Valley Headlines

Farmers in tariff crossfire

Successful Farming. Economist explains why US farmers are caught in crossfire of tariff uncertainty. 
Synopsis: Tariffs, reciprocal tariffs, retaliation tariffs – all are part of the mix impacting farmers according to an Iowa State professor of agriculture economics. Farmers buy machinery, fertilizer and tools made in other countries. Their products are sold in other countries. That means farmers are pinched by tariffs coming and going. Farmers knew Trump would impose tariffs, but most expected a more nuanced approach that didn’t hit every market at the same time. Worse, no one explained it in advance. “It’s hard to play the game if you don’t know the rules,” said Prof. Chad Hart. While corn prices have not yet fallen, the professor says, “the longer this uncertainty holds out there, other countries will adjust and find other places to source what they look to the US for now.” He pointed out that when the US put tariffs on corn sold in China, the Chinese started buying corn (and other products) from Brazil.

Gray proposes tariff remedy

Ag Net West. Proposed bill would require Congressional approval before new ag tariffs.
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray has introduced a bill to protect American farmers from economic harm caused by retaliatory tariffs – the Stop Raising Prices on Food Act. The bill would require the President to follow the rules set out in the Constitution and get Congressional approval before placing tariffs on countries that are major buyers of US ag products – such as China, Canada, Mexico and Japan. Gray’s action follows data from the USDA that shows farmers lost $683 million from the Trump tariffs of 2018. Nationwide, American farmers lost $27 billion in export value from 2018-19.

Kerman News. Congressman calls for ag tariff protection.
Synopsis: Story explains Rep. Adam Gray’s call to return the nation’s tariff authority to the Congress. “I represent California’s San Joaquin Valley, the world’s largest agricultural region. The President’s recent announcement of tariffs on our global trade partners poses a serious risk to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and across the country.”

State sues over Trump Tariffs

Cal Matters. Newsom takes on Trump over tariffs he says are hurting CA.
Synopsis: Alexei Koseff focuses on the impact of tariffs on CA’s budget, as laid out by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday in Ceres. California’s lawsuit says the president lacks the Constitutional authority to unilaterally impose tariffs. The Trump Tariffs are creating “toxic uncertainty” for CA more than any other state. “This is recklessness at another level. The geopolitical impacts are outsized. The trade impacts are outsized. No rationale, no plan, no conscience to what it’s doing to real people.” The tariffs have driven up the cost of building materials just as thousands of people are trying to rebuild from the Eaton and Palisades fires in LA. A White House spokesman offered deflection, mentioning CA crime, homelessness and unaffordability but nothing about the price of cars. The lawsuit notes the Emergency Economic Powers Act cited by Trump as the basis of his tariff authority does NOT give him such power. A Stanford law professor says CA’s case has merit, but says the courts are unlikely to limit the power Trump has seized. Newsom called Trump’s willingness to carve out tariff exemptions for donors “the personification of corruption. How in the hell are we sitting and letting this happen?”

Politico. California Playbook: Biz holds Bonta at arm’s length.
Synopsis: AG Rob Bonta said he consulted with the CA Chamber of Commerce and Pacific Merchant Shipping Assn in advance of filing his tariff lawsuit, but both organizations are refusing comment. The CA Retailers Assn said the lawsuit is “the same thing Trump is doing” and will increase cost to business, but didn’t say how. The Shipping Association was more supportive, offering to “provide them with support that they need for this type of defense of our infrastructure and our jobs and our economy.”

More FFA awards in Valley

CA Ag Net. Proficiency Award winners at 97^th state FFA Leadership Conference.
Synopsis: Forty-four FFA members were celebrated as winners in the Supervised Agricultural Experience program at the statewide conference, April 3-6. The wins qualify them to compete on the national level. Several are from the Valley. Communications: Saray Madreiz Alcaraz, Madera. Ag Mechanics Repair: Alden Hansard, Atwater. Dairy Entrepreneurship: Mykell Mull, Chowchilla. Dairy Production Placement: Lauren Silveira, Chowchilla. Diversified Crop Production: Owen Baffunno, Los Banos. Diversified Horticulture: Sophia Sisil, Madera-Liberty. Goat Production: Mathew Machado, Madera. Landscape Installation, Christopher Tornero, Madera. Small Animal Production: Rebekah Villalobos, Atwater. Swine Production Placement: Grace Curry, Hughson.

Fun stuff coming soon

Modesto Bee. Community celebration set for return to Modesto, packed with activities.
Synopsis: Earth Day is this weekend at Graceada Park in Modesto; expect to pet puppies, hear music, play trivia and shake hands with city council members. Other interesting activities: JazzReach’s concert at the Gallo on April 25, and an “Emerging Artists” exhibit at the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery on J.

