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February 17, 2022

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - It's a project that's been decades in the making, and now local officials say it will be completed by the end of next year.

It's called Veterans Boulevard, which officials say will be completed before the end of 2023. The two-and-a-half-mile, $140 million project will connect Herndon, on the east side of Highway 99, to Shaw Avenue, on the west side of the 99.

"This is an exciting day in the city and county of Fresno," said Mayor Jerry Dyer at a groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase of the project on Thursday.

February 17, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Local leaders are taking action by investing in the community's future to better prepare police officers, firefighters and EMTs.

Construction is underway at the site of Fresno City College's new multi-million dollar First Responders Training Center.

The site will bring together a number of programs and academies into one 40-acre campus location.

February 13, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE) – Exactly one year ago rioters stormed the US Capitol as members of congress sheltered in place.

Since then, two Central Valley residents have been charged with allegedly taking part in the break-in.

"A year ago today, of the 18 years I have had the honor and privilege to serve the people of our Valley and our nation, was the saddest day," US Congressman Jim Costa, who was in the Capitol when the riot happened.

February 11, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than $19 million is being dedicated to improving transit in the San Joaquin Valley.

Those funds are coming from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed late last year.

This first round of funding will focus on improving transit systems, including purchasing new bus and rail car units.

The City of Fresno will receive $4.3 million. More than $2 million will go to Visalia, and $1.4 million will go to Hanford.

Porterville will receive $1.2 million, and Merced will get $1.3 million.

February 2, 2022

Export supply chain challenges persisted as 2022 began, as did NMPF's work, together with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), to spotlight the disruptions faced by dairy exporters to build momentum for government action.

NMPF's focus on the issue in January continued its two-track approach of pushing for both legislative reform and near-term steps by the administration to complement that.

Issues:Agriculture
January 28, 2022

The ailing Friant-Kern Canal is getting a facelift seven decades after the 151-mile federal water project was completed.

Local, state and federal officials broke ground Jan. 26 on a $187 million repair of a 10-mile stretch of the canal that will improve water flow after land subsidence reduced water delivery by up to 300,000 acre-feet.

"It hasn't been easy," said state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, whose legislation to provide state funds for the repairs was watered down and then vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom who wanted the bill to include other water projects.

Issues:Water
January 25, 2022

CENTRAL VALLEY, Calif. (KSEE) – Federal, state, and local officials broke ground for a $180 million restoration effort to the Friant-Kern Canal.

"Where water flows food grows," said U.S. Representative Jim Costa, who represents California's 16th District. The Central Valley of California, known as the breadbasket of the world, has three of the highest-ranked counties for food production in the United States.

Issues:Water
January 25, 2022

TERRA BELLA – Local and Federal water officials and lawmakers celebrated the groundbreaking of a massive project on the Friant-Kern Canal on Tuesday, marking the start of the canal's restoration.

Coming in at $187 million, the first portion of the massive effort will restore capacity within the canal in a 10-mile portion that has been affected by subsidence: the sinking of the canal's bottom from groundwater removal.

January 25, 2022

TERRA BELLA – A "historic ceremony" is what was heard again and again Tuesday afternoon by numerous keynote speakers who gathered at the Friant-Kern Canal near the intersection of Avenue 96 and Road 208 in Terra Bella to celebrate the groundbreaking of a $187 million construction project to restore capacity in a 10-mile portion of the Friant-Kern Canal.

Issues:Water
January 11, 2022

WASHINGTON - U.S. Congress members on Tuesday honored John Earl Madden, a former Oakland Raiders coaching great who went on to become the most famous sportscaster in history.

Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-California) led a Special Order Hour in memory of the 85-year-old Madden who died on Dec. 28 in Pleasanton, which falls in Swalwell's district.

Swalwell along with Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Illinois), Congressman Jim Costa, and Congressman Jerry McNerney (both D-California) each paid tribute to Madden on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

February 11, 2025

GV-WIRE

Local, state and federal leaders gathered Saturday at The Fresno Center to address recent immigration enforcement actions that have caused widespread fear and disruption in Central Valley immigrant communities.

Issues:Immigration
February 6, 2025

POLITICO 

SACRAMENTO, California — California farmers — some of President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters in the deep blue state — are sticking with him, even after he wasted their water.

January 13, 2025

The Fresno Bee

The head of Customs and Border Patrol told Fresno’s democratic congressman that the immigration enforcement operation it carried out in the Central Valley this week has concluded and was confined to Kern County, the U.S. representative said Saturday during a news conference. 

Issues:Immigration
June 11, 2024

(Inside California Politics) — Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, joined Inside California Politics co-host Frank Buckley to discuss President Biden’s executive actio

May 31, 2024

MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Traveling to Yosemite National Park as a group is now easier for people who live in Fresno, or visit the city.

Four brand new YARTS buses are now available, extending the Highway 41 corridor.

"There was absolutely no way, that we could pass up the opportunity to ensure that our residents here in Fresno, as well as those passing through our airport, and visiting would not have the ability to access the gem that we have in Yosemite," said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.