The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement starts in just a few weeks from now. Politico says North American leaders are selling USMCA as a big win that will remove uncertainty in the region. However, there are still some agricultural issues between the U.S. and Mexico that have to be worked out yet. Kenneth Smith Ramos, Mexico’s…… MORE
Ceremony Mourns the Loss of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputy
(KMJ) – Hundreds gather outside the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Sunday to remember a Deputy Sergeant killed in a weekend ambush. 38-year-old Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was killed Saturday after deputies responded to a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. about a suspicious van in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa…… MORE
Tulare County Sheriff’s Canine Sniffs Out Major Meth Bust
(photo courtesy: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office) (KMJ) – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office sends kudos to one of its canine deputies after he makes a major drug find during a recent traffic stop. On June 4th, K9 “Tex” and his partner were called in after Deputies made a stop on Highway 99 near Cartmill Avenue…… MORE
Downtown Fresno Shooter Gets Life in Prison
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – Prosecutors say a man convicted of killing four white men in 2017 in a race-related rampage in California’s Central Valley was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Kori Ali Muhammad’s sentence comes three years after he said he was fed up with racism against black people…… MORE
CA to Allow Reopening of Schools, Day Camps, Bars & Gyms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California will begin allowing the reopening of day camps, bars, gyms and some professional sports with modifications at the end of next week. Mark Ghaly, the state’s top health official, says the state will release guidance later Friday for counties to follow to reopen a broad range of businesses that have…… MORE
Dicamba Court Ruling
Makers of dicamba herbicides are assessing what’s next following a court ruling vacating registration of the products. A U.S. appeals court ruling this week vacates current U.S. registrations of certain low volatility dicamba products, including Bayer’s XtendiMax Herbicide. The ruling comes after a group of environmental organizations filed a petition challenging the Environmental Protection…… MORE
J.C. Penney to Close Several Valley Stores This Summer
(KMJ) – Long-time retail chain J.C. Penney says it is taking steps to close 154 stores this summer. That announcement was made Thursday via a post on the company’s blog. It states: “Following a comprehensive review of our retail footprint, J.C. Penney made the difficult decision to close 154 stores.” There are three Penney’s locations in…… MORE
Nation’s Unemployment Rate Drops For the First Time in Months
(KMJ) – The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 13.3% in May from 14.7% as 2.5 million jobs were added across the Nation. Economic analysts say May’s job gain suggests that businesses have been quickly recalling workers as states have reopened their economies. Other evidence has also shown that the job market meltdown triggered by the…… MORE
CA Legislature, Governor At Odds Over Budget Deficit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom do not agree yet on how to close the state’s $54.3 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers met with administration officials on Thursday in a public hearing to discuss their plans. Newsom is more willing to make permanent budget cuts to things like public education and health…… MORE
Health Official: Calif. in “Range of Stability” on COVID-19
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California’s top health official says the state remains in a “range of stability” on coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and will continue moving ahead with reopening efforts. That’s despite recent widespread protests over racial injustice that have brought people together in mass gatherings not seen in months. Mark Ghaly says the state…… MORE
