@themercedfocus

Sign up for our email newsletter

Complaints paint troubling picture of ‘fixes’ made to flood-ravaged homes in Merced County

Proposed Merced anti-slumlord ordinance will ‘have teeth’ to protect tenants, put problem landlords on notice, leaders say - The Merced FOCUS

Merced County could see a $10 million impact from ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’  - The Merced FOCUS

‘I believe the victims.’ Shock and sadness spreads in Merced, Valley over Cesar Chavez sex abuse allegations - The Merced FOCUS

A proposed anti-slumlord policy is gaining momentum in Merced

'This is not about one dean.' Merced College leaders respond to reporting of workplace conflict - The Merced FOCUS

Opinion: Medi-Cal cuts are hitting Valley healthcare centers hard. Legislators must take action - The Merced FOCUS

Sutter Health opens new health clinic in Los Banos

‘Our classrooms reflect the languages of the world.’ Group calls for expanded multilingualism education in California - The Merced FOCUS

Valley hospitals, clinics brace for financial ‘tsunami’ threatening health care access - The Merced FOCUS

The June 2026 primary election is on the horizon. See who has filed to run in Merced County - The Merced FOCUS

Valley hospitals, clinics brace for financial ‘tsunami’ threatening health care access - The Merced FOCUS

Questions surround a Merced College dean

Mercy Medical Center Merced to seek trauma center designation

A Merced College workplace conflict left students scrambling for classes

Multiple employees filed complaints against a Merced College dean

Register Your Community Event!

Submit Your Opinion Piece!

How long does a visit to a hospital emergency department take? Here’s how Valley hospitals rate - The Merced FOCUS

Merced police are writing more traffic tickets, but crashes are down.

Latino-owned businesses are reshaping downtown Merced

Enrollments falling as final deadline approaches for Covered California

Merced Gardens tenants retain affordable housing for another year

Speed limits at Merced intersections will change later this month

Mexican Consulate comes to Merced to help residents get vital documents - The Merced FOCUS

Merced parents upset as dual language program shutdown looms

Planada residents hear flood relief progress

Merced leaders support 'collaborative review' of proposal to relocate bullet train station - The Merced FOCUS

‘It takes a village.’ Playhouse Merced leadership is bringing back shows – and a familiar face – after board turnover

Merced leaders support 'collaborative review' of proposal to relocate bullet train station - The Merced FOCUS

Proposed southeast Merced bullet train station coming back before City Council for discussion - The Merced FOCUS

'Sweeps' targeting unlicensed vendors underway in Merced County

New Merced ordinance encourages safer street crossing

Proposed California budget cuts Medi-Cal, CalFresh benefits for undocumented people amid federal pressure, rising costs - The Merced FOCUS

Rail Authority proposes new Merced bullet train station outside city limits, says it could save $1 billion - The Merced FOCUS

Merced County police chiefs share public safety goals for 2026

Sheriff says arrest operation in Merced was not ICE

Merced unites for the 29th annual MLK unity march and celebration

New California laws that will impact the Valley in 2026 - The Merced FOCUS

UC Merced is 20 years old. Has it fulfilled its purpose?

Merced residents respond to sheriff's dismissal of sanctuary laws

50 years in the Valley: The Hmong journey from war to home - The Merced FOCUS

Dos Palos and Livingston libraries to expand hours in January after vote by Merced County supervisors - The Merced FOCUS

Advocates honor Merced's unhoused who died in 2025

‘We do have this deep power within us.’ After 50 years of struggle, Valley’s Hmong community charts a new path forward - The Merced FOCUS

For the Valley’s Hmong, assimilation didn’t come without scars

‘We’ve come such a long way.’ The Valley’s Hmong community at 50: From ashes of war to seeds of hope - The Merced FOCUS

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe endures, from a hill in Mexico 1531 to Merced County today - The Merced FOCUS

City Council approves location for new fire station in north Merced

Resources for Merced domestic violence survivors

Merced County fills 2025 Christmas calendar with family events

Newly-appointed councilmember ‘ready to serve’ southwest Merced - The Merced FOCUS

Livingston councilman acknowledges helping police officer complete online degree, after letter sparks questions - The Merced FOCUS

Case against former Merced County sheriff sergeant delayed again

Merced’s red-light cameras have been up for months. How many tickets have been issued?

