An Irvine, California, man has been arrested after federal authorities said he fraudulently received $5 million in coronavirus relief funds to purchase luxurious cars and go on expensive vacations, USA Today reported over the weekend. Mustafa Qadiri obtained the money from Payment Protection Program after he said he owned 4 businesses, but a federal indictment said…… MORE
Coalition For Rejoining Pacific Trade Group
A bipartisan coalition of House and Senate members sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai about the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Hagstrom Report says the letter points out that President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement was wrong and asks her to investigate the “pros and cons of the Comprehensive and Progressive…… MORE
Biden’s America the Beautiful & Farming
The Biden administration announced its so-called 30×30 plan, renamed America the Beautiful proposal. The plan seeks to collaboratively work to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendation report outlines a locally-led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by…… MORE
Calif. Fire Victims See Little Payout From Settlement
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – An investigation found that a trust set up to help compensate victims of deadly California wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric equipment paid survivors just $7 million last year in its first year of operation, while racking up $51 million in overhead. The trust was approved by a federal judge…… MORE
Candidate John Cox Stumping in the Valley in His “Meet the Beast” Bus Tour to Oust Gov. Newsom
Fresno, CA (KMJ) – Candidate John Cox was stumping for votes on Thursday in the Valley. Cox made stops in Fresno in the morning and in Kern County Thursday afternoon. “The people of this state have had enough,” Cox said while speaking in front of the Flying J in Shafter as part of his “Meet…… MORE
United Airlines Adds Flight from Fresno to Denver
FRESNO, CA— United Airlines announced Thursday it is expanding its flight service from Fresno to Denver. The airline said there will be a 1:30 p.m. daily mainline flight on 126-seat plane out of Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). Regional jet service continues to operate two daily United flights between Fresno and Denver. United also said…… MORE
Farmers Union Advocates Climate Action
National Farmers Union members are meeting with lawmakers to advocate legislative solutions to address climate change. NFU members are participating in the virtual meetings this week and next with members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. They are pushing for voluntary, incentive-based programs and market initiatives that help farmers implement climate-friendly practices and…… MORE
Fresno County Sheriff Orders Vaccine Flown to Northern California
(Photo courtesy: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office) (KMJ) – Fresno County’s Sheriff get permission from health officials to fly surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses to Northern California. And the Sheriff’s Office released a statement detailing how this life-saving mission came to be: Tuesday, Sierra Pacific Orthopedics (SPOC) contacted Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims regarding transportation suggestions for…… MORE
Giant Sequoia Still Smoldering from 2020 Calif. Wildfire
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) – A giant sequoia has been found smoldering and smoking in a part of Sequoia National Park that burned in one of California’s huge wildfires last year. The National Park Service said Wednesday that the cause appears to be the 2020 Castle Fire, which burned more than 270 square miles…… MORE
Appeals Court Upholds Newsom’s Emergency Powers Amid Pandemic
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A California appeals court has upheld Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic. Three judges from the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento on Wednesday overturned a lower court saying Newsom overstepped his authority. The case emerged from a lawsuit by two Republican state legislators. They said Newsom…… MORE
