Sunday Conversation with Alexan Balekian

Larry Powell and Former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry talk about the local political vitriol in some council races and the poor decorum on the Fresno City Council dais, and why the Fresno County Superintendent vote is vital for generations to come. Plus an exclusive chat with Joaquin Arambula, from his stint in rehab to why his race against Fresno Unified trustee Keshia Thomas has stayed cordial.

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District 1 City Council candidate Rob Fuentes joins the show - responding to the new plans in place to reduce violence in the Tower District. Plus why did Fuentes not work so hard when it came to his federal prosecutorial duties for immigration cases? Opposition candidate Naindeep Singh turned down an invitation to join the show and then was arrested on suspicion of DUI.  Also, quite possibly the most bizarre political stunt could land the Kerman mayor in jail. 

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Is Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her changing the culture inside the classroom? New data suggests the third-largest school district in the state is back from the COVID setback when it comes to reading and math. Plus, the Superintendent clears the air on the negative headlines piling up against the district. Plus, Dr. Eimear O'Brien makes her final plea to voters in a race that is being heavily watched in Fresno County. Why did the incumbent, Dr. Copher did not show up to join the conversation following repeated attempts? Also, why Miguel Arias is not worth the corndog on the ba...

The Fresno County Democrat and Republican Central Committees are gearing up for the Midterms: from city council to state and federal key races that could change the complexion of politics in the Central Valley. The endorsements they handed out and why they are sitting on the sidelines for several big races.

Plus, does the Fresno County GOP have its house in order despite a lawsuit filed by one of its own members against GOP Chair Liz Kolstad, who was also endorsed by the party in his assembly race?

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Candidate for California's second-highest office, Lt. Governor Gloria Romero, joins me exclusively in the studio. She even brought her puppy, Tubby. Gloria explains why she swapped political parties after serving in the state legislature as a democrat and just recently became a registered republican. Gloria talks about what needs to be done to fix education on a state level, what she disagrees with Steve Hilton on, and her opponent's sex scandal in a hotel room with another woman.

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Are voters in Fresno and Clovis ready to elect a younger generation to city council seats? Are these younger, more energetic candidates a better fit for the future of these two cities? A candid conversation with Nav Gurm, Des Haus and Mason Magsig, who are all showing favorable numbers to win their respective districts.

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Fresno Unified has been crucified in the media; now they are on the offensive and responding to misinformation in an exclusive, detailed interview with the Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Ben Drati, and the Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Carlos Castillo.  We talk about 9/11 and how students are now learning about it in our schools. Field Trips and, the long-term solution and the new plan they will release in October.

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Exclusive interviews with Fresno County Judge candidate Jeff Hammerschmidt, who also represented Cassandra Michael in the Caleb Quick murder case, in his first interview since the verdict. Also, Fresno State Athletics Director Garrett Klassy in his first interview since signing the most lucrative contract for this position in University history.

Amazing Segment 2 in which Jeff Hammerschmidt describes why lawyers and judges would be able to carry licensed guns on their person outside the courthouse, with a personal experience where he thought he was going to be murdered.

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An exclusive panel of experts dissects the captivating defamation case between Fresno Unified, its Trustee Keshia Thomas, and former Bullard Head Football coach Don Arax.Bill McEwen, Clint Olivier, and Roger Bonakdar give new insight to the PR nightmare for the district, the final payout, and whether Keshia Thomas is still electable.Plus, why the panel believes that, despite two judges being blocked from overseeing the County transportation tax case, it will still be on the November ballot.

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Fresno County Clerk James Kus is being sued by his own County Supervisors, how he is moving forward while waiting on a judge's unprecedented decision; and the conversation he had with Mayor Dyer in the 11th hour to put a city roads tax measure on the November ballot.
Plus, a bombshell declaration in the high-profile defamation case against Fresno Unified and its Trustee Keshia Thomas. FTA President Manuel Bonilla responds to the wild about-face by the district and a case that is littered with lies.

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Recalled Avenal Mayor Alvaro Preciado refuses to step down, why he believes he should be reelected in a shocking interview where he blames Kings County Supervisors for orchestrating a recall and the execution of a search warrant at his house.
Also, why Assemblywoman Soria pulled an unprecedented political stunt all in the name of political vengeance.

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Supervisor Bredefeld adamantly refuses to call a special meeting, crushing any hope that the "Better Roads, Safer Streets" initiative will make the deadline to be on the 2026 ballot. He says he won't budge on the process and his response to being called a racist.

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Mendota mayor Victor Martinez joins Alexan Balekian on this week's Sunday Conversation after publicly calling three Fresno County supervisors racist for blocking a signature-led roads tax initiative, AKA Measure C, from being on the November ballot. Why he labels them hypocrites and their control as institutional racism. Plus, GVWire's Bill McEwen on how Mayor Jerry Dyer's city-wide plan for a 65 million dollar half-cent general sales tax to fix roads and save jobs put a major dent in Ashley Swearengin's political influence on a transportation measure moving forward.

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Chaos, confusion, and an unprecedented recall followed by multiple search warrants served at the homes and businesses of the four recalled Avenal city council members and the Avenal city manager, who refuse to vacate their seats. The Kings County supervisors are now involved in a bitter legal battle with the city of Avenal. What comes next, and what is the Kings County D-A looking for? Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon releases new information on the secret dealings inside Avenal City Hall.

