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Editor’s Note: Yesterday, we reported that the city’s new budget is $2.46 billion. It’s actually $2.36 billion. We regret the error.
☀️ Good morning! Today is Friday, May 16. Danielle, here. Today’s another hot one, with highs expected in the upper 80s, according to NWS Hanford. It will cool off just slightly for the weekend, before we head full-speed into summer weather next week.
A rorschach test, but for Fresno’s financial future: Is the city in belt-tightening mode, or ready to keep building towards prosperity? It’s both — at least, depending on who you ask, or your feelings about the economy at the moment. Councilmember Arias ragebaited Mayor Dyer (yes, really) during the latter’s presentation to the council on Thursday on his new $2.36 billion budget. Arias asked whether the city can afford new positions, including four police officers paid for by FAX, the city’s transit department, while leaving many others vacant. Read more about the city’s budget discussions from Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad here.
Misty Her wants to change the narrative about English learners: Fresno Unified’s first woman and Hmong superintendent began her own journey as a kid in the district’s Jefferson Elementary as an English learner herself. She’s hoping by framing their multi-lingual talents as assets, rather than an obstacle to overcome — teachers and staff can provide better support. Fresnoland/CVJC
Officials break ground to extend Sanger’s water to Tombstone: Some residents of the small eastern Fresno County rural community have been living without clean, reliable water for nearly a decade, if not more. Nearly six years after the governor signed a bill in Tombstone creating a landmark clean water fund, the community is finally seeing visible signs of a light at the end of the tunnel. Your Central Valley
Fresno’s barbeque scene is about to get even better: Edison High alum Matt Horn announced plans this week to bring his acclaimed Bay Area BBQ restaurant, Horn Barbeque, to Granite Park this summer. ABC30
‘The messaging is unclear’: Early talks over $2.3 billion budget start with confusion
If any Fresno city councilmember would have pointed remarks for Mayor Jerry Dyer during his 2026 budget presentation, it would be Miguel Arias. And that’s exactly what happened at the City Council meeting Thursday. Dyer and budget staff have painted a tough financial picture for the city ever since a […]
Fresno Unified’s new superintendent was once an English learner. She plans to help ‘linguistically gifted’ students
This story was originally published by the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Fresno Unified School District’s new superintendent says her childhood experience as a refugee will help her identify with the challenges faced by today’s English learner students. Mao Misty Her, 50, who’s served as interim superintendent since last spring, took […]
Community Health System to pay $31.5 million settlement resolving alleged ‘kickback schemes’ involving northeast Fresno cigar, wine lounge
Community Health System and an affiliated health care technology business have reached a $31.5 million settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, resolving allegations over kickback schemes. The health care provider, which operates downtown Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center as well as Clovis Community Medical Center, and its affiliate Physician Network […]



