Omar Rashad

Fresno

Government Accountability Reporter at Fresnoland

accountability reporter @fresnoland // deputy editor @objectivejrn // proud community college grad // once led @eccunion, muckraked at @cpmustangnews

Articles

Fresno's mayor says southeast mega-development is a must

1 week ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: To a room of at least 900 people, Mayor Jerry Dyer laid out a number of priorities he has, including expanding southeast Fresno, revitalizing downtown and balancing a budget in the wake of depleted temporary pandemic relief funds. For Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, undertaking a major expansion of southeast Fresno is a must.
Fresno to crack down on smoke shops following narrow vote

3 weeks ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: The Fresno City Council’s narrow 4-1 vote — with one councilmember abstaining and another absent — greenlit a proposal to force dozens of smoke shops to close down or change the nature of their business by 2026. City leaders moved forward Thursday with a proposal to crack down on Fresno smoke shops after a somewhat tense debate.
At least 33 Fresno smoke shops could close if this policy gets OK'd

3 weeks ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: If four councilmembers approve a proposal to regulate Fresno smoke shops, dozens of them will have to either close down or change the nature of their business by 2026. The fate of smoke shops in Fresno is on the line once again. If a proposal to define smoke shops in Fresno’s city code — and also regulate them — gets the support of at least four councilmembers on Thursday, it could mean the end of dozens of stores in Fresno.
Book committee in Fresno County should disband, critics say

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: Since a state law nullified a Fresno County committee that would dictate what books are within the reach of children inside county libraries, advocate groups are calling on the county to get rid of it. A coalition of advocacy groups sent a letter to Fresno County, calling on elected supervisors to rescind the 2023 resolution that created a parent-run library book committee.
Vang takes office in Fresno after emotional inauguration speech

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: After a special election filled with controversy, southeast Fresno finally has its councilmember. Brandon Vang took his oath of office inside council chambers Thursday before presiding on his first City Council meeting. In a tearful speech after taking his oath of office Thursday, Brandon Vang thanked the people who came before him.
Forensic audit to examine Fresno EOC's multi-million deficit

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Rob Parsons |Omar Rashad

Overview: Milwaukee-based firm Wipfli agreed to examine Fresno EOC’s finances during 2023 and 2024 to “identify, quantify, and address any irregularities.” The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission this week approved a long-awaited forensic audit that is expected to reveal how the nonprofit ran-up a multimillion dollar deficit.
How plans to regulate tobacco shops in Fresno went up in smoke

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: Councilmembers representing south and central Fresno spent years drafting a proposal to regulate smoke shops engaging in illegal activity, but after several hours of debate, they couldn’t reach the four-vote minimum to get it passed. Three hours wasn’t enough for city councilmembers to agree on the fate of smoke shops in Fresno.
Doctors cheer Madera hospital reopening

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: After more than two years, Madera County's 160,000 got their hospital back. American Advanced Management, Inc., which acquired the hospital following lengthy bankruptcy proceedings about a year ago, reopened it Tuesday. Over the last two years, Mohammad Ashraf has . It was inevitable for the cardiologist, following Madera Community Hospital’s closure in December 2022.
Tower District street vendors face new fines from the City of Fresno

2 months ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake? Advocates said they were surprised to see Councilmember Miguel Arias changing a new ordinance regulating street vendors in Fresno. The Fresno City Council on Thursday moved forward with amending a city ordinance to begin issuing fines for Tower District street vendors. The original ordinance, which the council approved in December, only permitted fines for Tower District street vendors who had violated two prior city policies.
Here's how Fresno is keeping its Eviction Protection Program alive

2 months ago | fresnoland.org | Omar Rashad

What's at stake: City officials are using carryover funds along with part of a state grant to keep the Eviction Protection program alive for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. Back in February, Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz made an impassioned plea. His department needed half a million dollars to keep the city’s Eviction Protection Program afloat. Janz told councilmembers wasn’t enough for the full fiscal year.