Mark Looker
@marklooker.bsky.social
Retired communications consultant located in Modesto in California's abundant San Joaquin Valley. Interested in politics, journalism, agriculture, SF Giants, Golden State Warriors, UC Berkeley (Go Bears) and Cal Poly SLO.
U.S. Farm Income Set to Fall in 2026 Despite Surge in Government Payments www.agriculture.com/partners-us-...
U.S. Farm Income Set to Fall in 2026 Despite Surge in Government Payments
In a sign of growing stress for U.S. farmers, the USDA forecast on Thursday that U.S. net farm income would fall 0.7% this year, despite near-record government payments that are expected to account fo...
www.agriculture.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:50 AM
U.S. Farm Income Set to Fall in 2026 Despite Surge in Government Payments www.agriculture.com/partners-us-...
Hundreds of Modesto high school students protest ICE www.modbee.com/news/local/e...
By the hundreds, Modesto high school students stage districtwide anti-ICE walkout
“Seeing people’s families get torn apart was really heartbreaking to me because I try to put myself in their shoes,” one student said.
www.modbee.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Hundreds of Modesto high school students protest ICE www.modbee.com/news/local/e...
The Race to Face Valadao and Other Congressional Fundraising Stats gvwire.com/2026/02/04/t...
Fundraising Fight Intensifies as Democrats Eye Valadao Seat
Two Democrats are battling for cash and endorsements as they vie for a chance to flip Rep. David Valadao’s seat. With new district lines and high stakes in CD 22, the 2026 race is already heating up.
gvwire.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The Race to Face Valadao and Other Congressional Fundraising Stats gvwire.com/2026/02/04/t...
Supreme Court Clears Way for California Voting Map bit.ly/3NYBRvt
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Supreme Court Clears Way for California Voting Map bit.ly/3NYBRvt
California Rep. David Valadao voted for Medi-Cal cuts. Will voters hold it against him? California Rep. David Valadao voted for Medi-Cal cuts. Will voters hold it against him? calmatters.org/politics/202...
Will David Valadao’s Medicaid vote cost him his seat?
Rep. David Valadao voted to slash federal funding to Medi-Cal even though he represents a district where two-thirds of constituents rely on it for health care.
calmatters.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:15 AM
California Rep. David Valadao voted for Medi-Cal cuts. Will voters hold it against him? California Rep. David Valadao voted for Medi-Cal cuts. Will voters hold it against him? calmatters.org/politics/202...
One of the world's largest solar projects is headed for California's Central Valley www.sfgate.com/centralcalif...
New project could totally change the way California gets its energy
A mega solar plan could remake the Central Valley.
www.sfgate.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:34 PM
One of the world's largest solar projects is headed for California's Central Valley www.sfgate.com/centralcalif...
She tells the state’s water story, from sinking land to fallow fields www.latimes.com/california/n...
She tells the state's water story, from sinking land to fallow fields
Your morning catch up: A (water) truth teller in the state's heartland, 2026 Oscar nominations and more big stories.
www.latimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:49 PM
She tells the state’s water story, from sinking land to fallow fields www.latimes.com/california/n...
Farm groups say USDA plan for $80M in specialty crop purchases not enough app.meltwater.com/shareddocume...
View Content - Meltwater
app.meltwater.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Farm groups say USDA plan for $80M in specialty crop purchases not enough app.meltwater.com/shareddocume...
Del Monte cannery in Modesto will close. It employed 1,800 during fruit harvest
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/busines... www.modbee.com/news/busines...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/busines... www.modbee.com/news/busines...
Del Monte cannery in Modesto will close. It employed 1,800 during fruit harvest
The Yosemite Boulevard plant had been part of a once-thriving canned fruit industry in the Central Valley.
www.modbee.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Del Monte cannery in Modesto will close. It employed 1,800 during fruit harvest
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/busines... www.modbee.com/news/busines...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/busines... www.modbee.com/news/busines...
USDA Announces $20 Million Section 32 Purchase For Almonds almondalliance.org/2026/01/usda...
