Top stories: Newsom packs board. Bredefeld fears ‘indoctrination.’ PACs spread cash
The Fresno Bee’s top stories of the day on Tuesday covered decisions shaping local government, education and politics across the region.
County supervisors restricted library staff participation in an upcoming Pride event, while Fresno Unified trustees advanced significant layoffs amid an $88 million budget gap.
Governor Newsom reshuffled the high-speed rail board with two Bay Area appointees, and new political action committees are pouring money into local council and supervisor races ahead of the June 2 primary.
We assemble this list each evening, so you can get caught up on the top Fresno Bee stories of the day
Fresno’s High-Speed Rail chairman leaves board, Newsom adds 2 former staffers from Bay Area
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday he is replacing Fresno’s Tom Richards and Sacramento’s Nancy Miller with former staffers Stephen Kawa and Jason Elliott. The rail authority is on pace to lay its first tracks by December in the Central Valley and plans to approve a co-development agreement with the private sector this year. Legislative approval is needed before the authority can build toward Los Angeles and San Francisco. Richards, first appointed in 2010, said he chose to step down after 15 years on the board. Click here for full story.
Library staff blocked from Fresno Pride event by majority of county supervisors
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to deny library staffers’ request to participate in the Fresno Rainbow Pride event with an informational booth. Supervisors Garry Bredefeld, Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes voted against participation, with Bredefeld citing concerns about “indoctrination” of children. State law prevents supervisors from controlling how library staff display books, though they retain some authority over other types of displays. Click here for full story.
Fresno Unified proceeds with layoffs, says it can’t support current staff levels
Trustees approved layoffs of 78 certificated positions and 196 classified positions Monday afternoon ahead of the 2026-27 school year. The certificated cuts include 22 school counselors, 19 preschool teachers, nine vice principals and seven nurses, with the district citing lack of work and lack of funds. Affected employees may be “bumped” into similar open positions or offered displacement with potential pay cuts. The district’s projected budget deficit now sits at $88 million, a 49% increase since February. Click here for full story.
Political spending groups want to influence Fresno elections. Whom do they support?
Several newly formed PACs are spending tens of thousands of dollars on Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Fresno City Council races ahead of the June 2 primary. The Central Valley Council, formed in 2025 by consultant Alex Tavlian, is funded by local businesses including Mid Valley Disposal, Granville Homes and American Ambulance. The group contributed $10,000 to Mike Karbassi’s supervisor campaign and has donated to multiple City Council candidates. New state campaign finance laws may be shifting fundraising toward PACs and independent expenditures with no contribution limits. Click here for full story.
Original stories by Thaddeus Miller, Erik Galicia, Nick Fenley and Melissa Montalvo.
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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