Good morning! It’s Wednesday, July 8. This is Rob.
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1. Fuentes cuts ties with progressive legal board amid ICE controversy
A day after confirming his departure from the Trump Justice Department, a Fresno City Council candidate has also reportedly cut ties with a rural legal assistance board, The Fresno Bee reports.
The California Rural Legal Assistance told The Bee that Fuentes resigned from its board late last month, but Fuentes declined to discuss it with The Bee this week.
The group provides “free civil legal services to low-income residents of California’s rural counties.” Fuentes, a 40-year-old former federal prosecutor running for Fresno City Council, has faced scrutiny and criticism over his role in arguing cases on behalf of ICE and his more progressive campaign messaging, which has included calling for the abolishment of ICE.
In defending his work with immigrant communities, Fuentes cited his work with CRLA. But now the board says he’s out.
On Monday, Fuentes confirmed stepping down from the Trump Administration, saying he was “pushed out” for criticizing ICE in a June 25 Fresnoland story.
Read the full Fresno Bee story here.
2. Confronting domestic violence in Fresno County
For years, Fresno County has maintained one of the highest rates of domestic violence but resources for survivors remain scarce.
This morning, KVPR’s Central Valley Daily podcast sits down with independent journalist Megan Myscofski to discuss the challenges of helping survivors with limited resources.
In 2024, Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina took a deep dive into the issue, speaking with investigators, survivors and counselors about the gaps in the system that leave people vulnerable. You can find that story here.
Check out the KVPR interview here.
3. ‘Art makes people better’
Creative plans are in the works for an iconic Tower District building as the Fresno Music Academy & Arts prepares to move in, YourCentralValley reports.
Owner Debi Rudd: “We’re going to take over the bottom story here. So, we’ve been down the street. We’ve been in that location for close to 15 years and in the Tower District for a long time… our school is thrilled.
“Art makes people better. Art and music, and the arts (make) people engage more with other people. I think it gives people more tolerance; somehow it’s got this magic around it that’s good for the planet, good for neighbors, good for us.”
Check the story from YourCentralValley here.
Today’s newsletter was edited by Omar S. Rashad.
