Central Valley Daily

Voters in the Central Valley’s 22nd Congressional district have faced an onslaught of political advertisements this election season for the race between Democrat Rudy Salas and Republican incumbent David Valadao. KVPR’s Joshua Yeager reports on the stakes and what voters say it will take for Democrats to take control.Plus, the latest news headlines, including how displaced oil workers in Kern County are getting support, and a state proposition looks to enshrine same-sex marriage in the constitution.

Much of the land in the Sierra Nevada is protected by firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service. But in recent years, the agency has struggled to keep fire crews fully staffed, as many firefighters have left for better pay. Journalist Gabrielle Cannon, with The Guardian newspaper, discusses what’s been done to raise firefighter pay.Plus, the latest news headlines, including a third racehorse death at The Big Fresno Fair and more on the Bird Flu outbreak in cattle across Tulare County.

This election, voters across the state and the Central Valley will decide on whether or not to approve school bond measures aimed at addressing major – and costly – infrastructure needs. EdSource reporter Lasherica Thornton discusses how much some districts are asking for and what the funds would cover.Plus, the latest news headlines, including the search for Fresno’s next police chief and Sikh-Americans from the Valley march to the state’s capital.

In the northern San Joaquin Valley, Congressional District 13 is a toss-up this election, and has the potential to shape the makeup of Congress. KVPR’s Rachel Livinal reports from the district on how young people could be a deciding factor on whether the seat goes to a Republican or a Democrat.Plus, the latest news headlines, including, a scary plane landing in Bakersfield, and a valley fever bill goes to Congress.

New research shows that at California public universities, there’s been a significant drop in the enrollment of low-income undocumented students. Bill Kidder with the UCLA Civil Rights Projects discusses the study's findings and what may be behind the drop in enrollment.Plus, the latest news headlines, including, the bird flu’s impacts on industries other than dairy in the Valley, and the iconic Hanford business up for sale.

The American Red Cross deployed over a thousand disaster workers from California after Hurricane Helene devastated many communities in the Southeastern United States last month. We speak with a Fresno woman who is on the ground helping recovery efforts in North Carolina.Plus, the latest news headlines, including a new study highlighting the potential effects of wildfire smoke on Valley crops and candidates for Fresno County supervisor square off.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law, AB-98, that will limit where new warehouses can be placed. LA Times reporter Rebecca Plevin discusses how the new rules will impact places that are seeing an expansion of warehouses and the logistics industry development, like the Central Valley.Plus, the latest news headlines, including dairy workers in Tulare County catching bird flu and Clovis plans to change how it elects council members.

Horse racing at The Big Fresno Fair this year has an expanded schedule, giving fairgoers more opportunity to view the competitions. Larry Swarzlander discusses this year's racing and also the recent deaths of two horses.Plus, the latest news headlines, including the state health department confirming two bird flu cases among people in the Central Valley and October heat breaks records.

In September, a local professor discovered over 3,000 dead fish in the Kern River around Bakersfield. The mass die-off led to criticism toward city officials. But who is really to blame? Lois Henry, editor of SJV Water, discusses the complicated web of rights over the river.Plus, the latest news headlines, including how the debate between Rudy Salas and David Valadao for House District 13 played out and a Montana man convicted of threatening former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Amid a crackdown on homelessness and public camping, a little-known program in Fresno is setting out to reduce barriers to housing and help people get back on their feet. KVPR’s Esther Quintanilla reports on how the program works and who it’s helping.Plus, the latest news headlines, including a new center in Merced focusing on “generational healing,” and a new poll shows a tight race for House District 22.