It’s Wednesday, August 21. I’m Kaitlin Bellamy and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. In a 7-year span, Stanislaus County pharmacies received over 218 million prescription pain pills — hydrocodone and oxycodone. That’s enough for 61 pills per person, per year in the county. According to a Modesto Bee analysis of data included in a study, initially published by the Washington Post, though Stanislaus County made up about 1.

It’s Tuesday, August 20. I’m Natalie Gray and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. As a new plan to better prepare students for career success after graduation, the proposed building projects on its Turlock campus and its satellite Stockton campus highlighted California State University, Stanislaus, President Ellen Junn’s Fall Welcome address yesterday afternoon.

It’s Monday, August 19. I’m Lucas Dixon and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. With more than 1,600 students, California State University, Stanislaus, is welcoming its largest-ever freshman class. And interviews with some of those young men and women on dorm move-in day yesterday gave some indication why.

It’s Friday, August 16th. I’m Lucas Dixon and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: Everything covered in a handout called “The Gender Unicorn,” which was distributed by a Denair Middle School science teacher to his students on the first day of class this year, falls within the curriculum standards set by the state for sexual health education.

It’s Thursday, August 15th. I’m Natalie Gray and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: The Modesto City Council has passed an urgency ordinance that bans the wearing of masks and possessing bricks, glass bottles, chains, pepper spray, knives, metal pipes, and similar items that can be used as weapons at protests and demonstrations that could turn violent.

It’s Wednesday, August 14th. I’m Kaitlin Bellamy and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: The Stanislaus County Board of Education rejected a petition yesterday for the New Colossus Academy, which was a proposed Modesto charter school to specialize in educating refugee and immigrant students, and asylum seekers. The board supported staff findings that concluded the charter school’s plans for finance, transportation, and academics were flawed.

It’s Tuesday, August 13th. I’m Natalie Gray and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: Learning to unlock a locker is tricky. And changing clothes for PE in front of classmates may feel strange at first.

It’s Monday, August 12th. I’m Lucas Dixon and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: Elected officials from local and state government will speak and answer questions at a town hall meeting Thursday in Oakdale. Stanislaus County Supervisor Kristin Olsen said the event is an opportunity to meet with constituents and listen to their ideas for improving the community.

It’s Friday, August 9th. I’m Lucas Dixon, and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: A new California law requires the national suicide lifeline 800 number be placed on all new ID cards for students in 7th through 12th grade and higher education institutions.

It’s Thursday, August 8th. I’m Natalie Gray, and here’s your local news from the Modesto Bee. Our top story is: Starting school can draw mixed emotions from the thousands of area students heading to the first day of school next week. Some kids are excited to see friends, join a sports team, or learn new subjects, while others are disappointed to lose the freedom of summer.