U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will travel to China to meet with trade officials along with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. China is also expected to return to the U.S. for negotiations on May 8th. Next week’s discussions will cover intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers, agriculture, services, purchases, and enforcement, according to a…… MORE
South Valley Man Arrested for Groping Little Girl
(KMJ) – Tulare County Sheriffs Deputies took a Visalia man into custody after a little girl claimed he groped her after she got off a school bus. A man flagged down Deputies near Avenue 326 and Lincoln Road Wednesday and told them a man walked up to and groped a six-year old girl. Deputies say…… MORE
Assemblyman Arambula’s Trial Will Bring Daughter, Doctors to Stand
FRESNO, CA KMJ) – Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula’s trial will bring his daughter, and doctors to the stand to testify. Wednesday was the second day at Fresno County Superior Court for the Valley assemblyman, who faces a misdemeanor charge of child-abuse. Judge Alvin Harrell asked if the two sides wanted to settle before trial…… MORE
Ag Group Seek Swift Trade Agreement
A large coalition of agriculture groups including those in California, is urging for swift action in the negotiation and implementation of a U.S.-Japan trade agreement. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, along with many agriculture organizations, signed a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week. The groups say the U.S.…… MORE
Vandal Smashes Windows at a Downtown Fresno Cathedral
(KMJ) – Fresno Police say 35-year old Jose Luis Renteria Hernandez has been taken into custody following vandalism reported at Saint John’s Cathedral. Officers say Hernandez caused $25,000 in damage when he threw prayer candles at statues and sacred stained glass windows outside the Church’s location on Mariposa Street Tuesday afternoon. But, so far, no…… MORE
Judge OKs Bankrupt PG&E’s Plan for $235 million in Bonuses
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A federal judge has approved Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.’s plans to pay $235 million in employee bonuses this year, despite the California utility’s bankruptcy and objections from lawyers of victims of the state’s massive wildfires. The Sacramento Bee reports that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali approved the plan at a…… MORE
Assemblyman Arambula’s Child Cruelty Trial Begins
KMJ REPORTER LIZ KERN IS IN COURT FOR TRIAL: LISTEN FOR UPDATES FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Trial got underway Tuesday for Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno). The former emergency room doctor is facing a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to a child. The 41 year-old doctor was sitting with his wife, Elizabeth, his mother and father,…… MORE
Livestock and Dairy Insurance Program Changes
The Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency if offering several enhancements to the Dairy Revenue Protection, Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection Programs. Risk Management Agency Administrator Martin Barbre says the changes “strengthen risk management options and provide peace of mind in times of unpredictable market fluctuations.” The Livestock Gross Margin program protects against…… MORE
Fresno Mayor & Councilmember Encouraging Businesses To Use Signs Dissuading Panhandling
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – District 6 Representative Garry Bredefeld and Mayor Lee Brand are trying again to dissuade panhandling in Fresno. Just weeks ago, the “Help Us Help Fresno” initiative failed in Fresno City Council by a vote of 3 to 3, District 3’s Miguel Arias, who was the sponsor of the initiative, voted…… MORE
California Proposal to Tax Soda Pushed to Next Year
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Efforts to tax sugary drinks and limit how much soda can be sold in a single cup have stalled in the California Legislature. Assemblyman Richard Bloom on Monday pushed his soda tax bill off to next year. Assemblyman David Chiu’s has similarly delayed his bill that would ban the sale of…… MORE
