Fresno

Commentary

What inclusive economic recovery can look like – lessons from Fresno

Inclusive economic development catalyzes a diverse set of leaders to create a shared agenda that expands middle class opportunity.

By

Guest Commentary

• September 9, 2020

Neurosurgeons at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, California, are not offering trauma treatment amid stalled contract negotiations, but services could resume. Photo by The Fresno Bee

California Divide

Fresno doctor slams ‘reckless’ hospital as some trauma services lapse amid Creek Fire

By

Manuela Tobias

• September 7, 2020

A small bear statue still stands in front of a burned cabin in the Camp Silver Fir area on the north of Huntington Lake on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. Fire officials said a fire tornado blew through the area at some point last week burning cabins and knocking down many trees. Photo by Craig Kohlruss, The Fresno Bee

California Divide

Creek Fire threatens to knock Fresno-area TV, radio stations off the air

By

Manuela Tobias

• September 7, 2020

Kathy Miranda, a resident of a homeless encampment named Dream Camp, brushes off a table at the communal kitchen, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Fresno homeless advocate Dez Martinez set up the camp with community donations and help. She was frustrated by the lack of safety on Santa Clara Street. Photo by John Walker, The Fresno Bee

California Divide

She’s ‘breaking the law’ to help Fresno’s homeless. Will the government stop her?

When Alejandra Hernandez arrived at the Dream Camp on Aug. 9, she dropped to her knees and kissed the dirt. The single mother of three boys lost her job and her home in June over COVID-19. They tried sleeping in their truck on Santa Clara Street, the only place in Fresno untouched by the city’s […]

By

Manuela Tobias

• August 26, 2020

Shawnee Whaley, 57, wears a mask as she rests on a cot at the Ulatis Community Center in Vacaville after evacuating her home on August 18, 2020. Whaley said she and her mother, who lives across the street, had to leave in a matter of minutes, leaving almost everything behind. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Environment

A collision of crises: Central Valley suffers searing heat, smoke and virus hot spots

The dangerous trio has Californians unable to escape unhealthful air and reluctant to leave home.

By

Rachel Becker

• August 21, 2020

Workers harvest green kale at Ratto Bros. farm west of Modesto, on Friday, July 24, 2020. Photo by Andy Alfaro, Modesto Bee

California Divide

California farming country buckles under COVID-19. Will pandemic make or break the Valley?

Gov. Gavin Newsom described the Valley as his “biggest area of concern” recently and dispatched three of his coronavirus “strike teams” to the region to help local officials halt the spread.

By

Dale Kasler

,

Manuela Tobias

and

Tony Bizjak

• August 18, 2020

California Divide

How Fresno is confronting its history of racism

Cracked roads and blocks of wilted grass and dirt envelop the Edison High School campus in the heart of west Fresno. Police cars, churches and liquor stores abound. But trees, grocery stores, hospitals, parks, restaurants, and banks remain out of sight. Meanwhile, across Highways 180 and 99 heading north toward Bullard Avenue, there is another […]

By

Manuela Tobias

• June 17, 2020

Isidoro Contreras Flores, sells an arrangnment of flowers in Seaside, Calif, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

California Divide

Close Quarters: California’s overcrowded homes fuel spread of coronavirus among workers

Until the pandemic struck, every day for the last 10 years, Isidoro Flores Contreras stood at the edge of the Sand City Costco parking lot, just a few feet from a set of McDonald’s arches, selling $15 flower bouquets. No matter the weather, he slowly walked back and forth along the sidewalk, a hitch in […]

By

Kate Cimini

and

Jackie Botts

• June 12, 2020

Eddie Wutangsy uses a bullhorn while chanting to the crowd of several thousand protesters as they march past Fresno Police headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, May 31, 2020. Photo by John Walker, The Fresno Bee

Justice

Voices of California protesters: same message, different motives

Nathaniel Johnson walked past a CVS pharmacy in Hollywood with his phone camera trained on men running out of the looted store with armfuls of stolen goods. After a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, Johnson had protested police brutality for two days while dressed in civilian clothes. But that afternoon, he decided to change […]

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• June 5, 2020

Economy

What comes next for California cities? Deficits, bailouts and long recoveries

California cities face budget deficits as a pandemic-induced recession sets. Mayors are calling for federal bailouts in what's expected to be a long recovery.

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• April 17, 2020