs Worldwide Amid Virus Pandemic
LONDON — Oil and gas company BP announced Monday that it will slash its global workforce by 10,000 jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic slams the energy industry. Chief Executive Bernard Looney said that the cuts will affect office-based roles in BP's global workforce of 70,000 people and come mostly this...
Face Masks, Temperature Checks When Valley Public Schools Reopen?
Students at California public schools might have to wear face masks and have their temperature taken each morning before they walk on campus, their classrooms might hold only 10 to 15 students, and they might be on campus only a couple of days each week. The need to keep students...
City Businesses Get More Time to Apply for COVID Impact Money. County Applications Soar.
Fresno businesses now have until the end of Friday to submit applications to receive up to a $10,000 grant. The city extended its Save Our Small Businesses Act application process for one week. This is the second round of funding for the program. Councilman Mike Karbassi, who helped author the...
Merced Groups Receive 6,000 Face Masks from Gray, Community Foundation
Assemblymember Adam C. Gray (D-Merced) and the Central Valley Community Foundation on Friday delivered 6,000 facemasks to three essential community organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Salvation Army of Merced, the Merced Food Bank, and members of United Domestic Workers of America each received 2,000 masks. “The volunteers, members, and...
As Temps Dip, Fresno Parks Open but Still No Parking
With temperatures dipping to the low 80s this weekend, Fresno park goers will still have to leave their car at home. A padlocked barricade prevents cars from parking at Melody Park in east-central Fresno. At other city parks, fences or just orange cones prevent vehicles from coming in. While parks...