FRESNO (KMJ) — A massive amount of precipitation has been forecast over the weekend, in what the National Weather Service described as a “one-two punch” of storms. As much as two inches of rain in the Central Valley, and as much as six feet of snow in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada between…… MORE
USDA Backlog Delays Census of Agriculture Release
Politico says the month-plus government shutdown has left U.S. Department of Agriculture officials with quite the backlog of commodity reports. They also have a lot of other numbers waiting to be crunched for future reports. Those numbers include the 2017 Census of Agriculture, which is a major survey taken every five years and includes…… MORE
January Storms Bring California’s Sierra Snowpack to 100%
SACRAMENTO, CA (KMJ) – The second Snow Pack Survey of 2019 was carried out at Phillips Station south of Lake Tahoe, this morning. The manual survey recorded 50 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 18 inches, which is 98 percent of average for this location. Statewide, the Sierra…… MORE
Audit: California Inmate Behavior Programs Don’t Cut Crime
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – State auditors say California’s increased efforts to change the behavior of prison inmates are not reducing the rate at which ex-convicts commit new crimes. But corrections officials say the audit may be drawing conclusions too soon, since auditors relied on data from five years ago. The audit released Thursday says recidivism…… MORE
2 Teens Murdered at Easton Party, Still No Suspects 3 Years Later
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – This week marks three years since two teenagers were murdered at a house party in Easton, still, no arrests in the case. It’s not the type of anniversary to be celebrated, but homicide detectives want to keep this case fresh in the minds of the public. They want to bring…… MORE
Trial Money Back Guarantee Approved, But Soria Says Vacancies Need Filling
FRESNO (KMJ) — A money-back guarantee for businesses in the City of Fresno has been approved – on a six month trial basis. The move means staff will approve plans and permits by pre-established timelines, or a refund will be issued (click here for more details). The ordinance was proposed by Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, and…… MORE
U.S. Dairy Fears Losing Japanese Market
The U.S. dairy sector is worried about access to the lucrative Japan market. Dairy groups and officials are sending a brand-new, industry-funded study to President Donald Trump, administration officials, and to members of Congress. Politico says the study stresses the need for expanding market access overseas. The report points out that the U.S. is…… MORE
California Utilities Commission Faces Tough Questions Over PG&E
SACRAMENTO, CA (KMJ) – Tough questions were posed during a hearing at the State Capitol involved the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees the embattled utility, PG&E. The annual review was already on the schedule for Wednesday, but with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the nation’s largest utility declaring bankruptcy at midnight on Tuesday, CPUC…… MORE
Lawsuit Accuses CA Bail Industry of Conspiring to Keep Premiums High
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — A coalition of public-interest groups has filed an antitrust lawsuit, against more than 20 companies and agents in the Golden State, alleging a conspiracy to keep premiums inflated. Among other things, the lawsuit filed in Alameda County claims that for at least 15 years, bail agents have been discouraged from offering discounts…… MORE
Grizzlies Unveils New Color Scheme To Reflect Valley’s Independence
FRESNO (KMJ) — New uniforms, colors, and logos for the Fresno Grizzlies have been unveiled as part of the team’s 2019 rebranding. The move is designed to make the most of its Central Valley connections. The team said the identity adjustment was for the Triple-A club to build on the “Farm Grown” and “Growlifornia” branding…… MORE
