These are the best-read stories from last week among subscribers — from a startling wildlife sighting in the mountains to a prominent local politician’s personal struggles, plus a long-awaited downtown opening and hard questions around college athletics.
We’re also tracking the push to make one of Fresno’s most notorious intersections safer. Dive into the quick recaps below, then click on the links to find the full stories.
A trio of mountain lions explore Shaver Lake property in this screenshot from a home surveillance camera. Courtesy of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
Trio of apex predators prowl Central California property. See ‘incredible’ video
Three mountain lions were caught on a Shaver Lake home’s security camera, prowling across a driveway before vanishing into snowy trees. The Sheriff’s Office shared the clip and urged awareness in cougar country, including tips on avoidance and what to do if spotted. Click here for full story.
Dr. Joaquin Arambula, a Fresno Democrat, is a state assemblymember representing the 31st Assembly District.
Fresno lawmaker, council candidate entered rehab amid divorce. ‘I needed some help’
Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, running for Fresno City Council District 3, said in court filings he voluntarily entered inpatient rehab to manage stress and avoid dependence on alcohol or marijuana as his divorce proceeds. Filings include disputed allegations and custody concerns. Click here for full story.
Moses McQueen’s, a new bar created by five Fresno friends, will open soon in a 100-year old Armenian home on Van Ness Boulevard in downtown Fresno. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Historic house transformed into hip Fresno hangout. See inside Moses McQueen’s
A 1915 downtown Fresno duplex has been rebuilt into Moses McQueen’s, a soon-to-open bar/restaurant packed with curated, Disneyland-like details and hidden passages. The team preserved the historic structure while modernizing it for commercial use. Food and cocktails follow. Click here for full story.
Fresno State an innocent bystander in Cal State Bakersfield drama, coach’s arrest for pimping
Cal State Bakersfield athletics faces widening scandal after an assistant basketball coach’s arrest on felony charges including pimping and pandering, with broader allegations outlined in a former athletics director’s lawsuit. Fresno State appears only peripherally via a softball-tournament threat incident. Click here for full story.
Safety upgrades for dangerous Fresno intersection. Here’s plan to reduce crashes
Fresno’s “Friant Roulette” intersection at Friant and Shepherd is getting $2.5 million in safety upgrades aimed at reducing red-light running and T-bone crashes. Work includes new lane-by-lane signals, visibility barriers, lane reductions, median widening and other redesigns. Click here for full story.
Based on original stories from Fresno Bee reporters Brooke Baitinger, Robert Kuwada, Thaddeus Miller, Melissa Montalvo and Joshua Tehee.
This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
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The Fresno Bee
Christopher Kirkpatrick is senior editor of The Fresno Bee and Vida en el Valle.