SACRAMENTO — More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May 31 in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Newsom has gradually allowed some businesses to reopen as the state's number of virus-related hospitalizations has flattened. But...
California Educators: Expect ‘Hybrid’ Classrooms in the Fall
SAN FRANCISCO — The California schools superintendent said Wednesday he expects school for the state’s 6 million students to resume as usual in late August or September but with classes that look radically different to maintain social distancing standards. Superintendent Tony Thurmond said he expects a mix of in-person and...
Kings, Madera, and Merced Counties OK’d for Restaurant Openings & More
More Valley communities are lifting COVID-19 restrictions as the state approves their plans for containing the deadly coronavirus. Madera, Kings, Merced and Kern counties were all given a green light from the state Wednesday to immediately reopen dine-in restaurants, retail stores and other local businesses shuttered by the pandemic. Two...
As COVID Cases Surge, Tulare County Reopens ‘Effective Immediately’
Tulare County supervisors voted to broadly reopen businesses on Tuesday, far exceeding COVID-19 guidelines authorized by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The action came as the county's health department reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases and 4 new deaths. The 3-2 decision gives almost all local businesses and organizations in the...
UC Imposes Pay Freeze as Losses Mount
SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California is imposing a system-wide freeze on salaries of its non-unionized employees due to enormous financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, President Janet Napolitano said Monday. Napolitano is taking a 10% voluntary pay cut, as are the system’s 10 chancellors, she said in...
Will Fresno County Reopen Under Newsom’s New Guidelines?
Two Fresno County supervisors said Monday afternoon they're hopeful the county can meet new guidelines to reopen announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. "I think we'll be able to meet them," said board chairman Buddy Mendes. "I think we will be opening up — allowing restaurants, barbers and beauticians to get...
Newsom Paves the Way for Most Counties to Reopen
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom relaxed county reopening criteria on Monday, a move he said will allow 53 of the state’s 58 counties to begin allowing dine-in restaurants and other services. “Bottom line is: People can go at their own pace, and we are empowering our local health directors and...
Newsom: Shrink Prisons to Help Cut Budget
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to significantly shrink the footprint of California's prison system, partly because of massive budget cuts prompted by the pandemic but also because of philosophy. The revised budget he sent to state lawmakers this week envisions closing two state prisons in the coming years;...
Valley Schools, Fresno State Face Big Cuts Under Budget Revision
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced massive cuts to California's education budget due to revenue losses in the economic recession sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The May Revision of the 2020-21 proposed $203 billion budget includes $99.7 billion for K-12 schools and $18.6 billion for community colleges and public universities....
As Revenues Plummet, California Budget Cuts Billions
SACRAMENTO — Reflecting the financial hit California is already seeing from the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed cutting $6.1 billion from a variety of programs in a state budget he says prioritizes public education, public health and public safety. Newsom's 2020-2021 budget estimates unemployment will climb to...