Valley Headlines

Feds try to kill high-speed rail

SF Chronicle. Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funds for CA high-speed rail.
Synopsis: The Trump administration pulled $4 billion that had been designated for CA high-speed rail on Wednesday morning. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News: “We don’t want to invest in boondoggles.” The state has 30 days to protest, but it is certain the protest will be rejected. The head of railways said the proposed 800-mile system is now “a 119-mile track to nowhere.” State Sen. Scott Weiner called the move “completely hostile” and called the train a “transformative public infrastructure project.”
MAD Note: The 119-mile segment under construction stretches from just north of Bakersfield to Merced. That’s “nowhere” to the administration, but the real world to us.

Fox26. CA congressman criticizes Trump for cutting high-speed rail funds. 
Synopsis: Rep. Jim Costa was first out of the box to protest the loss of $4 billion in federal funds for high-speed rail. “This undermines 15,000 jobs created, growing local economies and connecting both rural and urban communities alike,” said Costa. He said Donald Trump is “stuck the past” as Californians focus on building a cleaner, more connected future through modern rail.

Ceres dips into reserves

Ceres Courier. City dipping into reserves by $2M to balance budget. 
Synopsis: The loss of federal ARPA funds left a pothole in the Ceres city budget. The city will spend $29.5 million but take in only $27.5M. The balance will come from the city’s rainy-day fund, according to finance director Shannon Ensenwein. Residents took aim at the county charge of $881K for animal control as a place to cut expenses. Another suggested selling the Clinton Whitmore Mansion. Cerina Otero said the council should get rid of its health insurance. Mayor Javier Lopez, who has announced he is running for Congress in 2026, was not quoted.

Attack time for GOP

Politico. CA Playbook.
Synopsis: Midway through the daily political roundup is an item about the NRCC’s efforts to convince Spanish-speaking voters that President Trump’s “Big Beautiful (budget) Bill” is a good idea and that they should vote against Democrats who disagree. The NRCC’s targets: Adam Gray (CA 13), Josh Harder (9), Jim Costa (21) and Raul Ruiz (25). Democrats respond by pointing to cuts to Medi-Cal, nursing homes, and prenatal programs for young mothers will be used to fund windfalls for the richest Americans.

Merced Sun Star. Republicans’ Spanish-language ad criticizes Democrat on tax vote; is it fair?
Synopsis: Reporter David Lightman writes about the NRCC’s latest Spanish-language ad that characterizes Adam Gray’s vote against the “Big Beautiful (budget) Bill” as a vote for higher taxes. Lightman points out the bill will make huge cuts to Medicaid, clean-energy incentives, nutrition support for families and other services. “I voted for the Central Valley,” said Gray, and against cutting “vital assistance to American families in favor of handouts for special interests.” The story quotes one political consultant saying it’s a mistake not to counter misinformation. But another said, “The NRCC can lie about their bill, but voters know Republicans aren’t fighting for them – and they’ll re-elect Congressman Gray in 2026.” Every Democrat in Congress and 2 Republicans voted against the bill, which would provide $90,000 tax cuts to those already earning $1 million a year.

McClintock offers opinions

Turlock Journal. Rep. McClintock talks forest management, Yosemite and immigration. 
Synopsis: Tom McClintock, the Elk Grove resident who represents a portion of Stanislaus County, sat down with Joe Cortez and Kristina Hacker for a Q&A. He touched on forestry, reservations at Yosemite, and immigration. McClintock blamed the Biden administration for not fixing immigration, though rounding up people while they’re working doesn’t seem like an actual fix. McClintock bristled when asked if the current approach included “cruelty.” He said he closed his office to the public because of “crowds that were threatening our staff.” He blames George Soros for the demonstrations outside his office and insists he doesn’t “say crazy things.”

Food funds cut, demand soars

Merced Sun Star. Merced Food Bank faces state budget cut amid soaring local demand.
Synopsis: Bill Gibbs, executive director of the Merced County Food Bank, writes 41,000 households are “food insecure” in Merced County – an increase of 17% from 2023. Yet, the state is proposing a 90% cut to CalFood programs as the federal government’s Big Beautiful (budget) Bill would cut SNAP programs that feed kids. Gibbs says it is essential the state not cut CalFood below $60 million.

Hannah’s House opens at Mission

KCRA (Sacramento). ‘Hannah’s House’ shelter opens its doors to homeless women, children. 
Synopsis: The new women’s facility at Modesto Gospel Mission has 60 new beds to help women get their lives back on track and, hopefully, rebuild shattered families. Those staying at the facility get health care, counseling and have access to a kitchen, bathrooms, family rooms, classes and a prayer room. Most are trying to overcome addiction.

