Valley Headlines

Finding farmworkers is crucial

LA Times. CA farm groups look to stabilized workforce amid crackdown on illegal immigration.
Synopsis: As the Trump administration promises to root out undocumented workers on farms across California, farmers and labor groups are demanding legislation or rules that will ensure enough workers can enter America to harvest crops. Unfortunately, there is divergence on the best solution. Some want a temporary-immigration program that requires workers to return to Mexico when their jobs end and ties entry to a specific employer, inviting exploitation. Others want a program that, eventually, allows immigrants to find a path to citizenship. An advocate of this approach is freshman Rep. Adam Gray. “We need progress on this issue. … You find a lot of Americans on both sides of the aisle that say, ‘Look, get something done.’” Ryan Jacobsen of the Fresno Farm Bureau and Manuel Cunha Jr. of the Nisei Farmers League joined Gray in demanding a solution before the enforcement begins.

Where pain will be felt

Fresnoland. Why Fresno County could hurt more from Medicaid cuts than most of the country.
Synopsis: Roughly 520,000 people in Fresno County are insured by Medi-Cal, CA’s Medicaid program. More than half of all those living in Madera and Merced counties also use Medi-Cal – including 60% of all children. The Republican spending blueprint includes $880 billion in budget cuts to fund a tax reduction aimed at high earners. The only spending category with that kind of money is Medicaid, making medical providers extremely anxious. Lower Medicaid reimbursements would cause rural hospitals and to close, pushing more patients into already crowded emergency rooms for care. One immediate casualty could be Madera Community Hospital, which cited low Medicaid reimbursement when it closed two years ago. It was expected to reopen this month, but the Medicaid threat is making that problematical. The hospitals with the highest rate of Medi-Cal patients are Valley Children’s (75%) and the region’s largest, Fresno Community Regional Medical Center (50.4%). Clinic operators like United Health Centers and Golden Valley derive nearly two-thirds of their business from Medicaid patients. As one CEO put it: “It’s lives – you’re putting people’s lives at risk.” Adam Gray has introduced legislation to protect safety-net health insurance from the billionaire tax cuts, but Valley Republicans are toeing the party line.

Measles in Fresno

Fresno Bee. Fresno County reports confirmed measles case; risk to public is low, say officials.
Synopsis: It’s not clear exactly where the stricken child lives, Fresno or Madera county, but officials in both counties are taking precautions. The risk to others is low because the number of people who vaccinate their children against measles and mumps in our Valley is very high. Measles is ultra-contagious and sometimes deadly. There have been outbreaks in 12 states this year and two deaths – the first in a decade.
MAD Take: Thanks, Bobby.

Two dispatch systems
Turlock Journal. Sheriff gets approval to work with Oracle for new public safety software.
Synopsis: Reporter Joe Cortez writes that the Stanislaus supervisors crafted a compromise by allowing Sheriff Jeff Dirkse and the regional dispatch center to each move ahead with their preferred dispatch software systems. The supervisors approved the purchase of CentralSquare, preferred by both dispatch staff and other emergency services, and allowed Dirkse to work with Oracle for a similar system he prefers. But instead of moving to Ceres, both systems would be operated out of the same building and communicate through an interface. Channce Condit said the victory was keeping the dispatch center intact. Supervisor Terry Withrow said the controversy has damaged some important relationships.
MAD Note: This is a slightly different version of yesterday’s story in the Modesto Bee which said the county had opted for CenterSquare without clarifying the parallel embrace of Oracle.

Water bump came too late

Ag Alert. Initial CVP water allotment may not increase plantings.
Synopsis: Christine Souza says South Valley farmers are grateful for the 35% allocation from the Central Valley Project, but it is doubtful that it will lead to more planting. Daniel Bays of Westley said he began preparing his ground last fall, so promises arriving in March “are a little late.” He also noted that there were too many canning tomatoes, and the melon market was “tough” last year. Grower Joe Del Bosque had similar thoughts, saying the “timing of the allocation is not as helpful as we’d like.” He said getting word in January would be better for his melon business. And while 35% is fine, more would be better considering that Shasta has been releasing water for flood control and is still at 110% of average.

