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
Fresno Teen with Autism Wins Grant For Cat House on the Kings With Adoption Story of Kitten from KMJ Parking Lot
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A kitten rescued from the KMJ parking lot is the center of a Fresno teenager’s animal adoption story that earns a lifesaving grant award for The Cat House on the Kings. Pet adopters were invited to share their stories of how their new pet has changed their life in the Petco…… MORE
Feds Push for Better Shipping Service for Agriculture
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack are asking the world’s leading ocean carriers to get rid of disruptions to agricultural shippers of American exports. They want relief for the supply chain disruptions created by COVID-19 by restoring reciprocal treatment of imports and exports and improving service. Ocean carriers have made fewer containers…… MORE
Marin schools send students, staff home with Covid tests for the holidays
With the Omicron variant spreading quickly across the US, several school districts are sending Covid-19 antigen tests home for the holidays to help curb a spike when they return to school in January. The school systems include Marin County Schools in California, Chicago Public Schools, several cities in Massachusetts, and San Diego Unified School District. Home tests are…… MORE
Gov. Newsom Plans to Spend $300M to Stop Smash-and-Grabs
California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to spend $300 million starting in January as part of a new policy to aid small businesses and law enforcement affected by high-profile smash and grab thefts. Newsom plans to add the noted amount to the existing California budget, according to the New York Post. The spending proposal will include…… MORE
