Best-read: CA governor’s race forum; Fresno luxury apts rising; ‘I’m mad,’ says Chavez friend
Fresno Bee subscribers last week spent the most time with stories that mixed big Central Valley development news, a major courtroom outcome, and high-stakes politics.
This top-five list includes a new luxury apartment project near River Park, a Fresno family’s huge wrongful-death judgment, takeaways from a Fresno State governor’s forum, a landmark downtown building hitting the market, and a farmworker leader’s reaction to allegations tied to Cesar Chavez.
Luxury apartments under construction in Fresno a walk away from shopping centers
A 63-unit luxury apartment complex called The Hubert is rising near Palm and Nees, positioned between River Park and Park Place. Developer Blake Hoffman says the design aims for a more urban, walkable feel. Units are larger than typical apartments, with underground parking, elevators, fitness center, and pool area. Click here for full story.
Fresno family awarded $56.5 million in wrongful death case involving daughter
A Georgia judge awarded a Fresno couple $56.5 million after their 23-year-old daughter, Beth Buchanan, died in a 2023 wrong-way crash. The accused driver, Cesar Raudales Macias, allegedly fled from the hospital and remains a fugitive. The family says the judgment brought long-delayed attention and validation. Click here for full story.
Here’s what candidates for California governor said during Central Valley forum
Six candidates for California governor appeared at a Fresno State forum and addressed agriculture, water management, housing affordability, energy costs, and regulation. Participants included Xavier Becerra, Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, and Antonio Villaraigosa. Candidates stressed water infrastructure and faster housing production, with sharp debate on regulations. Click here for full story.
One of downtown Fresno’s ‘most recognizable’ historic buildings for sale at $8.1M
The eight-story T.W. Patterson building, a prominent 1923 downtown Fresno landmark at Tulare and Fulton, is listed for $8.1 million. Long owned by the Roush family, the building is largely leased to tenants such as law firms and nonprofits. Its historic status can qualify owners for Mills Act incentives. Click here for full story.
‘I’m mad.’ Close friend of Cesar Chavez, lead organizer of 1966 march, speaks out
Roberto Bustos, an organizer of the 1966 Delano-to-Sacramento march and longtime Chavez associate, says he feels anger and sadness after a report alleging Chavez sexually abused underage girls and women. Bustos says the movement is bigger than one figure. The annual Visalia march is postponed and set to rebrand. Click here for 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.
Original stories by Erik Galicia, Robert Rodriguez, Melissa Montalvo and Maria G. Ortiz-Briones.
This story was originally published April 11, 2026 at 9:55 AM.
.jpg)