Top stories: New restaurants in Fresno; former Madera mayor dies; our endorsement for governor
The Fresno Bee covered a busy news day with developments across food, politics and the local community. Top stories included a sweeping look at the region’s shifting restaurant scene, the death of a beloved former Madera mayor and a high-stakes endorsement in California’s crowded race for governor.
We assemble this list each evening, so you can get caught up on the top Fresno Bee stories of the day
• Fresno restaurant scene sees wave of openings and closures: New spots including EggBred, Tacos El Franc, Bulle and Strada Italian Sandwiches are opening or coming soon, while Yosemite Falls Cafe nears reopening after an August kitchen fire. Closures include Araz Bakery, two KFC locations, Incinerati Brewing Co. and Teazer at Sierra Vista Mall. El Mariachi is rebranding as Masa Madre. Click here for full story.
• Former Madera mayor Santos Garcia dies at 69: Garcia, a retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier and labor organizer, died Saturday at Madera Community Hospital. Elected to the Madera City Council in 2018 and as mayor in 2020, he guided the city through the COVID-19 pandemic before losing his seat in 2024. Officials including state Sen. Anna Caballero and Assembly member Esmeralda Soria called him “a true public servant” and a “Madera giant.” Click here for full story.
• Editorial board endorses Katie Porter for California governor: McClatchy Media’s California editorial board endorsed former Rep. Katie Porter in the crowded primary to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. The board cited Porter’s grasp of kitchen-table economics, her pledge to eliminate state income tax for those earning under $100,000 and her refusal to take corporate PAC money. The board warned against a November runoff between Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. Click here for full story.
Original stories by Bethany Clough, Maria G. Ortiz-Briones and McClatchy Media’s California editorial board
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.
.jpg)