In the News
Congressman Jim Costa's (D–Fresno) push to have a public medical school open in the Central Valley picked up momentum Monday with a key endorsement.
Costa announced that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus fully endorsed his bill, the Expanding Medical Education Act, which would provide $1 billion for medical school construction, expansion and training in underserved communities.
"Access to quality healthcare for underserved communities where there is an acute shortage of doctors needs immediate attention," Costa said in a statement.
For the first time in more than a decade, Merced College will have a new building.
Construction of the new 29,000-square-foot Raj Kahlon Agriculture and Industrial Technology Complex kicked off Wednesday morning with a formal groundbreaking ceremony.
The complex will serve as the main building for agricultural-related instruction at the college.
There are a number of factors to consider when declaring a state of emergency. After a dry water year, little to zero water allocations, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declaring drought conditions in counties up and down the state and even the entire republican delegation sending letters Governor Gavin Newsom, Congressman Jim Costa said declaring drought can be tricky.
"Certainly the governor has the ability to declare a drought status but its tricky to understand the state and federal water projects, how they operate." Costa said.
Federal relief of $100 million is coming to Fresno, Madera and Merced health facilities to expand COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment, Rep. Jim Costa said on Friday.
The Fresno-area Democrat said health centers can use the funding to expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations, as well as deliver preventive and primary health care services to people at higher risk for COVID-19.
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif (KSEE).- On Thursday the U.S. House passed two major immigration bills: one bill would grant permanent resident status to migrant farm workers, the other major bill, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, would provide permanent resident status and a path to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. as children, and who are temporarily protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. Central Valley congressman Jim Costa has been a proponent of this bill with Democratic House leadership.
The year 2020 was unlike any in our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged us in ways we never thought possible. Paired with the prospect of another drought, this year looks to be just as challenging for our ag communities. As a ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, I remain committed to ensuring they have the resources needed to weather this once in a lifetime crisis: A skilled workforce and reliable water supply.
Reflecting on the disruptions of 2020 and the outlook for 2021, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and U.S. Rep. Jim Costa offered their opinions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during separate appearances as part of the California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.
Duvall and Costa spoke with California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson during "coffee talk" sessions within the virtual Annual Meeting format.
Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., seeking the House Committee on Agriculture chairmanship, is committing to making nutrition programs among his top priorities in the 117th Congress.
Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., has been the House Agriculture Committee chairman but lost in the 2020 election. Rep. David Scott, D-Georgia, also is seeking the chairman's role. An official announcement of the next chair is expected by early January.
Rep. Jim Costa is touting support from House Agriculture Committee members as he makes a play to become chair.
A coalition of California farm organizations and water districts has formally asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to appoint Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, as the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
In a letter sent to Pelosi today, the 70 organizations said Costa "possesses the experience and leadership adeptness" to serve effectively as committee chair. The position opened last week when the current chair, Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., was defeated for re-election.
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.
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.
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.
(Inside California Politics) — Congressman Jim Costa, D-Fresno, joined Inside California Politics co-host Frank Buckley to discuss President Biden’s executive actio
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.