Only active duty peace officers and a few others will be allowed to carry weapons inside Fresno City Hall, the council decided Thursday. Listen to this article: Enacting a new policy at the behest of Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, the council voted 6-1 to limit guns to law enforcement officers,...
Marijuana, Guns, Arias Presidency: What's Next at City Council
After a five-week layoff, the Fresno City Council reconvenes on Thursday with a jammed agenda dealing with high-profile issues such as marijuana and gun rights. Listen to this article: Last month, the council voted 4-3 to revamp regulations for marijuana businesses to operate in Fresno. The council will introduce...
Diverse Group Will Give Growth Plan a Second Look
City Hall announced the 17 people Thursday who are charged with taking a second look at Fresno's plan for guiding development through 2035. The committee includes a mix of developers, business leaders, planners, and advocates for people in Fresno's impoverished neighborhoods. One of the appointees is Patience Milrod. She was...
Mayor Brand Vetoes Cannabis Business Regulations
Mayor Lee Brand vetoed the Fresno City Council's plan for recreational cannabis business regulations on Monday. The council long debated the plan, which included several social equity components, for stores to conduct business in Fresno. The final vote took place on Dec. 12, passing 4-3. A veto needs five council...
Revisiting Fresno's Sputtering Growth Plan Is a Must
Only a newspaper editorial board and others who don't operate in the real world would advocate sticking with a growth plan that isn't working. Listen to this article: Thus Fresno City Councilmembers Luis Chavez, Miguel Arias, and Mike Karbassi are to be commended for sticking their necks out and...
Whether It's Giving Blood or Money, Help Start the Healing
In the face of tragedy, resilient cities pull together. Thus I ask every Fresno resident and business to do what they can to support the families of the victims in Sunday's mass shooting that killed four men and wounded six others. Listen to this article: There are are many...
Fresno Police Chief Search Team Will Include 3 Councilmen
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand has blessed a request that the city council have a larger role in the search for Andy Hall's successor as police chief. The compromise forged by the mayor and councilman Nelson Esparza comes amid lingering controversy about Hall's appointment after the retirement of longtime chief Jerry Dyer...
Don't Expect Fresno Cannabis Shops Anytime Soon
The Fresno City Council debated changes to its cannabis business ordinance at its Thursday meeting. First approved in December 2018, the main revisions would give the city council the authority to grant or deny licenses, and set standards for social equity and responsibility. Listen to this article: A vote...
Fresno Cannabis: Social Equity and When Stores Might Open
Proposed new guidelines and maps in advance of a Fresno City Council discussion show where cannabis businesses may locate, who may work there, and what the social equity component could look like. The council will discuss a new round of regulations at 11 a.m. Thursday at City Hall. Listen to...
Soccer Fans Unite. Want Foxes to Stay in Fresno.
Supporter groups at Chukchansi Park for Fresno FC's regular-season home finale cheered their team as they have for the last two seasons. They banged drums, played vuvuzelas and trumpets, and shook their tambourines. But the fans added a new wrinkle in their enthusiasm for their favorite local soccer team —...