Good morning! It’s Thursday, Nov. 20. This is Rob.
🌧️ Fresno expects more rain today with highs in the 50s. NOAA
🌮 The Fresno City Council is expected to once again take a vote on new food vendor restrictions on the weekend in the Tower District. The latest draft proposal eliminates the prospect of a vendor ban — a proposal that drew widespread criticism — but significantly increases the fines and fees that vendors can face. Fresnoland
📚 The UFW Foundation, CHIRLA, Fresno Unified School District, and children’s book author Edward Dennis are coming together to give thanks to farmworkers in Fresno by visiting them in the fields with a meal; and children’s book giveaway at noon Thursday, Nov. 20 at Triple J Packing, 41389B Rd 44, in Reedley. UFW Foundation
🎨 Fresno Arts Council invites you to share your ideas for the next cycle of “Expanded Access to Arts and Culture” grants, funded by Measure P. The first meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 with a second at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10. Both meetings will be held at the Fresno Arts Council, 1245 Van Ness Ave. Fresno Arts Council
1. Fresno takes another look at trash deal
The Fresno City Council is set to vote Thursday to extend a decades-old contentious trash deal that already has other waste haulers clamoring to raise their own rates, Fresnoland’s Gregory Weaver reports.
Thursday’s proposal with a company owned by the influential Caglia family, would extend its contract by one year and it includes provisions for future price hikes that would be charged to the city.
The deal, first inked in 2004, has helped fund political campaigns and triggered a $12 million deficit in the city’s waste department.
No analysis has been done to determine whether privatization has delivered on its promised savings to ratepayers.
The contract will be discussed by the Fresno City Council during their regular meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. today at City Hall.
2. Ex-Bredefeld staffer seeks $1 million in damages from county
A former aide to Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld has filed a $1 million claim against the county, alleging she was fired for filing a complaint over workplace violence, The Fresno Bee reports.
Jennifer Ortega, a former TV news reporter, worked in Bredefeld’s office for about six months as his digital media manager when she alleges Bredefeld’s chief of staff, Daniel Gai, “blew up on her” on June 13.
“In the short time I was there we were a successful team, and then Danny Gai just lost it one day, and I am out of a job,” Ortega said.
Gai, who was convicted of domestic violence in 2022, has not commented publicly, but Bredefeld took the unusual step this week of responding to press inquiries about a case likely to end up in court.
Bredefeld: “I know the county’s actions were completely justified, and the many facts demonstrate Ms. Ortega’s claim is baseless.”
3. Clovis school to change racist mascot
Clark Intermediate School in Clovis plans to change its ‘Chieftains’ mascot this year ahead of summer deadline to replace racist school mascots in all California schools, FOX26 reports.
Clovis Unified spokesperson Kelly Avants confirmed the district is set to undertake the changes. It wasn’t immediately clear how much the mascot switch might cost. A vote is expected as soon as next month.
KMPH reports the school is likely to change the mascot to ‘the Cougars’ to align with Clovis High School.
Under the recently adopted California Racial Mascot Act, schools must meet the new requirements by July 1, 2026.
Not everyone is on board with the changes.
Student Mason Carbonetti: “I feel like it’s not offensive at all. If you think about it, when I go on to the pitch, I’m wearing the badge with honor. I’m not wearing it to disgrace the team.”
Today’s newsletter was edited by Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad.
