China is a long way from meeting the commitments in its trade deal with the U.S. Farm Progress.com says the latest data shows the Southeast Asian nation has imported just over half the goods it promised to buy from America in the Phase One Trade Agreement. Over the first 11 months of the year,…… MORE
Crime Stoppers Tips Help Nab Fresno Robbery Suspect
(Photo courtesy: Fresno Police Department) (KMJ) – The Fresno Police Department says tips made to Valley Crime Stoppers helped investigators nab a commercial robbery suspect. Around 12:30 a.m. December 3rd, Investigator say 32-year old Gabriel Guzman walked into the Johnny Quick at Spruce and Herndon in the Northwestern part of the city and acted like…… MORE
Newsom Unveils Plan to Reopen In-Person Schools
Press Release from Gov. Newsom’s office Governor Newsom Unveils California’s Safe Schools for All Plan Governor outlines framework to continue and expand safe in-person instruction in early spring, including a $2 billion early action proposal to support school safety measures Governor’s plan is built on four pillars: Funding to Support Safe Reopening; Safety & Mitigation Measures for Classrooms; Hands-on…… MORE
Backyard chickens booming in Calif. due to Covid
ROSS, Calif. (AP) – The coronavirus pandemic is coming home to roost in America’s backyards. Forced to hunker down at home, more people are setting up coops and raising their own chickens, which provide an earthy hobby, animal companionship and a steady supply of fresh eggs. Amateur chicken-keeping has been growing in popularity in recent…… MORE
New California laws address virus, fires, law enforcement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Despite the coronavirus pandemic forcing California state lawmakers to twice shut down their sessions for weeks at a time, they still managed to pass hundreds of bills. Most take effect with the new year. One new law requires an investigation by the state attorney general any time police kill an unarmed…… MORE
Court Rejects Prop 12 Challenge
The North American Meat Institute’s challenge to California’s Prop 12 is unsuccessful once again. The U.S. Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit rejected the institute’s challenge to the California 2018 ballot initiative that imposes new standards for animal housing. The court decision confirms an initial judgment in October. California voters approved the Prevention…… MORE
Federal Judge Rejects H-2A Program Changes
A federal court in Fresno issued a preliminary injunction against the Labor Department’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those that use the H-2A Guestworker Program. Fruit and Nut Grower News says the freeze would effectively lower the wages of several hundred thousand guest farm workers employed by U.S. farmers. A preliminary injunction…… MORE
Effective date delayed for California’s flavored tobacco ban
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California state officials have agreed to delay the effective date of what state lawmakers intended as a Jan. 1 ban on flavored tobacco products. They’ll wait until county clerks can determine if opponents led by tobacco companies filed enough signatures to put the new law to a statewide vote. Inyo County’s…… MORE
California court: Sex offenders can qualify for early parole
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that inmates convicted of nonviolent sex crimes cannot be denied a chance at early parole consideration under a ballot measure approved by nearly two-thirds of voters four years ago. Former Gov. Jerry Brown, who championed the 2016 initiative as a way to reduce prison…… MORE
Valley Stay-at-Home Orders Likely to be Extended
LOS ANGELES (AP) – State officials are expected to extend the strictest stay-at-home orders in central and Southern California as hospitals there are quickly running out of intensive care unit beds for coronavirus patients ahead of the presumed post-holiday surge. The situation is already dire, and the worst is expected to come in the next…… MORE
