Editorials

Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth and City Councilwoman Amy Bublak sit side by side during a Leadership Summit on Inclusivity in Turlock. Today, they are running against each other for Mayor along with Jaime Franco and Brad Bates.

Editorials

What has turned Turlock toxic? It’s the mayor. City needs a new one.

Gary Soiseth has big ideas, but he’s turned city council meeting into a battle zone. Residents should elect Amy Bublak (or maybe Brad Bates) to replace him.

Adam Gray, 21st Assembly District, helped organize the “Stop the State Water Grab” rally on the Capitol steps last August. He was among two dozen speakers who addressed roughly 1,200 protesters from our Valley.

Editorials

Gray helps give Valley its voice; re-elect him

On water, a medical school, clean energy, roads and help for homeless, Assemblyman Adam Gray has delivered. He should be re-elected.

Building more housing anywhere in California helps ease the housing shortage, eventually helping those looking for more affordable homes.

When it comes to California’s acute housing shortage, we prefer market-based solutions to governmental band-aids. Such solutions have the advantage of working and more quickly. That’s the same conclusion the Legislative Analyst’s Office reached in 2016.

Fifth-grader Maria Castaneda appears to be taking her job on the Franklin Elementary safety patrol very seriously. Modesto City Schools is asking voters to approve two bonds that will improve safety and classroom conditions in its elementary schools. But until the district discloses which projects come first and explain other particulars, The Bee cannot support either measure.

Editorials

Modesto City Schools asking for voter support, but doesn’t want to talk?

While asking the public to approve two bond measures worth $131 million (or $262 in repayment), school board votes to silence all but ‘one voice’

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla has done exactly what he promised in 2014 – improved voting machinery, increased registration and boosted turnout. He should be reelected.

Editorials

Just because their races are lower on the ballot, it doesn’t mean they’re not important

Voters have good and clear choices on Nov. 6, 2018 for statewide officials who will work with the next California governor.

Editorials

Trump’s weight crushing Denham. The Bee is recommending Harder

Denham is strong on water, tried to help the Dreamers but that’s not enough in the age of Trump. We need at least check on this president’s power. Electing Harder to House will help.

“For Rent” signs are seldom seen lately (this photo was taken in 2012). With fewer units available, rents for one-bedroom apartments in Modesto are ranging from $900 to $1,300 per month.

Editorials

Can’t afford the rent? Then do something! Just don’t make it worse

Virtually every economist will tell you, rent control, as prescribed under Proposition 10, is a bad idea. It drives landlords out of the business and rents creep up anyway.

Frank Damrell of Sen. Cathleen Galgiani’s office, talks to Mark Looker about some of the proposed routes during Wednesday’s (07-24-13) ACE Train scoping meeting.

Editorials

Why would you vote for anyone else for Stanislaus County supervisor?

Terry Withrow and Frank Damrell are the clear choices to serve Stanislaus County. Reject Tony Madrigal, who brags more than he does as member of city council, and Tom Berryhill, who missed most of senate session with health issues and doesn’t appear well enough to serve.

Children in the Al Jawabra family are pictured in their kitchen in Modesto. They were featured in 2016 on the television show Nightline’s special report on refugees in America.

Editorials

Trump’s new refugee limits are heartless

We have always welcomed immigrants here in Stanislaus County, including refugees fleeing war and death

Opinions editor Mike Dunbar Introduces Debate

Editorials

Want to know where Denham, Harder stand? They’ll tell us on Thursday

Both candidates have agreed to visit The Bee on Thursday for a face-to-face meeting with our Editorial Board. We’re anxious to hear what they have to say.

State Senate candidate Anna Caballero, U.S. House candidate Josh Harder, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Gavin Newsom, candidate for governor, during Newsom’s stop at at Harder’s campaign headquarters on Sept. 12

Editorials

Interesting to see politicians run in 2 directions at once

Josh Harder downplays visit from Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Denham tries to ignore Donald Trump

Waves slam the Oceanana Pier & Pier House Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, N.C., Thursday.

Editorials

Ready for California’s next emergency? We hope so

The Carolinas are getting hit today, but in California the next natural catastrophe – fire, rain, drought, disease – is just around the corner.

Dialysis technician Audrey Thomas demonstrates how kidney dialysis is set up on patient DeWayne Cox at a new Southern California clinic. Proposition 8 on the Nov. 6 ballot would limit clinic profits.

Editorials

Put patients ahead of union priorities

Proposition 8, which would limit revenues at outpatient dialysis clinics in California, is a power play by SEIU

Modesto’s City Council will meet in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place on Tuesday, Sept. 4, with the charter of the Measure L Oversight Commission on the agenda.

Editorials

Fix oversight committee, don’t toss it out

Voters were promised extra oversight for Modesto’s Measure L road funds. That doesn’t mean the oversight commission should dictate public policy.

Portions of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project aqueducts, near Patterson, flow south from the Delta to water users in the South Valley and Southern California.

Opinion

Respect? We’re not getting it from the state

The legislature passed a bill that ignores the contributions of hydropower and will cost our residents more than others. A gathering Thursday could pave the way for the tunnels which will hurt our chances to save our water.

People look at the front pages of newspapers reporting the death of Sen. John McCain outside the Newseum in Washington.

Editorials

Loss of McCain shows how much we’re missing

War hero, presidential candidate, political reformer and adamant foe of Trump’s bow to Russia – McCain backed down from no one

The Tuolumne River from near its headwaters in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. The river looks placid and languid on an August day, but it provides drinking water for millions and food for millions more.

Editorials

Why have hearings if state water board isn’t going to listen?

At least two members of the State Water Resources Control Board appear to have already made up their minds on taking our water

More than 1,200 people came to Modesto Centre Plaza to confront the State Water Resources Control Board in 2016. Now the venue has moved to the state capitol.

Editorials

Go to the rally, but keep politics out

Battle for region’s water rights, and the region’s agricultural economy, moves to Sacramento on Monday

Editorials

Trump must end his war on journalists

When he attacks newspapers, Trump is attacking our freedom of speech and our right to speak truth to power

Sonny Perdue, US Ag Secretary, center, with Reps. Jeff Denham, left, and Jim Costa, answers a question during a press conferences after Perdue’s town hall meeting at the World Ag Expo.

Editorials

Trump’s tariffs are hurting our farmers

President Donald Trump’s trade war with China is already costing agriculture in the Central Valley and across California. His relief plan for farmers appears to favor crops grown in red states, not the fruits, nuts, vegetables and wine grown in California. Even Republicans think that’s unfair.

Editorials

Trending Stories

Top Photos

Subscriptions

Learn More

Advertising