Valley Headlines

Gray on tariffs, DOGE, etc.

KSEE / CBS47. Sunday Morning Matters: Adam Gray on spending cuts, tariffs, DOGE.
Synopsis: Eric Rucker welcomed Rep. Adam Gray onto his Sunday Morning Matters show and started with a question about Trump’s plans to cut taxes and expand the national deficit while gutting Medicaid. Gray offered legislation to protect Medicaid from billionaires, explaining “I just read from their letter and said, ‘I agree.’” Unfortunately, most in the GOP have disavowed their own letter. About DOGE, Gray said the cuts have been “incredibly sloppy. … We ought to be working through this with the normal process.” And “when we do this partisan ping-pong game it doesn’t create any sustainable long-term change. It’s just sloppy work. They’re making mistakes – firing then rehiring folks within days.” They also spoke about Valley issues like tariffs. Gray’s bottom line: “We need a president who says what he means, and that’s certainly not where we’re at today.”

Politico. California Playbook: Aftershocks from possible Harris run.
Synopsis: Derek Tran and Adam Gray are expected to face two of the most competitive House races in 2026 and each is considered one of the “10 most crucial tossup races in the nation.” If the Dems are going to retake the House, they “must” hold those seats.

Calls to pols: ‘Fight back!’

SF Chronicle. CA Democrats see spike in constituent calls urging them to ‘fight back.’
Synopsis: A “flood” of calls has been inundating the offices of 7 Bay Area members of Congress who spoke to the Chronicle. Many callers have specific ideas of how to resist Trump’s American makeover, but all are saying “do something.” Unfortunately, there are two camps for Democrats. The censure of Al Green for his outburst during the State of the Union has created a division; 10 Democrats voted for his censure, and that enraged many in the party. One person suggested Democrats unwilling to join Green in his protest should “just resign already.”

Warriors honor chaplain

Turlock Journal. Emanuel’s ‘Impact Warrior’: Chaplain recognized for his good works.
Synopsis: Emanuel Med Center chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Robert Johnson, has been ministering to the patients and staff at EMC for 12 years. On Feb. 8 he was recognized by the Golden State Warriors with a jersey and on-court ceremony that he called “just amazing … an incredible thing.” He says the key to being a chaplain is to keep your eyes open because “life changes, literally, in a heartbeat.” He’s a five-time cancer survivor.

44 inches is still a lot

Turlock Journal. TID board approves 44-inch irrigation allotment.
Synopsis: The 3-2 vote sets the limit at 44 inches, or 4 inches less than the maximum. If additional storms come in, the board could reconsider said Constance Anderson. Olivia Cramer, TID’s chief hydrologist, said uncertainty in the expected rainfall for the remainder of the season was reason for caution. By comparison, many districts were providing less than 30 inches during the most recent drought.

Some farmers fear Trump

Politico. This farmer is taking the long view on Trump.
Synopsis: The thoughts of Stuart Woolf, president of Woolf Farming and chair of Western Growers with strong ties to Westlands Water District, carry a LOT of weight. He likes the idea of Donald Trump pushing more water into the South Valley but fears the tradeoffs. He talked to Politico about: a) the tunnel, which is a long, long way from being a done deal; b) Trump’s decision to kill various grants and programs based on “words” he doesn’t like; c) Tariffs. They create uncertainty and that is the “worst thing” for any business and is making his agave business 25% more expensive. d) Immigration. This remains ‘front and center” as an issue. Bottom line: “I’m fearful for CA agriculture during this administration. We may be able to get more water, but if we lose our markets and prices go in the toilet, that’s not a very good trade-off.”

Fallout of ‘no-camping’ laws 

Fresno Bee. No-camping law in Fresno faces big test as homeless man fights arrest with trial. 
Synopsis: Wickey Two Hands, 77, is the first to force a trial of Fresno’s 6-month-old anti-camping law. He’s been living on the streets for 3 years and was one of 224 arrested. He is also upset that his meager belongings were seized during his arrest then lost. He was interviewed while on the ground covered by a plastic tarp. “It’s my life. I’m all right with it.” Attorney Kevin Little wants a jury to invalidate the law.

