Wired Wednesday Archives – GV Wire

Wired Wednesday: What’s the Future of Fresno Unified and the Superintendent Position?

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:06:44 +0000

GV Wire publisher Darius Assemi talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the selection of a new Fresno Unified superintendent.

Assemi breaks down the importance of this role and the huge impact it has on the community.

The interim superintendent, Misty Her, is favored to take on the full-time position. However, others are pushing back and saying that the candidate should come externally.

FUSD is expected to make an announcement Wednesday night.

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Wired Wednesday: Exposing Dark Money Group That Attacked Vang

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:45:03 +0000

On this week’s Wired Wednesday, GV Wire senior reporter David Taub talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the mysterious group behind the mailers attacking Brandon Vang.

Fresno political consultant Alex Tavlian is now listed as the principal officer for the independent expenditure group Fresno Future Forward. Earlier documents listed someone else.

City Attorney Andrew Janz previously fined Fresno Future Forward $1,000 for failure to complete its documents on time.

Vang wound up winning a special election for the southeast Fresno seat on the city council by capturing the majority needed to avoid a run-off.

The post Wired Wednesday: Exposing Dark Money Group That Attacked Vang appeared first on GV Wire.

Wired Wednesday: Fresno DA Warns New Copper Theft Ordinance Could Clash with State Law

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:29:25 +0000

GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the warning from Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp about the enforcement of the new copper wire theft ordinance.

Smittcamp warns the ordinance’s legality may conflict with state law, and without a clear interpretation from State Attorney General Rob Bonta, cases could be at risk of being overturned or appealed.

Several Fresno city councilmembers, aligning with the county, plan to introduce a similar ordinance.

The post Wired Wednesday: Fresno DA Warns New Copper Theft Ordinance Could Clash with State Law appeared first on GV Wire.

Wired Wednesday: Clovis Sales Tax Hike Starts April 1

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:32:34 +0000

GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the sales tax increase for the city of Clovis.

The new tax, beginning April 1, will increase a full percentage point to 8.975%

With this increase, Clovis councilmembers say they’ll prioritize public safety by hiring more officers and firefighters.

The post Wired Wednesday: Clovis Sales Tax Hike Starts April 1 appeared first on GV Wire.

Wired Wednesday: Will Gov. Newsom Be the 2028 Dem Presidential Nominee?

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:43:20 +0000

GV Wire News Director Bill McEwen talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the possibility of Gov. Gavin Newsom becoming the next Democratic nominee for president.

Progressives are questioning Newsom’s credentials because of the conservatives invited to his podcast and his opposition to allowing transgender athletes to compete against women.

McEwen also analyzes Newsom’s strengths and weaknesses for a 2028 presidency.

The post Wired Wednesday: Will Gov. Newsom Be the 2028 Dem Presidential Nominee? appeared first on GV Wire.

Wired Wednesday: Chief Casto and Keeping Fresno Safe

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:46:51 +0000

GV Wire reporter and editor Anthony W. Haddad talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about a sit-down interview with Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto.

Haddad discussed the chief’s goals of reducing violent and property crimes and implementing new technologies into the department.

Chief Casto says the department also is adding AI to shorten the time spent on writing reports.

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Wired Wednesday: How Tariffs Could Impact California’s Agriculture

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 23:13:57 +0000

GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about President Trump’s tariffs and their possible impact on California’s agriculture.

According to Smith, when there’s an excess supply of crops, farmers depend on foreign markets to sell their products.

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Wired Wednesday: What’s Behind the Massive Bee Colony Collapse?

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:25:51 +0000

GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the spike in bee colony deaths and the extreme shortage of colonies in the Central Valley.

A pesky “mite” affecting the bloodstream of bees may be the main cause of many bee deaths. Other possible factors include cold winters and pesticides.

Smith explains that California may be short half a million bee hives for tree pollination. The shortage could lead to food insecurity and higher grocery prices.

The impact of the bee shortage, however, may not be seen until full bloom in June.

The post Wired Wednesday: What’s Behind the Massive Bee Colony Collapse? appeared first on GV Wire.

Wired Wednesday: Will Self-Pollinating Trees Turbocharge the Almond Industry?

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 23:40:58 +0000

GV Wire’s Edward Smith talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the introduction of a new self-pollinating almond tree that requires less resources.

Farmers may have the opportunity to “pre-order” the tree next year and deliveries may come as early as 2027.

Some farmers say this new type of almond tree will be a gamechanger that reduces costs and requires fewer bees for pollination. Other farmers say the new tree variety is too early to judge and the unintended consequences are unknown.

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Wired Wednesday: Fired Teacher and Coach Ed Madec Seeks Justice

Jahz Tello, Videographer — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:51:14 +0000

On this week’s Wired Wednesday, GV Wire senior reporter David Taub talks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Karl Cooke about the firing of Ed Madec, a Fresno City College instructor who formerly was the school’s highly successful basketball coach.

It’s a fascinating story with many twists, turns, and potential impacts on the college and State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith.

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