News

CA bill to delay EV school bus mandate would help Merced, other rural districts

A state legislative committe has approved a bill from Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria that would allow school districts to apply for waivers while working to adopt the state’s 2035 zero-emission school bus mandate.

Assembly Bill 1111 sought an extension to 2045. Amendments adopted by the committee would allow small Local Educational Agencies to apply for a five-year waiver between 2035 and 2040, as well as the ability to apply for an annual waiver between 2040 and 2045.

‘I’m still waiting.’ Some Planada families frustrated by slow flood recovery

Two years after a flood ravaged the town, even a member of the California State Assembly says she’s unhappy with the slow pace of repairs promised to residents.

Affordable housing is bustling in Merced, but smaller cities face barriers. ‘It’s not for lack of trying’

The city of Merced has a number of low-income housing projects in the works, but other, smaller Merced County cities have none.

Adam Conour took a couple of career detours before finding his calling in real estate development in California’s Central Valley.

Prior to launching Anabasis, a real estate company that houses U.S. armed forces veterans, he tested explosive weapons for the federal government. Before that, the 34-year-old Winton native was enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Conour’s commitment to housing his fellow veterans runs deep, even though investing in affordable housing in the state’s rural areas is challenging.

New California bills aimed at protecting patients from sexual assault

Both bills stem from the cases of at least 10 women who say an ultrasound tech sexually assaulted them in the Central Valley.

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Valley lawmaker introduced two new bills aimed at protecting patients from sexual assault this week.

It comes as a healthcare provider faces several lawsuits in Merced County for allegedly violating women.

California flooding harmed 4 out of 5 households in this city. A study tallies the damage

FOX26 Town Hall: Fighting Fentanyl in the Central Valley

Tower District shows up in force for largest-ever Rainbow Pride Parade

Local students recognized in Sacramento following FIRST Robotics Competition in Texas

Ramos bill with exemption for military pensions heads to Senate

Military retirees and their surviving spouses are one step closer to seeing their armed forces pensions exempt from state taxation after the Assembly on Monday approved AB 46 on a bipartisan 77-0 vote. Several past attempts at similar legislation have failed to pass the house of origin.

Merced Irrigation District Reports Legislation to Support Groundwater Recharge and Fight Flooding is Making Progress

May 19, 2023 - Legislation from Merced Irrigation District and Merced’s local Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria to support groundwater recharge from flooding streams is progressing through the state legislative process.

“This has massive potential to help water managers across the state, especially those of us in the San Joaquin Valley where overdrafted groundwater is such a significant challenge,” said MID Deputy General Manager of Water Supply and Rights Hicham Eltal.