Former Fresno Bee reporter Doug Hoagland did a three-month deep dive into how City Hall is spending Measure P sales tax revenues. Unsurprisingly, he ran "into a mostly wall of silence from City Council members." Still, Hoagland poses legitimate questions about the city's purchase of the Tower Theatre and the...
Buying a Starter Home Is Now a Myth for Most Fresno Renters
The average Fresno renter household would need 52% more in annual income to buy a so-called starter home, according to the real estate website Point2. Fresno renters have an average annual household income of $34,357. To afford a starter home, they would have to earn $72,117 a year. Point2 says...
As Voters Decide on Support Tax, How Does Fresno Rank for Veterans?
Fresno is one of the worst places for military veterans to live, according to a survey released Monday by a personal finance website. WalletHub rated Fresno 92nd for veterans among the 100 largest U.S. cities. The report — which comes as Fresno voters weigh in on the Measure M veterans...
In Power Struggle, Fresno Leaders Threaten to Ditch PG&E
Frustrated with the time it takes PG&E to provide power hookups to new developments, the city of Fresno is considering forming its own public power company. "Enough is enough," Mayor Jerry Dyer said at a Monday morning news conference at Fresno City Hall. "PG&E is single-handedly destroying our local economy....
Board Election Could End Birmingham’s Long, Controversial Reign at Westlands
The makeup of the Westlands Water District board will change this election – shifting power to a coalition of growers with a list of new actions, at the top of which appears to be ousting longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham. “There needs to be a change of leadership, that’s a...
Fresno Councilman Pleads Not Guilty in Extortion Case
Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza pleaded not guilty Thursday to two criminal charges related to an ill-fated conversation with the city attorney. Esparza is charged with one felony count of attempted extortion and one misdemeanor count of violating the city charter. Both are related to a conversation with then-city attorney...
Council Quietly Cancels $600K in Contracts to Educate Voters
The city of Fresno quietly canceled contracts to educate the public on two upcoming ballot measures. At its Sept. 29 meeting, the Fresno City Council approved $600,000 to provide public information about Measure C, the countywide transportation tax renewal, and Measure M, a new sales tax addition to benefit city...
Unions Exempt From New State Law Taking Big Money Out of Fresno Politics
Starting Jan. 1, local elected leaders need to double-check their campaign accounts when voting on specific legislation. A new state law will significantly affect the size of contributions. "The goal was to sever the tie between pay-to-play politics that unfortunately occurs in different parts of California," said the bill's author,...
Brazen Mail Thieves Strike Fresno and Cities Across the Nation
Residents in an east-central Fresno neighborhood woke up Sunday morning to find their community mailbox hauled off by brazen thieves. They're not alone in feeling angry over the fact that something as simple as mailing — or receiving — a letter no longer comes with a virtual guarantee of...
Fresno State Sales Tax Ballot Effort Still Has Only One Donor
Local builder Richard Spencer has single-handedly bankrolled the campaign for Measure E, the proposed sales tax to benefit Fresno State, donating nearly $1.5 million as of Monday, according to campaign finance reports. Thus far, all the reported donations for the "Yes on Measure E, Good to Great for Fresno State...