Merced councilmember who resigned grew up along growing city

Merced council revisits code of conduct amid councilman’s posts

Covered California enrollment's open. But without a tax credits extension, will thousands in the Valley be unable to pay? - The Merced FOCUS

State Ag leader meets with Merced groups about farmworker needs

Was Rep. Adam Gray’s vote to end the shutdown a show of courage or betrayal? Valley leaders weigh in - The Merced FOCUS

Big Beautiful Bill fallout could devastate Valley healthcare

Merced councilmember responds to ‘defamatory’ KKK meme shared by council colleague - The Merced FOCUS

2025 Merced County Veterans Day Parade in photos

Prop. 50 could nudge Merced and Stanislaus counties to the political left, experts say - The Merced FOCUS

Merced City Council District 2 is vacant. How to apply

Merced remembers loved ones during Dia de los Muertos procession

Residents at this Merced apartment complex are banding together to preserve affordable housing - The Merced FOCUS

Valley organizations step up to help vulnerable families, as uncertainty looms over SNAP benefits - The Merced FOCUS

Valley Latinos face higher obesity rates than non-Latinos

Merced College adds law mentorship program

Merced's first Diwali Night brings entertainment to Main Street

After series of fires, Merced plans new rules for vacant properties

Merced artist publishes children's book on Día de los Muertos

Submit Your Community Events

Some Valley students rethinking college plans amid increased immigration enforcement

UC Merced celebrates 20 years open

New Valley-based children’s book celebrates Latino heritage

Merced postal worker turned councilman resigns, thanks residents

No Kings protests in Merced, Modesto draw thousands

Matt Gaetz expected to make Merced CA appearance

California promotes firefighters to work year-round

Opinion: Single-payer would solve Merced County health care costs

Merced’s first Black chamber of commerce takes root

Commemorative flags won't fly in Merced's downtown, leaders say

Mexican-themed supermarket joins Merced mall

Merced County chooses AMR as new ambulance service

This new Merced photo exhibit evolved from a research project

Murder charge dropped against man accused of killing Sophia Mason, 8. The case drew nationwide outrage - The Merced FOCUS

Riggs fights to keep Merced County ambulance contract

Merced leaders to discuss which flags will fly in Bob Hart Square

UC Merced gains ground on 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges report

Merced County supervisors pass $1.12B budget and commit to public budget workshops - The Merced FOCUS

School trustee called to resign after Playhouse Merced meeting

Playhouse Merced staff quit, programs on hold

Valley English learners are making significant progress amid state, federal challenges, says study - The Merced FOCUS

CA bill seeks police training on foreign threats

Canceled shows, explosive meeting at Playhouse Merced

Merced recommends a new passenger airline for its regional airport. Here’s the top choice - The Merced FOCUS

UC Merced students protest layoffs at campus DEI centers

Opinion: Merced calls for certainty on High-Speed Rail funding

UC Merced gets birthday gift of $5 million to build new track and field facility - The Merced FOCUS

This Merced cafe’s internship teaches mastery of specialty coffee

High-Speed Rail Authority holds private meet with Merced leaders

Merced will get $9M for Ag technology job training

Illegal camping tickets surge in Merced under new rules. Is it helping or hurting the unhoused?

‘We felt blindsided.’ Merced officials confront California High-Speed Rail Authority over controversial report

Who gets to sell in Merced? City eyes new rules for street vendors

New report highlights nearly $10 billion the ag industry contributes to Merced County economy

Merced might be removed from initial California bullet train route to cut costs, report suggests

Clean energy company powers up in south Merced, plans to hire over 1,000 employees

See the proposed congressional map as California asks voters to counter Texas redistricting effort

How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will cut Merced County health and social service programs

GEO Group job fair in Merced canceled following backlash

Upcoming job fair draws backlash, planned protest in Merced over private detention company

‘Food heals.’ Merced’s Sweet Roots Kitchen brings leftover crops from farm to fork

"La comida cura": Sweet Roots Kitchen transforma excedentes agrícolas del campo a la mesa

Merced PD recovers Applegate Zoo sign following community tip

Merced County residents protest mass starvation in Gaza. ‘Stop funding genocide’

Questions linger after beloved superintendent quietly steps down at a Merced County school district

‘Beer is like music.’ Merced brothers to open downtown taproom that caters to families

themercedfocus.org

Board chosen for newly-formed Merced Tourism Business Improvement District

themercedfocus.org

Vendedores dicen que la represión migratoria está afectando sus ventas en los tianguis del área de Merced

What the Big Beautiful Bill could mean for some hospitals in the San Joaquin Valley

Immigration crackdown is hurting business at Merced-area swap meets, vendors say

Merced County’s new CEO aims to become CA’s 'highest-performing county.' How will he make it happen?

