Valley Solutions

Valley Solutions offers a daily look at the top headlines appearing on media websites affecting the San Joaquin Valley. It is compiled by Mike Dunbar, who worked in Stockton, Modesto, Merced and Los Banos media for 40 years and later served as Adam Gray’s press secretary when he was in the Assembly. Valley Solutions is brought to readers by Rep. Adam Gray.

ICE: ‘Stop terrorizing our Valley’

Valley Solutions. Gray, Martinez demand ICE stop terrorizing the Valley.
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray and Mayor Victor Martinez gathered with a dozen leaders in Mendota on Friday to express their outrage and dismay over the pre-election ICE surge in the Valley. In front of TV cameras, Republicans and Democrats spoke in unanimity about the damage being done to families and businesses. Gray said he and Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla have demanded that ICE explain the purpose, scope, scale and duration of its operations. “We’re standing together in support of not just Mendota, but our entire San Joaquin Valley,” said Gray. “Federal immigration laws must be enforced, but how they are enforced matters. Enforcing the law does not mean creating fear across the community.” Supervisor Mike Karbassi noted “We are incredibly fortunate that we have Congressman Adam Gray. He’s a new class of congressman who is not afraid of standing up.” But Karbassi’s anger was clear: “This is not the America my parents immigrated to. This is not the America I will allow my children to inherit.” Other speakers included farmers Joe Del Bosque and Don Cameron, Firebaugh Mayor Freddy Valdez, Supervisor Brian Pacheco, and Golden Plains USD Superintendent Felipe Piedra. “We’re standing here together,” said Gray, “saying enough is enough. And we’re going to keep on saying it.”
MAD Take: Invoking terror and creating chaos is the purpose of this ICE surge, not a byproduct.

Fresno Bee. Amid ICE surge, Fresno residents heckle agents as part of a predawn protest ritual. 
Synopsis: Two groups have mobilized protesters for daily demonstrations outside the ICE facility in downtown Fresno. They hurl insults, blow whistles and use a bullhorn as agents arrive or depart, hoping to make them uncomfortable. All of their interactions are being recorded on video, including when agents shine bright lights into their eyes or use pepper spray, as they did Wednesday. Protesters say they are careful to remain on public property. At least one nearby resident yelled at protesters, telling them that they were frightening her child. 

Courts reject voting demands

The Atlantic. Not a single court has approved of the DOJ’s plan to obtain state voter rolls. 
Synopsis: The Trump administration is 0-for-26 in its lawsuits trying to force states to turn over voter rolls. That hasn’t stopped zealous assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon from filing more lawsuits and threatening states like California. Dhillon’s most recent legal rebuke came Friday, when a judge in DC ruled that – per the Constitution – states conduct elections, not the federal government. The judge called the administration’s efforts to insert itself into election a “corruption of the Constitution.”
MAD Take: The point is to foment chaos and suspicion – not to fix problems. If Trump’s minions can disrupt elections, through court proceedings or stationing militia at polling places, they believe they can impact the vote.

18 Days left to vote

Modesto Bee. Duarte repeatedly raises Brandon’s arrest during heated Modesto Senate debate.
Synopsis: Despite being told by moderators she was ignoring the questions being asked of her, state senator candidate Alexandra Duarte preferred to talk about her opponent’s arrest during a debate in Modesto. The arrest occurred in 2015 when Jaron Brandon was a student at UC Merced, and all charges were dropped. Brandon pointed out that Duarte was relying on personal attacks rather than offering analysis and solutions for the district’s problems.

Merced Sun Star. Merced council member under fire for using derogatory term in ‘voter guide.’
Synopsis: Merced city councilmember Fue Xiong posted a 7-page voter guide Tuesday urging residents to vote against Measure B – the 1-cent sales tax increase to fund city priorities and public safety. Xiong wrote: “NO, no more taxes for pigs.” That word didn’t sit well with his opponents or those who support law enforcement. Opponent John Bliss called use of the word “very disconcerting.” Xiong said sales taxes are regressive and will increase the cost of living. Xiong has been criticized for not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance at council meetings.

Speaking out about tax plan

GV Wire. Why you should vote no on Fresno County’s Measure S. 
Synopsis: Publisher Darius Assemi makes the case against continuation of the 40-year-old half-cent sales tax dedicated to improving transportation in Fresno County. One of the area’s largest residential builders, Assemi argues the county needs a transportation tax – just not this version of it. Instead of providing major projects, it focuses on potholes, public transit, safety and oversight. He says it’s the details in Measure S that doom it.