Walnuts worth picking up

Western Farm Press. Walnuts: What a difference a year makes.
Synopsis: After languishing around 35 cents a pound – hardly enough to pick them up – walnut prices are around $1.25 on the spot market this year. Rabobank analyst David Magana called that “an unbelievable story and very positive.” What happened? Bad weather in Chile shortened the season and China’s much-feared walnut explosion has yet to occur. Meanwhile, better marketing with tastier products has helped domestic sales. Almonds are also higher, hitting around $2.30 (blended price).

Shutdown votes

Sacramento Bee. CA Republicans vote yes; Democrats vote no to avoid a shutdown.
Synopsis: This story lays out the battle over a continuing resolution to keep the government operating. Interestingly, a few months ago Republicans were trying to use such a resolution as a lever against Democrats; now they’re decrying the same tactics by Democrats. GOP muscle-mouth Ben Peterson even accused Adam Gray of hiding because he voted against the resolution – like 216 other Democrats.
MAD Take: Hiding? Gray not only cast his vote in public, he’s talked to Fox26, the LA Times, Politico, the Turlock Journal and others about his opposition to the damage being done by Trump cuts to Medicaid, lack of a serious plan for water, the need to fix immigration, demanding a plan to confront bird flu and more. The folks refusing media requests and canceling town halls are the Valley’s Republicans. Perhaps a little more context next time?

Flyer will cost extra $1,000

GV Wire. Janz reveals treasurer of group behind attack mailer, issues $1,000 sanction.
Synopsis: David Taub writes about the attack on city council candidate Brandon Vang. Produced by the anonymous Fresno Future Forward, said Vang was guilty of statutory rape 30 years ago. Janz finally figured out who paid for the flyer and fined Riley Moore for filing late forms. Vang vehemently denied the charges. The special election is March 18.

Del Puerto inches forward

KCRA. Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir project advances amid pushback from community.
Synopsis: Reporter Anahita Jafary leads her story about the proposed Del Puerto Canyon reservoir by focusing on the opposition. She cites the fears of Save Del Puerto Canyon, whose members worry about a dam failure. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027.
MAD Note: The story quotes DPWD general manager Anthea Hansen saying, “hundreds of thousands of acres of land would benefit the district.” Hmmm. No land is being added to the district and the reservoir, which is offstream, would hold only about 87,000 acre feet. It’s not clear what the reporter meant to convey. But it’s nice to see KCRA paying attention to this corner of its coverage area.

How to hurt kids, farmers

Politico. USDA cancels $1B in local food purchasing for schools, food banks.
Synopsis: States, including CA, have been notified that two USDA programs designed to buy food from local farmers and ranchers and provide it to schools and food banks have been discontinued. Last year the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement (LFS) spent $660 million on food for schools. The USDA had already frozen funds for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program which supports food banks. A court order forced the USDA to unfreeze those funds, but it announced that any agreements going forward were now void. School officials and governors are angry. Said Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy, “Donald Trump and Elon Musk have declared that feeding children and supporting local farmers are no longer priorities.”

Looking at tariff impacts 

Morning Ag Clips. ‘Bear with me,’ Trump says as farmers brace for tariff effects.
Synopsis: Trump reiterated his promise to impose more tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, knowing it will spark retaliatory tariffs on food products. Trump promises that products in American grocery stores will be cheaper as all those un-exported items are discounted here at home. But doesn’t that mean farmers will be getting less for their work? Don’t worry, he’ll use tariff money to reimburse them. Meanwhile, corn and bean prices are already down 10%, “snuffing out” any profitability for farmers this year. And potash is already 25% more expensive.

Ag Net West. Consumers concerned about tariffs, rising food prices.
Synopsis: The Gardner Food & Ag Policy Survey found most people expect food costs to rise in the short term – that includes 75% of Republicans. Most are “very” worried about the impacts.

Peterson’s pickleball injury

Modesto Bee. Scott Peterson injured in CA prison, reportedly during pickleball game.
Synopsis: Now 52, the convicted murderer of his wife and unborn child is serving a life sentence at Mule Creek. Apparently, the inmates stay fit with pickleball. Tuesday, a beef over something – out-of-bounds dispute? Two bounces? A kill shot? – led to Peterson being attacked. He suffered minor injuries.