What Changes Did Fresno Arts Council Make?

Planned Parenthood Federal Funding

Guest Host: John Gerardi   

The Fresno Arts Council outlined major governance and transparency reforms to retain its role as Fresno County’s official arts funding representative after a $1.8 million embezzlement scandal.

Changes include hiring an independent accounting firm to oversee and process all financial transactions, removing prior paid leadership, and requiring daily board‑level monitoring of bank activity, with multiple approvals for every payment.

After reviewing the reforms, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved keeping the council as the county’s “local partner” with the California Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. 

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Guest Host: John Gerardi &nbsp;&nbsp;
The Fresno Arts Council outlined major governance and transparency reforms to retain its role as Fresno County&rsquo;s official arts funding representative after a $1.8 million embezzlement scandal.
Changes include hiring an independent accounting firm to oversee and process all financial transactions, removing prior paid leadership, and requiring daily board‑level monitoring of bank activity, with multiple approvals for every payment.
After reviewing the reforms, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved keeping the council as the county&rsquo;s &ldquo;local partner&rdquo; with the California Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts.&nbsp;
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Philip Teresi - Live, Local, and Original: Weekdays from 2:00 to 6:00PM on Central California's News/Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ - Always Online at kmjnow.com 

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Philip Teresi

Ray Appleton began his radio career in Fresno in 1969. That career has taken him from Fresno to London and back. He has been a part of the KMJ team since 1987 and continues to share his thoughts and viewpoints with his very large and loyal audience weekdays from 11am-2pm on Central California's News Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ!

Ray Appleton began his radio career in Fresno in 1969. That career has taken him from Fresno to London and back. He has been a part of the KMJ team since 1987 and continues to share his thoughts and viewpoints with his very large and loyal audience weekdays from 11am-2pm on Central California's News Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ!

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Philip Teresi - Live, Local, and Original: Weekdays from 2:00 to 6:00PM on Central California's News/Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ. Politically independent, socially awkward, and fashionably late.

Philip Teresi - Live, Local, and Original: Weekdays from 2:00 to 6:00PM on Central California's News/Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ. Politically independent, socially awkward, and fashionably late.

Changes at Fresno Arts Council & Planned Parenthood Funding 

US Marijuana Reclassification 

Virginia Judge Blocks Redistricting Result 

Guest Host: John Gerardi   

The U.S. is expected to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move that could significantly benefit legal cannabis companies. Reclassification would allow marijuana businesses to deduct normal operating expenses, ending a major tax burden under IRS Section 280E, and could make it easier to access banking, loans, and institutional investment. Industry analysts say the shift could also spur mergers, attract new capital, and accelerate medical research, reshaping the cannabis market even though marijuana would remain illegal at the federal level.

A Virginia circuit court judge issued an order blocking the results of a congressional redistricting referendum that could net Democrats four extra seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

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Guest Host: John Gerardi &nbsp;&nbsp;
The U.S. is expected to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a move that could significantly benefit legal cannabis companies. Reclassification would allow marijuana businesses to deduct normal operating expenses, ending a major tax burden under IRS Section 280E, and could make it easier to access banking, loans, and institutional investment. Industry analysts say the shift could also spur mergers, attract new capital, and accelerate medical research, reshaping the cannabis market even though marijuana would remain illegal at the federal level.
A Virginia circuit court judge issued an order blocking the results of a congressional redistricting referendum that could net Democrats four extra seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.
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US Marijuana Reclassification & Virginia Judge Blocks Redistricting Result 

Books Banned In Libraries 

The Southern Poverty Law Center Funnel

Guest Host: John Gerardi   

U.S. libraries are facing record levels of book bans and challenges, with hundreds of titles being restricted or removed amid political and cultural battles, The Guardian reports. Library groups say most challenges are now driven by organized political pressure groups and government officials, not individual parents, and disproportionately target books about LGBTQ+ identities, race, and social justice, raising concerns about censorship and free expression. 

A New York Post report alleges the Southern Poverty Law Center secretly paid a former Ku Klux Klan “Imperial Wizard” and other extremist figures as informants using donor funds, without disclosure. The claim comes amid a broader Justice Department indictment accusing the SPLC of fraud for allegedly funneling millions of dollars to members of white supremacist groups, while the organization denies wrongdoing and says the payments were part of efforts to gather intelligence on extremist activity.

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Everything KMJ

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Guest Host: John Gerardi &nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. libraries are facing record levels of book bans and challenges, with hundreds of titles being restricted or removed amid political and cultural battles, The Guardian reports. Library groups say most challenges are now driven by organized political pressure groups and government officials, not individual parents, and disproportionately target books about LGBTQ+ identities, race, and social justice, raising concerns about censorship and free expression.&nbsp;
A New York Post report alleges the Southern Poverty Law Center secretly paid a former Ku Klux Klan &ldquo;Imperial Wizard&rdquo; and other extremist figures as informants using donor funds, without disclosure. The claim comes amid a broader Justice Department indictment accusing the SPLC of fraud for allegedly funneling millions of dollars to members of white supremacist groups, while the organization denies wrongdoing and says the payments were part of efforts to gather intelligence on extremist activity.
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Books Banned In Libraries & The Southern Poverty Law Center Funnel

Judge Denies Eviction Bid At Granite Park

Guest Host: John Gerardi   

A Fresno County judge has denied the City of Fresno’s request to evict the nonprofit operator of Granite Park, ruling that too many facts are in dispute to decide the case without a trial. The decision clears the way for a trial beginning April 27, focusing on disagreements over rent, utilities, lease terms, and facility improvements at the city‑owned sports complex. 

Supporters of the “Better Roads, Safe Streets” transportation measure have submitted more than 32,000 signatures to qualify a half‑cent Fresno County sales tax for the November ballot, replacing the expiring Measure C. The proposal would fund road repairs, sidewalks, public transit, bike and pedestrian projects over 30 years, with backers saying it would raise about $7.3 billion for countywide transportation needs.

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Philip Teresi on KMJ

Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ 

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Everything KMJ

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Guest Host: John Gerardi &nbsp;&nbsp;
A Fresno County judge has denied the City of Fresno&rsquo;s request to evict the nonprofit operator of Granite Park, ruling that too many facts are in dispute to decide the case without a trial. The decision clears the way for a trial beginning April 27, focusing on disagreements over rent, utilities, lease terms, and facility improvements at the city‑owned sports complex.&nbsp;
Supporters of the &ldquo;Better Roads, Safe Streets&rdquo; transportation measure have submitted more than 32,000 signatures to qualify a half‑cent Fresno County sales tax for the November ballot, replacing the expiring Measure C. The proposal would fund road repairs, sidewalks, public transit, bike and pedestrian projects over 30 years, with backers saying it would raise about $7.3 billion for countywide transportation needs.
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Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM &amp; 105.9 FM KMJ 
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Changes at Fresno Arts Council & Planned Parenthood Funding

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