Westside Connect. Motors on Main will be pulling into downtown Gustine.
Synopsis: The Victor Medeiros Memorial Car & Motorcycle Show – aka, Motors on Main -- will be April 26 in Gustine. The show honors classic car afficionado Victor, who died in 2020, and benefits Jessica’s House in Turlock.

UC Merced to play for title

Merced County Times. UC Merced men’s volleyball team on way to national championships.
Synopsis: The Golden Bobcats defeated top-seeded Westcliff University 3-1 in the Gallo Gym for the Cal-Pacific Conference Tourney title last week. It gave UC Merced an automatic berth in the NAIA championship tourney April 29-May 3 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jared Guglielmana scored the final point and his 11^th spike. He also had 11 digs for his second double-double.

Maybe DC needs a gazebo

Ceres Courier. Lopez’s congressional quest draws criticism from locals.
Synopsis: Columnist Jeff Benziger writes about Mayor Javier Lopez’s early, early, early entry into an election that is 19 months away. Benziger quotes lots of folks in the community. Jessica Pittman: “Maybe he can build more gazebos.” Jae Deering: “It’s unfortunate that he is not what he claims to be.” Stan Lane: “He can’t run the city of Ceres, let alone be a Congressman. What’s he done for the city of Ceres besides a $500,000 gazebo?” There’s more, but Debi Bradford-Sasser summed it up: “Never!” … Later in his column, Benziger calls Adam Gray “panicky” for trying to require Trump to get Congressional approval before imposing tariffs (as required by the Constitution). Then Benziger quotes Arthur Laffer – yes, the same economist who created the Laffer curve used to justify trickle-down tax breaks for the wealthy – lauding the Trump Tariffs.

Modesto Bee. Rep. McClintock’s Modesto office remains closed; some constituents ask why.
Synopsis: Tom McClintock’s Modesto office appears to be closed in response to constituents having gathered outside to protest his vote on the SAVE Act. If there are plans to reopen it, McClintock won’t say. Worse, those calling his DC office get no answer. McClintock’s Modesto rep, Bob Phelan, died earlier this year, and district manager Alfredo Miranda is now working for a state senator.

Newman’s one-woman protest

Westside Connect. One-woman protest staged in Newman for ‘Hands Off!’
Synopsis: Rachel Healy Bell made a sign that reads “Defend the Constitution,” put on her pink Crocs and made Newman one of the 1,300 cities across America to protest Donald Trump’s attempts to gut Medicaid and shut down Social Security offices. She chose to stay in Newman because she worried no one else would be there to make a statement. She refused to embrace any political party, but said she is “on the side of the Constitution and the law, not on the side of one person.” Most of the reactions she got were positive.

Fiona is county’s Top Dog

Ceres Courier. Ceres officer, canine perform well at trials.
Synopsis: Officer Kevin Gallenkamp and his partner Fiona finished first overall in the Stanislaus Sheriff’s K9 Trials. In five categories, they finished with a first (overall patrol), two seconds, a fourth and a fifth and the Top Dog title.

Bad dogs getting bolder

CBS 13. 6 gray wolf attacks on cattle confirmed over 16 days at Plumas County ranch.
Synopsis: Authorities have confirmed 6 attacks on cattle over the last 16 days. The latest involved two wolves attacking a calf during the day at DS Ranches on Hwy 49 in Plumas County. The calf’s injuries were too severe for survival. The Sheriff’s Office says wolves are becoming increasingly comfortable around humans “due to a lack of effective deterrence,” adding, “These wolf attacks are not happening in the backcountry wilderness; they are happening where people live, work and raise livestock.” The SO is “suggesting” the CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife address the issue.

Some good school news

Firebaugh Mendota Journal. Hold groundbreaking for aquatic center.
Synopsis: The Golden Plains Unified School District turned shovels to start the construction of a new $13.5 million aquatic center at Tranquility High. It will have a 10-lane pool, replacing a pool that closed in 2017.

Kerman News. Goldenrod named Distinguished School.
Synopsis: State Superintendent Tony Thurman named Kerman’s Goldenrod Elementary one of the state’s best, a list that includes 336 schools.

Fresh cut, new life

Modesto Bee. Hope from a haircut: Meet the Modesto barber making a difference.
Synopsis: Reporter Maria Figueroa writes about Paul “Sammy” Samsin, who remembers sleeping on the streets of Oakland. He also remembers the generosity of those who helped him – including giving him a haircut. “I got blessed so much that I feel like it’s my duty right now.” He cuts hair at the transit center on Ninth and in parks around town whenever he has the opportunity. Instead of a barber’s chair, he uses what’s available -- bus benches, picnic tables, stoops. Once Samsin addressed his bipolar condition, he turned around his life. “The first step to bouncing back is a fresh cut. When you get a fresh cut, you’re feeling good, you’re feeling confident, you want to network, you want to talk to people, you want to take initiative and move forward.” His paid job is at Cali’s Finest Barber Shop on Standiford.