Fresno Unified Board President Susan Wittrup is accusing the four Fresno Unified trustees who voted to delay consideration of a new security fence at Bullard High School of "shameful" retaliation after she publicly called for the district to widen its search for a new superintendent. Wittrup told GV Wire on...
Did Arias ‘Weaponize’ City Attorney’s Office by Requesting Documents from Smittcamp?
A Fresno city councilmember wants to know how deeply Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp involved her office in the effort to revise Proposition 47. City Councilmember Miguel Arias, through City Attorney Andrew Janz, sent Smittcamp's office a letter requesting information about Smittcamp and her staff's participation in gathering signatures...
No Security Fence for Bullard High. Why Did Fresno Trustees Table Bid Award?
Bullard High School's plans for a new security fence were put on hold Wednesday when the School Board voted to table the $2 million bid award on a 4-3 vote. Voting to table were board clerk Valerie Davis and trustees Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, Keshia Thomas, and Claudia Cazares after questions...
Slumping California Risks Losing World’s ‘5th Largest Economy’ Title
In 2022, analysts forecast the Golden State surpassing Germany in terms of economic growth. Analysts now think the state will lose its No. 5 spot for largest economy, weighed down by population declines and high unemployment. The California Center for Jobs & the Economy reports California's slowing economic growth could...
Did Fresno Unified’s Biggest Contractor Not Pay Its Workers? Company Still Gets Millions After Civil Penalty
After nearly six years, 22 construction workers still have not been paid for work they did at Slater Elementary School in 2018, according to a video documentary. Meanwhile, Davis Moreno Construction — the general contractor overseeing Gene Garcia Construction which allegedly did not pay the wages — continues to be...
Will There Be a Third Measure E? What Richard Spencer Says.
A local ballot measure that would increase Fresno County sales tax to benefit Fresno State could return for a third time. Richard F. Spencer, the construction magnate who was Measure E's chief financial supporter the first two times, said it could return in November 2024 or sometime in 2026. "(I'm)...
Real Estate Experts Talk Fresno’s Economic Future. Are Tough Times Ahead?
The Fresno Economic Development hosted a panel of experts to lay out their vision of the Fresno economy for the coming year on Thursday night. From office space to retail stores and industrial investment and housing, real estate brokers and one builder forecast roadblocks in buying and selling with stubbornly...
Savannah Bananas Dominate Social Media, Sell Out Stadiums Nationwide Including Fresno
When it comes to social media and baseball, the Savannah Bananas have no peers. Not even the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose lineup includes international star Shohei Ohtani, can match the social media presence of the national traveling troupe. Yes, the Bananas are entertaining and serve up baseball with a dozen...
Local Leaders Must Put Their Shoulders Into Making Fresno ‘Education City USA’
Fresno leaders keep searching for the silver bullet that will make California's fifth-largest city sparkle. And they just keep shooting themselves in the foot. Over the past three decades, our local governments and nonprofits have spent billions of dollars trying to solve challenges such as gangs, blight, low-paying jobs, and...
State Will Monitor Crop-Rich Kings County Region to Preserve Groundwater
California officials voted Tuesday to step in to monitor groundwater use in part of the crop-rich San Joaquin Valley in a first-of-its-kind move that comes a decade after local communities were tasked with managing the precious but strained resource. The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously to start overseeing...