Auditor: Medi-Cal fraud rampant

Cal Matters. CA falls short on Medi-Cal fraud, state report says. 
Synopsis: Auditor Grant Parks says the state is not doing enough to curtail Medi-Cal fraud. Medi-Cal serves 14 million people in California, paying out $200 billion a year. It has long been subject to fraud, waste and abuse, as described in a 2007 state audit. There is little accountability and few safeguards, wrote Parks. For example, he noted two providers who were ineligible to provide care but billed the state $1.6 million in 2025. A “transportation provider” in a single car billed the state for 35 different trips in a single day, purporting to travel 3,000 miles in all. That driver billed the state for $11 million for the year. There are 26,000 providers who have incurred complaints but have not yet been checked. 

Still grieving murdered child

ABC10. Victim’s family faces teen’s first birthday since Stockton mass shooting.
Synopsis: Amari Peterson would have turned 15 on Friday, but he never got the chance. Amari was one of four people killed in a shooting at a party venue in north Stockton on Nov. 29, 2025. Another 13 were wounded. Sheriff’s deputies have yet to make an arrest in the case and told ABC10 they have no updates. “I have flashbacks all day,” said Salida resident Patrick Peterson, Amari’s father. “It’s probably the worst feeling you can endure just to wake up every day and know that your son is gone.”

Valley jobless claims fall

GV Wire. Fresno County unemployment falls as CA rate holds steady. 
Synopsis: Fresno County’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.4% in September from 7.8%, an improvement but still well above the statewide rate of 5.1%. The figures represent about 1,700 more people working during September, with a total workforce of 478,400. Tulare’s unemployment rate fell to 9.8% and Merced to 8.1 from 8.9%.

Tunnel foes repeat appeals

Courthouse News. Delta tunnel opponents renew fight to rework massive water project. 
Synopsis: The Delta Stewardship Council heard appeals to the granting of a certificate of consistency for a massive water project. As designed, the 40-foot diameter tunnel will siphon significant portions of the Sacramento River beneath the Delta to the pumps near Tracy. The Council has the authority to require changes to specific aspects of the project but cannot reject it. Previous appeals resulted in modifications to components of the tunnel plan concerning golden mussel and habitat conditions. Among those appealing were San Joaquin Supervisor Paul Canepa, Yolo County manager Sabrina Synder and Duane Martin of the Twin Cities Group.

Fire strikes dental offices

Merced Golden Wire (Facebook): Fire reported at Western Dental in Turlock early Friday morning.
Synopsis: Turlock Fire responded to a fire at Western Dental at around 5 a.m. Friday morning. The business was closed when the fire broke out and no one was inside the building. The extent of damages has not yet been determined, but the building appeared to be heavily damaged.

Chipponeri Complex celebrated

Modesto Bee. Downey High to celebrate opening of athletic center honoring longtime coach.
Synopsis: The Nick Chipponeri Athletic Complex will open today with two ceremonies on the campus. The 10,300-square-foot building has a weight room, trainers’ rooms, restrooms, concessions and an office for the athletic director. It also has security measures to ensure student safety. Chipponeri graduated from Downey in 1963 then returned as a teacher, coach and athletic director. He has been inducted into athletic halls of fame at MJC, Chico State and Downey High.

Get those shots now!

SF Chronicle. Flu season starting months early in CA; health officials say vaccinate now.
Synopsis: Flu season started early this year, with cases showing up in doctors’ offices and clinics by mid-September. The first flu-related death was reported in the Bay Area last week. The CDC says Region 9 – CA, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii – has the most cases so far in the U.S. CA doctors recommend getting shots to ward off COVID-19, RSV and flu. The RSV shot will keep you safe for years, the others are annual. RFK Jr.’s CDC breaks with the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and several other medical groups and no longer recommends RSV vaccines for all residents.

Thunder takes to the rink

KCRA. Stockton Thunder return expected to boost local economy.
Synopsis: More than 3,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s season-opening game between the Stockton Thunder and Oceanside Shock. Visit Stockton says the team will boost the entire city, as fans visit restaurants and stay in motels. The team plays 28 home games, employing around 100 people in full- and part-time jobs for each game.

What was that bright light?

SF Chronicle. Mysterious, blinding lights were spotted near Mt. Whitney; here’s what happened. 
Synopsis: Out in the desert, where so many weird stories take root, two men from Lone Pine spotted an incredible bright light beaming out from the mountain near Mt. Whitney. Thinking someone might have driven off the road and could be in need of help, they drove up the mountain. The closer they got, the brighter the light. “They were blinding,” said Cayden Thompson. “It was pretty evident then that this is not headlights.” Instead, the beam came from a pair of high-wattage spotlights connected to a generator that had been set up in a pullout. A technician on hand warned the men not to step in front of the lights  because they could cause burns. LA tech firm Reflect Orbital was conducting an experiment in the mountains above Lone Pine. The company wants to hang lights in space, then use mirrors to direct beams onto Earth, simulating sunlight. The company is teaming with China Lake Mountain Rescue of Kern County for the tests. The brightness was more than a full moon, said Thompson, but less than daylight.