Valley Headlines

More dust, more Valley crises

Maven / EOS. Fallowed fields are fueling CA’s dust problem.
Synopsis: A study by the American Geophysical Union – led by UC Merced’s Adeyemi Adebiyi -- showed that “water constraints” are leading to increased dust storms as more Central Valley fields are fallowed. The study found that 88% of anthropogenic dust events – aka, dust storms – come from fallowed farmland. The frequency of both drought and the dust storms have increased since 2014 when the state passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. “If you stop irrigating the land, it becomes dry,” said Adebiyi. Then “it’s easy for it to become a new dust source.” It’s getting worse, with dust in the atmosphere increasing 36% in the last decade. The study found fallowed fields are 4.3 degrees Celsius (7.8 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than planted fields, which makes them more susceptible to wind erosion and even reduces yields in nearby irrigated fields. CA already has more dust fatalities than any other state and dust is known to increase cardiovascular disease, asthma and carry Coccidioides fungus – leading to an 800% increase in Valley Fever since 2000. Dust blowing into the Sierra has contributed to more rapid snowmelt. Adebiyi said fallow fields should be planted in drought-resistant plants to reduce wind erosion, heating and blowing dust.

Making water for CA a priority

NOTUS. Burgum tells CA Democrats that budget cuts are higher priority than ‘solid programs.’
Synopsis: Former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum says finding more water for the west must take a backseat to cost cutting as part of the Big Beautiful (Budget) Bill. The administration will eliminate some drought-management programs already in place. Adam Gray told Burgum that he’s concerned about staffing cuts and freezes impacting the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Valley Project. “I have grave concerns over the ability to actually manage the water system,” Gray told Burgum. “How do you justify those cuts? It’s unclear, and I’d certainly like to work with you and your office to understand that.” Burgum said he would work with Gray because “your knowledge of that district … would be key to these deliberations. I look forward to working with you.”
video -- https://youtu.be/qa553tGidHU

Cuffing Padilla causes firestorm

Politico. Democrats seize on Padilla video as unifying immigration message. 
Synopsis: The rough treatment of Sen. Alex Padilla triggered outrage among Democrats. Said Gov. Gavin Newsom: “If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question. If this is how the Dept of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers.” Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois said, “This is Donald Trump’s America, where they attack our freedoms.” Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland said Noem and Trump are involved in the “weaponization of our justice system and the normalization of political violence.” Several Democrats tied their outrage to fundraising efforts. Former Vice President Kamala Harris called Padilla “a critical voice for the peaceful, law-abiding immigrant families who are being indiscriminately targeted” while asking for $50. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham accused Padilla of engaging in a political stunt. Speaker Mike Johnson called for Padilla’s censure. Others pointed out that the Trump administration has arrested a Democratic mayor in New Jersey, a judge in Wisconsin and indicted a Democratic US representative. |
MAD Take: Rep. Adam Gray also addressed the incident: “The way Senator Padilla was treated yesterday is absolutely unacceptable. California’s senior senator was performing his duty to conduct executive-branch oversight and speak up for the millions of Californians who are dismayed and fearful following recent inflammatory actions this administration has taken.”

Modesto Bee. CA lawmakers blast handcuffing of Sen. Padilla at DHS press conference.
Synopsis: In Sacramento, Democrats condemned the treatment of Sen. Padilla, including: Robert Rivas (“This assault is not just disrespectful – it’s dangerous”), Lena Gonzalez (“We will not stand for this appalling injustice”), Scott Wiener (“Anyone who continues to doubt whether this is fascism is living in an alternate reality”) and Mike McGuire (“This is outrageous and reprehensible”). On the other side was state Sen. Brian Jones, “It’s time for politicians to act like professionals, not performers.”

Outrage over Padilla’s cuffing

LA Times. Sen. Alex Padilla’s crime? Being Mexican in MAGA America. 
Synopsis: Columnist Gustavo Arellano says Christie Noem is trying to portray Alex Padilla as “a bad hombre.” Arellano writes that Noem is lying, just as she did about Padilla failing to identify himself (he can be heard on video clearly saying his name), and insisting he “lunged” at her – which Gustavo calls “a laughable assertion.” This is the same woman who accused Mexican President Sheinbaum of encouraging violent protests in LA when Sheinbaum actually called for calm. MAGA has never accepted any American whose family came from Mexico and never will “no matter how many American flags we wave,” writes Arellano. This attack, he writes, has turned a man many considered “a goody two shoes” and “too nice to properly stand up to the Trump administration” into a hero. “If a nice Mexican such as Alex Padilla” is treated like then, then, “May we all be bad hombres now.”

Fresno Bee. Handcuffed by feds, Sen. Padilla was all of us who love California.
Synopsis: Columnist Juan Esparza Loera writes forcefully in praise of Alex Padilla’s decision to “strike back at the outright lies now coming from the Trump administration – which is trying to justify the “greatest deportation in American history.” He notes that Padilla – an MIT grad -- is known for his even temper, not “fiery rhetoric.” JEL points out that Padilla was in the federal building to receive a briefing from Gen. Guillot but attended the news conference when that meeting was delayed due to Noem’s presence.

