On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) hosted the concluding event of the California Connects: Regional Convenings series in Fresno held at Pardini’s Catering & Banquets in Fresno, CA. This pioneering, state-led initiative has traveled across California, aiming to fortify local networks and support community-driven solutions, setting the stage for stronger networks and more equitable access to resources throughout the state.

In this episode of ONME Quick News Bits, host Julia Dudley Najieb reveals exclusive interview with Saint Augustine’s University president, Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail, who talks about the new HBCU Urban Access Hub opportunity and grants for community college students in the Central Valley.

In this ONME Quick News Bits, producer host, Julia Dudley Najieb, gives an update concerning the racial discrimination case against billion-dollar, electric ca,r manufacturing company, Tesla, owned by Elon Musk: Although a jury found for the plaintiff, Owen Diaz who is African American, and ordered Tesla to pay US $137 million in damages for the racial bias lawsuit in 2021, federal judge, William Orrick,reduced the total award down to $15 million in April of 2022.

In Santa Clara County, one Juneteenth block-party stood out in the middle of Downtown San Jose, where elected officials from the California Senate, state assembly, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, city of San Jose mayor, city of Cupertino mayor, and city of Morgan Hill mayor all participated in the grand affair.
This is the African American Community Service Agency's (AACSA) 41st year producing the Juneteenth in the Park Festival in San Jose.

Watch a quick excerpt of Tulare County's Juneteenth followed by the city of Fresno flag raising ceremony performed at City Hall on Monday, June 20, 2022.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a detailed rundown of the north, Central Valley election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location.
Dudley Najieb reviewed candidates in the following counties: Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a detailed rundown of the latest south, Central Valley election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location.
Dudley Najieb reviewed candidates in the following counties: Tulare, Kings, Mariposa, and Kern Counties.

In this ONME Quick News Bits episode, Julia Dudley Najieb gives a quick rundown of the latest Fresno County election candidates for voting residents participating in the June 7, 2022 Primary Elections. Voters still have up to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to cast their ballots in person at a voting location or dropbox location. Fresno County is a Voter's Choice location.

During a press conference Wednesday at The Fresno Memorial Auditorium, located on 2425 Fresno St. in Fresno, CA, councilpersons, Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez and Nelson Esparza proposed Measure V to fund services and improvements for facilities used by local veterans.
The auditorium was built in 1935; asbestos is still in the walls of the facility. The HVAC system is in a makeshift status--hence, the reason why the building is unable to cool during Fresno's extraordinarily hot summer season. Measure V would supersede Measure P expenditure restrictions dedicated specifically for parks. For instance, the expensive restructuring of the antiquated, historical auditorium can utilize Measure P funds to fix the structures in and outside the building: uprooted flooring, asbestos, slipping roof tiles and replacement of original electrical work. It will cost millions of dollars just to fix the building; yet, veterans still need personal services and housing.

Although it would cause an incremental tax raise for city of Fresno residents, 1/8th of a penny, Measure V, would generate $9.8 million per year, providing a permanent revenue source for veteran services and facilities, for such needs as housing, transportation and mental health services, to name a few.

Fresno County District 1 Supervisor Brian Pacheco was a major player in ensuring a collaboration with several community organizations to provide for the struggling parents in his area: On behalf of his district, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission received major donations of diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) from SupplyBank.org to help families and childcare programs.