Whistleblowing VPD officer claims department uses illegal ticketing quotas

Five high-ranking officers of the Visalia Police Department (VPD), including Police Chief Jason Salazar, are accused of maintaining an illegal traffic citation quota system and retaliating against officers who objected to the unlawful action, according to a lawsuit filed June 13 in Tulare County Superior Court. The allegations come from VPD officer Donald Huard, who […]

Kings County DA Secretary Alexandria Smith wins $1.9m settlement in sexual harassment case

Editor’s note: This article was updated August 7 at 10:45pm The jury awarded a $1.9 million verdict to DA secretary Alexandria Smith today, (8/6/25) for past non-economic suffering in a stunning blow to Kings County whose attorneys argued that the county took the right steps to deal with her complaints of retaliation and sexual harassment […]

Dr. Jasmeet Bains launches campaign for Congress in California’s 22nd District

Today, family physician Dr. Jasmeet Bains announced her campaign for Congress in California’s 22nd District, pledging to bring new leadership to a region often ignored by Washington, D.C.​ “I’m a doctor, not a career politician — and I’ve spent my life on the frontlines, listening to Valley families and fighting for their health, their safety, […]

Why haven’t ICE raids come to Tulare County yet?

So far, more than 65,000 people have been arrested nationwide since targeted mass arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) began in late January. Nearly 5,000 of those arrests happened here in California. Yet not one person has been detained here in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Why? […]

COS Jumpstart Program prepares Kings, Tulare County high school students for success

Over 100 high school students across Tulare and Kings counties are currently participating in the Jumpstart Program at College of the Sequoias, selected from a pool of over 650 applicants. Now in its third year, this four-week summer experience designed to introduce them to high-demand careers through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and […]