A recent New York Times story implied there was a battle for the soul of the Republican Party — who is the kingmaker? House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy or former President Donald Trump? McCarthy, in Fresno Monday night for a county party fundraiser, says there is no rift. He...
At What Cost? Tower Purchase Could Exceed $20 Million
The price of $6.5 million offered by the city of Fresno to buy the Tower Theatre could more than triple to over $20 million, critics of the deal say. In a proposal introduced this week by city councilmembers Miguel Arias and Esmeralda Soria, the city would buy the theater...
Fresno Photographer Captures Images of Ukrainians Fleeing to Safety
A few months ago, 21-year-old John Kasaian was working at a coffee shop in Fresno and freelancing as a photographer. Then he felt a calling to capture the images of the Russia-Ukraine war. After a few conversations with his mom and support from his parents, Kasaian made the 15-hour...
Michelle Obama Gives Shout-Out to Fresno for Surpassing Healthy Meals Goal
Michelle Obama gave a shout-out to Fresno on Tuesday for putting the Pass the Love campaign over the top and surpassing its national goal of giving 1 million healthy meals to food-insecure families. Earlier this year, the Partnership for a Healthier America teamed with the Central California Food Bank...
Councilmembers Reveal Plan for City to Buy Tower Theatre for $6.5 Million
Perhaps ending a nearly two-year saga, the city of Fresno plans to buy the Tower Theatre, two councilmembers announced Monday morning. Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Esmeralda Soria issued a news release on Twitter, announcing a total purchase price of $6.5 million for the entire parcel which includes the iconic...
Where Should New Industrial Sites Go in Fresno? It’s a Billion-Dollar Question.
Could environmental concerns about future industrial sites in Fresno cost the area $1 billion in future wages and give the city of Visalia an even bigger leg up in the competition for new e-commerce sites? The question is bubbling to the top because of increasing opposition to new distribution...
Coming to South Fresno: City Funded Healthcare Centers
The sky in a southeast Fresno neighborhood surrounded by 40 food processing plants was uncommonly blue. Some say it was a rare day for clean air. Several Amazon trucks zoom by, presumably to the fulfillment center three miles away. Most of the time, residents near Jensen and Cedar avenues,...
Did Soria Break Pledge Not To Accept Oil Money in Campaigns?
Assembly candidate Esmeralda Soria, a Fresno Democrat, made a pledge not to accept oil or gas money. Based on financial filings, that vow may have been broken. When she ran for Congress two years ago, Soria signed the Green New Deal pledge. Local environmental activist Fresno Sunrise Movement posted a...
Andy Levine Is Apparent Winner in FUSD Area 5 Trustee Election
Longtime Fresno High area resident Andy Levine surged to an early and seemingly overwhelming lead in the race to elect the Fresno High Region's new School Board trustee in votes counted Tuesday. The updated vote count released by the Fresno County Elections Office after 8:49 p.m. Tuesday showed Levine,...
Perea, Catalano Pull in Big Money, Endorsements in Hot Council Race
In less than two months, voters in the city of Fresno will chose members of the city council in four districts. Only one — District 1 in west Fresno — is for an open seat. Four candidates are campaigning for the post, but Annalisa Perea and Cary Catalano are...