In June, Fresno City Councilmembers enacted an ordinance to clean up blighted buildings in Tower District, with an aim — if successful — to expand the rule citywide. The new legislation implements hefty fines for owners of dilapidated properties that stay vacant longer than 120 days. It also implements fines...
California May Soon Ban Selling New Glocks Like Kamala Harris Owns
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The Democrats who control California’s Legislature are poised to ban the sale of one of the most popular types of handguns, like the one owned by arguably the state’s most recognizable Democrat, Kamala Harris. Assembly Bill 1127 aims...
California Releases Teacher Data. It Shows Big Rise in Hispanic Teachers
This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter. California added 3,000 new classroom teachers and a significant number of new administrators despite declining student enrollment and budget reductions brought on by the end of pandemic funding, according to long-awaited data released by the California Department...
Henry Thompson Did Wonders for Fresno Airport, Leaves ‘Incredibly Big Shoes to Fill’
Flights to more destinations. Record numbers of passengers. And a November opening of the largest expansion in the history of Fresno Yosemite International Airport. These are just some of the legacies of Fresno airport director Henry Thompson, who died earlier this month. "Henry Thompson has done more for our Fresno...
With Backing From Dyer, Ashjian Reinstated to Measure C Panel
Updating a story from earlier today, officials reinstated Brooke Ashjian to a Measure C advisory committee, less than a week after his removal for "derogatory" comments about the process to renew the Fresno County transportation sales tax. The comments broke decorum guidelines, Fresno Council of Governments Executive Director Robert Phipps...
Fresno Costco Project Killed by Judge’s Decision
A judge invalidated the approvals for a proposed Costco in northwest Fresno, siding with an environmental group that argued the city did not properly assess the project's impacts. Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles ruled in favor of the Herndon-Riverside Coalition for Responsible Planning and Development, saying the city...
More than Severance: Fresno Unified Wants to Give $162K to Nikki Henry to End ‘Dispute’
Fresno Unified wants to give former Communications Chief Nikki Henry $162,000 for reasons beyond a mere severance package, GV Wire has learned. The district's proposed settlement agreement says it settles an "employment dispute" between Henry and the district. "To avoid the uncertainty, inconvenience, and expense of litigation, the parties have...
DOJ Asks California Sheriffs for Names of Inmates Who Aren’t Citizens
The Department of Justice asked sheriffs across California on Thursday to provide lists of inmates in state jails who are not U.S. citizens, and warned that if they did not voluntarily comply, the department would “pursue all available means of obtaining the data.” The request from the Justice Department also...
Behind the Masks: Who Are the People Rounding Up Immigrants in California?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. They appeared in plain clothes outside a San Diego hotel, wore camouflage as they raided a Los Angeles factory and arrived with military gear at a Ventura County farm. The presence of thousands of hard-to-identify federal agents is...
Court Compels Fresno Council to Approve 4-Story Herndon Apartment Complex
A Fresno County judge instructed the Fresno City Council on Monday to approve a 4-story apartment complex at Herndon and Prospect avenues that drew the ire of many neighbors. Further, the city may have to pick up the developer's attorney fees. In July 2024, the council rejected developer James Huelskamp's...