Good morning, Fresno.

Local leaders held a ribbon cutting on Friday, Dec.

12 at River Park Shopping Center for the new Giving Machine that lets people donate to local+global charities. The holiday initiative is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Downtown Fresno is hosting its first evening Christmas Parade today at 6:30 p.m. on Fulton Street from Inyo to Calaveras while streets close from 11 a.m. until about 9:45 p.m. and police manage traffic to keep the flow safe.

The Cat House on the Kings offers lower adoption fees for December as Speckles, an 8-month-old multicolored kitten, seeks a forever home with adopters receiving spay/neuter, vaccines, and 30 days of pet insurance.

Fresno’s skyline tells a story from when local leaders transformed the town; the 15-story Pacific Southwest Building was constructed in 1923 and completed in 1925 at the corner of Fulton and Mariposa, emerging from a time when bankers and raisin growers boosted the local economy using bold partnerships + investments.

Clark Intermediate School's Chieftain mascot remained after North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians approved its use, following detailed discussions amid a 2024 law that limits Native American mascots without tribal endorsement — the board received the approval on Dec.

12.

Rep. Jim Costa and 73 colleagues urged the U.S. Trade Representative to hold Canada accountable for not meeting USMCA dairy commitments that affect $2.6 billion in California dairy exports, seeking stronger enforcement ahead of the 2026 review to protect market access & fairness for U.S. producers.

Saint Agnes hospital received over $13 million from the Estate of King J.

Richter; the donation (the largest in its 96-year history) will fund a new emergency department and upgrade medical technology to improve access to care.

California Professional Firefighters Association President Brian Rice shared his own struggles with addiction in a new video after four active duty firefighters died by suicide in the last 90 days, while Fresno’s Battalion Chief Keola Park noted that peer support helps firefighters cope with repeated trauma.

On Thursday night, when valley temperatures dropped to 42°F, a man and a woman in their 50s were found dead in a tent near Highway 180, and Fresno Mission noted a surge with 65 individuals seeking shelter at its downtown warming center (capacity 180 beds) as hypothermia risks increased.

The California Department of Public Health warned against foraging wild mushrooms after 21 poisoning cases, including one death, were identified near Fresno on Dec.

12 — healthcare experts advise residents to avoid wild mushrooms for their safety.

The Immanuel girls’ volleyball team swept Capistrano Valley Christian today in Reedley to win a second consecutive state title.

The win follows last season’s D5 championship and marks their smooth move to the D-IV bracket despite early season challenges.

The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit - The Concert

4-5:30 p.m. — Warnors Theatre — Tickets starting at $64 — Experience the epic scores of Middle-earth live in concert.

The Haunt Band Performance

5-8 p.m. — Strummer's Bar & Grill — $10 under 21 — Experience the heavy sounds of The Haunt with their emotionally charged live performance.

Emo Night - 10 Year Anniversary

9 PM – 12 AM — Strummer's Bar & Grill — Admission ticket + one complimentary bottled water voucher — Celebrate a decade of emo night with your favorite emo and pop punk classics.

Fiesta Navidad

3-4:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the holidays with Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos in a vibrant cultural performance.

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Adele

8:30-9:29 p.m. — The Grand 1401 — Tickets available — Experience the enchanting music of Adele under candlelight in an awe-inspiring setting.

Candlelight Concert: The Best of Joe Hisaishi

6:15-7:14 p.m. — The Grand 1401 — Tickets required — Experience the enchanting music of Joe Hisaishi by candlelight in a stunning venue.

Deorro New Year's Eve Party

8 p.m. — Rainbow Ballroom — Ticketed entry — Celebrate the new year with electrifying beats from Deorro at Fresno's hottest NYE bash.