INGRAM, Texas —For four minutes Monday, the sky darkened into an early nighttime as the moon’s shadow swept over campers who had gathered from around the western U.S. and even as far as Germany for the chance to see the total eclipse of the sun. But, as anybody who works...
California Community Colleges Losing Millions to Pell Grant Scammers
They’re called “Pell runners” — after enrolling at a community college they apply for a federal Pell grant, collect as much as $7,400, then vanish. Since fall 2021, California’s community colleges have given more than $5 million to Pell runners, according to monthly reports they sent to the California Community...
Recruiter Withdraws From ‘Compromised’ FUSD Superintendent Search
The recruiting firm tasked by Fresno Unified to find the district's new superintendent told board members it would not handle the next steps of the search, calling the process "compromised." Leadership Associates' decision to exit was welcomed by School Board President Susan Wittrup, who said the district needs a search...
Fresno Greenlights SW Fresno Starbucks After Developer Agrees to Changes
The Fresno City Council approved the necessary permits, allowing for a Starbucks in southwest Fresno. The developers agreed to build only one drive-thru instead of two, a source of the holdup. Councilmember Miguel Arias balked at approval at the March 18 meeting, citing traffic and pedestrian concerns. "You can't come...
Biden Tells Netanyahu: Protect Civilians or Lose US Support
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that future U.S. support for Israel's Gaza war depends on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers. Biden and Netanyahu 's roughly 30-minute call just days after Israeli...
Fresno School Board Reverses Course on Superintendent Search, Cancels Interviews
The Fresno Unified School Board voted 5-2 Wednesday night to table its scheduled interviews of internal candidates for the position of superintendent and to embark on a widespread search. Trustees Veva Islas and Andy Levine had asked to have the board proceed with Wednesday's scheduled interviews, reportedly with three current...
Sanger Trustee Injects Race Into Fresno Unified Superintendent Search
Sanger Unified School District Trustee Va Her has accused Fresno Unified Board President Susan Wittrup of being racist by talking about Deputy Superintendent Misty Her's candidacy to become the district's new superintendent and also about whether Misty Her's relatives are on the district payroll. Wittrup vehemently denied Va Her's unsubstantiated...
Fresno Legal Cannabis Process Needs More Transparency, Too Much Potential for Corruption: State Auditor
Fresno's legal cannabis approval process creates potential for corruption and conflicts of interest, according to the California Auditor's Office. The Auditor's office reviewed the cannabis approval processes and oversight of six jurisdictions in the state. They found shortfalls that could lead to corruption in each of them, but some Fresno...
Fresno Cannabis ‘Public Good’ Funds Just Sit There. What Happened to Voter-Approved Plan?
More than five years ago, Fresno voters told the city they wanted 10% of local marijuana taxes set aside for the public good. However, implementing some aspects of Measure A has yet to happen. Passed overwhelmingly in 2018 with 71% of the vote, Measure A stipulated that cannabis tax funds...
Valley Children’s Paying for 24-Hour Security at CEO’s Home
Out of a perceived possible threat following comments from local lawmakers, Valley Children's Hospital is paying for 24-hour security for its CEO. Valley Children's confirmed to GV Wire that CEO Todd Suntrapak is receiving security paid for by the hospital at his local home. Valley Children's communications director Zara Arboleda...