The Merced FOCUS

A new Merced photo exhibit centers the labor behind our food. How it evolved from a research project A new Merced photo exhibit on aging farm workers evolved from a research and advocacy project.

A new Merced photo exhibit centers the labor behind our food. How it evolved from a research project

Murder charge dropped against man accused of killing Sophia Mason, 8. The case drew nationwide outrage The man accused of the 2022 killing of 8-year-old Sophia Mason has walked free after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in Merced Superior Court on Monday. Dhante Jackson, 37, had been charged with mu...

Murder charge dropped against man accused of killing Sophia Mason, 8. The case drew nationwide outrage

Merced County chooses AMR as new ambulance service, severing longtime ties with Riggs Ambulance The unanimous decision by county supervisors came amid allegations of a targeted misinformation campaign meant to prey upon residents' fears.

Merced County chooses AMR as new ambulance service, severing longtime ties with Riggs Ambulance

Merced police recover stolen Applegate Zoo sign, after getting community tip Detectives with the Merced Police Department surprised the City Council with the stolen Applegate Zoo sign at the Monday council meeting.

Merced police recover stolen Applegate Zoo sign, after getting community tip. Story by @reportingmerced.bsky.social

Merced County residents protest mass starvation in Gaza. ‘Stop funding genocide’ Local protesters unveiled banners above Highway 99 in Merced County during rush hour traffic to call attention to famine in the Gaza Strip.

The demonstration comes as a growing number of Americans question the ongoing military action in Gaza, amid images of children dying from starvation.
🔗 Full story by reporter Alma Villegas @reportingmerced.bsky.social

Swap meets in Merced and the San Joaquin Valley are feeling the pressure of Trump’s immigration policies.
🔗 Story by Merced Focus reporter Christian De Jesus Betancourt
themercedfocus.org/vendors-say-...

Suicide is among the leading causes of Valley deaths. What’s being done about it? The San Joaquin Valley's suicide rate's about 15% higher than the statewide suicide rate of 9.4 per 100,000 residents from 2018 through 2024.

Over the last seven years, the suicide rate in the San Joaquin Valley has been significantly higher than the statewide rate, according to a review of state and federal data. Story by @timsheehannews.bsky.social
themercedfocus.org/suicide-is-a...

‘We're trying to create differently for ourselves.’ Merced’s LGBTQ+ community looks ahead, while remembering its past Merced County has a long, complicated history with the region's LGBTQ+ community.

While Merced in recent years began flying the Pride flag, the history of the region's LGBTQ+ community activism didn't start there. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

In recognition of Pride Month, Merced FOCUS reporter Alma Villegas @reportingmerced.bsky.social examined how the community has evolved and what the future holds.

Merced and Modesto areas see massive turnout at ‘No Kings’ protests The No Kings protest in Merced drew a huge crowd, showcasing solidarity against fascism and support for immigration rights.

Hundreds turned out for "No Kings" protests on Saturday in Merced, Modesto and Turlock.
@themercedfocus.org and Central Valley Journalism Collaborative had reporters at all of those locations.
Some longtime residents said the events drew the largest turnout for local protests in recent memory.

Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw Board of Supervisors districts? Merced County could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions after the 2023 census. But not everyone is on board with the idea.

Merced could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions determine Board of Supervisors district maps after the 2030 census.
But not everyone is on board with the idea, including the Board of Supervisors itself. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social

University of California President Michael V. Drake bids farewell to UC Merced’s largest graduating class yet It was a surprise appearance at UC Merced by the 10-campous system's 21st president

More than 1,500 UC Merced students graduated over the course of three ceremonies during the weekend, representing the largest graduating class of the school’s 20-year-history.

Story by @reportingmerced.bsky.social

themercedfocus.org/university-o...

Merced County employees get big raises one year after near strike. ‘They wanted to make it right' More than 1,700 Merced County employees will receive a 10% pay raise and alleviated healthcare costs after nearly striking last summer.

“When you have people who feel respected and valued and appreciated in their positions, they do a better job,” said one union member and Merced County employee. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
themercedfocus.org/merced-count...

Affordable housing is bustling in Merced, but smaller cities face barriers. ‘It’s not for lack of trying’ The city of Merced has a number of low-income, affordable housing projects in the works, but other, smaller Merced County cities have none.

While Merced has more than 500 new affordable housing units in the pipeline, smaller Merced County cities have none. Recently proposed legislation might help change that. Story by @reportingmerced.bsky.social

A Merced City Council member approved a multi-million dollar contract for his in-law’s company. Why isn’t it a conflict of interest? Merced City Councilmember Mike Harris in December cast a yes vote on a multimillion-dollar construction contract awarded to a company owned by his brother-in-law.

The city council member said he consulted with the city attorney before voting on his in-law's project.

Still, Merced's code of conduct requires members to take into consideration the appearance of a conflict of interest on council matters.

Hi! It took me a while, but I’m finally here.

Refresher: I’m a journalist working in California’s San Joaquin Valley, previously with @fresnobee.com. Now I’m at a nonprofit newsroom @themercedfocus.bsky.social.

I’m sort of trying to recreate my beloved Twitter feed (RIP). Am I doing this right?

Valley residents have the most to lose with planned federal cuts to food stamps The San Joaquin Valley region has the highest rate of households that use ‘SNAP’ food stamps in California.

San Joaquin Valley residents have the most to lose with planned federal cuts to food stamps.

Valley residents have the most to lose with planned federal cuts to food stamps The San Joaquin Valley region has the highest rate of households that use ‘SNAP’ food stamps in California.

Story Link: themercedfocus.org/valley-resid...

The proposed cuts would have a significant impact on the San Joaquin Valley, which has the highest rate of households in California that use CalFresh, the program that helps low-income residents buy groceries. Link in the comments.

themercedfocus.org/education-is...

Two South Asian women who immigrated to the U.S. as young adults now lead Merced County’s largest public school districts in making policy decisions and keeping schools accountable. Story link in the comments.