Brianna Vaccari
@briannavaccari.bsky.social
Editor/reporter at The Merced FOCUS/ Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Fresno State alum. San Joaquin Valley girl 4eva
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
We, the staff of @CVJCguild, are forming a union!
A strong local news ecosystem needs strong workers. We’re asking our leadership to formally recognize us so we can shape the future of local media together.
▶️Read our mission statement
▶️ Sign our petition
▶️ Following @CVCJGuild here and on IG
A strong local news ecosystem needs strong workers. We’re asking our leadership to formally recognize us so we can shape the future of local media together.
▶️Read our mission statement
▶️ Sign our petition
▶️ Following @CVCJGuild here and on IG
September 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
We, the staff of @CVJCguild, are forming a union!
A strong local news ecosystem needs strong workers. We’re asking our leadership to formally recognize us so we can shape the future of local media together.
▶️Read our mission statement
▶️ Sign our petition
▶️ Following @CVCJGuild here and on IG
A strong local news ecosystem needs strong workers. We’re asking our leadership to formally recognize us so we can shape the future of local media together.
▶️Read our mission statement
▶️ Sign our petition
▶️ Following @CVCJGuild here and on IG
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
Lawmakers are poised to give California water districts legal cover from lawsuits as they work to meet strict new standards for toxic chromium-6 in drinking water.
Ryan Sabalow and @briannavaccari.bsky.social report: calmatters.org/environment/... @calmatters.org
Ryan Sabalow and @briannavaccari.bsky.social report: calmatters.org/environment/... @calmatters.org
‘Erin Brockovich’ chemical could be in your water. Should districts get legal cover?
Water bills are climbing as utilities clean up a chemical made infamous in “Erin Brockovich.” Lawmakers could give water providers legal protections
calmatters.org
July 22, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Lawmakers are poised to give California water districts legal cover from lawsuits as they work to meet strict new standards for toxic chromium-6 in drinking water.
Ryan Sabalow and @briannavaccari.bsky.social report: calmatters.org/environment/... @calmatters.org
Ryan Sabalow and @briannavaccari.bsky.social report: calmatters.org/environment/... @calmatters.org
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
Merced could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions determine Board of Supervisors district maps after the 2030 census.
But not everyone is on board with the idea, including the Board of Supervisors itself. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
But not everyone is on board with the idea, including the Board of Supervisors itself. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw Board of Supervisors districts?
Merced County could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions after the 2023 census. But not everyone is on board with the idea.
themercedfocus.org
June 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Merced could join other central California counties who will have independent redistricting commissions determine Board of Supervisors district maps after the 2030 census.
But not everyone is on board with the idea, including the Board of Supervisors itself. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
But not everyone is on board with the idea, including the Board of Supervisors itself. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
Some personal news from me:
After more than a decade working as a reporter, I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an editing role.
I’m looking forward to serving readers in a different way. You can count on our team @themercedfocus.org to deliver top-notch, community-based news!
After more than a decade working as a reporter, I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an editing role.
I’m looking forward to serving readers in a different way. You can count on our team @themercedfocus.org to deliver top-notch, community-based news!
Veteran journalist Brianna Vaccari named editor of The Merced Focus
Vaccari is moving into the role after working for two years as senior accountability reporter for the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, the nonprofit that publishes The Merced Focus.
themercedfocus.org
July 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Some personal news from me:
After more than a decade working as a reporter, I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an editing role.
I’m looking forward to serving readers in a different way. You can count on our team @themercedfocus.org to deliver top-notch, community-based news!
After more than a decade working as a reporter, I’m excited to share that I’m stepping into an editing role.
I’m looking forward to serving readers in a different way. You can count on our team @themercedfocus.org to deliver top-notch, community-based news!
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
“When you have people who feel respected and valued and appreciated in their positions, they do a better job,” said one union member and Merced County employee. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
themercedfocus.org/merced-count...
themercedfocus.org/merced-count...
