In January 2018, the Tulare County City of Woodlake became home to the San Joaquin Valley’s first-ever recreational marijuana dispensary. Two other businesses, a large-scale cultivator and extract manufacturer, opened in 2019. As of early 2020, the city’s tax revenue generated by the industry topped $ 800,000—far more than the …
Read More »Farmers Received $22 Billion In Subsidies In 2019 – Here’s Why Some Economists Are Concerned
Farmers across the country have had a tough few years, between drought and climate change, evolving regulations, and of course, tariffs due to the Trump administration’s escalating trade war abroad. In one big way, however, 2019 was a good year for agriculture: Farmers received their largest subsidies in over a …
Read More »Fresno County, Assemi Family Settle Over Unpermitted Pistachio Plant Development
Fresno County has settled with a family of pistachio growers over unpermitted building on what the family contends will be the largest pistachio plant in the world. The County issued permits back in September to Ventana South, LLC and Touchstone PIstachio, LLC for the construction of 49 siloes in Cantua …
Read More »Charges Filed, Seventh Suspect Arrested For Southeast Fresno Mass Shooting
A seventh suspect was arrested in relation to the mass shooting at a Southeast Fresno house party in November that left four dead and six wounded. Ger Lee of Fresno is being held in Minnesota pending an extradition hearing. In a press release Thursday, the Fresno County District Attorney’s office …
Read More »Fresno Police Arrest Six Suspects Related To November Mass Shooting
Fresno Police announced today that they have arrested six suspects related to the November 17 mass shooting at a house party in Southeast Fresno that left four men dead. Although police confirmed the shooting was gang related, none of the victims themselves were gang members. The six arrested are Billy …
Read More »A Migrant Camp Once Home To Dust Bowl Refugees Now Shelters Homeless Women
This year is the 80th anniversary of John Steinbeck’s book, “The Grapes of Wrath.” In his novel, Steinbeck profiles the Joad family as they travel from Oklahoma to California, escaping the Dust Bowl, in search of work. Many families made this journey during the Depression era. In some communities, these …
Read More »Milken Educator Katie McQuone Gives Sunnyside Students A Voice In Her Video Production Classes
Teachers often give their time and money in ways that are hard to quantify. But this year, one Fresno teacher has been recognized by the Milken Family Foundation for her work with the Sunnyside High School Video Production Academy. Katie McQuone is one of 40 teachers nationwide to receive this …
Read More »In The Studio: Community Leaders On Giving, Now And Beyond The Holiday Season
Valley residents give back to their communities in a variety of ways, ranging from donations and philanthropy to mentoring and volunteering within the community. Collectively, these volunteer efforts not only make a huge difference in the lives of others, but can also benefit those offering their time and money. In …
Read More »After A Million Solar Roofs, Former State Governors Call For A Million Solar Batteries
Two former governors were in Clovis today to celebrate renewable energy milestones. At Clovis Unified’s Buchanan High School, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown were presented with the one-millionth solar panel to go on a roof in California. The panel in question was about the height of a door, and double …
Read More »Parents Of Joaquin Arambula Donate $100,000 To Group Opposing Dyer Mayoral Campaign
The family of a local legislator has made significant donations to a committee formed to oppose the mayoral campaign of former Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer. Campaign filings show that between October and November, Juan and Amy Arambula, the parents of Fresno County Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, donated nearly $ 100,000 …
Read More »Swede Fest! No, It’s Not A Scandanavian Film Festival
And now for the Weekend, it’s time for Fresno’s Annual Swede Fest where amateurs and sometimes expert filmmakers take scenes from their favorite movies and remake them with friends and family using lots of household props. We hear from one of the founders, Roque Rodriquez. https://www.kvpr.org/sites/kvpr/files/styles/big_story/public/201912/swedefest.jpg
Read More »Mass Shooting Victim And Well Known Singer Xy Lee Honored At Three-Day Funeral
At the Fresno Fairgrounds inside the Industrial Education building, a large photo of Xy Lee holding a guitar hung above a stage. Beneath it, family and friends gathered around an open casket. There were floral arrangements in the shape of a guitar and a huge heart. “Right now, they are …
Read More »In The Studio: Making College Work After Foster Care
Many students struggle to transition from high school to college, but that challenge is intensified for students coming out of the foster care system. At UC Merced, the Guardian Scholars program provides resources for these students that allow them to reach graduation at rates approaching the general student body. FM89’s …
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