Fresno
WhatMatters
Delays emerge in Blue Shield vaccine rollout
This week, 10 counties in the inland portions of Central and Southern California were slated to transition to the new vaccine distribution system helmed by Blue Shield ā but limited communication, technical challenges and lack of transparency have resulted in delays for at least three counties. Meanwhile, the state is overhauling its equity program after […]
Environment
Up in smoke: Burns in San Joaquin Valley vineyards, orchards may finally end
Californiaās air board will vote this week on stopping burns that spew plumes of smoke that can trigger asthma attacks. The move is long in coming ā it was supposed to end a decade ago under state law.
Coronavirus
Whoās getting vaccinated in California? A county-by-county look at racial data
Although data is incomplete, in nearly all counties, white people received the largest percentage of vaccine doses ā even in counties with large Latino populations. Latinos are the biggest group vaccinated in Los Angeles and two other counties.
Education
Lawmakers blitz governor on school reopenings
Members of the Legislature put forward a bill to require schools to reopen by mid-April and guarantee that teachers get offered a COVID-19 vaccine beforehand. The lawmakers have said theyāll vote on the bill next week without hearings and Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled that he'll veto it if it reaches him.
Coronavirus
State fines Kaiser $499K for COVID worker safety violations
Kaiser Permanente has been cited more than any other California health system for violations of worker safety during the pandemic.
WhatMatters
Becerra, Su emerge as GOP targets
Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, February 11. Tough confirmation hearings Two Californians nominated for top positions in President Joe Biden’s administration could face tough confirmation hearings later this month, putting the Golden State’s pandemic response under a national microscope. Attorney General Xavier Becerra, tapped to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, appears to […]
California Divide
California isnāt fully tracking serious workplace COVID-19 cases in Fresno. Hereās why
A year after the first COVID-19 case hit California, the state agency in charge of policing offices, warehouses, and other workplaces is understaffed and significantly undercounting the number of people in Fresno County and across the state whoāve fallen seriously ill with the coronavirus. Employers in Fresno County reported only 66 serious worker illnesses or […]
Justice
State lifts suspensions of half a million driverās licenses
Legal advocates are trying to roll back Californiaās hefty traffic ticket fines and fees, which are among the highest in the nation. One attorney called them a āblunt instrumentā punishing people āwhen in reality, for many Californians, traffic tickets are simply too expensive to take care of.ā