News

Eight Things That Have Changed Since the Last Time Fresno State Had A New President

Joe Moore — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:34:05 +0000

A lot has happened in Central California since the last time Fresno State had a new president. On Tuesday, the California State University Board of Trustees selected Hanford native Joseph Castro as the eighth president of Fresno State. He will replace the soon-to-retire John Welty, who has led the university since August of 1991.

California Releases Details of Health Insurance Exchange

Katie Orr — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:23:47 +0000

Details of California’s new health insurance exchange were announced today. As Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, about five million people are eligible to get covered through the exchange.

California is opening the exchange to comply with federal healthcare reform. Thirteen insurance agencies will offer a variety of plans. While some plans will be available throughout the state, others will be targeted to specific regions.

Teachers Association Backs Brown's School Funding Plan

Katie Orr — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:34:05 +0000

The California Teachers Association says it backs Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to change how the state distributes money to school districts. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento, that puts them at odds with legislative Democrats.

Brown’s plan includes giving more money to districts with a majority of low income and non-English speaking students. These “concentrations grants” are controversial among some legislators because they’d come at the expense of other districts.

Commentary: To The Class of '13... You Did More With Less

Joe Mathews — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:58:49 +0000

To the distinguished California Public High School Class of 2013.

I’m sorry James Franco canceled at the last minute. I’m even sorrier that you wound up getting me as your substitute commencement speaker, but I was offered gas money plus a free lunch.

Vidak's Upset Win Carries Statewide Implications

Joe Moore — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:45:17 +0000

On Tuesday night Hanford Republican Andy Vidak scored what many are calling a surprise victory in the special election to replace former state senator Michael Rubio in the 16th senate district. Despite a sizable voter registration edge for Democrats, Vidak carried over 50 percent of the vote, enough to avoid a July runoff with the top Democrat, former Rubio staffer and current Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez.

Legislative Democrats Want to Restore Budget Cuts, But Priorities Differ

Ben Adler — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:18:57 +0000

As California budget talks head into their final weeks, supporters of programs suffering from years of cuts are asking for help. Governor Jerry Brown opposes any new spending. But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, Assembly and Senate Democrats have different programs in which they'd like to invest.

California Fire Camps Key To Reducing Prison Overcrowding

Katie Orr — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:07:39 +0000

Reducing overcrowding at California prisons is not easy. Generally, inmates must either be released or given more space, which is expensive. But there is a third option. Inmates can be sent to fire camps. That's a cornerstone of Governor Jerry Brown's plan to reduce prison overcrowding in response to a federal court order. State Government Reporter Katie Orr takes a closer look at what these camps entail.

Medical Procedures Vary By Region, According to New Study

Katie Orr — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:52:49 +0000

Depending on where they practice, doctors in different parts of California are more likely to recommend certain procedures. It’s a phenomenon called “variance.” A study from The California Healthcare Foundation shows it’s a consideration both patients and physicians should be aware of. The Foundation’s Maribeth Shannon says doctors might not realize what they’re doing.

Environmentalists Lobby To Change Brown's Proposal For Cap and Trade Funds

Amy Quinton — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:35:16 +0000

Environmental groups have begun a lobbying campaign to stop California Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal to divert money from the cap-and-trade program.

Environmentalists say money from the sale of carbon pollution permits is supposed to go to programs that help further reduce emissions. Brown wants to borrow $500 million for the general fund.

Vien Truong with the Greenlining Institute says environmental advocates are angry. She says that money could be used for clean air programs in low-income communities.

On Valley Edition: Mariachi; Water; DUI Alcohol Limit; Bakersfield Beating Update; Pres. Welty

Juanita Stevenson, Rebecca Plevin and Joe Moore — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:57:51 +0000

This week on Valley Edition we take a look into stories and issues across the region including water, possibly reducing the the legal limit for blood alcohol content for drivers, an update surrounding a Bakersfield man who was beaten to death by law enforcement and more.