SACRAMENTO — California is creating “strike teams” from 10 state agencies to enforce guidelines designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. He said the teams would “go after people that are thumbing their nose, that are particularly being aggressive, reticent to do anything." He...
Fresno Restaurants Ordered to Close Indoor Dining Again Over COVID-19 Surge
Restaurants in Fresno and surrounding counties have been ordered to close indoor dining spaces immediately in response to surging COVID-19 infections across California. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the rollback of rules for restaurants and other businesses early Wednesday afternoon. The prohibition on indoor dining will remain in effect for at...
Newsom to 'Tighten Things Up' as Coronavirus Cases Rise
SACRAMENTO — With coronavirus cases surging, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that he plans to “tighten things up" when it comes to the state's stay-at-home order ahead of a busy Fourth of July weekend. California has confirmed close to 223,000 infections, a nearly 50% increase over two weeks ago that's...
Newsom: Further Restrictions Possible If Virus Threat Rises
SACRAMENTO — Nearly three-quarters of California residents live in counties facing concerning coronavirus trends, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday as he warned he would impose further targeted shutdowns of counties or businesses if necessary and step up enforcement of his orders. Newsom's comments came a day after he ordered bars...
Reedley Man Sentenced to Death for Killing Two Farm Workers
Hernan Rodriguez, 29, of Reedley was sentenced to death Friday in a Tulare County courtroom for the 2015 murders of two co-workers in a Dinuba plum orchard. On the morning of May 20, 2015, in an orchard off Avenue 400 and Road 74 in Dinuba, Rodriguez hid behind a van, took...
Newsom Orders Bars Close in Fresno, 7 Other Counties Over COVID Surge
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday ordered bars that have opened in seven California counties, including Los Angeles, to immediately close and urged bars in eight other counties to do the same, saying the coronavirus was rapidly spreading in those parts of the state and that bar settings create...
California Budget Raises Business Taxes, Closes $54 Billion Deficit
SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature on Friday finished work on a state spending plan that closes a historic $54.3 billion deficit by temporarily raising business taxes, cutting funding to courts, colleges and state worker salaries, and delaying billions of dollars in payments to public schools. The $202.1 billion budget marks...
Newsom Threatens to Withhold County Funds Over COVID Compliance
SACRAMENTO — As California sees a worrisome rise in the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened Wednesday to withhold up to $2.5 billion in the upcoming state budget from local governments that fail to comply with state mandates on wearing masks, testing and other measures meant...
Newsom, Lawmakers Agree How to Close Budget Deficit
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic state Legislature have agreed to a state spending plan that avoids billions of dollars in permanent cuts to public schools and health care programs but imposes pay cuts to state workers and other programs to cover an estimated $54.3 billion budget deficit...
Newsom Mask Order Takes Pressure off Retailers, but Debate Rages
Who would have thought that something as insignificant as a few square inches of cloth could cause such a big brouhaha? Listen to this article: Gov. Gavin Newsom's order last Thursday mandates face masks for most people over the age of 2 when they are indoors or near other people...