Top stories: Pac-12 penalties; Avenal without leaders; nuclear family politics

From a small city in turmoil over a contested recall election to a popular Mexican restaurant closing its doors, here are Tuesday’s top stories from The Fresno Bee, covering local government, dining, county policy and college athletics.

Here are The Fresno Bee’s top stories from Tuesday to catch you up

• Recalled Avenal councilmembers refuse to leave office in tense meeting. What happens next? Four Avenal City Council members recalled by voters on April 28 have refused to leave office, claiming the election was illegal despite results showing 76% to 80% support for removal. The recalled members have continued holding city council meetings, while Kings County District Attorney Sarah Hacker sent a cease-and-desist letter warning that only Councilmember Verdugo lawfully sits. Permanent removal requires a quo warranto legal process through the California Attorney General, which can take a year or more. If granted, the council would be left with just one member — too few to form a quorum.
• Suspended liquor license, signs removed. What’s up at Fresno’s Culichi Town? The Mexican seafood restaurant on West Shaw Avenue has had its liquor license suspended for 15 days for selling alcohol to a minor on Nov. 7, 2024, and its signs have been removed. The restaurant appears closed, with windows covered in brown paper and the phone disconnected. Signs indicate a new concept called Carlota Mexican Flavors will open in fall 2026. Multiple Culichi Town locations across California have closed in recent years, though several remain open in cities including Modesto, San Jose, Bell and Ontario.
• ‘Nuclear Family Month’ adopted by Fresno County; includes divorced couples, not same-sex The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to adopt a resolution declaring June “Traditional Nuclear Family Month” after modifications removed divisive language about LGBTQ+ issues. Supervisor Garry Bredefeld’s proposal was amended to include divorced couples, single mothers and stepparents, but he refused to add same-sex couples. Detractors called the resolution “hateful demagoguery” and argued it was meant to be adversarial to Pride Month. Supervisors Brian Pacheco and Luis Chavez voted against the measure.
• Pac-12: Schools that don’t spend enough could face penalty. Where do Bulldogs stand? Fresno State invested $18 million in its football program in 2025, ranking last among schools joining the new Pac-12 on July 1 and below the conference average of $21.6 million. Schools failing to meet spending and revenue sharing floors could face penalties designed to boost competitive balance, Pac-12 deputy commissioner Rick Hart said. The minimum investment levels would likely impact only football, basketball and women’s basketball programs. The Bulldogs also ranked seventh in basketball operating expenses and eighth in women’s basketball among incoming league members.

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