Gov. Gavin Newsom, newly inaugurated Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and legislative leaders are pledging decisive action on California’s homelessness crisis, which raises a pithy question: Why did it erupt during a period of strong economic growth? The reasons often offered include a moderate climate, the availability of generous welfare...
Despite Wawona’s Crisis, 2 Fresno Trustees Opposed Contract with Sheriff’s Office
About an hour after a handful of teachers from Wawona Middle School had described, emotionally and in great detail, the disturbing and dangerous situations they say are constantly occurring at their school, the Fresno Unified School Board considered whether to sign a contract with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for...
Comedian Ken Jeong Loves Fresno State Football, but Only He Knows Exactly Why
It's not quite clear why actor and comedian Ken Jeong is a Bulldogs fan. But he is. As Fresno State prepares for the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl on Saturday versus Washington State, Jeong gave his favorite team a Twitter shoutout. "Fresno State Bulldogs! Congrats on the LA City Bowl! I'm...
Are CA’s New Rooftop Solar Rules a ‘Complete Retreat’ for Clean Energy?
If there’s one thing Thursday made clear, it’s that climate policy and controversy go hand in hand in California. Depending on whom you ask, the two major actions state regulators took Thursday are either indicative of California “leading the world’s most significant economic transformation since the Industrial Revolution” (as Gov....
‘We Are in Crisis’: Fresno School Staffers Detail Student Violence, Lack of Consequences
Teachers and a parent described to the Fresno Unified School Board on Wednesday night a troubling scenario on a district campus where students are out of control and face no consequences for violence, profane language, and other forms of misbehavior. Leanna Bromley, who is in her first year at Wawona...
As Chihuahuas Head to New Homes, More Dogs Take Their Place in Fresno Shelters
Fresno's animal shelters issued a call for dog adoptions — including 72 Chihuahuas rescued from one home — and you responded. Sally Breyer, senior operations manager for the city's animal shelter on Airways Boulevard, said the pet census is down to about 350 as of Wednesday. After their rescue, many...
Fresno Drag Festival Appearance Part of Proud Boys New National Strategy
It wasn't happenstance that the Proud Boys protested a drag festival at a Fresno church on Saturday. VICE News reported Wednesday that the far-right, neo-fascist, all-male organization has shifted its street focus to anti-LGBTQ activities. "Since June, the biggest focus for the Proud Boys this year has been anti-LGBTQ activism,...
Slatic Accused of Bilking the Superintendent. State Investigating.
By David Taub and Nancy Price GV Wire Former Fresno Unified trustee Terry Slatic is under investigation for running up a tab paid by Superintendent Bob Nelson. But, it wasn't Slatic's attempt to disguise hundreds of dollars of wine and liquor as tomahawk steaks that has him under the microscope...
Will This Coming Weekend Deliver More Fresno Rain?
Two straight stormy weekends have buried the Sierra in snow, brought needed rain, and begun fill to the state's parched reservoirs. The question is, how much more water is in Mother Nature's pipeline for drought-plagued California? The short-term answer is unclear, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. The...
GOP State Senate Leaders Want to Block Hurtado Victory
Two Republican state Senate leaders are asking their colleagues not to seat Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a day after she locked up a victory by 20 votes. With all four counties in Senate District 16 certifying the election by the Thursday deadline, Hurtado defeated David Shepard, R-Porterville, by 0.007% — seven-thousandths...