Local Politics · Fresno County
Fresno County voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve Measure S, a half-cent transportation sales tax that would replace the expiring Measure C for 30 years starting July 1, 2027, projecting roughly $7.4 billion in revenue. Unlike prior Measure C renewals requiring a two-thirds vote, Measure S needs only a simple majority because it was placed on the ballot as a citizens' initiative with verified petition signatures. The measure prioritizes neighborhood road repair (targeting a Pavement Condition Index of 70), school-zone safety projects, and public transit funding, with annual independent audits by a citizen oversight committee barring elected officials. If Measure S fails, the half-cent tax ends June 30, 2027, reducing sales tax rates unless another measure replaces it.
Local Politics · Fresno, CA
The Fresno City Council voted 6-1 on Thursday to postpone initiating a public process for water and sewage rate increases until after the November midterm election, citing uncertainty over local ballot measures Measure S (county transportation) and Measure D (city general tax). The proposed changes would add about $1.77 per month to a typical resident's water bill while reducing sewage costs by roughly $1; rates have not increased in nearly a decade. Councilmember Nick Richardson cast the lone dissenting vote, urging colleagues to act now rather than risk a 16-year gap. Separately, the council voted to oppose Fresno County's exploration of privatizing the local library system.
Education · Fresno, CA
At Wednesday's Fresno Unified School District board meeting, parents and community members urged officials to strengthen communication about immigration enforcement near schools and offered options including short-term independent study of up to 15 days. District CFO Patrick Jensen reported a 2.1% drop in average daily attendance on Friday compared to last year, translating to roughly $115,000 in lost state funding. The board also approved budget revisions totaling $2.1 million in additional costs and adjustments of around $4.3 million, including a net reduction of 20 teacher positions offset by nine vacancies and decreased Special Education staffing for seven classrooms. Separately, the district sold $95.5 million in bonds on Sep. 3 for facility improvements, generating over $339 million in investor orders.
Local Politics · Fresno County
A comprehensive guide to the November 2026 ballot for Fresno County voters covers local measures including a replacement for Measure C called Better Roads, Safe Streets—though as of Aug. 10 it had not yet appeared on the ballot amid a promised legal challenge by county supervisors—as well as tax measures in Fresno, Orange Cove, Coalinga, and the Sierra Kings Health Care District. The guide lists contested races across city councils, state legislative districts, congressional seats, Superior Court judgeships, school boards, community college districts, and special districts. Voters must register by Oct. 19 to participate. Several incumbents are running for other offices, creating open seats in Fresno City Council, county supervisor, and multiple school board races.
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Education · Fresno County
California Smarter Balanced Assessment scores released Thursday show Fresno County's overall English proficiency at 48% and math at 36% for the 2025-26 school year, continuing annual gains of at least 2% since 2024. Golden Plains Unified in Tranquility improved math proficiency by 6% in one year despite serving a student body that is 95% economically disadvantaged and 49% English Learners. Fresno Unified reached 40% ELA and 29% math proficiency, exceeding pre-COVID performance for the first time and ranking 8th in ELA among 27 comparable districts. Clovis, Central, and Sanger Unified also posted modest improvements. Golden Plains Superintendent Felipe Piedra credited community involvement and rigorous teaching but noted enrollment has fallen more than 20% due to water insecurity and a dry job market, prompting consideration of school consolidation.
Local Politics · Clovis, CA
Clovis City Council District 1, covering the city's southwest corner from Willow Avenue to Clovis Avenue and Shaw Avenue south toward Ashlan Avenue, will hold its first district election on Nov. 3. Candidates Magsig, a commercial lending professional and son of Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, and Sayasane, a former Fresno Police Department crime analyst and current GIS specialist at Fresno City Hall, are running for the seat. Key issues discussed include public safety funding tied to Measure Y, water rate increases, zoning for industrial/service businesses, infrastructure repairs including streetlights and sidewalks, Old Town revitalization, canal trail development, and concerns about commercial truck traffic on residential streets near Old Town. Both candidates emphasized that District 1 has been underserved under the previous at-large council structure.
