😎 Good morning! It’s Thursday, Oct. 23. This is Rob.
🌞 Nice! Sunny skies again today with daytime highs in the lower 70s. NOAA
❤️🩹 Health disparities: Latinos in California’s central San Joaquin Valley are experiencing significantly higher rates of obesity than non-Latinos, and the disparity is particularly stark among children. The Intersection
🥈 Gun sanctuary? The Madera Board of Supervisors took a symbolic vote this week that made headlines. The Fresno Bee
⭕ Circle of life: The public is invited to a Celebration of the Cycle of Life hosted by the Central California Environmental Justice Network from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at La Milpa de Fresno, 2750 S. MLK Jr Blvd. CCEJN
🏅 Heroes: Two Madera County farmworkers are being celebrated as heroes for their quick actions during a school bus fire. KSEE 24
🍺 Unhappy Hour: Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno is supporting beleaguered federal workers during the government shutdown. FOX 26
1. ‘It’s really unfair’
Labor officials are urging workers recently laid off by a Fresno medical shelter to file wage claims against their former employer.
Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela reports that state officials said employers are legally required to provide employees a minimum of 60 days notice before mass layoffs.
Workers for the now defunct Soul Housing got about 12 hours.
In its layoff notice to workers, the company cited an exemption from the 60-day requirement due to “unforeseeable business circumstances.”
But, two state officials told Fresnoland, there’s no record of the company requesting an exemption, raising questions about whether the company may have violated the law.
Former employees like Michelle Hernandez said they’re considering their next steps and researching their legal options.
Michelle Hernandez: “I just think it’s really unfair what they did.”
2. ‘We don’t need quiet classrooms’
In recent years, Sanger Unified has gone from being a chronically underperforming district to one where its more than 13,000 students are outpacing state averages, EdSource reports this week.
In the most recent state assessments, about 53% of Sanger Unified students demonstrated proficiency or higher in English compared to nearly 49% statewide. In math, 40% were proficient or better compared to 37% of students statewide.
The district still has strides to make to get students back to pre-pandemic math scores, but the district’s commitment to student growth could be an example for other districts.
Vice Principal Albert Gallardo: “It really warms my heart and brings a smile to my face when I see a kid that is celebrating their win. And if it’s not a win, they know that they’re going to get it the next time.”
3. The looming shutdown crisis in Fresno
If the federal government shutdown doesn’t end (very) soon, about 248,000 Fresno County residents could lose access to food, Supervisor Luis Chavez said in a statement Wednesday.
The Fresno County Department of Social Services estimates some $46 million in CalFresh benefits could be lost locally next month, if the government doesn’t figure out a way to keep the lights on.
Fresno County residents who rely on CalFresh benefits have received alerts warning of potential delays in benefits and payments.
Residents in need of food assistance can visit www.cdss.ca.gov or contact the Fresno County Department of Social Services for updates related to CalFresh benefits.
Supervisor Luis Chavez: “We can’t stand by while our neighbors go hungry. Seniors who worked their whole lives, children who depend on school meals, and parents who are doing their best to make ends meet will be hit the hardest. This is not about politics, it’s about people.”
Today’s newsletter was edited by Fresnoland’s Julianna Morano.
