Shark Kills Surfer at Morro Bay

A male surfer was killed in a shark attack in Morro Bay, California, on Christmas Eve, the Morro Bay Harbor Department confirmed to CNN. “Harbor, Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of a male victim unresponsive on the beach after he was pulled from the water suffering from an apparent shark attack,” the…MORE

Cal Farmers Lose Billions Over Supply Chain Challenges

After already struggling with drought, California farmers have lost big overseas sales numbers because of a serious shortage of shipping containers brought on by COVID-19. A study from the University of California-Davis says the state’s farm belt lost $2.1 billion in exports during a five-month stretch this year because of “containergeddon.” A University of Connecticut…MORE

Governor Newsom Announces New COVID-19 Actions, Testing & Booster Requirements 

PRESS RELEASE: SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced new booster requirements and testing measures to better protect all Californians as the Omicron variant becomes the dominant COVID-19 strain in the nation. The COVID-19 booster requirement for health care workers will mitigate potential staffing shortages while helping to safeguard the state’s hospital capacity and protect the health…MORE

Organic Deadline Extended

The Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for farmers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for pandemic assistance. The Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program helps cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses is now February 4, 2022, rather than the…MORE

Booster Mandate Issued for All Calif. Healthcare Workers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California will require health care workers to have coronavirus booster shots to ensure hospitals are prepared for a surge in cases as the more-transmissible omicron variant spreads. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the move Tuesday and plans to provide more details Wednesday. COVID-related hospitalizations have been rising slowly in California, although it’s…MORE

Local Baseball Standout Killed in Crash

Jason “JJ” Sanchez was a star pitcher at Immanuel High in Reedley and then later on at Fresno City College before signing with Westcliff University in Southern California. He was a captain on the Warriors team. The school issued a statement after his passing from an auto crash on Monday saying they’re “Heartbroken, calling him…MORE

EPA Extends Pesticide Applicator Certification Plans

The Environmental Protection Agency recently extended the expiration deadline for pesticide applicators certification plans. The 2017 Certification of Pesticide Applicators final rule had set stronger standards for people who apply restricted-use pesticides and required authorities with existing certification plans to submit proposed modifications by March of last year to comply with the updated federal standards.…MORE

Calif. Dem. Rep. Roybal-Allard Retiring

Democratic Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard of California announced on Monday that she would not run for reelection next year, becoming the latest House Democrat to decide not to seek another term. The congresswoman called representing 40th Congressional District constituents “the single most distinguished honor of (her) life” in a statement announcing her decision. “After thirty years…MORE

6.2 Mag. Quake Shakes Northern Calif.

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northern California rattled a wide swath of the state shortly after noon local time, according to data from the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred just off Cape Mendocino near Humboldt County and was felt as far away as San Francisco and Chico, California. “It was slow…MORE