Valley Edition

This week on Valley Edition, we revisit the issue of the state's efforts to replace the former Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program with the new Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. Advocates for those with severe disabilities say the new program is turning away many who should qualify, but the state disagrees. Lauren Whaley brings us a special report from Sacramento.

This week on Valley Edition we talk about the controversy over the labeling of genetically modified foods, which will be on the November ballot as Proposition 37. We hear arguments on both sides of the issue. We also talk about the current heat wave and what is has to do with global warming, and learn more about a series of events from the Fresno County Library connected to the book Farewell to Manzanar.

This week on Valley Edition, we learn more about a new report which shows that on average, Valley counties send more inmates to prison and jail than the rest of the state. What does this mean for county budgets as realignment is moving many of those inmates from state prisons to county jails? We also discuss the merits of public defenders in California, as Fresno County is likely to place a measure before voters this fall which could make it easier to outsource the county’s public defender jobs to private attorneys.

This week on Valley Edition we look at how new regulations, budget cuts and the economy are all changing the way local colleges operate. Dr. Tony Cantu from Fresno City College joins us to talk about new policies that are intended to keep community college students on track to graduate within two years. We also talk with higher education advocate Jessie Ryan of the Campaign for College Opportunity and Joe Haydock of Institute of Technology, Clovis Campus about new federal regulations that prevent students who don't have a high school diploma or GED from obtaining financial aid.

This week on Valley Edition, we talk with the UC Merced scientist behind a new study of the Valley's environment, and find out where we're making progress and where we're still falling behind in cleaning up our air and water. We also examine the fiasco involving the State of California's Department of Parks and Recreation, which last week discovered over $50 million in an account that had gone unreported for a decade, all happening at the same time that many parks have been threatened by closure.

This week on Valley Edition, we look at how budget cuts are threatening patients who rely on California's Adult Day Health Care centers, how global warming may cause the San Joaquin Valley's air to become even worse, and how the Fossil Discovery Center in Madera County is bringing paleontology to residents of the Valley.

Valley Edition: Tuesday July 17, 2012:

This week on Valley Edition, host Juanita Stevenson talks about plans to privatize the CIty of Fresno's residential trash service, Gabriela Ornelas reports on what a shortage of farm laborers will mean for the Valley's economy, and we learn about a summer program for kids that encourages them to invent the future. 

On Valley Edition for July 17, 2012:

This week on Valley Edition, we talk with local health care leaders about the next steps in the path towards health care reform, following the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act. We also talk about the 40th anniversary of the nation's landmark gender equity in education law, Title IX, and we learn about Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central California.

On Valley Edition for July 3, 2012

This week on Valley Edition, we look at how Valley residents are working to develop new, grassroots solutions to the problem of hunger in our community. We also look at how planned court closures will affect the residents of rural Fresno County communities, and learn about this year's Woodward Shakespeare Festival.

Valley Edition for June 26, 2012