The San Joaquin Valley Connect is a daily publication of the Great Valley Center's Energy Program and is designed to keep you informed about what's happening in your region. You have been subscribed because of your interest in regional happenings and energy efficiency in the San Joaquin Valley.

Fresno becomes state's fifth-largest city
This might finally stop the small-town jokes: Fresno has replaced Long Beach as the state's fifth-largest city, according to state figures made public Thursday.
Fresno Bee article

Army Corps of Engineers approves UC Merced expansion plan
UC Merced has been given the green light to begin its expansion. The go-ahead came after years of environmental wrangling and consultation over the campus' impact on endangered species in the area.
Merced Sun-Star article

Senior transit study worth acting upon
What a difference a year makes. In February 2008, Stanislaus officials declared there were no unmet public transit needs and diverted about $3 million in transit funds to road repairs. They'd done the same in previous years.
Modesto Bee opinion

State: OK to use more fumigants
State regulators this week finalized looser pesticide rules that environmentalists say will slow efforts to clean the valley's smoggy air. The Department of Pesticide Regulation will allow more emissions from "fumigants" — pesticides that are injected into soil to kill pests and disease.
Modesto Bee article

Senate passes union bill
Lawmakers and labor leaders cite the heat-related deaths of farmworkers in recent years, including six last year in California, as reason for urgency in making it easier for workers to organize.
Capital Press article

When going green, size does not matter
As the House Energy and Commerce Committee gears up to hammer out an energy and climate bill, a study has been released on just how easy it could be for the world to get greener.
Sacramento Bee opinion

City wants 4 areas considered for annexation, development
Modesto officials are thinking economic rebound and taking steps to annex land that could be used to spur commercial development along the city's borders.
Modesto Bee article

Fed funding to aid region homeless prevention
Transitional housing for women and children and help for chronically homeless people will get a boost from some new federal funding, says a coalition of local agencies fighting homelessness in the South Valley.
Hanford Sentinel article

Rafters, others see good river season in Valley
Wild spring weather has set up perfect conditions for a long rafting and kayaking season along the Kaweah, Kings and Kern rivers, operators say.
Visalia Times Delta article

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