USDA Announces $20 Million Section 32 Purchase for Almonds
USDA has announced plans to purchase up to $20 million in almonds through its Section 32 authority as part of a broader $80 million investment in specialty crop purchases for distribution through fede...
almondalliance.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:22 PM
USDA Announces $20 Million Section 32 Purchase For Almonds almondalliance.org/2026/01/usda...
Federal Judges Uphold California’s New Congressional Maps www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Federal Judges Uphold California’s New Congressional Maps
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Federal Judges Uphold California’s New Congressional Maps www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches www.pbs.org/newshour/hea...
WATCH: Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill that overturned Obama-era limits on higher-fat milk options in schools.
www.pbs.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Trump signs a law returning whole milk to school lunches www.pbs.org/newshour/hea...
urlock farmer joins bid for 5th Congressional seat www.turlockjournal.com/news/governm...
Turlock farmer joins bid for 5th Congressional seat
Turlock-area farmer Paul Danbom announced his candidacy Tuesday for California’s 5th Congressional District, becoming the fifth Democrat to launch a bid to unseat Rep. Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hill...
www.turlockjournal.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:44 PM
urlock farmer joins bid for 5th Congressional seat www.turlockjournal.com/news/governm...
What do ‘sell by’ and ‘use by’ really mean? New California law changes food labels
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/califor...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/califor...
What do ‘sell by’ and ‘use by’ really mean? New California law changes food labels
The new state law aims to simplify things for grocery store shoppers.
www.modbee.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:22 PM
What do ‘sell by’ and ‘use by’ really mean? New California law changes food labels
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/califor...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/califor...
CA Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil calls out MID director for conflict of interest
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/politic... www.modbee.com/news/politic...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/politic... www.modbee.com/news/politic...
CA Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil calls out MID director for conflict of interest
She filed a sworn complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commissions on Monday.
www.modbee.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:46 PM
CA Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil calls out MID director for conflict of interest
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/politic... www.modbee.com/news/politic...
Read more at: www.modbee.com/news/politic... www.modbee.com/news/politic...
Sustainable Conservation Names Dr. Josette Lewis as Next CEO suscon.org/blog/2025/10...
Sustainable Conservation Names Dr. Josette Lewis as Next CEO | Sustainable Conservation
Dr. Josette Lewis will join Sustainable Conservation in 2026 as our new CEO!
suscon.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Sustainable Conservation Names Dr. Josette Lewis as Next CEO suscon.org/blog/2025/10...
California residents have a new way to dodge spam calls and texts www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
California residents have a new way to dodge spam calls and texts
A new state platform lets Californians wipe away some of their digital footprints.
www.sfgate.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:48 PM
California residents have a new way to dodge spam calls and texts www.sfgate.com/tech/article...
Stanislaus County sportswriter legend Rich Estrada passed away much too soon www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
Richard Estrada Obituary (1963 - 2025) - Legacy Remembers
View Richard Thomas Estrada's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.
www.legacy.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Stanislaus County sportswriter legend Rich Estrada passed away much too soon www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
Series of atmospheric rivers provided significant snowpack gains, boosted water supply statewide mavensnotebook.com/2025/12/30/d...
DWR: Late December Storms Deliver Much-Needed Snowpack and Water Supply for California
Series of atmospheric rivers provided significant snowpack gains, boosted water supply statewide Press release from the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today cond...
mavensnotebook.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Series of atmospheric rivers provided significant snowpack gains, boosted water supply statewide mavensnotebook.com/2025/12/30/d...
California’s ‘Twilight Zone’ of Endless Fog Is Finally Clearing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
California’s ‘Twilight Zone’ of Endless Fog Is Finally Clearing
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
California’s ‘Twilight Zone’ of Endless Fog Is Finally Clearing www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
How much will California farmers receive in federal tariff relief? bit.ly/3YmGPnz
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
How much will California farmers receive in federal tariff relief? bit.ly/3YmGPnz