Paco Balderrama said he plans to remain Fresno police chief, despite allegations he had an inappropriate relationship. "I am human. I am imperfect. I work extremely hard. So I plan on continuing to lead this police department to even greater heights," Balderrama said at an impromptu news conference Wednesday outside...
Lawsuit Claims Valley Children’s Paid On-Call Employees Less Than Minimum Wage
A class-action lawsuit against Valley Children’s says the hospital has been paying far less than minimum wage for on-call employees. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Madera County Superior Court, claims it was the hospital's policy to pay between $6 and $8 an hour for employees working on call even though...
Valley Children’s CEO Suntrapak Ends Silence on Hospital Pay Controversy
In a video to employees, Valley Children's Hospital CEO Todd Suntrapak addressed controversies about his pay and hospital investments. In March, news broke that Suntrapak earned pay in the 90th percentile of hospital CEOs, outpacing those of Community Medical Centers and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Beyond yearly salary, Suntrapak...
Fresno Police Union: Members Feel Betrayed, Trust Lost in Chief Balderrama
The leader of the Fresno Police Officers Association says that the union's executive board "has received countless communications from members of all ranks ... that they feel betrayed and trust has been lost" in police chief Paco Balderrama. FPOA President Brandon Wiemiller made the comment in an email sent to...
FUSD Has Spent $1.5 Billion on Facilities Since 2006. It Might Ask Voters for $500M More.
Fresno Unified trustees on Wednesday will learn the results of a third community survey about a proposed $500 million bond measure for the November ballot that would raise the district's property tax rates to the highest among school districts in Fresno County. Since July 1, 2006, the district has spent...
Embattled Fresno Police Chief Cherry Picks Scripture on Social Media
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama responded to Thursday's announcement that he is under city investigation by quoting scripture. Balderrama posted on social media (X and Facebook) Thursday night, hours after the city announced it is looking into allegations that the chief had "an inappropriate off-duty relationship he was involved in...
Gay Fresno Police Sgt. Shares His Story at Pride Flag Ceremony
Matthew Couto once hid his true identify from fellow Fresno police officers, afraid of how they might react. "I remember very vividly enjoying an evening at a gay event called Pink Wednesdays and hiding when officers drove by the patio out of fear that being seen would limit my ability...
Why Gavin Newsom’s Gun Control Constitutional Amendment Hasn’t Gone Beyond California
One year after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed changing the U.S. Constitution to place new restrictions on gun ownership, no other states have joined his campaign for a 28th amendment. Even as Newsom continues to tout the effort — largely through social media advertisements that encourage people to sign a “petition”...
What Happens When California Schools Call for the Police?
Middle schooler allegedly attacks classmate twice, choking him severely. Police recommend attempted murder charges to district attorney. School staff calls police to report squirrel with injured leg in school courtyard. Unknown man in swimsuit briefs adorned with Australian flag trespassing at high school pool. Lifeguard sees a man follow boys...
Stoves to Big Rigs: Hydrogen Aggressively Powers Into the Valley’s Energy Profile
Los Angeles-based SoCalGas wants to demonstrate in the Valley community of Orange Cove something never tried before in California — fueling homes with hydrogen gas. The company plans to start small, pumping the hydrogen through natural gas lines at a low rate to prove it can be done. And, they'll...