As Bitwise started its ascent to making Fresno a tech innovation hub, it had a great champion in then-mayor Ashley Swearengin. And, the company picked up a $1 million American Rescue Plan Act grant from City Hall under Mayor Jerry Dyer in late 2022. Today, both leaders are hoping that...
Fresno County Sales Taxes B to Z: How Your Billions Are Being Spent
Voters in Fresno County cast their ballots on at least three tax measures in 2022 — one for roads, another for zoos, and a new one for Fresno State. A revival of the failed Measure E, supporting Fresno State, will in all likelihood appear on a 2024 ballot. City of...
Consultants ID $2.5 Billion in Needs for Fresno Schools. Time for Another Bond Measure?
An assessment of Fresno Unified School District facilities has identified nearly $2.5 billion in needs, from building and site condition deficiencies to technology readiness and "educational suitability." How to pay for it, or at least a part of it? The district could ask voters to approve a bond measure, possibly...
Bitwise Financial Troubles Continue as It Furloughs All Employees
Bitwise Industries has furloughed all its employees as the Fresno-based technology and real estate company experiences financial hardships. Monday, company co-CEO Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr. held a "team meeting," followed by an email to staff. "We currently find ourselves in a situation where it is necessary to furlough...
Newsom, Just Like DeSantis, Unabashedly Using Schools to Fight Culture War
Gov. Gavin Newsom is a self-appointed crusader against the social and educational policies of red states, particularly Florida, describing their governors as repressive authoritarians. Just a few days ago, for instance, Newsom sent a letter to textbook publishers, demanding to know whether they are obeying Florida’s command to remove passages about race...
Biden, GOP Reach Tentative Deal to Raise Debt Ceiling, Avoid Default
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” to raise the nation's legal debt ceiling late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. However, the agreement risks angering both Democratic...
Blast Waves Causing Brain Injuries That Can Lead to PTSD, Suicide
A far-reaching study by Navy researchers has found what advocates for veterans have been saying all along as suicide rates have dramatically climbed — exposure to munitions blast waves from combat and training may be causing brain injuries, the aggregation of which is resulting in serious and often deadly ailments...
More Bitwise Problems? Reports of Payroll Issues Surface.
Bitwise may be experiencing more financial hardship. Documents sent to GV Wire show that an affiliate company told Bitwise employees that it is not offering direct deposit paychecks. Instead, employees will receive paper versions, at least for this payroll period. Sources say this is at least the third time in...
Clean Vehicle Debate Leads to Dirty Words Between Councilman, City Manager
The city could be on the hook for millions in taxpayer dollars to update its vehicle fleet to comply with state clean air mandates. That was the bad news during a presentation from General Services department director Brian Barr. A new rule approved last month would require medium and heavy-duty...
With Aviation Academy, ‘The Sky Is Not the Limit Anymore’ for FUSD Students
Fresno Unified has unveiled plans for a new STEM Aviation Academy & Exploration Center at Chandler Airport in west Fresno, where students will learn how to become a pilot or aircraft mechanic or take on any of a number of aviation-related jobs. Wednesday's presentation at the School Board meeting was...