Quote of the Week
“Fine, focus on people who are violent criminals. But don’t separate children from their parents, when their parents are working hard every day to put food on our table.”
— Sen. Adam Schiff, speaking out while visiting a Central Valley farm this week
This Week in Fresnoland
Newsom makes good on promise to downtown Fresno
Downtown Fresno’s prayers have been answered — at least partially.
An additional $100 million in funding for downtown was included in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final budget after deferring on the promised funds last year, Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela reported.
The state had initially made that multimillion-dollar commitment to Fresno’s revitalization efforts in 2023. After an initial $50 million contribution in the 2023-2024 budget, state leaders deferred funding amid budget constraints.
Mayor Jerry Dyer thanked the governor for making good on his promise, saying it will help with five projects in the pipeline for housing that will bring 1,500 units downtown, as well as with two massive new parking structures with a combined capacity of roughly 1,500 stalls.
Fresno’s Catholic Diocese (finally) files for bankruptcy
The Fresno Roman Catholic Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week — almost a year after church leaders originally said it would.
The filing comes in response to more than 150 sexual abuse claims survivors have filed against the Diocese, Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina reported. The delay has only exacerbated the trauma for some of the survivors, attorneys said.
One has argued the delay could have been a calculated effort to delay things like jury trials, discovery and mediation.
“It’s emotionally very harmful for individuals who endured childhood sexual abuse to face these kinds of delays and tactics — especially after it took them decades just to speak out,” said attorney Rick Simons.
The Diocese’s communications director declined to comment on the delay. A hearing for the bankruptcy is scheduled for July 7.
‘It would be unprecedented’
A freeze on federal grants by the Trump Administration on funds for summer and afterschool programs, English learning services and more could mean a loss of tens of millions of dollars in funding for Fresno County schools, Diego Vargas reported for Fresnoland.
The frozen federal grants help fund English learning services, summer and afterschool programs, teacher training and more. Fresno County schools received around $48 million in the 2024-25 school year for these programs.
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Michele Cantwell-Copher explained that school districts were expecting the funds on July 1 to support programs that are already in progress. Now, administrators are evaluating potential funding shortfalls, particularly regarding staffing.
Fresno Unified said it stands to lose about $7.1 million, while Clovis schools are poised to take a $2.2 million hit.
Nonprofits dig in amid ICE raids
As ICE raids ramp up nationwide, Fresno attorneys, nonprofits, and community groups are mobilizing to provide resources to immigrant communities, Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina reported this week.
Faith in the Valley, which runs a rapid response hotline, has recorded around 12 confirmed incidents of ongoing ICE activity across Fresno County in the past two months—including at ISAP centers and around courthouses in Fresno, and most recently in Huron and Coalinga.
Rosemary Gomez, volunteer attorney with the Valley Watch Rapid Response Network, said she’s unsure whether large-scale raids will occur in the Central Valley.
However, if they do, she believes immigration attorneys will be prepared with litigation templates to push back and remind immigration authorities that the rule of law still stands — and that federal judges remain committed to upholding immigrants’ constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
‘The way it has to be’
This week, California Sen. Adam Schiff called out tactics used in recent immigration raids as “terrible and dangerous,” saying the identity of the federal agency should always be clear.
Schiff’s remarks came this week during a visit to a west Fresno County farm, Julianna Morano reported for Fresnoland.
“All of our law enforcement agents need to protect themselves and be safe, and violence against law enforcement is never, never acceptable. But there are lots of law enforcement that do really dangerous work everyday, in their uniform, with their badge,” he said, “and I think that’s the way it has to be.”
The senator’s trip to California’s agricultural heartland comes after back-and-forth from the Trump administration on whether to spare farms from immigration enforcement activity.
Outside the Lines
The Fourth of July might be over but the local fireworks shows are not. Check out our online guide to find the latest information on events happening July 5. Fresnoland
Is immigration enforcement changing in Fresno? We break that question down and more on this week’s Fresnolandia podcast with reporters Omar S. Rashad and Gisselle Medina. Fresnolandia
San Joaquin River Gorge safe from sale. Utah Sen. Mike Lee announced Saturday evening that he was pulling his controversial proposal to sell off public lands for housing development, initially included in President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’. The Salt Lake Tribune
A Fresno County man was detained by ICE — without a criminal record. Yan Garcia-Heredia was a legal asylum seeker from Venezuela who had recently immigrated to Mendota to work in the fields. San Francisco Chronicle
“Farmer and businessman John C. Harris, who operated the Harris Farms company in the San Joaquin Valley and became a nationally recognized figure in thoroughbred horse racing, has died at 81.” KVPR
A day after President Donald Trump signed his “Big Beautiful Bill,” here’s how many Central Valley legislators voted on the package that’s expected to slash more than a trillion in Medicaid health care and food assistance programs. ABC30
“An evening of short films benefiting CHIRLA’s immigration legal services. Celebrate the voices and visions of emerging Latine filmmakers while raising funds for a vital organization at a pivotal moment in the cultural history of this community. Gather round for a much needed new perspective and a chance to increase Latine representation. A night of storytelling, solidarity, and joy awaits!” Latine Film Fest
Fresno Unified’s longtime spokesperson stepped down this week amid controversy and backlash over a dispute between the teachers union and the district’s new leader. The Fresno Bee
“Valley Children’s Healthcare announced Tuesday the launch of The Pulse, a digital news site featuring community stories as well as information from beyond the Central Valley regarding children’s health care.” The Business Journal
“The last remaining mountain area hospital is in danger of shutting down in Mariposa.” KSEE
Block Beat
WEST FRESNO: “Well over 70 people — a group made up of local leaders, members of the media and neighborhood residents alike — braved the projected triple-digit forecast Monday morning to get a glimpse of American icon Dolores Huerta at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new city park named after her.” Fresnoland
SOUTHWEST: “A $10.5 million park that spans 10 acres in southwest Fresno nears completion of its first phase of development — a significant milestone that’s expected to be followed by new housing and businesses in the coming years.” The Fresno Bee
ALLENSWORTH: “Residents of Allensworth are on the cusp of finally solving water issues that have plagued the town for more than 100 years and kept it from growing.” SJV Water
FRESNO STATE: California State University campuses have lost millions of dollars in federal grants through Trump administration cuts and freezes and policy changes targeting diversity, equity and inclusion policies and education, science and technology programs across the nation. The Fresno Bee
CHAFFEE ZOO: “The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has laid off its entire custodial staff and will replace them with an outside company.” KSEE
