Measure G is about who gets the power

The pivotal number in the Measure G debate — 1.3 million. The pivotal concept — a funnel. The pivotal player — Mancur Olson. You know all about Measure G. I’ll be spare with background. The June 4 election is two weeks away. The key question: What is the fundamental dynamic here? Here’s my stab: The [...]read more »

After hantavirus deaths, NPS should review tent cabin changes, report says

Federal investigators have recommended a National Park Service review of any design changes in tent cabins after three deaths last year during a hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite National Park. Several hantavirus cases were diagnosed after people spent the night at Curry Village in newer tent cabins with a double-wall construction. Investigation showed infected mice nested [...]read more »

Lanare’s closest option for healthy water was contaminated

Folks in the southwest Fresno County town of Lanare avoid drinking arsenic-laced water from their taps. They thought four vending machines in nearby Riverdale were their best option for healthy water. Now the machines are gone, according to California Rural Legal Assistance, representing Lanare’s 590 residents. The machines apparently were not filtering the water in [...]read more »

Fresno council member defends closed-door budget discussion

Fresno City Council Member Steve Brandau offered gracious and well-spoken introductory remarks before Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s State of the City address on Thursday. There was one problem: the first-year council member referenced a closed-door council discussion about the city budget, and city budgets are not supposed to be discussed behind closed doors, per the state’s [...]read more »