Last week, the State of California took its first steps to fully ban the harmful pesticide chlorpyrifos that can cause neurological problems and developmental delays in children. The ban means, however, that growers have to find alternatives for managing insects. Finding those alternatives is the goal of a new statewide …
Read More »Labor Icon Dolores Huerta Arrested While Supporting A Wage Increase For Fresno County Caregivers
High-profile workers rights activist Dolores Huerta was one of several people cited with misdemeanor charges while protesting at a Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting today. The 89-year-old who helped establish the National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez was calling for higher wages for caregivers. Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputies cited …
Read More »‘Two Buck Chuck & The Marlboro Man’ – Author Frank Bergon’s Tales of The San Joaquin Valley
Western novelist and historian Frank Bergon’s recently published nonfiction book Two Buck Chuck and The Marlboro Man: The New Old West gives readers an intimate portrayal of 12 small town westerners, many of whom he met growing up in Madera. From cowboys to writers, dust bowl migrants to farmers and …
Read More »Weekend – Miwuk Nation Keeps Traditions Alive At Annual Big Time Gathering In Yosemite
And now for The Weekend — the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation is having its annual Big Time Gathering in Yosemite National Park on Saturday and Sunday. FM89’s News Director Alice Daniel spoke about it with Bill Leonard, chairman of the tribe. He starts by saying a lot of other tribes …
Read More »Fresno Mayoral Candidates File Semi-Annual Campaign Disclosures
Late last month, those hoping for the City of Fresno’s top job filed their semi-annual campaign disclosures, showing the cash campaigns have on hand up until the end of June, and where it came from. The adage is that those who raise and spend the most money often win elections. …
Read More »Fresno Diocese Rolls Out Survivor Compensation Program. Lawyers Claim It’s Because Of Proposed Law
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno has been under pressure the last few months to release its own list of priests who have been acccused of sexual abuse. Although a list hasn’t been released yet, the diocese is rolling out a settlement program for survivors. Some attorneys who represent survivors …
Read More »Between A Highway And An Oilfield, Lost Hills Residents Question Their Air Quality
When Saul Ruiz heard about the McKittrick oil seep, which first occurred in May and is now being cleaned up by Chevron and state agencies, his first reaction was worry: Worry for the McKittrick residents and environment nearby, but also for residents of other similar communities. “My worry was that …
Read More »State Utilities Regulator Wants Customer Input About PG&E’s Proposed Rate Increase
The California Public Utilities Commission is holding forums around the state to get feedback from Pacific Gas & Electric customers about the company’s proposed rate hike. It’s a process most utilities undergo every three years. PG&E is asking its regulator, the CPUC, to approve a rate increase that would add …
Read More »In Response To Mass Shootings, Tulare County Sheriff Says CCW Holders Could Help
A Central Valley Sheriff is encouraging carriers of concealed weapons to use their guns in the event of an active shooter or other threat. It started when Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreax decided he was tired of hearing about active shooters taking innocent lives. “They’re going into situations where the …
Read More »NFL Players Help Make Bail For Bakersfield Activist Detained After Reading Poem Critical Of ICE
A Bakersfield College student and farmworker who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after publicly reading a poem critical of the agency was released Monday afternoon after two NFL players and immigration advocacy organizations posted his bail. After ICE arrested Jose Bello on May 15, his bond was set …
Read More »Community Organizer Leads Efforts To Recall FUSD Trustee Terry Slatic
We’ve just heard from Fresno Unified Trustees Terry Slatic and Veva Islas about the board’s motion to censure Slatic. But there’s also a group of concerned citizens and parents who want Slatic to be recalled from the board, in part because Bullard High School students say he threatened to kick …
Read More »In The Studio: FUSD Trustees Veva Islas And Terry Slatic On Slatic’s Censure
The Fresno Unified School District board voted 6-0 this week to censure board member Terry Slatic for unethical conduct. The censure means Slatic can’t attend internal staff meetings and he must notify school administrators before visiting district campuses. He’ll also need an escort. And before he takes on leadership roles …
Read More »Weekend – Bears, Treefrogs, Bighorn Sheep: Explore The Sounds of Sequoia-Kings Canyon From Home
And now it’s time for the weekend. We’re taking you on an armchair listening tour of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Scientists, park rangers and others have recorded 265 sounds in the park that are now accessible to the public on the national parks website. It’s called the Soundscape …
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