Valley Headlines

Rural areas could be crushed

Successful Farming. Advocates warn SNAP, Medicaid cuts could hit rural areas hardest. 
Synopsis: House Republicans are doubling down on two issues that will have significant impacts in rural America -- making massive cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in CA) and adding work requirements to the Farm Bill’s supplemental nutrition (SNAP) program. The savings from the two proposals would provide funding for tax cuts to high-income earners. The Center for Budget & Policy Priorities says the two programs would leave millions of people hungrier and sicker. “This would be the single largest cut to food assistance in history, if it is enacted,” said Katie Bergh. Some 41 million people got help through SNAP in 2024, which offers $6.16 in food benefits per day. Republicans want to move responsibility for SNAP to the states. But “We don’t have those dollars here at the state to do that,” said Oregon Gov. Tina Koteck, meaning millions would get no assistance at all. Jamie Bussel of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said SNAP dollars are often spent at farmers markets and rural grocery stores. “Spending $1 billion on SNAP supports over 13,000 jobs and creates $32 million in farm income,” she said. As for Medicaid, Alexa Abel of the National Rural Health Assn said the cuts “will force many rural facilities to reduce or cut service lines or close their doors entirely.”
MAD Take: Hospitals in Madera, Turlock and Visalia are already having trouble keeping the doors open. Cuts to Medicaid will hasten their closure, further crowding ERs at regional hospitals and driving more doctors and nurses away from the Valley.

Office of Rep. Adam Gray. Congressman’s statement on Ag Committee reconciliation proposal.
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray explained his opposition to the Farm Bill that moved out of the House Ag Committee late Wednesday night on a 29-25 party-line vote. The Republican bill included nearly $1 billion in cuts to SNAP, which especially angered Gray. “I don’t have any neighbors, Democrat or Republican, who think the biggest problem in this country is that somebody is getting a meal they didn’t deserve or that too many kids are getting fed. America is a great country with great people, and they certainly deserve a hell of a lot better than (this bill).”

Where hungriest people live

Ag Daily. ‘Map the Meal Gap’ reveals rural child hunger disparities. 
Synopsis: Nearly 20% of all children across the nation are experiencing food insecurity but in rural counties the number can reach 80%, according to Feeding America. The worst food insecurity is in Arizona, New Mexico and across the South, but the San Joaquin Valley has similar numbers. An interactive map shows San Francisco County at 9.6% of residents being food insecure while the number rises to 13.6% in San Joaquin, 14.2% in Stanislaus, 17.7% in Merced, 16.8% in Madera 16.8% and 17% in Fresno. Imperial County has the most insecurity at 21%.

Plea to keep USDA offices open

Valley Sun. Schiff, Valley reps push USDA to keep offices open in Bakersfield, Merced.
Synopsis: The Farm Service Agency office in Bakersfield and 8 other USDA offices are on the chopping block. Sen. Adam Schiff and representatives Adam Gray, Jim Costa and Salud Carbajal have signed a letter demanding those offices stay open. It notes that Valley farmers “produce billions of dollars’ worth of produce” each year; forcing farmers to drive to Lancaster to apply for operating loans or get advice makes no sense.

Ideas for lowering home cost

Politico. Gavin Newsom lays down the law on housing construction.
Synopsis: Decrying a drop in housing permits statewide when he expected a big jump, Gov. Gavin Newsom backed two budget ideas that will end CEQA review of housing in cities and slash new restrictions on building. He put all this in his budget revise because Democrats are squabbling over the details, and he fears nothing will happen. “Enough. This is a crisis. If you care about your kids, you care about getting this done.” Newsom, Buffy Wicks and Scott Weiner all are tapping into author Ezra Klein’s “abundance” movement for solutions. But Chris Hannan of the Trades Council called it “a little reckless.” And Sen. Aisha Wahab says it will create “sweetheart deals for developers” and won’t help create affordable housing.

Cal Matters. Is the secret to housing affordability in CA buried in the building code?
Synopsis: AB 306 would freeze building standards for all new housing through 2031, meaning “slow-growth” cities can’t use housing codes to discourage construction. Assemblymember Nick Schultz of Burbank is concerned that such rules could getting in the way of rebuilding in LA. It passed the Assembly unanimously. Environmentalists say it will stop local jurisdictions from preparing for rising sea levels and unforeseen calamities. Others noted that over the past 15 years, building standards have added $51,000 to $117,000 to the cost of building a single-family home, depending on jurisdiction. One study showed 11% of the cost of an apartment is permit fees. 

Governor ‘firm’ in backing HSR

Merced Sun Star. Newsom commits major funding boost to CA high-speed rail project. 
Synopsis: Despite cuts to education and other state priorities, high-speed rail will see $1 billion a year for the next 20 years from the state’s cap-and-trade program. The program is HSR’s sole source of funding. The first leg of the bullet train is supposed to connect Merced to Bakersfield by 2033. CEO Ian Choudri says Newsom’s “firm” commitment will give the train all it needs to complete the first leg and help attract private investors.

What’s driving suicides?

