Valley Solutions

Trying to save Medicaid

Fresno Bee. Rep. Adam Gray wants to stave off Medicaid cuts. 
Synopsis: Like many in Washington, Rep. Adam Gray has a plan to save Medicaid and keep our government operational. But he tells the Fresno Bee that Republicans are more interested in removing him from office, not working with him to assure the healthcare needs of 60% of his constituents. He holds out hope that the legislation he has authored will start the conversations needed to find a solution for the Valley and the nation.

‘Rein in pop-up eateries’

Merced Sun Star. Merced restaurant owners calling on city to regulate pop-up food vendors. 
Synopsis: For those who open a restaurant, there are city fees, inspections, leases, workers comp insurance, liability insurance, and so much more to worry about. But a pop-up vendor parks a truck, serves food until it runs out then moves along. Enrique Valencia, Saul Rosas and Arturo Barajas have had enough and are petitioning the city to force pop-ups to get licenses and go through inspections to assure the safety of those who eat the food. They want them to park near bathroom facilities so that food-prep workers can wash up. “I believe in justice and fairness, being fair for everybody,” said Rosas. Police chief Steven Stanfield said his office worries about improperly stored meats, improper sanitation, etc.

A big gulp of Delta water

Maven’s Notebook. The cost and the upside of the ‘big gulp.’
Synopsis: Edward Ring, the water policy director of the CA Policy Center, describes how the state could take a “big gulp” of Delta water during high winter flood flows most years. It’s the “easiest” way to secure more water for the state. Over a 37-year period, it is estimated that 11.3 million acre feet of water goes “uncaptured.” That does not mean all that water is available for human use – most of it would remain in the environment. But if the state could take 5 MAF each year, a lot of water problems would be solved. The key is to dredge Delta channels then crank the Delta pumps up to 10. Most likely, we would need another holding area (like Clifton Court Forebay). While building more reservoirs might help – looking at you, Del Puerto – the best way to store water is in the Valley’s aquifers.
MAD Take: As noted in previous editions, dredging the south Delta is problematic. For years, mercury was used in mining and separating gold from slurry. That mercury was washed down the rivers into the Delta where it settled in the mud. Stirring it up will poison fish first then poison people. Cooling the Delta through deeper channels is a great idea, but only if some form of mobile filtration system accompanies the dredges – and such a thing doesn’t exist.

Fallowing 86,000 Tulare acres

SJV Water. ‘Brutal’ groundwater plan may be lone path for Tulare County growers. 
Synopsis: Reporter Lisa McEwen talks to those who have formed the Tule East Joint Powers Authority GSA, which arose from the wreckage of the old Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency which was put on probation in 2024. Mike George expects half the land in the new district will be fallowed due to lack of water. He’s prepared for “everyone to criticize me.” Of the 162,000 acres in the old East Tule, 86,000 had no irrigation flows and were entirely dependent on pumping. Others on the new board are Matt Konda, Bill Bennett and Jeff Guimarra. They have no illusions about what they’re facing.

Stumping in Fresno

Fresno Bee. CA governor candidate campaigns in Fresno.
Synopsis: Antonio Villaraigosa was in Fresno to talk about immigration, jobs, the price of gas, pistachios and why the Valley matters. The former Assembly speaker and LA mayor is one of about a dozen running for governor – and that’s just the Democrats. While he does not want to criminalize the homeless, he decries the chaos he sees on too many California streets. While he hates the expensive screw-ups and cost overruns, he still supports high-speed rail.

Stockton council: No Tunnel

KCRA. Stockton city council opposes Delta tunnel project.
Synopsis: The Stockton city council voted to oppose the CA Delta Conveyance, aka Tunnel. The council believes rerouting the Sacramento River under the Delta directly to the pumps near Tracy will diminish water quality around Stockton with impacts on drinking water, recreation and farming.

While you were distracted …

Sacramento Bee. Trump’s SEC forgives 3 scammers who bilked Americans out of millions.
Synopsis: Columnist David Mastio writes that while we all were focused on Jimmy Kimmel, the Trump administration quietly pardoned three convicted swindlers who bilked Americans out of $750 million. In fact, they won’t even be required to return the money they stole. Oh, and “they can go right back to the jobs for which they were so morally unfit,” writes Mastio. All were big donors to Trump, and one of them hired Pam Bondi’s brother to make his case. No wonder the Trump Organization has doubled its worth in just 9 months.

Fresno’s got some attitude

Fresnoland. ‘Don’t f--- with Fresno’: City leaders cheer legal victory over Trump admin.
Synopsis: City leaders are cheering the ruling that restored federal grants that had been killed by the Trump administration because the city has a diversity program in its hiring. The leaders are under no illusions, and expect the administration to appeal the ruling. But for now, they’re feeling vindicated. In the meantime, councilmember Nick Richardson delivered his crude but clear message: “Don’t f--k with Fresno.”

Dogs can get Valley Fever

CBS13. UC Davis researchers warn that dogs are also susceptible to Valley Fever.
Synopsis: This summer’s surge in Valley Fever cases might be only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. UC Davis veterinary researchers say dogs also contract the fungal respiratory infection. In fact, dogs are at greater risk because they’re closer to the soil. In the past, there were roughly 1,000 human cases diagnosed each year; this year there will likely be 12,000 cases diagnosed. 

West Nile death in Fresno

Fresno Bee. Fresno County reports first West Nile virus death, nearly 50 cases statewide.
Synopsis: The first West Nile death in Fresno County this year is the third in the state and second in the Valley. The county refuses to disclose the victim’s age, gender, address, zip code or even when the illness was contracted. The other two deaths were in Tulare and Butte counties. West Nile is spread by the Culex tarsalis mosquito and has been present in California for the past 22 years.

Will she win $1 million?

Modesto Bee. Watch as Turlock woman competes for $1 million on new reality game show.
Synopsis: Merna Aodisho, 34, will compete against 99 others to win $1 million in a made-for-TV reality show. She goes against other contestants in “simple games” -- reminiscent of the “squid games,” except nobody dies. Ken Jeong is the host. The show was filmed in the UK. Merna is also working on her entertainment career. You can find the show on Hulu, Spotify and Apple Music. Her competition name is Merna Zso.