The Stories That Defined Fresno This Year

In this special year-end recap episode of Fresnolandia, Jordan and Dani discuss the year in local news coverage. 

Together, they unpack the most impactful stories of the year, starting with Fresnoland’s sustained coverage of the Southeast Development Area (SEDA) plan and how reporting on infrastructure costs and fiscal shortfalls helped shift public understanding of suburban growth. They also examine the CEMEX mining proposal along the San Joaquin River.

The conversation moves beyond headline stories to explore underreported issues like campaign ethics, dark money in local elections, and the fragility of civic institutions in Fresno. Dani reflects on what it means to run a newsroom with limited resources, how editorial choices are shaped by staffing realities, and why some stories demand sustained focus even in the face of backlash.

The episode also looks ahead: upcoming city council and school board elections, potential school closures, ICE enforcement fears, and what attentive residents should be watching in the year to come.