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus County records a spike in suicides; why are rates elevated? 
Synopsis: Ken Carlson looks at the 8 suicides last month, compared to 3 in March and an average of 5 per month over the past 6 years. Social media sites have been calling attention to the surge. So far, Stanislaus County has had 19 suicides in 2025 – a number nearly 50% higher than the statewide average. Oakdale has the highest rate at 17.2 per 100,000 with Turlock, Patterson and Waterford all above the statewide figures. Oddly, the suicide rate was at its lowest (52) in 2020, the year of the COVID lockdowns. “The first step is calling attention to it,” said Supervisor Buck Condit, who represents Oakdale. The county’s Suicide Prevention Education Coalition meets monthly at Self-Help Credit Union.

Tomato growers will get less

Ag Net West. CA tomato growers and processors agree to reduction per ton from last season.
Synopsis: MorningStar, which supplies over 40% of the processed tomatoes in the US, has agreed to a price of $109 per ton for “conventional production.” That’s $3.50 per ton less than in 2024.

Milk Board gets a new boss

CA Ag Net. Talbot to retire from CA Milk Advisory Board, new CEO selected. 
Synopsis: CEO John Talbot is stepping down from the CMAB in December. He will be replaced by Bob Carroll, the current VP of Business Development. Talbot pushed the creation of the CA Dairy Innovation Center which works with universities to better process, package and promote milk products. It has spawned 50+ startups responsible for 580 new products sold in a dozen countries. The CMAB is funded by CA dairy farmers to focus on increasing demand for CA dairy products.

Fresno gets ‘legendary’ BBQ joint

Fresno Bee. His BBQ is legendary in Bay Area, now Matt Horn will open Fresno restaurant. 
Synopsis: Matt Horn’s barbecue has resulted in nominations for a James Beard Award for his eateries in Oakland, Lafayette and Elk Grove. Now he’s opening a restaurant in Fresno at 4020 N. Cedar – part of the Granite Park sports complex. More important than Michelin stars is that Horn is homegrown. He got into barbecue while cooking in his grandmother’s backyard in Fresno and working part-time for UPS. Burnt ends, brisket, ribs, links – it’s all on the menu.

Regional hospitals fined $31.5M

Fresno Bee. Fresno’s largest hospital group fined $31.5 million in federal kickback probe.
Synopsis: Community Health System and the Physician Network Advantage Inc. violated the False Claims Act by providing wine, liquor, cigars and more in exchange for Medicare patient referrals. CHS operates the massive Community Regional Medical Center and Clovis Community Medical Center. PNA is a subsidiary unit that supports area doctors. In all, 35 doctors got irregular payments from CHS. A special agent involved in the investigation said, “Kickback arrangements aimed at improperly influencing medical decisions will remain a top investigative priority for our agency.” CHS and PNA did not admit guilt in the settlement. Whistleblower Michael Terpening will get $5 million as part of the settlement.

California: Protect these kids

Fresno Bee. CA must protect immigrant children forsaken by President Trump. 
Synopsis: Columnist Tad Weber writes about unaccompanied minors who have been sent to America to protect them from harm in their home countries but now have no legal representation as they try to stay. Save the Children says 129,000 minors have entered the US since 2022, mostly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador – the nations with the highest child homicide rates in the world. The Trump administration is no longer paying the $37 million for lawyers to represent the children in deportation hearings. Writes Tad, since Trump seems “hellbent on removing any manner of fairness from immigration decisions,” the state must step up. 

Smoke is killing us

SF Chronicle. This CA county has the highest death rate for climate change-driven wildfire smoke.
Synopsis: Smoke from the north state’s major wildfires seems to pool in Trinity County, contributing to 5,200 deaths from 2006-20 – which is horrible considering only 15,600 folks live in Trinity County at any one time. “Climate change is here,” said the study’s author. And this is one of its impacts. But smoke and climate impacts hurt people across the state. A chart shows San Joaquin County has 2.18 deaths per 100,000 due to climate change, Madera (4.34) and Fresno (2.83). Tulare was at 5.26.

Lemonade won’t be so pink

LA Times. In-N-Out adjusting menu after FDA bans red dye No. 3.
Synopsis: The color of your ketchup, pink lemonade and strawberry milkshakes at In-N-Out will be slightly altered since the state has banned red dye No. 3. The company will change coloring agents and has also announced it will use ketchup that does not contain high-fructose corn syrup. Fans are casual about the changes. “If it’s healthier, I’m all for it,” said one.

‘Driving in Fresno frightens me’

GV Wire. Fresno, wake up: We’re numb to our DUI problem. 
Synopsis: Millennial View columnist Anthony Haddad writes that “Fresno barely blinked” after a drunken driver stole a Range Rover then crashed it into a car killing two teens last week. “We live in a city where drunk driving isn’t just common, it’s normalized.” He says many people in his age group avoid driving after dark. Last year, FPD made 600 DUI arrests. “We should be livid. Instead, we’re numb.” He urges fellow Millennials to “snap out of it. Being numb is no longer an excuse and being silent makes us complicit.”