The Latest Breaking News from Central Valley

Death toll rises to 18 in California as new storms hit battered communties

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — From the Pacific coast to the Central Valley, California communities battered by days of destructive flooding began repair and cleanup efforts as the weather-weary state found itself in the path of yet another in a parade of storms.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 12, 2023

Depletion of groundwater is accelerating in California’s Central Valley, study finds

Scientists have discovered that the pace of groundwater depletion in California’s Central Valley has accelerated dramatically during the drought as heavy agricultural pumping has drawn down aquifer levels to new lows and now threatens to devastate the underground water reserves.

Los Angeles Times · Dec 27, 2022

The Consequences by Manuel Muñoz review – California dreaming

Set in the Central Valley of the 1980s, these rich short stories about migrant workers speak of longing, loneliness and vulnerability

The Guardian - UK · Dec 15, 2022

Democratic Rep. Josh Harder defeats GOP challenger in California Central Valley district

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Rep. Josh Harder won election to a Stockton-centered congressional district, beating Republican Tom Patti, a San Joaquin County supervisor and businessman.

Los Angeles Times · Nov 16, 2022

California wins leave GOP poised to seize US House control

Two threatened U.S. House Republicans in California have triumphed over Democratic challengers, helping move the GOP within a seat of seizing control of the chamber

The Independent UK · Nov 15, 2022

California’s Central Valley could determine US House control. Election results so far

Control of the House of Representatives could come down to California. And it could take days — or weeks — to determine.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Nov 11, 2022

David Valadao clings to slim lead over Rudy Salas in California congressional race

A Republican who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump and a popular Democratic state Assemblyman are in what analysts say is a toss-up for a Central Valley congressional seat that could tip partisan balance in the House to the GOP in 2023.

McClatchy Washington Bureau · Nov 9, 2022

Farmer vs. farmworker's son. What this race for Congress means in California's Central Valley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — As a teenager, David Valadao had a long list of chores to do before school every day. He'd jump on his tractor, buck hay and feed the family's dairy cows on their Hanford farm. After school, it was more of the same.

Los Angeles Times · Nov 7, 2022

California Sen. Alex Padilla is campaigning hard — just not for himself

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — On an unusually cool morning in the Central Valley, Sen. Alex Padilla rallied campaign volunteers, urging them to knock on doors and phone voters to promote a Democratic candidate in one of the most competitive congressional districts in the nation.

Los Angeles Times · Oct 28, 2022

Manuel Muñoz's stories capture a Central Valley you've never seen

It's the sunny beaches and the Golden Gate that make it onto the postcards. But look at a topographic map of California and you'll see that one of its defining features is the Central Valley, a 450-mile-long basin of agricultural heartland, source of almonds and fruit bound for distant states,…

Los Angeles Times · Sep 14, 2022