🧒The Kids Are (not) Alright?
Kids are back to school and school districts really want them back + Where Covid CARES Act Money going for Fresno. What happened in Fresno, Aug. 10-15.
☀️ Good morning, Fresno! It is Sunday, August 16, 2020
It’s really hot, y’all. I hope everyone is getting enough water! Also, I have a confession: I really need a haircut. Anybody got a connect to some secret barbers? Anyone wanna cut my hair? Please? We’ll let you be a guest on the podcast in exchange for the cut. We’ll interview you about your experience cutting my hair. Please.
-Ram 🧡
Fresno By Five
👨🏫 CUSD: Once again, fuck dem kids
In line with Clovis Unified’s headassery, students that returned to school last Monday found out they still need to be within CUSD dress code. So, no tank tops, no spaghetti straps, and no mohawks. I don’t know how they’re gonna check if they’re even wearing pants. But you know CUSD is just preparing them for the real adult world where every adult is definitely in dress code whenever they’re in a Zoom meeting.
🏫 A Very Christlike School
A private, Mennonite-faith-based K-12 school in Reedley welcomed kids back on Thursday. The school officials believe, after they “prayerfully sought counsel,” that this would be best for the kids’ health. Those children with medical needs can continue home learning. School officials also said they are working with other Christ-centered private schools to file a lawsuit claiming the state orders were unconstitutional.
On Friday, the Fresno County Department of Public Health ordered the school to close and will take the school to court. Despite the order, children still attended school. Womp Womp.
🐮 Once again, Devin, you cannot sue a cow
For the third time, a Virginia judge told Rep. Devin Nunes that he may not sue Twitter or his fake cow’s twitter. This time, Nunes said that Twitter is aiding and abetting the anonymous account that criticizes him. The judge dismissed this and reminded Nunes that Twitter has been dismissed from the case. Just chill out, Devin and listen to us talk about you.
💸 COVID CARES Act Money
The Fresno City Council has unveiled a plan of where the $10.2 million of CARES act money will go. Here is the breakdown:
Food Assistance: $4.4 Million
$2,324,300 of which will go to Fresno Unified, not just to students but to adults as well, including homeless people.
$2,067,300 going to food relief organizations such as Neighborhood Industries, The Fresno Center, Readying & Beyond, etc.
Testing, Tracing & Quarantine Support: $3.8 Million
$2,771,698 going to Building Healthy Communities and Fresno County EOC and contact tracing and quarantine support for essential workers and vulnerable communities.
$1,046,435 going to Bautista Medical Group for COVID-19 screening, testing and medical services to 10,000 uninsured essential workers and residents.
Small Business Relief: $2 Million
$2 million going to Fresno City Economic Development Dept and Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.
🔵 Fresno County Turning Blue?
The Secretary of State released new numbers for voter registration in Fresno County for July and more people are switching from no party preference to Democrat. At this point, Democrats have a six percent lead over Republicans, 39%-33% with 22% choosing no party preference. The county had added 3,950 new voters but the Democrats added 4,700 new voters, indicating that some voters have switched parties.
🚨 Clash on the Fresno Police Reform Commission
Members of the police policy and tactics subcommittee of the Fresno Police Reform Commission clashed over the change of policy regarding use-of-force. The Fresno Police Officers Association’s Union President Todd Frazier objected to a proposed change that would require all law enforcement officers to intervene if they believe their fellow officer is using or is about to use unnecessary or excessive force.
Frazier argued that it is impossible to predict what another officer is about to do and that the proposed policy change would create conflict between officers. Those for the change argued that there are acts of force that cannot be taken back and require officers to intervene.
🥵 So Hot the Power Grid is Heat Stroking
If you’ve checked your weather app, you’ll find that we are currently in Hell. We are expected to experience 100-degree weather until *checks notes* until Friday. Nope, not this Friday but Friday, August 28. Hahahahaha…hahahah…ha..ha.
It’s so hot in the state that this is the first time since 2001 that California has issued a rolling blackout and affected some 10,000 PG&E customers around Fresno/Clovis. The power was out from 7:42 until 10:30 pm. Stay hydrated and stay cool, y’all!
🏥 Coronavirus Updates
As of Aug. 15, the most recent data available at the time of writing, there have been a total of 19,043 (+2,012 from last week) total confirmed cases and 203 (+32) deaths in Fresno County. Currently, there are 250 (-42) hospitalized. A total of 8,425 (+1,920) people have recovered.
Testing is available around Fresno. Visit lhi.care to set up an appointment. It’s free even without insurance. If you have insurance, you can also try these other testing sites here.
If you have recovered from COVID-19, the CDC saysyou don’t need to quarantine for up to three months. CDC officials said that reinfection rates are low for those three months and don’t need to get tested again. So, if you had COVID and you’re good now, go wild, I guess.
💼 Long Reads/Listens for y’all
The Fresno bee just launched the first part of their Fresno Voices series. This first installment focuses on how Fresno failed its Black residents and stories behind Fresno’s Black Lives Matter protests. Give ‘em a read!
KVPR’s Laura Tsusui interviews Jessica Garrison about her new book “The Devil’s Harvest.” The subject of the book, Tulare County native Jose Manuel Martinez, was an assassin for hire for over 30 years in the southern parts of the Central Valley. He killed roughly three dozen people during his career. It’s odd to describe his killings as a “career” but that’s what he did. Listen to her interview with the author here.
🎧 On the pod this week
Diving into the Devin Nunes Podcast and Democratic Socialism feat. David Paredes
This week we sat down with DSA Fresno Co-Chair and original Fiveby stan David Paredes to review an episode of the Devin Nunes podcast that guest stars Fresno City Council’s very own Councilmember Garry Bredefeld. Plus, Paredes announces his candidacy for the Fresno Unified school board in District 5.
Links to David’s Campaign: https://www.instagram.com/paredes4fusd/
This newsletter was written by Ram Reyes (@vibesradiator) and edited by Tommy Tribble (@tomiiwrites)