Hanford, CA (KMJ) — The Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) is reporting an 84% increase in weekly COVID-19 cases. 112 new cases were reported last week and a projected 300 next week. KCDH is recommending all businesses and citizens take necessary measures to protect themselves and others from the continued transmission of the…… MORE
Vilsack Defends Farmworker Changes
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed proposed migrant farmworker programs during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The hearing was set to talk about an earned pathway to citizenship for migrant farmworkers. Roll Call Dot Com says several Republicans on the committee said they won’t support such legislation without first improving security on the…… MORE
University of California Regents Approve Rare Tuition Hike
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — University of California regents on Thursday approved a multiyear plan to raise tuition and fees at the system’s 10 campuses. The proposed increase is the first since 2017 and had been criticized by opponents as a “forever hike.” University officials say the increase is needed to maintain the quality of…… MORE
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through August 20th. The national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are providing innovative solutions to either traditional or new and emerging challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.…… MORE
Radio host Larry Elder wins lawsuit over California ballot
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP) – UPDATE: Judge orders California to include Larry Elder on the ballot in the California recall election. The judge said tax returns were never required in the first place for a recall as opposed to a primary election. http:// Victory! My next one will be on Sept. 14 at…… MORE
Study: California Wildfire Smoke Could Fuel COVID Spread
Breathing in smoke from wildfires may significantly increase the spread of COVID-19, researchers say. The warning, from a new study of links between smoke-caused air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infections, comes as firefighters battle 80 large wildfires in the western United States. The largest — 300 miles south of Portland, Ore. — covers over 500 square…… MORE
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Fight Organized Retail Theft
LONG BEACH – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed legislation into law with a goal of stopping “ORT” (Organized retail theft) that has seen a rampant rise recently in California. AB 331 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles), extends the sunset date of the crime of organized retail theft, as well as the…… MORE
Mobile Robots for Row Crops
Corteva Agriscience is working to take agricultural robotics to new heights using a Spot robot from Boston Dynamics. The company is among the first in agriculture to use this platform to ‘walk’ between rows of corn, sunflowers and other crops. The robot has potential applications in field testing of both new seed and crop…… MORE
Fresno Unified School Board Member Carol Mills Passes Away From ALS
(KMJ) – Fresno Unified School Board member Terry Slatic confirms to KMJ that fellow FUSD School Board Member Carol Mills died just after midnight Wednesday at a Valley Hospital. Mills said she had overcome a speech impediment and pursued a law degree then became an attorney. She received a B.A. in Political Science from…… MORE
Missing Hiker Found Dead Inside Yosemite National Park
(Photo courtesy: Yosemite National Park) (KMJ) – The search for a Nevada hiker missing in Yosemite National Park ends after his body is found by search teams. The National Park Service says the body of 61-year-old Fred Zalokar of Reno was recovered Tuesday near the summit of Mount Clark. Officials say he set out on…… MORE