Valley Citizen. CA’s formula for failure on homelessness.
Synopsis: Eric Caine writes about the closure of Modesto Outdoor Emergency Shelter in 2019 and how the shortfall in shelter capacity has never been addressed. Since the closure, Eric says there has been a fivefold increase in homeless-related issues. Many of the 500 displaced MOES residents still camp within a few miles of the location. He says the costs to the city, Caltrans and county for sweeps, treatment, enforcement, shelter expansion, etc., far outpace the cost of MOES. “When people wonder why CA has failed on homelessness, they need only to look at Modesto and Stanislaus County and then consider that their tactics are pretty much the same as most every city and county in the state. … We’ve been spending more and more money to achieve worse and worse effects.”

Worker health not top priority

Fresno Bee. Health of CA dairy workers was compromised by bird flu spread, study says. 
Synopsis: Robert Rodriguez reports on the UC Merced Community & Labor Center study that found little was done to protect dairy workers from exposure to bird flu. As one worker put it, “the bosses are more interested in the animals than our health.” The Center interviewed workers on 30 dairies in Kings, Fresno Tulare and Merced counties, where the bulk of the 715 dairy-farm infections occurred. There have been no reports of new human cases since January. Some growers now insist workers use PPE. Few workers, meanwhile, complained about lack of PPE or took time off once symptoms appeared. Anja Raudabaugh of Western United Dairies says dairies are improving their response and precautions. The study recommended five policies: Testing, paid time off, mandatory reporting, safety enforcement and rewards for dairies that meet or exceed compliance standards.

Gravel pit isn’t needed

KVPR / Fresnoland. San Joaquin River officials refuse to debate CEMEX billion-dollar blast mystery. 
Synopsis: After recounting a “century of exploitation” of the river, writer Gregory Weaver says the CEMEX plan to blast a 300-foot-deep pit alongside the river is unnecessary and will ruin what’s left of a 300-acre reach. Mexico-based CEMEX insisted it is addressing a shortage of gravel for construction. But the CA Geological Survey says the Fresno metro area has 200% more gravel than needed for the next 50 years. The San Joaquin River Conservancy refused to take a position CEMEX’s petition. “Critics say the board’s silence raises a trouble question: What is the point of the SJRC if it won’t publicly weigh in on an unprecedented blast mine along the river it was created to protect?” The board of supervisors gets the last word, and CEMEX has contributed $10,000 to the campaigns of Nathan Magsig, Buddy Mendes, Brian Pacheco and Garry Bredefeld (who has said he gave the money back).

Deputy tried, couldn’t save child

Modesto Bee. Girl, 4, dies after trapped in submerged SUV in DUI crash in canal.
Synopsis: Juliette Marie Acosta, 26, was arrested after crashing into the Turlock Main Canal east of Hickman before midnight Sunday. A Stanislaus deputy was first on the scene and “without hesitation” jumped into the frigid water to rescue the girl. He was assisted by the little girl’s uncle, who had heard the crash from his home nearby. The CHP called the deputy’s efforts and those of the uncle “heroic.”

March Madness has begun

Merced County Times. Bobcats heading to nationals.
Synopsis: The UC Merced women’s basketball team won the CA Pacific Conference Tournament last Sunday, beating La Sierra 60-56 at the Joseph Gallo Gym. It’s their fifth Cal Pac title. With it comes a bid to the NAIA championships, which starts March 14. Nicole Lukito had 20 points and 17 rebounds, tying the Cal Pac record for double-doubles with 21. The UCM men finished 20-6 with a loss in the Cal-Pac title game and are hoping for an at-large berth to the NAIA tourney.

Merced Sun Star. Stone Ridge boys, Atwater girls knocked out of NorCal playoffs.
Synopsis: St. Bernard of Eureka beat the Knights 70-60 in the semifinals on Saturday night. Daijon O’Neil, just back from a one-game suspension, led SRC (24-9) with 20. Sierra Pacific of Hanford knocked out the Atwater girls in the NorCal quarterfinals. Karissa Hukill had 24 for the Falcons, 25-9.

Josh Allen’s huge paycheck

KSEE / CBS47. Firebaugh’s Josh Allen signs massive 6-year, $330M extension.
Synopsis: Of that huge deal, $250 million is guaranteed – the highest amount ever guaranteed to any NFL player in the history of the league. The former Firebaugh Eagle – known for his charity work in both Buffalo and the West Side -- has led the Bills to 6 AFC East titles and was named the NFL’s MVP this year.