Calif. Democrats Introduce Debt-Free College Plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California lawmakers have announced what they call the most ambitious proposal in the country to reduce student loan debt. Assembly Democrats on Monday proposed a plan that would create a new scholarship for students in the University of California and California State University systems. According to the Democrats’ plan the scholarship…MORE

U.S. Lacking in Organic Meat Processors

A report from the Organic Farming Research Foundation says the United States lacks enough organic meat processors. In the National Organic Research Agenda Report, the group concluded that although sales of U.S.-produced organic food exceed $6 billion annually, federal funding into organic production has not kept pace. The report says the reason for the funding…MORE

Fresno Area History Day Winners Heading to California Finals

The 34th Annual Fresno County History Day took place Saturday, March 11th at Fresno Pacific University. 500 students submitted entries for the competition. It was a bittersweet day for Elaine Sotiropolis, who announced on stage that this was her last year with the competition, after being the history day lead for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools for decades.…MORE

CA Assembly Democrats Propose Student Aid Plan

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — California Assembly Democrats are proposing a new plan, aiming to make college more affordable. The $1.6 billion program would expand financial aid, in an effort to help low- and middle-income students graduate debt-free. Students would be required to work 15 hours a week to cover certain expenses; officials estimate over time the…MORE

Survey: Confidence Up Significantly Among Small Business Owners

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — 95 percent of small business owners say their outlook for 2017 is positive. According to the Alternative Board’s latest Small Business Pulse survey, 62 percent plan to create new jobs this year. In addition, more entrepreneurs are gaining confidence, and intend to venture out further. Here at home, the demand for office…MORE

Victims ID’d in Orange Cove Double Homicide

(KMJ)   Alex Esquivel, 27, and Javier Lizaola, 24, have been identified as the victims of a double homicide in Orange Cove. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says the men were found Friday night, deceased, near a bike trail at Railroad Ave. and 11th. They had been shot to death.  So far, detectives have not announced…MORE

Fire Crews Find Human Skull

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles coroner’s investigators will search for more body parts at the scene of a small brush fire where crews discovered a human skull down a steep ravine in Sherman Oaks. The skull was found Saturday by firefighters battling a four-acre blaze on a hillside behind a school. Coroner’s Lt. Larry…MORE

Valley Veteran Says Suicide Bill Will Prove That It’s An “Epidemic”

FRESNO (KMJ) — A local US Army veteran says an Assembly Bill designed to count the number of veteran suicides in California, will open the nation’s eyes of the real impact it has. The proposed legislation – AB242 – has been jointly put forward by State Assemblymen Jim Patterson and Joaquin Arambula. The intention is…MORE

Baby Delivered on California Freeway

(AP) ANTIOCH, CALIF.  A husband delivered his wife’s baby on the side of a California freeway with over-the-phone instructions from a fire department dispatcher. The East Bay Times says (http://bayareane.ws/2lTdgdP ) the call came in Sunday to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Dispatcher Janin Campbell, who has talked others through childbirth during her…MORE

Senate Ag Needing Ethic Paperwork on Perdue

  The Senate Agriculture Committee is getting closer to scheduling a confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue, but still needs some paperwork from the White House. The Washington Post reports needed paperwork was submitted last week, more than seven weeks after President Donald Trump nominated the former Georgia governor to the post at…MORE