Top stories: Rock legend’s kids; top-paid Fresno Co. employees; local PAC money results

Here’s a quick look at what readers were reading Thursday across local government, business, politics and entertainment.

We assemble this list so you can get caught up on the top Fresno Bee stories of the day

• Highest paid Fresno County employees rack up OT and benefits. The top 50 list — Records obtained by The Fresno Bee show CAO Paul Nerland led all county employees with a $534,191 compensation package, including pay, benefits and a defined benefits plan contribution. Several deputy sheriffs and a senior correctional officer collected more in overtime than their regular salaries, with Deputy Darren Bounlutay pulling in $152,157 in OT alone. Sheriff John Zanoni and District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp also ranked in the top 50. Click here for full story.
• Two fast food restaurants in downtown Fresno closed. Who’s already taking over? — The shuttered KFC and Wendy’s on C Street have been taken over by locally owned eateries just months after closing. Aliberto’s Jr Mexican Food is now open in the former Wendy’s and will hold its grand opening June 12. Smashville Burgers & Chicken, owned by Ahmed Nabill, plans to open in the former KFC in mid-June or early July with a menu combining smashburgers and Nashville hot chicken. Click here for full story.
• Youth-led PAC spent $60K on Fresno area Democratic candidates. How did they do? — Youth Save Democracy spent more than $60,000 backing seven candidates this election cycle, but only cofounder Navkaran Gurm appears headed to a November runoff in a local race. Gurm secured 38.36% in the Fresno City Council District 7 contest. The PAC, which has drawn criticism for high operational expenses, also backed several state-level candidates who appear headed to runoffs. Click here for full story.
• Two famous musicians’ kids each book Fresno concert. Who else is coming to town? — Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening will play Warnors Theatre on Aug. 20, followed by a stop at Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles on Aug. 21. Bonham, son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, has performed with the band at reunion shows in 1988 and 2007. Lukas Nelson, son of Willie Nelson, will co-headline Warnors with Molly Tuttle on Sept. 30, among several other recently announced concerts. Click here for full story.

Original stories from Thaddeus Miller, Bethany Clough, Melissa Montalvo and Joshua Tehee

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.