This week on Valley Edition we discuss the future of one of Central California’s educational centers. A search committee is on the lookout for a new Fresno State President, but not all are happy about the way the committee is handling the search.
Valley Edition Host Juanita Stevenson leads a discussion with a California State University trustee, a professor, a local citizen and a student about the search for a new president at Fresno State. This is Dr. John D. Welty’s last semester as president of the college.
Also on Valley Edition, FM89’s Rebecca Plevin has covered the disease known as Valley Fever for nearly four years. Plevin’s reporting gained national attention when NPR’s Morning Edition featured a piece on Valley Fever. In this week’s Valley Edition we learn more about one Central California winemaker featured in that story, and how his life has been upended by this sometimes deadly disease.

Capitol Public Radio's Health Care Reporter Pauline Bartolone reports on what California lawmakers are considering a measure that would tax sugary drinks a penny per fluid ounce. The proposal is intended to cap soda consumption in order to reduce obesity rates. Bartolone has found a range of opinions on the soda tax.
In the second portion of the show Valley Public Radio’s Rebecca Plevin Plevin interviews one of 10 grassroots immigrant leaders showcased in the “No Longer Strangers” performance that is part of Tamjevi. The collaborative hopes to give a voice to underreported people groups in the region and a goal to restore cultural heritage among Valley immigrants.

We end the show with a discussion about a local film festival with a twist. In an age where top grossing box office films dominate the big screen, a local festival known as SwedeFest celebrates the very same films in a new way. A phone with a video camera is all you need. Valley Public Radio’s Ezra Romero interviews SwedeFest’s organizers Bryan Harley and Roque Rodriguez about how to create your own short film based on your favorite movie of the past, or present.
Guests
- Fresno State
Peter Mehas – CSU Board of Trustee
Dean Simpson – Supporter of Fresno State's presidential search process
Tom Holyoke – Fresno State Associate Political Science Professor
Jose Luis Nava - Fresno State Student & Editor of La Voz at The Collegian
- Tamejavi
Myrna Martinez Nateras – Program director for the Pan Valley Institute
Pov Xyooj – Fellow with Tamejavi
- SwedeFest
Bryan Harley – SwedeFest Organizer
Roque Rodriguez – SwedeFest Organizer