- Adam Gray Valley Solutions
- Posts
- Valley Headlines
Valley Solutions offers a look at the top headlines appearing on media websites across the San Joaquin Valley each day. It is compiled by Mike Dunbar, a former editor at The Modesto Bee and filmmaker. He also worked as press secretary for Adam Gray when he was in the California Assembly.
Fresno Bee: Gray gets it right
Modesto / Fresno Bees. Democrat Adam Gray ready to solve problems; the GOP, not so much.
Synopsis: The Fresno Bee editorial board (John Esparza Loera and Tad Weber) watched this weekend’s CNN political show in which Jake Tapper interviewed four first-year members of Congress – two Democrats and two Republicans. The GOP members talked “destroying” things and ending “woke chaos.” They sounded like backup singers for the Marjorie Taylor Greene Choir. Gray, meanwhile, talked about being tired of partisan BS and solving problems. He said those posturing on the “far left and the far right” are offering nothing more than “a lot of nonsense.” That’s not what we need in Congress, says the editorial. We need more people like Adam Gray.
MAD Take: Gray backed up his promise to work across the aisle quickly, voting with Republicans and 47 other Democrats for tougher measures against immigrants who have broken American laws. See the Politico story.
Politico. Dems tack right on immigration.
Synopsis: The top story in Politico’s daily “Playbook” is the 48 Democrats who crossed the aisle to vote for a tougher immigration policy that will authorize deportation for non-felony convictions. That’s 37 more Democrats than voted for a similar measure last year. Among them was the SJ Valley contingent -- Adam Gray, Jim Costa and Josh Harder. Gray said his vote was to “allow states to hold the federal government accountable for its dereliction of duty and hold criminals accountable for their crimes.”
Water board’s bad ‘math’
Hoover Institution. CA adopts permanent water rationing.
Synopsis: As of Jan. 1, the State Water Board has implemented rules for 405 municipal water providers requiring reduction of use. It will be easier for some more than others. For instance, while the City of Vernon gets 92% of the water it has traditionally consumed, Atwater will have to make do with 52%. Some cities, those that failed to reach previous goals, will get even less. The water board says all this conservation will have a benefit of $2.5 billion to the state.
MAD Note: Those faceless bureaucrats insisting this will produce a benefit of $2.5 billion are the same ones who told us that fallowing 5,000 acres of irrigated land in the Northern San Joaquin Valley would INCREASE the Valley’s ag income. Independent analysis thoroughly debunked those figures back in 2017, just as independent review now says the water board’s conservation-impact figures are off by about $10 billion. Instead of a benefit of $2.5 billion, these cuts will cost the state roughly $7.2 billion.
Rain has fallen heavily in Santa Rosa this year, but not in SoCal.
Don’t panic over ‘crazy’ year
Cal Matters. Too wet and too dry: The crazy north-south gap in CA’s rainfall.
Synopsis: NOAA rainfall maps show that rain has been pouring on the north state while leaving SoCal dry as a bone. LA, which usually has 5 inches of rainfall by this time, has had 0.2 inches. Santa Rosa, meanwhile, has been inundated with twice its average (26 inches). In a single day, the city got 7 inches. The further south you go, the less rain. Stockton has had 4.4 inches compared to the 5 it normally gets, and Santa Maria has 1.5 inches compared to 4.2. San Diego has gotten only 0.1 inch. Daniel Swain, the UCLA professor and media metrological darling, says there are no comparable disparities going back to 1895. This is going to have impacts on water supply for farmers and cities.
CA Farm Water Coalition. Full reservoirs and drought.
Synopsis: The recent NOAA drought map, which showed huge portions of CA in drought, was “red meat for journalists,” writes Mike Wade. But those journalists ignore water sitting in reservoirs and the excellent snowpack in the northern part of the state. “While NOAA’s drought map may raise alarms, it’s crucial to compare these findings within the state’s overall water conditions,” he writes. “Californians can take comfort in knowing that the critical months for snow and rain are still ahead.”
MAD Note: Another way to put it, just because it’s dry now does not mean we’re in drought. It doesn’t mean we aren’t, either. It’s just not the right time to make blanket statements.
Millions of hens have been destroyed by bird flu.
Bird flu spikes egg prices
Fox26. Farms across SJ Valley feeling impact of bird flu.
