SANGATTE, France — Looking like a superhero, the French inventor of an airborne hoverboard glided partway over the English Channel on his personal flying machine then crashed in the sea Thursday. Unharmed and undeterred, 40-year-old Franky Zapata said he plans to try again. Perhaps within days. The inventor collided with...
Despite Sharp Growth in Electric Cars, Vehicle Emissions Keep Rising
It is tempting to employ any number of puns when considering California’s transportation future: The state is at a crossroads, its policies could run out of gas, dangerous curves lie ahead. But keeping in mind that the state’s climate policies demand the wholesale electrification of transportation, here’s another: California must...
Cities, Counties Could be Punished for Dragging Feet on Housing
SACRAMENTO — Faced with a crippling housing shortage that is driving prices up while putting more people on the streets, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California legislative leaders agreed Thursday on a plan to reward local governments that make it easier to build more housing faster and punish those that don't....
Single Family Zoning Could Disappear Under State Housing Bill
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers advanced a proposal Wednesday to spur more housing near transportation and jobs and make it easier to turn single-family homes into fourplexes as the state grapples with a lack of affordable housing. The measure, a compromise between two Democratic senators, sets different requirements for small and...
Housing-Strapped California Debates Density Near Job Hubs
SACRAMENTO — A controversial proposal to increase housing near transportation and job hubs faces a key test Wednesday as California lawmakers search for solutions to the state's housing affordability crisis. Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener's bill is one of dozens on housing before lawmakers this year that attempt to the slow...
Improving Special Ed Top Priority For New FUSD Trustees
Three new members will join the Fresno Unified School Board on Wednesday, and all say improving special education will be among their top priorities. "That is something that is very high on my list," said Terry Slatic, who will succeed Brooke Ashjian representing the Bullard High School area. Slatic believes the board...
High-Speed Rail CEO: People Will Ask How They Lived Without It
High-speed rail will reduce travel times between major California cities. That is the belief of the bullet-train authority’s CEO Brian P. Kelly, who spoke in Fresno on Friday (Sept. 7). He said when the rail is built, for example, it will cut the time from San Francisco to Los Angeles...
2018 Election? Rep. Denham Beams With Confidence.
Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) serves on three committees perfect for a Valley congressman: transportation, agriculture and natural resources. When Take 5 met Denham recently at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, it was no surprise that those were the topics of discussion. Denham answered questions on: His views on the...
Another Harry Armstrong? If We Could Only Be That Lucky
They teach you right away in the news business to never say "never." But I write with complete confidence that there will never be another politician like William "Harry" Armstrong. Most of that is because of Harry. A little of it is because of changing times. Armstrong took the long...
Another Harry Armstrong? If We Could Only Be That Lucky
They teach you right away in the news business to never say "never." But I write with complete confidence that there will never be another politician like William "Harry" Armstrong. Most of that is because of Harry. A little of it is because of changing times. Armstrong took the long...