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For the first time, Fresno City Manager Georgeanne White breaks her silence over the City's litigation against Granite Park and Terance Frazier. This week, the city not only took over the Park but also started making upgrades. The City Manager also reveals she is in talks with the District Attorney and says Fraziers has made millions of dollars during his time as operator of the park and President of the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation.

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This week's episode focuses on Granite Park and what comes next after Terance Frazier, the President of the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, received an eviction letter from the Sheriff's office to vacate the venue in 5-days. What Frazier is hoping a judge will do, and what this means for Little League teams who have signed up for the July 4th tournament. Also, Frazier opens up on what he was not allowed to show in court, and the book he's about to release on the alleged corruption inside City Hall.

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Alexan lost a fight with a mosquito.  Late votes are still being counted from the June Primary.  Club One Casino owner Kyle Kirkland discusses his chances against longtime Rep. Jim Costa.    

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Alexan is joined by Clint Olivier and Bill McEwen to break down the results of the June Primary election.  

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Alexan is joined by Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz to discuss legal issues within the city and a recent scare by an armed man at his home.  Plus a Primary election preview with Alex Tavlian and Tal Eslick 

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Alexan is joined by Clovis City Ccouncilman, Matt Basgall, Fresno County Clerk James Kus and Fowler Councilman Karnig Kazarian.

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Alexan discusses the surprise attack ad targeting Parlier Mayor and Fresno County Supervisor District 4 candidate Alma Beltran.  Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce on Measure C roads tax issue.  Mark Standriff & Liz Laval bring back Legends...the Legacies Continue to KMJ

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Politics and Education are in focus as Alexan is joined by the candidates for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools:  Incumbent Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher and challengers Dr. Eimear O’Brien and Dr. Johnny Alvarado.

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The sheriff reveals new details about the horrific murder of Deputy Randy Hoppert. Why the sheriff decided to say what he did, when he revealed they killed the suspect by running him over with a bobcat vehicle, and the eerie text message the suspect sent that triggered a deadly response. 

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Roundtable discussion on the Armenian Genocide commemoration, the modern-day genocide, the political atrocities being committed and whether it is relevant on Capitol Hill?  Matthew Jendian - Fresno State Professor of Sociology and Director of Humanics at Fresno State, Berj Karamanlian - AYF Chairman, Karina Messerlian - AYF Secretary, Hovig Ohanian - Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee

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American Lebanese Druze leader, former Tribal Sheikh, and one of the most trusted Middle East insiders, Mike Hamzy joins the show for an in-depth look at how Israel could have crippled President Trump's ceasefire deal with Iran. 

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Legendary local TV personality Kopi sits down with Alexan for some baklava and a look back on his award-winning career on the local airwaves and in Hollywood. KMJ's Sunday Conversation is sponsored by: Gar And The Press Box

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Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League discusses the shocking allegations of child sex abuse and rape against the late United Farm Workers President César Chávez

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GVWire News Director Bill McEwen and Clovis Unified Trustee Clint Olivier join Alexan Balekian in a roundtable discussion on a number of local public affairs making national headlines.

Can Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula win over voters for a seat on the Fresno City Council despite a very ugly and public divorce and a mysterious stint in rehab?

Plus, should Fresno State AD Garrett Klassy fire Vance Walberg and get the men's basketball program on a road back to glory?

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Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco joins Alexan Balekian on this week’s Sunday Conversation.

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Alexan discusses The Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty and gets an exclusive update on the arrest of High Speed Rail's Ceo.

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Alexan Balekian sits down with Mike Karbassi and Mark Kapetan to discuss the alleged embezzlment of Fresno's Arts Council funds.

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Special Guest Former NFL Player And CEO of Golden Charter Academy, breaks his silence over accusations and complaints filed To Fresno Unified.

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Guests:

Fresno County Supervisor Chair - Garry Bredefeld

Fresno County Democrat Party Representative - Lonny Johnson

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Clovis City Councilman Matt Basgall. 

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Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Candidate Eimear O.'Brien join the show.

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Bill McEwen and Clint Olivier make their 2026 political predictions along with Fresno City Councilmember Nick Richardson join the program.

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Criminal defense attorney Mark Coleman also joins the show following the prison sentence of former Valley congressman T.J. Cox. The in-depth, exclusive interview about the case you won't hear anywhere else.

Alexan's TV mentor and friend Orin Winick joins the show for a trip down memory lane and explains why he's ready to make new memories in the Central Valley.

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The Sunday Conversation With Alexan Balekian Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever e...

Republican Valley Assemblyman David Tangipa breaks down why he believes the judge could rule in favor of his lawsuit against Governor Newsom when the case goes in front of a judge this next week. Also, his strange encounter with Governor Newsom, which just so happened to be the first time he met him in person, and what Newsom said to him. 

Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Sunday Conversation With Alexan Balekian' on all platforms.   

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The Sunday Conversation With Alexan Balekian Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you liste...

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz

Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Sunday Conversation With Alexan Balekian' on all platforms.   

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The Sunday Conversation With Alexan Balekian Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

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This week's episode, Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi joins the show to talk about several controversial issues, including his campaign to unseat the Fresno County Clerk James Kus, the unknown VMT tax that passed, and why the homeless crisis could once again explode within the city. Also, the premier pediatrician for palliative care in California, Dr. David Sine on his mission to provide kids battling critical illnesses real hope, not with medicine but by granting their wishes. To be part of the inspiration and help turn wishes into a reality for Central Valley children with critical illnesses, join...