Top stories: Kristin Smart case; Jim Costa 2023 probe revealed; parking’s a mess in downtown
The Fresno Bee covered a range of top stories on May 6, 2026, including major developments in local governance, federal politics and a decades-old criminal case.
Readers got updates on shifting downtown parking policies, a congressional ethics investigation involving a longtime Valley lawmaker and a renewed search in the Kristin Smart case.
Downtown Fresno parking sees pricing overhaul
The city of Fresno took over downtown parking operations in February, managing thousands of spaces across surface lots, garages and street meters. Special-event meter pricing has ranged from $7 to $50, drawing complaints from business owners after rates spiked during concerts at Chukchansi Park. A new policy sets meters at $2 per hour for the first two hours before special-event rates kick in, while downtown parking remains free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend outside of events. Click here for full story.
Rep. Jim Costa was subject of misconduct probe
U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, a Democrat from Fresno, was investigated by congressional ethics committees in early 2023 over allegations he made inappropriate sexual advances toward two congressional interns. The Office of Congressional Conduct and the House Committee on Ethics dismissed the case, citing a lack of evidence. Costa’s press secretary said he “fully cooperated” with the review and noted the Ethics Committee unanimously voted to dismiss the matter. Click here for full story.
Investigators search SLO County home in Kristin Smart case
San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s investigators served a search warrant Wednesday at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores, mother of convicted killer Paul Flores. Paul Flores was convicted in 2022 of killing Kristin Smart, a Cal Poly first-year student who went missing on Memorial Day weekend in 1996. The new search follows 2023 findings by scientists who said soil vapor analysis detected evidence of human decomposition near the property. Click here for full story.
Original stories by Melissa Montalvo, Joshua Tehee, Kaytlyn Leslie, Joan Lynch, Chloe Shrager and Sadie Dittenber
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.
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