Quote of the Week
“It’s hard to just say we can’t really be there for you anymore.”
— Central Valley Justice Coalition Executive Director Christa Wiens on the possibility of losing critical federal funding for her organization’s work assisting youth human trafficking victims
This Week in Fresnoland
What’s at stake in Fresno’s lawsuit against the Trump administration
Funding for at least seven local nonprofits are caught in the crossfire of the Trump administration’s crusade against anything remotely associated with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad reported.
Omar spoke with one nonprofit executive who said that her organization had gone over a month without receiving compensation for its work before learning from the City of Fresno that the org’s federal grant, routed through the city, was no longer guaranteed. That organization, the Central Valley Justice Coalition, provides one-on-one support for youth human trafficking victims.
Fresno, along with six other local agencies, sued the federal government late last month, challenging its attempt to pull these and other grants that were already approved by Congress.
Omar’s following the case as it plays out in federal court, where a judge recently issued a 28-day restraining order temporarily pausing the yanking of funds.
Garnet Fire smoke comes to Fresno
As the Garnet Fire rages on in the Sierra National Forest, it’s created dangerous air quality conditions for residents of the City of Fresno and others in the county, Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad and Greg Weaver reported.
The blaze, which started Aug. 24, has exploded to over 33,000 acres as of Friday and is at 14% containment.
The fire was caused by lighting, Omar reported.
With smoke rolling into Fresno starting Wednesday, meteorologists cautioned against going outside, especially for children and the elderly.
“I would say it’s fairly serious,” said local meteorologist Emily Wilson on Thursday. “I would definitely not recommend outdoor activity.”
Inhaling wildfire smoke poses a number of threats to your health. Check out Greg’s guide for how to protect yourself.
FAX ridership rebounds to pre-pandemic levels — but still makes up small share of commuters
So far in 2025, ridership across Fresno’s bus system has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, Fresnoland’s Danielle Bergstrom reported.
FAX is on track to surpass 10 million rides by the end of this year — a bright spot in an otherwise difficult time for transit agencies nationwide, many of which took a hit after the pandemic rocked commuters’ routines.
But transit’s popularity in Fresno remains elusive, even with people who have less reliable access to cars. Around just 1% of commuters take public transit in Fresno, less than the statewide average.
Experts have pointed to key challenges that make widespread adoption of transit more difficult in Fresno, Danielle reports — simply, the convenience of driving in a sprawling, low-density city like Fresno.
What will happen to the digital divide in Fresno and beyond?
Even while programs expanding internet access across the country get cut down under the Trump administration, some low-cost resources still exist for Californians, Fresnoland’s Diego Vargas reported.
Diego put together a guide of some state nonprofits that are still offering tools to help eligible low-income families find cheaper internet service plans.
That includes Everyone On, a nonprofit that offers its locator tool in both English and Spanish.
Starting in 2021, the Biden-era Affordable Connectivity Program — which was touted as the “largest and most successful broadband affordability program in the nation’s history” — helped subsidize internet access for millions of families. But it ended last year, and Trump has since set his sights on ending other digital access programs he says offer “woke handouts.”
Join Fresnoland later this month to talk all things public transit
Mark your calendars: On Thursday, Sept. 25, Fresnoland will put on an event about the future of transit in Fresno County.
We’ll be joined by a few SoCal leaders who worked on beefing up another famously car-centric city’s public transit systems: Los Angeles, which now has the fourth-largest rail system in the country (ahead of Chicago and Boston).
Speakers include:
- Antonio Villaraigosa, the former mayor of Los Angeles and a current gubernatorial candidate
- Denny Zane, the former mayor of Santa Monica and the founder of Move LA
- Tyler Maxwell, a current Fresno City Councilmember
Tickets will go fast, so snag yours online today! ($5 each, but free for Fresnoland members — check your inbox for a special code.)
In the words of one seeming tech bro I (Julianna) overheard on a hike at Yosemite last weekend, let’s look at how to “10x our capabilities” in the transit realm.
Outside the Lines
On this week’s Fresnolandia, water policy reporter and veteran journalist Lois Henry joined us to talk about the water demand from AI data centers, whether they’re really coming for one of our most sought-after resources and if we should expect a battle between farmers, water district managers and tech giants for it. Fresnoland
Fresno County’s voting office is hoping to quickly staff up with at least 50 more poll workers ahead of the statewide special election in November, and applications closed Friday. Fresnoland
Punjabi Sikhs are reporting an uptick in threats and other safety concerns following a Florida trucking crash. The Fresno Bee
California’s newest — and largest — immigrant detention facility opened this month in California City, in the high desert of Kern County. The Fresno Bee
The Washington Post’s Douglas MacMillan joined a recent episode of Central Valley Daily to discuss records he obtained on the Trump administration’s plans to expand immigration detention centers amid a historic infusion of funding for enforcement. KVPR
Staff at Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have voted to unionize, and leaders in the effort cited the current climate for federal workers under the Trump administration as a main reason for why the vote was successful. Your Central Valley
Block Beat
DOWNTOWN: Have you seen the papel picado strung up at a couple of intersections downtown? They’re the colorful harbingers of the daylong celebration of Mexican independence and honoring Fresno’s Latino community! Returning on Sunday, Sept. 15 on Fulton Street,the free event features a parade, food, music and more. City Council District 3
TOWER DISTRICT: A Cat Video Fest is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, at Fresno’s Tower Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show — which “benefits local cats in need” — begins at 7 p.m. Tickets, about $11 each, are available online. Tower Theatre
MCLANE: The Fresno Greek Festival is set to run Sept. 19 through Sept. 21 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N. Orchard St. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under) and active military with an ID get in for free. Fresno Greek Fest
CHINATOWN: Judging by the Cover is hosting a “performative male” contest in Fresno’s Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon. Come out, bring your friends and see who’s the best as wearing a tucked white tee, pleated pants and wired headphones while sipping an iced matcha latte! Judging by the Cover
SOUTH TOWER: Share Fest, a free mutual aid event, will take place at South Tower’s Broadway Parque (940 N. Broadway St.) Saturday, Sept. 20 from 3 to 6 p.m. No buying or selling — only trading. Recommended goods include household items, clothes, toys, cookware, etc. Share Fresno
