Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday unveiled the state's plan to reopen schools during the coronavirus pandemic that includes allocating $2 billion in January to provide regular COVID-19 testing for students and staff, improve school ventilation, and acquire face masks and other personal protection equipment. The Safe Schools for All Plan...
Behind the ‘Wild West’ of School Reopenings
By Ricardo Cano and Ana B. Ibarra An academic year in which public education will intersect with public health has created back-to-school shopping lists unlike any other for California’s schools as they attempt to transition toward in-person instruction once they have the state’s blessing. Bakersfield’s Panama-Buena Vista Union School District...
Restaurant, Bar Owners Have Message for Newsom: ‘Don’t Hold Us Hostage’
Restaurant and bar owners came together Thursday afternoon for a rally drawing attention to their struggles due to the ongoing pandemic. Owners said they're close to their breaking points after being closed for five months. One local bar owner said she had enough money to get by the next three...
Local Control Backed by State, Federal Support Will Beat COVID: Borgeas
As your state senator, I have listened to people in our community voice their experiences and concerns on California’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In some instances, our community clearly agrees on an issue. In other cases, the community is split on how to tackle these challenging circumstances. Despite these...
Borgeas: What We’ve Learned About the Pandemic Response
As your state senator, I have listened to people in our community voice their experiences and concerns on California’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In some instances, our community clearly agrees on an issue. In other cases, the community is split on how to tackle these challenging circumstances. Despite these...
City of Fresno Ends Shelter-in-Place Effective Tuesday
Calling it a dramatic change in policy, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced in a Thursday news conference the end of the city's shelter-in-place order effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. The new COVID-19 rules also ended a requirement that people wear a face mask in public, making it voluntary. Enforcement...
Mayor Expected to Reveal Plan to Reopen Fresno Today
Update: Calling it a dramatic change in policy, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced in a Thursday news conference the end of the city’s shelter-in-place order effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. You can read the updated story at this link. Original story: Mayor Lee Brand will address the city at noon...
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...
As We Reopen, We Can’t Let Our Guard Down Against This Virus
We are at the point in the pandemic where the cracks in California's unified response to COVID-19 are showing. Three northern counties reopened in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home orders. And, closer to home, the city of Parlier allowed barbershops and hair salons to reopen last week. People, of course,...