The Modesto Focus

Schools are out for summer, but the work doesn’t end for Modesto City Schools District teachers, administrators and staff who have been locked in union contract negotiations for the past 10 months.
As health insurance companies continue to raise rates each year, teachers across the state are stuck debating their budgets – in the classrooms and at home.

Locally, educators are bracing as negotiations could continue into the 2026-27 school year. The Modesto Teachers Association is standing firm on its demands for better health insurance options and support for specialized and special education teachers. But administrators say the union’s proposals are not viable for the financial health of the district. Read the full story via link in the comments.🔗

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Modesto Focus now has a free SMS program delivering local news, emergency alerts, and community resources in Spanish — straight to your phone. No app, no cost, just real journalism from our newsroom to you. Text ENFOQUE to (209) 439-4798 to subscribe, or click the link in our bio. Have a question? Reply directly — a real reporter will be on the other end.

The corruption scandal that cost StanCOG’s executive director her job last year is under criminal investigation, Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero confirmed.

A separate investigation commissioned by the Stanislaus Council of Government’s Policy Board concluded May 7 and results have been shared with prosecutors, board members told The Modesto Focus.

That investigation, conducted by a Sacramento law firm, supports an Aug. 7 Policy Board decision to fire Rosa De Leon Park for “unreasonable and excessive spending of public funds,” including for personal benefit, according to an executive summary obtained by The Modesto Focus. Read the full story via link in the comments. 🔗

Looking for some weekend fun? Check out what's happening this weekend in your community🗓👀🦖

Thank you to the standing-room-only crowd for our Voting Matters event at Contentment Brewing Co. Wednesday night. More than 100 people came out to The Modesto Focus/CalMatters-sponsored night to learn more about the primary election. Expect more in-person events from The Modesto Focus for the general election. And thanks for showing up, Modesto!

Missed our event? You can still stay informed. Visit our website for your go-to source on all the races happening in the 2026 Primary Election. Check out our Primary Election 2026 page, link in the comments. 🗳

Join us today to learn about the local, state and national races that matter to Stanislaus County from The Modesto Focus accountability reporter Garth Stapley and CalMatter's Dan Hu. Stay informed! 🗳

For many, Modesto’s Bad 2 The Bonz boxing gym is more than just a place to train – it’s a place to rebuild.

That’s especially true for those with a troubled past.

Owner Tony Avila first established Bad 2 The Bonz in 1980, driven by a lifelong passion for the art of boxing. He envisioned creating something different than what he experienced as a young amateur boxer. Today, the gym continues transforming lives both inside and outside the ring. Read the full story to learn more, link in the comments🔗

"Pomp and Circumstance" will be playing across Modesto and the Valley this week as commencement season hits full speed. As high schoolers and college students transition into their next chapters, Modestans can expect celebrations and a fair amount of traffic on these special days. Three cheers to the graduating class of 2026!🎓👩🏽‍🎓🎉

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out what's happening around town!🗓🎤🎸🎶
For more May events, visit the link in our comments🔗