Top stories: Fresno State Foundation defiant; Horn BBQ investigation; high-speed rail politics

Monday’s news from The Fresno Bee covers a wage-theft investigation into a high-profile barbecue restaurant, a governance standoff between Fresno State Foundation and the CSU system, and a shift in plans for the California high-speed rail project’s southern terminus.

Here are Monday’s top stories from The Fresno Bee to get you caught up

• Horn Barbecue wage-theft investigation launched by Fresno city attorney: Fresno’s City Attorney’s Office confirmed it is investigating the now-closed restaurant from chef Matt Horn for wage theft, with the case referred by the state. Horn Barbecue opened at Granite Park in January amid heavy hype but closed by June after a dozen employees filed claims with the Department of Industrial Relations. Dozens of wage claims have been filed against Horn’s restaurants in Fresno, Oakland and the Sacramento area, with most still under investigation.
• Fresno State Foundation digs in — at odds with CSU over adding faculty, students to board: The foundation, which manages more than $315 million in endowments and grants, took no action Monday on a recommendation to add staff, faculty and student representation to its board ahead of a June 30 deadline. A CSU advisory review found the board composition violates state law, but the foundation obtained an outside legal opinion arguing it is exempt under Title V because composition has not changed since 1931. Vice President for Advancement Brady Crook countered that updates to the articles of incorporation and bylaws triggered new compliance requirements under the regulation.
• High-Speed Rail wants ‘temporary’ non-downtown Bakersfield station. What about permanent one?: The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 business plan proposes a temporary Bakersfield station north of 7th Standard Road, at least 5 miles northwest of the planned permanent downtown site near F Street and Golden State Avenue. CEO Ian Choudri said funding constraints are driving the change and that a Merced-to-Bakersfield segment could be built by 2033 for around $35.7 billion. The Legislature last year approved $1 billion per year through 2045, bringing available funding to about $39.3 billion over two decades.

Original stories by Joshua Tehee, Robert Kuwada and Erik Galicia.

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.

This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 6:37 PM.