Merced County employees get big raises one year after near strike. ‘They wanted to make it right'
More than 1,700 Merced County employees will receive a 10% pay raise and alleviated healthcare costs after nearly striking last summer.
themercedfocus.org
May 19, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“When you have people who feel respected and valued and appreciated in their positions, they do a better job,” said one union member and Merced County employee. Story by @briannavaccari.bsky.social
themercedfocus.org/merced-count...
themercedfocus.org/merced-count...
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
"The company went through the city’s competitive bidding process for the Yosemite Avenue project and was the lowest of six bids, coming in at around $5.8 million. The highest bid the city received was over $14 million."
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
The city council member said he consulted with the city attorney before voting on his in-law's project.
Still, Merced's code of conduct requires members to take into consideration the appearance of a conflict of interest on council matters.
Still, Merced's code of conduct requires members to take into consideration the appearance of a conflict of interest on council matters.
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?
Merced City Councilmember Mike Harris in December cast a yes vote on a multimillion-dollar construction contract awarded to a company owned by his brother-in-law.
themercedfocus.org
May 16, 2025 at 6:56 PM
"The company went through the city’s competitive bidding process for the Yosemite Avenue project and was the lowest of six bids, coming in at around $5.8 million. The highest bid the city received was over $14 million."
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
By @briannavaccari.bsky.social
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
This is so sad!
Fresno abruptly loses federal grant credited for big drop in city’s gun violence via @melissa-myrna.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
Fresno abruptly loses federal grant credited for big drop in city’s gun violence via @melissa-myrna.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
Fresno abruptly loses federal grant credited for big drop in city’s gun violence
Exclusive: The $2 million violence prevention grant is one of several federal grants that has been paused, canceled or terminated in Fresno.
www.fresnobee.com
April 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This is so sad!
Fresno abruptly loses federal grant credited for big drop in city’s gun violence via @melissa-myrna.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
Fresno abruptly loses federal grant credited for big drop in city’s gun violence via @melissa-myrna.bsky.social
www.fresnobee.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Brianna Vaccari
For 528 days, Valerie the miniature dachshund survived in the Australian wilderness by eating roadkill and eluding the grasp of humans who wanted to rescue her. All the while, her owners worried about whether they would see her again.
Valerie the dachshund rescued after 17 months in Australian wilderness
The eight-pound miniature dachshund had transformed from an “absolute princess” into a rugged survivor.
wapo.st
April 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
For 528 days, Valerie the miniature dachshund survived in the Australian wilderness by eating roadkill and eluding the grasp of humans who wanted to rescue her. All the while, her owners worried about whether they would see her again.
Incredible insight into this deal by my friend and former colleague Manuela Tobias, now reporting for @bloomberg.com from her home in Buenos Aires
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Loan to Trump-Friendly Argentina Went Against IMF Board Concerns
The IMF’s latest jumbo loan to Argentina — a serial defaulter now led by a close Donald Trump ally – raised red flags for many of the Fund’s top decision-makers. It got a green light anyway.
www.bloomberg.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Incredible insight into this deal by my friend and former colleague Manuela Tobias, now reporting for @bloomberg.com from her home in Buenos Aires
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Hi! It took me a while, but I’m finally here.
Refresher: I’m a journalist working in California’s San Joaquin Valley, previously with @fresnobee.com. Now I’m at a nonprofit newsroom @themercedfocus.bsky.social.
I’m sort of trying to recreate my beloved Twitter feed (RIP). Am I doing this right?
Refresher: I’m a journalist working in California’s San Joaquin Valley, previously with @fresnobee.com. Now I’m at a nonprofit newsroom @themercedfocus.bsky.social.
I’m sort of trying to recreate my beloved Twitter feed (RIP). Am I doing this right?
April 23, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Hi! It took me a while, but I’m finally here.
Refresher: I’m a journalist working in California’s San Joaquin Valley, previously with @fresnobee.com. Now I’m at a nonprofit newsroom @themercedfocus.bsky.social.
I’m sort of trying to recreate my beloved Twitter feed (RIP). Am I doing this right?
Refresher: I’m a journalist working in California’s San Joaquin Valley, previously with @fresnobee.com. Now I’m at a nonprofit newsroom @themercedfocus.bsky.social.
I’m sort of trying to recreate my beloved Twitter feed (RIP). Am I doing this right?