Alma Villegas
@reportingmerced.bsky.social
2024 California Local News fellow, reporting for The Merced FOCUS. In My Opinion. @themercedfocus.org
Where is the Poynter meme describing a situation where you heard all the juicy gossip but they don't want to go on record? 😭
September 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Where is the Poynter meme describing a situation where you heard all the juicy gossip but they don't want to go on record? 😭
Israeli armed forces shot and killed at least 10 Palestinian people as starved thousands raided a food distribution warehouse, @democracynow.org reported. Moataz Rajab is believed to be the 221st journalist killed in the genocide since October 7, 2023.
www.democracynow.org/2025/5/29/he...
www.democracynow.org/2025/5/29/he...
Israel Kills Journalist Moataz Rajab, at Least the 221st Media Worker Killed in Genocide
Israeli attacks so far today have killed at least 55 people across Gaza. Among the dead is Palestinian journalist Moataz Rajab, who was killed along with four other civilians in an Israeli strike on h...
www.democracynow.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Israeli armed forces shot and killed at least 10 Palestinian people as starved thousands raided a food distribution warehouse, @democracynow.org reported. Moataz Rajab is believed to be the 221st journalist killed in the genocide since October 7, 2023.
www.democracynow.org/2025/5/29/he...
www.democracynow.org/2025/5/29/he...
“This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist psychoscience will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored.” - Tamara Lanier
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat... Story by Leah Willingham
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat... Story by Leah Willingham
Harvard ends legal battle over early photos of enslaved people, agrees to relinquish images
A lawyer says the images will be transferred to a South Carolina museum devoted to African American history with a woman who says she is one of the subjects' descendants.
www.pbs.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
“This pilfered property, images taken without dignity or consent and used to promote a racist psychoscience will now be repatriated to a home where their stories can be told and their humanity can be restored.” - Tamara Lanier
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat... Story by Leah Willingham
www.pbs.org/newshour/nat... Story by Leah Willingham
My favorite photos of UC Merced’s 2025 commencement ceremony: the beaming graduates on one side and their proud families waiting to receive them on the other.
May 28, 2025 at 3:46 PM
My favorite photos of UC Merced’s 2025 commencement ceremony: the beaming graduates on one side and their proud families waiting to receive them on the other.
An impressive accomplishment. Put some respect on Madera County's name!
“These guys are the hardest-working kids on campus,” Valmonte said. “They live, breathe, eat robotics.” Story by @erikgalicia.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
“These guys are the hardest-working kids on campus,” Valmonte said. “They live, breathe, eat robotics.” Story by @erikgalicia.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
With 3rd world title, Madera Unified team creates robotics competition dynasty
“We put all of our hard work, not just for the school, not just for the district, but for the entire Madera County,” said MadTown Robotics’ lead scout.
www.fresnobee.com
May 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
An impressive accomplishment. Put some respect on Madera County's name!
“These guys are the hardest-working kids on campus,” Valmonte said. “They live, breathe, eat robotics.” Story by @erikgalicia.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
“These guys are the hardest-working kids on campus,” Valmonte said. “They live, breathe, eat robotics.” Story by @erikgalicia.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
"The company went through the city’s competitive bidding process for the Yosemite Avenue project and was the lowest of six bids, coming in at around $5.8 million. The highest bid the city received was over $14 million."
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
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.
Still, Merced's code of conduct requires members to take into consideration the appearance of a conflict of interest on council matters.
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.
themercedfocus.org
May 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
"The company went through the city’s competitive bidding process for the Yosemite Avenue project and was the lowest of six bids, coming in at around $5.8 million. The highest bid the city received was over $14 million."
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
Reposted by Alma Villegas
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
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.
themercedfocus.org
May 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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
The Central Valley has the highest number of Medi-Cal enrollees. In Merced, 52% of county residents receive benefits.
Why Fresno County could hurt more from Medicaid cuts than most of the country by @omarsrashad.bsky.social fresnoland.org/2025/03/11/m...
Why Fresno County could hurt more from Medicaid cuts than most of the country by @omarsrashad.bsky.social fresnoland.org/2025/03/11/m...
Why Fresno County could hurt more from potential Medicaid cuts
There’s no doubt amongst experts that Medicaid cuts would impact California greatly. But for Fresno County, the impacts could be dire.
fresnoland.org
April 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The Central Valley has the highest number of Medi-Cal enrollees. In Merced, 52% of county residents receive benefits.
Why Fresno County could hurt more from Medicaid cuts than most of the country by @omarsrashad.bsky.social fresnoland.org/2025/03/11/m...
Why Fresno County could hurt more from Medicaid cuts than most of the country by @omarsrashad.bsky.social fresnoland.org/2025/03/11/m...
Reposted by Alma Villegas
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.
April 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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.
:-( I wanted to check out a book and open a library card. What’s your favorite part about the Merced County library? Mine is that people use the charging stations for their vape pens 😂 #librariesareacommunityresource
April 9, 2025 at 2:48 AM
:-( I wanted to check out a book and open a library card. What’s your favorite part about the Merced County library? Mine is that people use the charging stations for their vape pens 😂 #librariesareacommunityresource
Hello 👋 Merced. Ya hay mucho sucediendo esta semana en el condado después de las vacaciones del Día de Acción de Gracias. A fire at a vacant building, election certification results (tomorrow), and plans to remodel historic landmarks. Stay tuned, and say hi! I'm also on X and IG as @reportingmerced
December 3, 2024 at 7:34 AM
Hello 👋 Merced. Ya hay mucho sucediendo esta semana en el condado después de las vacaciones del Día de Acción de Gracias. A fire at a vacant building, election certification results (tomorrow), and plans to remodel historic landmarks. Stay tuned, and say hi! I'm also on X and IG as @reportingmerced