Synopsis: Reporter Kari Cooke talks to Ryan Jacobsen of the Fresno County Farm Bureau about the impact of bird flu on egg prices. With millions of laying hens in the Valley destroyed, there is a real shortage of eggs. Nationwide, the number of destroyed birds is 100 million. One farmer says that the key is to keep wild birds away from the water and feed stored for henhouses.
Cannon Michael inspecting crops on his Los Banos farm.
Michael a finalist for Leopold
Ag Alert. Caring for the land: Leopold Conservation Award finalists have personalized approaches.
Synopsis: Cannon Michael, who runs Bowles Farming Co. (founded by Henry Miller in 1858), is one of three finalists for the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award. Bowles Farming has been one of the most innovative farms in America. It uses technology and innovation to enhance sustainability and yields. Michael has been instrumental in developing riparian ecosystems, solar power, pollinator projects and healthier soils. His VP, Derek Azevedo, says the key is to think “systemically.” For instance, the farm generates 2 million kWh annually from solar panels. The farm works with seed companies to produce plants that are more heat and drought tolerant. Other nominees: Stemple Creek Ranch, Marin County and Hot Creek Grown, Shasta County.
Labeling alcohol’s real risks
Fresno Bee. Should alcoholic beverages feature a warning about cancer risk?
Synopsis: Dr. Cory Franklin wrote about Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s report saying that drinking any alcohol – wine, beer or spirits -- can cause breast, larynx, colon and rectum cancers. He notes that a Korean study found a “direct link” between cancer and alcohol. People should know about this before imbibing, he says. But Dr. Franklin notes that similar labels on tobacco products have had mixed results. Most everyone now knows the link between smoking and lung cancer, but heavy smokers are disdainful of such advice even as casual smokers take it more seriously. He feels the same will be true of alcohol.
CHP motorcycle units in action; now Merced has 3.
Merced CHP gets 3 cycle units
KSEE / CBS47. Merced CHP adds (first) new unit to patrol since 1970s.
Synopsis: A new motorcycle squad has been assigned to Merced County. It will improve “mobility and response capabilities,” says Commander Antonio Dominguez. There will be 3 officers and 1 sergeant.
Does CA really owe $20B?
Cal Matters. CA’s $20 billion unemployment debt is looking like a political hot potato.
Synopsis: The state owes the US government $20 billion for covering unemployment payments during the COVID-19 crisis. Most of that debt is due to the state failing to collect enough in payroll taxes, says the LAO -- not fraud, as many believe. The LAO has been sounding the alarm about a broken system since 2009, but the fixes put into place (mainly, a new computer system) didn’t work. Meanwhile, the incoming chair of the Labor Committee, Liz Ortega, says the state’s benefits aren’t generous enough. Undoubtedly, she’s right (who can pay the rent on $450 a month), but there’s no money in the till to pay off the debt, much less increase benefits.
Not all Valley jobs in ag
Turlock Journal. Valley getting away from ag-centric employment, report finds.
Synopsis: Kristina Hacker writes about the latest San Joaquin Valley Business Forecast from Stan State, which notes that total Valley employment grew by 0.56% in 2024, slowing from 2023. But the growth was not as pronounced during peak-harvest months, indicating other types of jobs are being created. Prof. Gökçe Soydemir says employment is growing fastest in Madera, Merced and Stanislaus counties – in that order. Kern and Fresno are declining. He said permits for homes rose 25% last year, a “phenomenal increase.” Meanwhile, inflation was 3.09%, which was lower than the 4.32% in 2023.
Fresno board could get loud
GV Wire. Bredefeld tries to ‘shake up good old boys club’ on Day One.
Synopsis: Edward Smith reports that Garry Bredefeld, the former Fresno city councilman now on the Fresno Board of Supervisors, offered 9 ways to shake up Fresno County. Among them, more budget transparency, killing the clean-needle program, ending mandatory flu vaccines for healthcare workers, ending time limits on public comments and better cooperation with the city. Ending time limits on speakers seemed to be at odds with new chair Buddy Mendes, who has lost all patience for “bloviators and show ponies.”
Symbolic flags approved
Merced Focus. Merced leaders approve requests to fly Pride, Black History flags at Bob Hart Square.
Synopsis: The Black Pride flag will be hoisted Feb. 1 and will remain in place for the entire month. The Pride flag flies in March and will be followed with flags from Mexico, Italy, the Armed Forces and POW/MIA in appropriate time frames. One supporter said each flag offers a statement, often against hate and intolerance. Another says it shows an evolved city welcoming everyone.