Education · Fresno, CA
Incumbent Joshua Sellers, a Fresno city firefighter first elected in 2022, faces newcomer John Nale, owner of Ziveli Winery in Biola, in the Nov. 3 election for Central Unified School District Trustee Area 1. The district serves approximately 16,000 students across 28 schools in northwest Fresno and parts of western Fresno County, including Biola and areas near Kerman. Sellers' platform emphasizes a long-term facilities master plan, addressing chronic absenteeism (22.5% in 2024-25), expanding career technical education, and opposing SEDA sprawl development until existing neighborhoods receive infrastructure. Four of seven board seats are up for general election and one for special election on Nov. 3.
Community News · Fresno County
The Salmon Conservation and Research Facility, opened May 2025 in Friant along the San Joaquin River near Fresno, produces spring-run Chinook for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, which seeks to restore a run eliminated by Friant Dam's 1942 completion. The program reached a milestone in summer 2025 with 448 adult salmon returning—the highest since juveniles were reintroduced in 2014—though only 54 returned this year amid drier conditions. Four passage-impediment projects remain, including a $93 million bypass east of Dos Palos underway and a Mendota Pool project needing up to $700 million; full river navigability is estimated by 2035.
Local Business · Fresno, CA
La Tapatia Tortilleria, a women-owned Fresno business founded in 1969, moved its retail outlet from Belmont Avenue to 403 N. H St. in late September after high-speed rail construction caused an extreme loss in business at the old location. The High-Speed Rail Authority helped pay roughly a quarter of the relocation and renovation costs, but customers report difficulty finding the new store, which is not on a major thoroughfare. The new outlet is open 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturdays, selling tortillas, chips, and wraps under the La Tapatia, Golden Sun, and Sol de Oro brands. Manufacturing plants remain in their original downtown locations. Other Fresno businesses, including restaurant Libelula and Chinatown shops, have also been affected by high-speed rail-related construction disruptions.
Social Events · Fresno, CA
Fresnoland and the Maddy Institute at Fresno State are hosting Ballots and Brews on Friday, October 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Summer Fox Brewing in the Tower District. The event will feature discussions with leaders across the political spectrum on transportation taxes (Measure S) and potential changes to the Fresno City Council composition. Registration is available via a link provided by the organizers.
Local Politics · Clovis, CA
Northwest Clovis residents will vote in the newly created District 5 City Council race on Nov. 3, pitting instructional aide Almond against incumbent Drew Bessinger, a retired Clovis police captain. District 5 spans roughly from Willow Avenue to Sunnyside Avenue and from Highway 168/Sierra Avenue north to Behymer Avenue, including the Buchanan High School area. Almond's platform emphasizes affordable housing, improved public transit, safe routes to schools, developer-funded infrastructure for new growth, and greater representation of non-white residents. Bessinger highlights his record rebuilding Clovis police staffing from 93 to about 135 officers and calls public safety the city's top priority. Both candidates address development pressures in areas like Vista Ranch north of town and existing utility-rate concerns.
Education · Fresno, CA
Incumbent Harman Singh, appointed in March 2026 after Natalie Chavez left California, faces newcomers Erica Gonzalez Piedra and LaVera Smith in the Nov. 3 election for Central Unified School District Trustee Area 3. The district serves northwest Fresno and parts of western Fresno County, including Biola and areas near Kerman, with 28 schools and roughly 16,000 students. Area 3 encompasses Rio Vista Middle School and River Bluff Elementary, with students attending Justin Garza High School. Piedra emphasized facilities planning, school safety infrastructure such as crossing routes at Herndon Avenue and Veterans Boulevard, English learner support, and dual-language programs including Punjabi. Smith did not respond to interview requests, and Singh's responses were cut short in the article.