Liberals angry at Gray, Harder

Modesto Bee. Democrats Adam Gray and Josh Harder criticized for ‘thanking ICE.’
Synopsis: Reporter Kathleen Quinn writes about a House resolution that condemned antisemitism but also included language expressing gratitude for the service of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The resolution was proposed “as a response to the attack in Boulder, Colo., on June 1 where a suspect threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israeli protesters, injuring 15 people.” That part didn’t bother online progressives, but a sentence deeper in the resolution did. They lashed out at Harder, Gray, David Min and Miguel Ruiz among others. Gray explained that he is searching for “ways to improve our broken immigration system – but terrorizing families and workers in the Valley and across the country isn’t one of them.” He also pointed out, “The overwhelming majority of undocumented immigrants in the Valley are here to live peacefully, work hard, provide for their families and follow the law. They should be allowed to do so.”

Another fire in south Valley

GV Wire. Fresno County wildfire grows to 350 acres, prompts evacuations. 
Synopsis: A fire that broke out Thursday near Hwy 198 and Firestone Avenue west of Coalinga has burned 350 acres and is only 25% contained. No structures have been damaged, but Firestone Avenue is closed, and residents have been warned to leave. There are 240 firefighters, 16 engines, a helicopter and 5 bulldozers on scene. A fire that broke out near Firebaugh, roughly 60 miles east, early Thursday was extinguished, according to fire.ca.gov.

Who should draw Merced map?

Merced Focus. Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw supervisorial maps?
Synopsis: Esmeralda Soria is carrying a bill in the state assembly to require a special, 11-member commission to redraw Merced County’s supervisorial districts after the 2030 census. The supervisors, who have the power to draw the maps now, oppose it. Fresno, Kern and San Luis Obispo already use a commission to draw the maps. Supervisor Josh Pedrozo testified against the bill in Sacramento, calling it an unfunded mandate and saying Soria caught the board by surprise. Two of the Assembly’s doctors – Joaquin Arambula and Jasmeet Bains – voted for the bill.

Modesto to expand bike trail

Modesto Bee. Modesto’s Virginia Corridor to pierce city’s core, if council approves. 
Synopsis: The city of Modesto’s Safety and Communities Committee has approved a plan to extend the Virginia Corridor – the rail line converted into a tree-lined cycling and walking path – all the way into downtown. The trail starts near MJC then goes 4 miles north to Woodrow Avenue. The city wants to extend it to J Street downtown and out to West Union Avenue in the north. A downtown loop would take travelers past the Modesto Arch, Gallo Center and Children’s Museum among other landmarks. If Councilmember Chris Ricci gets his way, work will start next summer.
MAD Take: Cool project.

New pharmacy; new hospital

Modesto Bee. Pharmacy service expands at health clinics as national chains close stores. 
Synopsis: Golden Valley Health Centers is offering pharmacy services at its Sixth Street clinic in Modesto and another clinic in Merced in response to the closure of Rite Aid stores across the Valley. The Modesto clinic had a low-cost pharmacy until 2022 when the vendor pulled out. About 75% of the clinic’s patients are in Medi-Cal. GVHC expects to another pharmacy in Modesto and one in Merced this year.

KSEE / CBS47. Madera has its hospital back after more than 2 years. 
Synopsis: Madera Community Hospital celebrated its grand re-opening Thursday with a ribbon cutting. The hospital actually reopened in March, but this was the celebration. The hospital has 103 beds and 800 employees. Legislators Anna Caballero and Esmerlda Soria were on hand to talk about the $57 million state loan they secured for the hospital. One hospital official noted a state-of-the-art CT scanner and said having a facility in Madera will save miles for professionals, but the lives of residents.

Columnist rips Ceres mayor

Ceres Courier. Three on council insist on medical coverage paid by you. 
Synopsis: Columnist Jeff Benziger writes, “Mayor Javier Lopez, Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez and councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra talk a big game about serving the best interests of the taxpayers but REFUSED on Monday evening to stop milking the taxpayers to pay for their medical insurance.” Benziger pointed out that there are no other part-time jobs that offers full medical coverage. “Martinez and Vierra have jobs that offer medical insurance while Lopez – the congressional wannabe – is in business for himself.”

No meatballs, but lots of BBQ

Modesto Bee. IKEA opening new store around 20 miles from Modesto.
Synopsis: IKEA will open a “Plan and Order Point” store in Manteca. Unlike traditional stores that have merchandise in stock, POP stores are considered “meeting points” where customers speak to IKEA designers then order furniture. There won’t be any Swedish meatballs at the Manteca store, which will be close to the Bass Pro store.

Modesto Bee. Valley Meal Prep owner and Modesto caterer close up shop to open BBQ trailer.
Synopsis: The old Smokey’s on McHenry is changing again as Jesse Padilla and Matt Martin partner up on the Craft BBQ & Catering Co. Back in 2015, Smokey’s became Valley Meal Prep. Now, the two chefs will park a BBQ trailer out back and sell brisket with a “Latin flair,” Hawaiian sausages and traditional BBQ by the pound.

Gustine cracks down on fireworks

Westside Connect. Gustine council approves higher fines for illegal fireworks.
Synopsis: The Gustine council established new fines for setting off illegal fireworks. Offenders will pay $2,000 for a first violation, $4,000 for a second and $8,000 for a third. The old fine was $1,000. “People are getting fined but it’s not deterring anyone,” said police chief Ruben Chavez. The city has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal fireworks.