Democrat Jim Costa has his first challenger for his congressional seat. Kevin Cookingham, a retired educator with Clovis Unified, announced on Facebook he’s running for the 16th District office. “This is something I need to do. In fact, I didn’t want to do it … but we need more conservatives...
Brand Issues First Mayoral Veto in Fight Over Office Space
The City Hall power struggle between the executive and legislative branches continues. Fresno Mayor Lee Brand exercised his first veto since taking office in 2017, overruling a council vote on the reallocation of City Hall office space. The city council on April 25 voted 5-1 to take space used by...
Could Mayor's First Veto Be Over Office Space?
Councilman Luis Chavez says the city council needs more office space. And the members are willing to take a chunk from the city manager’s office to make it happen. “I wouldn’t call it a turf war. I would call it more of a clarification of space and which branch of...
House Votes to End Support for Yemen War, Rebuffing Trump
WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday voted to end American involvement in the Yemen war, rebuffing the Trump administration's support for the military campaign led by Saudi Arabia. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to veto it. The White House says the measure raises "serious...
Trump Border Emergency Survives as House Veto Override Fails
WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led House failed Tuesday to override President Donald Trump's first veto, salvaging his effort to steer billions of extra dollars to erecting border barriers and delivering a victory to the White House in a constitutional and political clash that's raged for months. Lawmakers voted 248-181 to overturn...
Senate Seems to Have Votes to Reject Trump’s Wall Move
WASHINGTON — Opponents of President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border appear to have enough Senate votes to reject his move, now that Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky has said he can't go along with the White House. The House has voted to derail the...
With Council Poised to OK Recreational Cannabis, What Will Mayor Do?
With the Fresno City Council slated to pass regulations for the cannabis business on Thursday (Dec. 13), Mayor Lee Brand remains against allowing recreational shops in the city. After an initial debate last week, the council will vote to adopt regulations allowing multiple aspects of the marijuana business in the...
California Is 1st State to Require Women on Corporate Boards
SACRAMENTO — California has become the first state to require publicly traded companies to include women on their boards of directors, one of several laws boosting or protecting women that Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sunday. The measure requires at least one female director on the board of each California-based public...
California Governor Vetoes 2 Bills to Help Immigrants
SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed two bills Thursday seeking to expand the rights of immigrants living in the country illegally and protect them from deportation. One bill would have allowed anyone to serve on state boards and commissions regardless of their immigration status, while the other sought to...
School Bells Will Keep Ringing Early Thanks to Gov. Brown Veto
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill Thursday requiring that California middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m., saying the decision of when to start classes should be up to schools not the state. Supporters of the bill cited research that says delaying school start...