Top stories: Volcano erupting, bizarre murder delayed, Porchfest is here, FUSD talks SEDA
From a Fresno Unified school board clash over a mega-development plan to a murder trial paused over mental competency questions, The Fresno Bee covered a range of local stories this week.
Here is a roundup of top stories, including a board policy change shaping the SEDA debate, Tower Porchfest’s record-setting lineup, an unusual geological event on the Central Coast, and a criminal case on hold.
We assemble this list each evening, so you can get caught up on the top Fresno Bee stories of the day
• Fresno Unified trustees limit board advocacy amid SEDA debate Board members voted 5-2 to amend bylaws limiting advocacy to issues “within the subject matter of the school district.” The change comes as board President Veva Islas pushes for a public stance against the 9,000-acre Southeast Development Area plan backed by Mayor Jerry Dyer, which district officials fear could worsen declining enrollment. A presentation on the plan’s impact is expected in May. Click here for full story.
• Tower Porchfest returns Saturday The annual event is set for Saturday with 422 performances across 122 porches in Fresno’s Tower District. The free community music event features a cross-genre lineup spanning folk, indie rock, mariachi, metal, rap and jazz. Free parking is available at Fresno City College, and a searchable database on the event’s website helps attendees plan their day. Click here for full story.
• Fresno murder trial paused over mental competency issue A judge suspended the criminal case against Norman Vulich, charged with murdering his brother Jerry Vulich on the family’s farming property near Easton in 2020. Defense attorneys said Vulich has not been cooperating in trial preparation. A psychiatrist’s evaluation is due May 29, with a competency hearing set for June 4. Click here for full story.
• Smoke pours from ‘volcano’ at Central Coast beach Fire crews responded to Hope Ranch in Santa Barbara County after a natural coastal bluff vent known as the “Hope Ranch Volcano” flared up Thursday. The solfatara, documented since the 1800s, releases heat, steam and sulfurous gases and can ignite nearby vegetation. The activity caused a smoldering fire in an underground PVC drainage pipe, but no structures were threatened. Click here for full story.
Original stories by Leqi Zhong, Joshua Tehee, Robert Rodriguez and Kaytlyn Leslie.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 8:58 PM.
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