These were the best-read Fresno Bee stories among subscribers last week, reflecting what most captured your attention across our coverage.

A retail upheaval in Fresno’s shopping centers, a high-profile embezzlement investigation, a major highway disruption and a Fresno State campus debate over media access.

Bee subscribers gravitated to stories that affect their daily lives — where they shop, how they drive, how public money is handled and how students engage with the news.

A large store closing sign hangs in front of the Eddie Bauer store in Fig Garden Village on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. The outdoor clothing brand located near Williams-Sonoma and Anthropologie is closing all its stores after filing for bankruptcy. A large store closing sign hangs in front of the Eddie Bauer store in Fig Garden Village on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. The outdoor clothing brand located near Williams-Sonoma and Anthropologie is closing all its stores after filing for bankruptcy. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Retail shake-up hits Fig Garden and Blackstone Avenue

Two longtime Fresno retailers are shutting their doors. Eddie Bauer will close its Fig Garden Village store as the outdoor brand’s North American operator files for bankruptcy and shutters 175 locations. GW School Supply is closing its Blackstone Avenue shop after decades serving teachers and homeschoolers, though its Belmont and Bakersfield stores and online sales will continue. Click here to read full story.

Jimmy Pardini walks us through his new Italian restaurant Willow Osteria which was opening that night. The new restaurant is located at The Avenue at Heritage Grove on the corner of Willow and Shepherd avenues. Photographed Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 in Clovis. Jimmy Pardini walks us through his new Italian restaurant Willow Osteria which was opening that night. The new restaurant is located at The Avenue at Heritage Grove on the corner of Willow and Shepherd avenues. Photographed Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 in Clovis. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com

Star Fresno chef plans Italian sandwich shop with house-baked focaccia

Annex Kitchen owner Jimmy Pardini is launching Strada Italian Sandwiches in north Fresno’s Park Crossing center near Annesso Pizzeria. Opening is targeted for mid-April. The shop will feature warm, house-baked focaccia, imported Italian meats sliced to order and house-made spreads like pistachio cream and truffle, with indoor and patio seating, plus beer and wine. Click here to read full story.

Email to Suliana Caldwell’s Fresno Arts Council email in February confirms she is no longer with the organization. Email to Suliana Caldwell’s Fresno Arts Council email in February confirms she is no longer with the organization.

Ex-operations manager named in Fresno Arts Council money probe

Former Fresno Arts Council operations manager Suliana Caldwell has been identified by city officials as the subject of an investigation into $1.5 million in missing taxpayer funds. Fresno police, working with the FBI, have served multiple search warrants. Caldwell has not been arrested or charged, and the council has called the losses “unauthorized financial transactions” now under investigation. Click here to read full story.

Rain can be seen on Highway 41 in Fresno, California on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Rain can be seen on Highway 41 in Fresno, California on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. ANTHONY GALAVIZ agalaviz@fresnobee.com

Short-term Highway 41 closure to snarl south Fresno traffic

Caltrans is closing the No. 2 lane of northbound Highway 41 between Central and North avenues in Fresno, along with the North Avenue off-ramp, for maintenance. The closure is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, weather permitting. Officials warn the work could last longer and urge drivers to plan extra travel time. Click here to read full story.

Students walk by a new gateway sign at the entrance to Fresno State at Maple and Shaw avenues, Friday, May 2, 2014. The stone and metal sign lies across from a sculptural element, called a sprout to reflect the school's agriculture, nature, native history, programs and education, made of perforated metal and wood. The signs at Maple and Shaw are the part of the university's Campus Identity and Exterior Wayfinding Comprehensive Sign Program. New gateway signs at the Cedar and Shaw and Cedar and Barstow entrances will be installed later this summer. CRAIG KOHLRUSS Students walk by a new gateway sign at the entrance to Fresno State at Maple and Shaw avenues, Friday, May 2, 2014. The stone and metal sign lies across from a sculptural element, called a sprout to reflect the school’s agriculture, nature, native history, programs and education, made of perforated metal and wood. The signs at Maple and Shaw are the part of the university’s Campus Identity and Exterior Wayfinding Comprehensive Sign Program. New gateway signs at the Cedar and Shaw and Cedar and Barstow entrances will be installed later this summer. CRAIG KOHLRUSS CRAIG KOHLRUSS Fresno Bee Staff Photo

Fresno State student leaders reject NYT access after coverage concerns

Fresno State’s Associated Students, Inc., voted down a proposal to spend $15,705 in student fees on free New York Times digital subscriptions after a debate over the paper’s Gaza coverage and student demand. Opponents said funding would endorse the Times’ editorial stance, while backers cited academic use and extras like Wordle. The Collegian, Fresno State’s student newspaper, first reported the vote. Click here to read full story.

These recaps were produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by Fresno Bee journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom.

Based on original stories from Fresno Bee reporters Brooke Baitinger, Bethany Clough, Liliana Fanin and Melissa Montalvo.


Profile Image of Christopher Kirkpatrick

Christopher Kirkpatrick

The Fresno Bee

Christopher Kirkpatrick is senior editor of The Fresno Bee and Vida en el Valle.