News in Modesto
The Modesto Focus
Published September 24Politics Focus | Save the date for VotingMatters – and free tacos
Hey Focus fans! When we hosted an interactive elections-chat event before the June primary highlighting the many then-candidates for California governor, we told our CalMatters partners that we’d be happy with a couple of dozen attendees. All of us were blown away when more than…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 23LISTEN | Modesto Irrigation District candidates address ‘dysfunction,’ ‘corruption’ and ‘incivility’ in rare debate
Strong opinions and personalities turned up the heat in a recent Modesto Focus-moderated debate of all seven candidates running for three seats on the Modesto Irrigation District board in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Candidates used words like “dysfunction” and “corruption” when…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 23Editor’s Corner: The disappearing of the Valley’s Bees is a crisis — not the end of local journalism
When I worked at The Modesto Bee, one of the gallows humor jokes we used to make about the company’s current owner, Chatham Asset Management, was that at least we worked for the “less evil” hedge fund. Between 2011 and 2019, private investment funds’ stake in our country’s…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 23Meet the candidates running for Modesto City School District Board of Education
Modesto City School District will undoubtedly see fresh faces on its Board of Education in January. Four seats on the seven-member board are up for election this year – with three contested. In Area 1, home of Gregori High School, incumbent Cindy Marks faces off against newcomer…
Mission Local
Published September 22Fast-tracked and without a lawyer, Modesto family’s asylum case ends in denial
“The court doesn’t believe the harm you describe rises to the level of past persecution," said Judge Michael Rapizo. Fast-tracked and without a lawyer, Modesto family’s asylum case ends in denial
The Modesto Focus
Published September 12¡MONSTRAS! Exhibit brings Latin American female folklore to life at McHenry Museum
A new exhibit showcasing the talents of Latina artists brings the spirits of women who inhabit the metaphysical world into our reality. With spooky season just around the corner, Modesto’s McHenry Museum is welcoming the free art exhibit, “¡MONSTRAS! Female Legends of Latin…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 11WATCH: Jaron Brandon and Alexandra Duarte face off in State Senate 4 debate
State Senate District 4 candidates Jaron Brandon and Alexandra Duarte went head-to-head Thursday morning on a wide range of topics, from healthcare access to immigration, during an in-person debate at Greens on Tenth in Modesto. The event, shown above in its entirety, was…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 11Politics Focus | Where to find this newsletter archive
Hey Focus fans! We hope regular readers of this newsletter have found it helpful for staying up on politics in Modesto and throughout Stanislaus County. Particularly during campaign season, like the one we’re in now. If you’ve missed any editions since I began writing them before…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 04Political Focus | That’s debatable
Hey Focus fans! Local political debates – the best way to become familiar with candidates, in my opinion – are nearly upon us. Most exciting is a 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 free in-person debate featuring candidates for Modesto City Council. You are invited! Save that date plus this…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 03Rep. Adam Gray: Want to know why I voted that way? Just ask
Editor’s note: Rep. Adam Gray authored the following column in response to a story published by The Modesto Focus on Aug. 24 with the headline “Facing mounting criticism over transparency, Gray finally explains controversial House defense vote.” There’s plenty to disagree about…
The Modesto Focus
Published September 01What’s happening in the arts around Modesto for September?
Schools are back in session and the nights are cooling down in Modesto. Plenty of free and family-friendly outdoor activities are planned across the city. Throughout the county, several cities will host cultural festivals, carnivals and harvest celebrations as autumn truly begins…