‘This mini storage does not belong.’ North Merced residents stall proposed development – for now

Merced County supervisors poised to make Hendrickson next CEO. ‘He’s one of us’

New UC Merced study would help LGBTQ adults quit smoking. How federal policies are affecting progress

Valley districts ‘deeply outraged’ as U.S. Department of Education aims to freeze funds supporting English learners

Mariposa County is a maternity care desert. Doulas are bridging the gap

Merced’s oldest Japanese restaurant saying ‘sayonara’ after four decades in business

‘We're trying to create differently for ourselves.’ Merced’s LGBTQ+ community looks ahead, while remembering its past

Suicide is among the leading causes of Valley deaths. What’s being done about it?

Mass deportations could cost California over $275 billion, UC Merced report warns

Update: Dos Palos Fire Station 75 to remain open for at least 18 months

Photo Gallery: 'No Kings' rallies held in Merced, Modesto and the Valley

Merced and Modesto areas see massive turnout at ‘No Kings’ protests

Changing directions: Merced set to switch traffic flow on downtown’s Main Street

Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw Board of Supervisors districts?

Merced County’s unhoused population dips nearly 15% in 2025, latest data reveals

This pop-up nightclub is a place of ‘pure happiness’ for Merced’s disabled adults

Merced County will close a third fire station, despite passage of Dos Palos sales tax

Play celebrating the life of civil rights icon and actor Paul Robeson coming to Merced

Merced’s proposed budget ‘maintains status quo’ as labor costs rise

Congressman Adam Gray to Merced College 2025 graduates: ‘The change the Valley needs starts here’

University of California President Michael V. Drake bids farewell to UC Merced’s largest graduating class yet

Merced County employees get big raises one year after near strike. ‘They wanted to make it right'

'I'm still waiting.' Some Planada families frustrated by slow flood recovery

themercedfocus.org

Valley senior population growth is outpacing available medical specialists, as federal cuts loom

Merced makes it official and appoints Joyce Dale as the city’s first poet laureate

Affordable housing is bustling in Merced, but smaller cities face barriers. ‘It’s not for lack of trying’

Merced animal rescue group New Beginnings featured in upcoming documetary

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?

'Education is transformational.' South Asian women lead these Merced school boards. See their perspectives on leadership

Merced's own super bloom is here. How this grassland reserve protects endangered species

Trump’s immigration tactics obstruct efforts to avert bird flu pandemic, researchers say

From Merced to Sacramento, this pop-up comedy show is stirring up laughs across generations

No guarantees, no protection: Valley undocumented families face an uncertain future

Merced revises flag policy after debate. ‘I just don’t see that as the role of government’

After downtown Merced’s J&R Tacos closed, this former restaurateur found healing through art

Merced residents join national ‘Hands Off!’ protests against President Trump’s policies

More than half of San Joaquin Valley residents could face ‘devastating’ cuts to health coverage

Costa, Gray propose congressional bill to address critical physician shortage in rural areas

Merced County leaders respond in overdrive after library privatization buzz goes viral

Merced police chief says cost of medical exams for sexual assault survivors 'worth it'

Merced receives Satanic flag request for Bob Hart Square amid flag policy debate

Saddled with debt, some Valley families fear they’ll ‘never pay off’ student loans

'It's muddy, it's fun.' Cyclists get down and dirty at Merced Gran Fondo Hincapie 2025

For Valley trans, LGBTQ+ residents, the fear is real but so is the resilience

New subdivision in Hilmar approved despite opposition. ‘I can’t, in good faith, vote against this project’

'We’re extremely excited.' Merced kicks off $3.5 million Bob Hart Square downtown renovation

Invisible Yet Essential: Working, paying taxes, and powering the Valley’s economy from the shadows

Sales tax measure to support Dos Palos fire services on track to pass, following special election

Bird flu cases continue to rise across the San Joaquin Valley, along with egg prices

‘It is a labor of love.’ New K-12 curriculum on Hmong culture takes center stage at UC Merced conference

Proposed Merced County solar and battery project faces resistance amid environmental concerns

‘Anti-immigrant climate’ pushes populations at high risk for bird flu exposure away from prevention, education

Merced re-examining its flag policy amid questions of free expression

Some Merced City Council members offering cash reward for return of stolen zoo sign

From cartel violence to border walls: One couple’s journey to a new life in the Valley

A pile of dirt sat on a parking lot. These Valley residents made it famous

Merced City Schools board fires top administrator. District provides few details

Black History Month kicks off in Merced. Here are some ways to celebrate in the Valley

Cats displaced in Los Angeles wildfires are being cared for in Merced

UC Merced will begin new semester with fewer lecturers. Here’s what we know