Top stories: Did Madera casino crap out? Mexican restaurants on fire. Machete attack in Fresno
Here’s your nightcap of top Fresno Bee stories to get caught up. Enjoy!
Madera casino construction continues despite court ruling
The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians says it will continue building its 100,000-square-foot casino complex off Highway 99 in Madera County, even after the Supreme Court of California declined to review a lower court ruling against the project. The tribe says its right to build on federal trust land is governed by federal law and that construction will proceed, with plans to open this year. Click here for full story.
Fresno’s Mexican restaurant scene is booming
Several new Mexican restaurants have recently opened or are coming soon to Fresno, including a Michelin Guide-recognized taqueria from Tijuana called Tacos El Franc and a third location of Taqueria Yarelis, home of the 3-foot-long Anaconda burrito. Other openings include Aliberto’s, a brick-and-mortar location of the Chicomostock taco truck and a third Papi’s Mex Grill. Click here for full story.
Fresno State eyes jersey patch revenue ahead of Pac-12 move
With the NCAA approving commercial jersey patches in January, Fresno State could generate millions in new athletics revenue as it transitions to the Pac-12 Conference on July 1. CBS Sports reported valuations could range from $500,000 to $12 million a year depending on school and market. Click here for full story.
Victim dies after machete attack at Fresno plant nursery
A Fresno-area business owner died Monday after she was attacked with a machete by a relative on Easter Sunday. Maria Salud Banda Wash, 64, died after she was attacked at her business, Sago Rey Palms Plant Nursery. The suspect is her 29-year-old nephew, Nicolas Arriaga. Click here for full story.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Original stories by Fresno Bee reporters Bethany Clough, Erik Galicia, Robert Kuwada and Joshua Tehee.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
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