SACRAMENTO — A California Assembly committee on Thursday advanced a bill to tighten the state's rules on vaccination exemptions, but there remains disagreement about the measure among Assembly Democrats. Some members of the Assembly Health Committee say the bill will help protect children amid a surge in measles cases in the United...
Brand Still Can Be a Political Kingmaker
What does Mayor Lee Brand plan to do with his $450,000 political war chest? Brand amassed most of that amount in 2018, taking contributions from the who’s who of Fresno business and politics — public safety unions, developers, and attorneys. Since his announcement Monday (May 20) that he is not...
With Not Guilty Verdict, What is Arambula’s Political Future?
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula is a free man. A Fresno jury found him not guilty of one misdemeanor count of child abuse in a high-profile trial. At a post-trial news conference in his attorney’s office, Arambula answered a major question. Yes, he will continue with his job. After talking about problems...
Joaquin Arambula Acquitted of Child Abuse Against Daughter
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula was acquitted of child abuse Thursday in connection with a December incident in which prosecutors say he struck his 7-year-old daughter in the face. Arambula faced one misdemeanor count of willful child cruelty. Prosecutors said the wedding ring on Arambula's left hand left a small bruise near the...
Joaquin Arambula Testifies in Abuse Trial, Says He Never Struck Daughter
Joaquin Arambula was asked if he ever struck his 7-year-old daughter. He responded emphatically. “Absolutely not. I can’t say that more strongly,” said Arambula, who on Tuesday took the stand for the first time in the trial in which the Democratic assemblyman is accused of a misdemeanor count of child...
Joaquin Arambula’s Father Testifies in Child Abuse Trial
Who better to testify about the character of Joaquin Arambula than his father? Arambula’s defense team started its case Friday (May 10), calling witnesses to speak to the character of the Democratic assemblyman. He is accused of one misdemeanor count of child cruelty for allegedly injuring his 7-year-old daughter on...
Arambula’s Daughter Testifies About Vacations and Chocolate Milk
In her second day of testimony, the 7-year old daughter of Joaquin Arambula recalled a family vacation to a Guadalajara, Mexico, ranch. The girl said Monday she was excited because she got chocolate milk, directly from the cow. “It was really good. Probably the best chocolate milk I’ve ever tasted,”...
Arambula’s Daughter Says She Was ‘Grasped,’ not Slapped
Defendant Joaquin Arambula’s 7-year old daughter spent most of Friday afternoon in Fresno County Superior Court. Holding a green purse with a cat’s face painted on the side and a stuffed toy bunny in a Wonder Woman costume, she took the stand as the prosecution's first witness. Arambula, who represents...
Arambula Jury Selected. Daughter Expected to Be Lead Witness.
When Judge Alvin Harrell III announced that the jury in the Joaquin Arambula child abuse trial had been selected, the 60 or so remaining members of the juror pool erupted in applause. “Jury selection will take longer than the actual trial,” Harrell quipped in his authoritative but light-hearted manner. The...
As Arambula Trial Continues, What About His Medical License?
Jury selection starts Tuesday (April 30) in the child abuse trial of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno). The jury will decide his fate of guilt or innocence. Politics will decide his future as an assemblyman. His future as a doctor could be decided by the Medical Board of California. A conviction...