Valley Public Radio News

Fresno Composer Fuses Classical, Mariachi, To Bring Music To Kids

Rebecca Plevin — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:44:24 +0000

This weekend the stage of the Saroyan Theatre will be filled with hundreds of young musicians, with hundreds more in the audience. It’s all part of an effort by a Fresno composer to break down the boundaries between classical music and mariachi, and to bring young audiences into the world of music, in a fun, interactive way. Valley Public Radio's Rebecca Plevin reports.

Brown Going After Enterprise Zones in Budget Proposal

Katie Orr — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:05:28 +0000

Governor Jerry Brown is proposing drastic changes to California’s Enterprise Zone program in his latest budget. The zones are located in blighted areas and businesses operating within them can claim tax credits from the state.

Craig Johnson is President of the California Association of Enterprise Zones. He says Brown’s changes would essentially eliminate the state’s 40 Enterprise Zones. He says the state already has high taxes and high regulations and eliminating tax credits won’t help.

Welty Offers Advice For The Next Fresno State President: 'Have A Thick Skin'

Joe Moore — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:29:15 +0000

Fresno State President John Welty will retire this summer, bringing an end to a 22-year tenure as head of the university. He recently sat down with Valley Public Radio's Joe Moore to reflect back on his career.

Interview highlights:

Welty on advice to his successor:

Good luck, have a thick skin, and take time to laugh at yourself from time to time.

Fresno To Get High-End, High-Rise Downtown Restaurant?

Joe Moore — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:44:29 +0000

UPDATED: 5/17/13 (see below)

Could Fresno foodies soon be enjoying a gourmet meal at the top of the tallest privately-owned building in Central California?

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin suggested as much with this interesting nugget of information during her State of the City address today:

New Study Gives Snapshot of Realignment Results

Katie Orr — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:34:20 +0000

The California Corrections and Rehabilitation Department offered a glimpse today of how realignment is working. The program diverts low-level offenders to county jails in an effort to reduce state prison overcrowding.

A study done by the department compares inmates released pre- and post- realignment. It found post-realignment offenders were re-arrested at a lower rate than pre-realignment offenders. Both groups were convicted of new crimes at nearly the same rate. The department’s Jeffrey Callison stresses this is just a snapshot.

Assembly Passes TRUST Act, Again

Katie Orr — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:13:21 +0000

The California Assembly has passed a bill that limits when local law enforcement agencies can turn undocumented immigrants over to federal authorities. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

The TRUST Act says local police cannot turn undocumented immigrants over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for minor crimes. Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano says this will prevent immigrants from being deported for relatively minor infractions.

Swearengin Focuses On Business, Industry Growth in 'State of City' Speech

Joe Moore — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:42:48 +0000

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin says the the city's economy is on the road to recovery in 2013, thanks in part to growth in the local food processing sector.

"I'm telling you that things are getting good around here when it comes to industrial expansion and expanding our food business," Swearengin told the crowd.

Democrats Pushing to Limit Prop 13

Katie Orr — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:21:13 +0000

Some Democrats at the Capitol are attempting to chip away at California’s fabled Prop 13. But supporters of the property tax limiting measure are digging in to fight back. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.

Proposition 13 limits property taxes in California. But it also requires a two-thirds vote of the public to increase any special taxes. Six Democratic sponsored bills making their way through the Senate would lower that voter requirement to 55 percent approval.

Attorney For Family Of Bakersfield Beating Victim Speaks Out

Ezra Romero — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:43:33 +0000

The attorney representing the family of the man who was fatally beaten by Kern County Sheriffs deputies May 8 is speaking out today. In an interview with Valley Public Radio, David Cohn said that the way the agencies are handling the case is appalling.

“Our biggest concern is that evidence, and primarily videos that were on cell phones was likely to altered, lost or destroyed and essentially our biggest fears have now become a reality.”

Brown Proceeds With Caution on May Budget Revise

Katie Orr — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:35:53 +0000

California is expecting to end the fiscal year with a few billion dollars more than anticipated. Governor Jerry Brown is proposing spending the money on schools, but not much else. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento on Brown’s May budget revision.