Good morning, Fresno.

Jubilee and Indy, two African lion cubs, made their public debut at Fresno Chaffee Zoo in African Adventure on Tuesday, Oct.

6, after growing up with their mother (Zamaya) and siblings. Guests can see the lion pride daily and follow zoo updates online.

Fresno's veteran union leader Riley Talford is challenging longtime trustee Valerie Davis for the Area 3 seat on the Fresno Unified Board, aiming to cut administrative roles and boost teacher input.

Talford, with extensive local education and union experience, has received support from several community leaders.

Multiple candidates are running for the Fresno Unified trustee seat; Councilmember Miguel Arias — cattle rancher Rizpah Bellard and retired administrator Daren Miller each plan to enhance school programs and safety in the Edison region while promoting fiscal responsibility and community involvement.

Three candidates are battling for Fresno Unified's Area 4 school board trustee seat (covering 16 schools) as they share plans to boost communication, academics, and safety.

Incumbent Genoveva Islas, realtor Mirna Garcia, and retired teacher Karen Steed bring diverse experience ahead of the upcoming election.

A Fresno County judge ruled that trustee Keshia Thomas and Fresno Unified cannot claim a government filing fee exemption defense in the defamation suit filed by former coach Don Arax ahead of a jury trial in December.

The district stressed Thomas acted alone in her legal filings.

Residents gathered outside a downtown office amid reports of increased enforcement operations, and a local school district recorded 130 extra absences on Wednesday, raising concerns that daily routines might be affected (local leaders have expressed mixed views).

Fresno County Planning Commission deadlocked on a CEMEX proposal to blast mine hard-rock granite 200 yards from the San Joaquin River during a 6-hour hearing on Thursday, leaving the decision to the Board of Supervisors for a vote in November.