Best-read: Fig Garden closures; Highway 41 disruptions; Fresno State students rebuff NY Times
These were the best-read Fresno Bee stories among subscribers last week, reflecting what most captured your attention across our coverage.
A retail upheaval in Fresno’s shopping centers, a high-profile embezzlement investigation, a major highway disruption and a Fresno State campus debate over media access.
Bee subscribers gravitated to stories that affect their daily lives — where they shop, how they drive, how public money is handled and how students engage with the news.
Retail shake-up hits Fig Garden and Blackstone Avenue
Two longtime Fresno retailers are shutting their doors. Eddie Bauer will close its Fig Garden Village store as the outdoor brand’s North American operator files for bankruptcy and shutters 175 locations. GW School Supply is closing its Blackstone Avenue shop after decades serving teachers and homeschoolers, though its Belmont and Bakersfield stores and online sales will continue. Click here to read full story.
Star Fresno chef plans Italian sandwich shop with house-baked focaccia
Annex Kitchen owner Jimmy Pardini is launching Strada Italian Sandwiches in north Fresno’s Park Crossing center near Annesso Pizzeria. Opening is targeted for mid-April. The shop will feature warm, house-baked focaccia, imported Italian meats sliced to order and house-made spreads like pistachio cream and truffle, with indoor and patio seating, plus beer and wine. Click here to read full story.
Ex-operations manager named in Fresno Arts Council money probe
Former Fresno Arts Council operations manager Suliana Caldwell has been identified by city officials as the subject of an investigation into $1.5 million in missing taxpayer funds. Fresno police, working with the FBI, have served multiple search warrants. Caldwell has not been arrested or charged, and the council has called the losses “unauthorized financial transactions” now under investigation. Click here to read full story.
Short-term Highway 41 closure to snarl south Fresno traffic
Caltrans is closing the No. 2 lane of northbound Highway 41 between Central and North avenues in Fresno, along with the North Avenue off-ramp, for maintenance. The closure is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, weather permitting. Officials warn the work could last longer and urge drivers to plan extra travel time. Click here to read full story.
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Fresno State student leaders reject NYT access after coverage concerns
Fresno State’s Associated Students, Inc., voted down a proposal to spend $15,705 in student fees on free New York Times digital subscriptions after a debate over the paper’s Gaza coverage and student demand. Opponents said funding would endorse the Times’ editorial stance, while backers cited academic use and extras like Wordle. The Collegian, Fresno State’s student newspaper, first reported the vote. Click here to read full story.
These recaps were produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by Fresno Bee journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom.
Based on original stories from Fresno Bee reporters Brooke Baitinger, Bethany Clough, Liliana Fanin and Melissa Montalvo.
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM.
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