Water worries prominent farmer

Ag Net West. Stuart Woolf on CA water crisis: ‘A losing proposition’ for agriculture.
Synopsis: Stuart Woolf, one of the most respected (and largest) farmers in CA, sat for a Q&A and talked a lot about water. The man who brought blue agave to the Valley was not exactly in a good mood. He says he is constantly worrying about water, and the actions of state legislators are making it worse. He says they’re unwilling to invest in the water infrastructure needed to keep agriculture prosperous. He’s not anti-environment, but all of the burden for protecting the planet has been shifted to farmers – and that’s not fair.

Water still not fit to drink

Modesto Bee. Uranium, nitrate pollute drinking water in homes near Tuolumne River.
Synopsis: Reporter Kathleen Quinn heads to the bluffs overlooking the Tuolumne River and the old county landfill off Geer Road where she talks to residents of the Riverview Mobile Home Estates. They’ve been hauling in drinking water for at least 20 years due to groundwater contamination. The water in their wells has too much uranium from natural sources and nitrate residue from farming. There are ways to remove both, but that kind of filtration is extremely expensive. It would cost $12 million to connect the homes to Hughson’s water system, and that system is out of state compliance for lead, copper and 1,2,3 TCP. Interestingly, the county’s newest water-treatment facility – run by Turlock Irrigation District – is within sight of the trailer park. “But none of that treated water is currently accessible to the park.”

Chowchilla dodges sanctions

SJV Water. Chowchilla groundwater subbasin earns ‘get out of jail card’ from State Water Board.
Synopsis: The state water board assigned Chowchilla to the purview of DWR – which means it will stay off probation and avoid oversight from water board regulators. Engagement from Chowchilla’s four partner agencies assured the board of good intentions, said vice chair Dorene D’Adamo. More practically, it means Chowchilla farmers avoid having to pay $300 per well and $20 per acre foot of water pumped. Next, DWR will do a “thorough review” of Chowchilla’s plan to reach sustainable pumping levels in 5 years. In the past 5 years, Chowchilla has seen 60 inches of subsidence. Six other Valley subbasins are out of compliance with directives to reach sustainability or face fees and fines.

A year later, schools improve

Merced Sun Star. Merced City Schools superintendent reflects on first year in district.
Synopsis: Julianna Stocking came back to Merced a year ago to lead the district out of turmoil created by the rapid turnover in the job. In this Q&A she celebrates the district’s improving literacy rates and thanks the community for passing Measure O for needed improvements. The biggest challenge, she said, is overcoming the instability created by having four superintendents in five years.

Sick little girl can stay

LA Times. Bakersfield girl who faced deportation and loss of lifesaving care allowed to stay in US. 
Synopsis: The 4-year-old girl with a rare medical condition that cannot be treated in Mexico has been granted humanitarian protection from deportation after the LA Times called attention to her case. She entered the country legally and was so profoundly ill that border-security workers rushed her to the Children’s Hospital of LA, which still oversees her treatment. The Trump administration rescinded her permission to stay, ordering her family back to Mexico. Her doctors spoke up, saying she could die within days if removed from their care. Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff along with 36 representatives demanded the Dept of Homeland Security reinstate the family’s permission to stay.

Turlock shelter: Someone cares

Turlock Journal. Governor takes city council to task over homeless shelter.
Synopsis: Gov. Gavin Newsom is demanding an update on Turlock’s plans to address homelessness, specifically how the city will keep the We Care Shelter in operation. Newsom sent a letter, dated May 9, to Mayor Amy Bublak and the city council following their 3-2 vote against providing even $1, a token that would have resulted in a state grant for $267,000 to keep the facility in operation. We Care is “limping along” with grants from various local sources – including $50K from the Stanislaus Community Foundation, $20K from United Way and an unknown amount from Kaiser. In his letter, Newsom also noted the city’s Housing Element is a year overdue. That sent city attorney George Petrulakis and interim city manager Sue Borrego into in closed session.

Another track controversy

SF Chronicle. CA high school track star stripped of state title over post-race celebration.
Synopsis: Clara Adams, a sophomore “phenom” from Salinas, was disqualified after winning the 400-meter state championship. She ran off the track to celebrate with her coach and father, who handed her a fire extinguisher which she used to spray her shoes – mimicking a celebration by Olympian Maurice Greene when he won a gold medal. The crowd cheered, but CIF officials were not amused and barred her from the podium then kicked her out of the meet. She had been the top qualifier in the 200 and would likely have won that medal too if allowed to run. “That was our moment of celebration, and CIF officials made it about them,” said her dad. Greene even chimed in, saying her win should be reinstated.

Fox26. Father of disqualified Salinas track star talks to Fox26, athlete invited to Nike event.
Synopsis: This story never mentions his name, but David Adams said Nike has invited his daughter to compete in its prestigious event in Oregon in a few weeks. Meanwhile, a change.org petition is demanding the CIF reverse its action and has already gotten thousands of signatures.