San Joaquin County News, Traffic & Weather


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Image caption: Farm workers had argued that reforms now in place in California would reduce employer retaliation for unionization efforts.
Farmworkers in Stanislaus County Win Union Vote Under New Law

The United Farm Workers, which represents nearly 7,000 workers, won a unionization vote in Stanislaus County. It’s the first such win in six years and first under a law that went into effect in May.

Image caption: J.B. Hamby (inset) and the All-American Canal, which supplies water to the Imperial Valley.
The Rising Young Star in California’s Water Politics

In California, water can help define fortunes, literally. A young Stanford graduate who chairs the Colorado River Board of California has a major say in this.

Image caption: California's school buildings aren't what they used to be, after years or neglect and disrepair that the legislature now struggles to reverse.
California's Crumbling Schools: Legislature Crafting Huge Construction Bond

Small, rural districts often struggle to pass local bond measures to pay for school construction and repairs. In some cases, leaking roofs, dry rot and broken air conditioners haven’t been fixed in years.

Image caption: Rodin Farms Fruit Stand lies along one of the “stroads” in Stanislaus County, and a widening of the highway could drive the longtime landmark out of business.
Nov. 27, 2023: Season’s Eating

Holiday recipes from Sacramento Digs Gardening, a tour of agricultural tourist attractions—including Modesto’s imperiled Rodin Farms Fruit Stand—and a preview of the scenery-chewing Newsom-DeSantis debate.

Image caption: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (left) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) will face off in a Fox News debate on Nov. 30.
Newsom vs. DeSantis Fox News Debate Set for Nov. 30

Governors Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) are set to face off in a debate Nov. 30 with unexpectedly high stakes, as polls now show both underwater in voter approval ratings.

Image caption: Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (right) waited until just before Thanksgiving to hit legislative leadership with a drastic overhaul.
Rivas Shakes up Legislative Leadership: Winners and Losers

Assembly Speaker Rivas puts key allies into leadership posts and shuffles the top posts on committees heading into the 2024 session of the Legislature. One big winner: pro-housing advocates.

Image caption: Bob Iger at the ceremony for Minnie Mouse’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Iger’s Return to Disney Struggles to Recapture Magic

Veteran Disney CEO Bob Iger returned to the company a year ago, reports the Los Angeles Times, but things haven’t gone exactly as planned.

Image caption: Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom meet with California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick.
Getting to Know California’s Poet Laureate

Lee Herrick explains to the Los Angeles Times why he’s always traveling California.

Image caption: Climate change models suggest that bone-dry Death Valley could see more torrential rain in the future.
Water Flows Back Into Death Valley

Record rains help a lake reappear in the hottest place on Earth, and The New York Times documents the spectacle.

Image caption: Despite rising homelessness, the state lifted its COVID-era eviction ban. Now renters are feeling the consequences.
End of Pandemic Ban Sends Renter Evictions Soaring

The number of Californians facing eviction was relatively low for years during a lengthy statewide moratorium. In the year after it ended, cases soared and still remain high in large counties.

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Nov. 20, 2023: Take It to the Bank

From now until the end of the year, ’tis the season of giving. Here are some suggestions for where to make a deposit.

Image caption: Almost half of all low-income Black adults in California experience food insecurity.
Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What It Is, What to Do About It

Hunger and food insecurity have become persistent problems in California. With the world’s fifth-largest economy, what steps can we take to make sure that everyone has enough to eat?

Image caption: On a press conference televised by Fox 11 News, Gov. Gavin Newsom answered questions about the company that Caltrans was suing for nonpayment on the property that caught fire underneath the 10 Freeway.
LA Freeway Fire Destroys Immigrant Businesses

A fire under Interstate 10 in Los Angeles devastated some businesses run by immigrants. Caltrans had been trying to evict their landlord.“

Image caption: Second Harvest CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez (at right) with a group of local Rotary members who helped wrap Holiday Food & Fund Drive barrels.
Setting the Table for Social Change

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez looks at food insecurity as a symptom of an underlying disorder—one that can be cured.

Image caption: It's becoming more difficult to have a healthy childbirth in California as maternity wards close at an alarming rate.
California Hospitals Closed 46 Maternity Wards Since 2012

Hospitals all over California are closing their maternity wards, including in dense cities like Los Angeles and in more remote communities in the Sierra Nevada.

Image caption: A definitive federal report says California’s economy suffers more than almost all states from the effects of climate change.
California Among Top 5 Worst Climate Change States, Report Says

California ranks among the top states suffering economic damage from climate-related disasters. The report describes food shortages, floods, droughts, wildfires, pollution, disease—all linked to climate change.

Image caption: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed the city’s housing department to conduct a comprehensive review of all residential hotels in response to an investigative report.
LA Hotel Housing Story

A hotel in Hollywood is receiving more than twice it would get per room by renting to the city of Los Angeles rather than to long-term tenants.

Image caption: Part of the massive grid laid out for California City that never went any further.
The Near-Ghost Town in the Desert

By land, California City is the third-largest city in the state. But the building of this city is largely a cautionary tale for other would-be planned cities.

Image caption: Under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, California students must now be educated in media literacy and critical thinking skills.
How to Spot Fake News Now Part of California School Curriculum

A new law requires K-12 schools to add media literacy to curriculum for English language arts, science, math and history-social studies. Among the lessons will be recognizing fake news.

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Nov. 13, 2023: Fighting & Working for Democracy

Veterans Day weekend reminds us to appreciate our fundamental democratic values, to thank those who fought to defend them, and to work together to preserve democracy here in California.

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12/01/2023

Tracy and Kyle May: Entrepreneurs Glowing with Delight

The Christmas season is special, and many families take this time of year to pull out the stops decorating and getting into the holiday spirit. Lights are always a must, especially ornamenting the...

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12/01/2023

Hospice of San Joaquin’s Tree of Lights 35th Anniversary: Celebrating Loved Ones

Photo by Dave Skinner Anyone who has been to Stockton in December has probably seen the awe-inspiring holiday tree in front of Delta Community College. But not everyone knows the story and meaning...

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12/01/2023

Mercedes-Benz of Stockton: History in the Making

By Alexandra Kreuger Did you know that Mercedes-Benz is one of the oldest car companies in the world? It's true. Carl Benz, the latter half of the company's namesake, developed the world's first a...

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12/01/2023

The Stockton Portsmen: Festive Harmonies

Do you want to send a unique gift? Surprise a friend? Create an unforgettable celebration? The Stockton Portsmen have you covered. The Stockton Portsmen are a group of talented singers whose preci...

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12/01/2023

Frosted Flour: Confections That Surprise All the Senses

“Everyone loves dessert!” exclaimed Lisa Hassett, owner of Lodi’s charming bakery, Frosted Flour, where she’s been operating on that scientific truth since opening in 2010. “There is always a wedd...

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12/01/2023

Stockton Restaurant Week Returns!

By Amy Alpers Stockton, California, is gearing up for another exciting culinary event as Stockton Restaurant Week returns January 19 through 28, 2024. This highly anticipated ten-day dining extrav...