Earlier this month, Gavin Newsom rolled into Fresno on a big blue bus. Thursday (Sept. 27), his gubernatorial opponent John Cox rolled into town in a big green bus. Cox, the Republican candidate, met with Sheriff Margaret Mims, taking a tour of a jail program. Then, his bus rolled to...
Trump's Tariffs Could Sow Trouble for GOP in Farm Districts
SPANGLE, Wash. — In the aptly named Harvester Restaurant, wheat farmer Roy Dube makes clear he's no fan of President Donald Trump's trade policy. "We get him elected into office and he pulls us out of trade agreements," Dube said last week as local farmers gathered to hear Democratic House...
Controversial Civil Rights Activist Sarsour Speaks at Fresno Event
Linda Sarsour, a political activist embraced by progressives and vilified by the right, appeared in Fresno Thursday (Sept. 6). She spoke at a California Endowment gathering called “Fight For All” at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Fresno. Known for her advocacy for women’s rights, Palestinian rights, and other liberal causes, she...
Valadao Challenges Cox to Congressional TV Debates
In political circles, the underdog usually issues the challenge to debate. But in California's 21st congressional district the incumbent is calling out his rival. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) challenged Democrat TJ Cox to two televised debates Monday. "I am very excited to discuss the issues that matter most to our community,...
Elections Guru Nate Silver Gives Janz & Heng Little Chance of Winning
Noted statistician Nate Silver, who analyzes political elections for a living, sees two Republican incumbents in the Valley's congressional delegation losing their seats in the November election. Neither of them is Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare. In "The 5 Big Takeaways From Our House Forecast" posted Friday at fivethirtyeight.com, Silver...
Rep. Valadao Upset With Immigration Protest at His House
Congressman David Valadao is calling an immigration protest at his house a case of uncivil discourse. A group of protesters congregated outside of Valadao’s Hanford home this morning (Aug. 15), with his wife and three children inside. Valadao was not there. About 10 CHIRLA Action Fund protesters gathered on a...
Valley Growers Hit Ag Secretary Perdue With Tough Questions
Stopping in Kingsburg during a Central Valley tour, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue heard concerns from representatives of dairy, fruit and nut growers. What was top of mind? Everything from the Trump tariffs to market access to immigration. Perdue made news: He said that the president is in negotiations...
Dozens Want a Role in Governing Local Schools
With the filing deadline three days away, 28 candidates (including 8 incumbents) have qualified for local school board races being decided in November's general election. Among the contests drawing interest is a rare open seat on the Clovis Unified School District board. Area 3 incumbent Jim Van Volkinburg, a dentist...
How Many San Joaquin College Grads Passed Latest Bar Exam?
Passing the state bar is hard. It’s supposed to be. The California bar exam results from February prove it. Of the 5,000-plus hopeful attorneys, only 29% passed. It is the lowest passage rate since the state started keeping records in 1951. On the surface, the 13% passage rate for San...
Will Denham-Valadao Immigration Gambit Cross Finish Line?
Will an effort to force a debate on immigration on the House floor cross the finish line? We could find out Thursday. That is the "soft deadline" set by GOP moderates for securing the needed backing to trigger a series of votes. Congressional Republicans need two more signatures from their...