The following is an open letter to the Fresno Unified School Board: We stand with those advocating for a nationwide search for the next superintendent of the Fresno Unified School District. The most crucial decision school board members make is the hiring of a superintendent. Thus it is imperative that...
Pistachio Growers Banking on World Famous Chef to Grow Their Markets
When the world got its first chance to buy California's record 2023 pistachio crop in October of that year, Charlotte Avila, senior director of sales and marketing at Touchstone Pistachios flew to Europe to be on hand for her company's biggest market. The Fresno-based company had salespeople on that continent,...
Appeal Court Rules Fong Can Stay on CA-20 Congressional Ballot
Assemblymember Vince Fong can remain on November's congressional ballot in the race for Kevin McCarthy's old Central Valley seat. In a 3-0 decision released Tuesday morning, the Sacramento-based California Third District Court of Appeal rejected an attempt by Secretary of State Shirley Weber to keep Fong out of the race....
Is City ‘Low-Balling’ Fresno Businesses on Land Buys for Blackstone-McKinley Underpass?
The city of Fresno is negotiating with businesses and residents around Blackstone and McKinley avenues to figure out the purchase prices for land to build a much-anticipated traffic underpass there. Some property owners say they are getting low-balled while other businesses say city rules have zoned them out of one...
The View for Fresno Eclipse Chasers in Texas? ‘Awesome’ to ‘Good Consolation Prize’
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...