Good News with Larry Powell

3-24-22 It is funny how our minds work. With the war breaking out between Russia and the Ukraine, it got me to thinking about the devastation and fear that takes place with war.  I found myself reflecting on Flight 77 that hit the Pentagon on 9/11, where many children, including infants, were inside a daycare at the Pentagon.  The daycare supervisor was in a panic over how to evacuate so...

3-23-22 It is absolutely amazing to see how a visit to anywhere in the world can be shared instantly with your friends back home through the digital world. I have received, through Facebook, pictures from friends in Italy and Israel. I got to enjoy their trip even though I never left my home. It felt so good. Then, on the same day, I received an email from a dear friend that said: “We had to be in...

3-22-22 About nine years ago, I was playing golf, which I find myself trying to do more than I use to, when I received a call from my daughter informing me that their court date to hear the disposition of AJ, their foster son, was settled. My daughter was so excited because AJ was finally set on the legal journey to become her son and my grandson. There are so many children who do not have a good...

3-21-22 I have always liked fast cars. It started with a suped up 55 Chevy when I was in high school. Since then, I have owned a Chevelle Super Sport, a corvette, a 370 Z , a Tesla, and about 30 other cars. I have a reputation for taking care of my cars. My Tesla is garaged every night of its life and is washed and waxed at least twice a week. I kept all of my cars tuned up and took pride in them....

3-18-22 Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and can make all kinds of sounds…or no sound at all. There is a treasure that exists at Fresno State called the Silent Garden, a non-profit foundation. It is the dream child of Dr. Paul Ogden, Professor Emeritus, from the Deaf Studies Program. Dr. Ogden says that you cannot tell that a person is deaf by seeing them. He also says that interpreters are ang...

3-17-22 Several years ago I had the pleasure of hosting a group from China who came to California to learn about our schools. They came from Quangxou, a city of 13 million, located about 75 miles from Hong Kong. I learned that many of the parents in China realize the importance of a global education and global awareness. Because most Chinese have just one child, they pour every dream and hope they...

3-16-22 I spent over 50 years in the public education arena advocating for equity and access because I know the value of an education. Graduating from high school is now a minimum standard that opens the door to a world of opportunities. Those with a high school education not only have more career options, they have more life satisfaction. Then there is another step…college or career. For too long...

3-15-22 I am old enough to remember a time when politicians vehemently disagreed with each other during debates and then went out to dinner together with families. Like many of you, our government leaders now seem to be operating with a hatred and anger toward each other rather than simply disagreeing with ideas and positions that the other side takes. In doing so, we have more and more intractabl...

3-14-22 When I was Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, I had the pleasure of overseeing Scout Island, a gem along the San Joaquin River with property on both banks of the river. I was amazed by the natural history and remarkable vibrancy of the San Joaquin River and the flora and fauna and life found along the river. It was inspiring. Scout Island is a treasure that benefits thousands of stud...

3-11-22  We are living in a time of high-tech marvels. From medicine to transportation to gaming to photography. Through technology we are able to manipulate just about anything. We can cure diseases that were once thought incurable. We can make cars safer and many companies are even developing a car that will drive itself with no human being at the steering wheel. We play games that make you...

3-10-22  Rugged individualism. Historic work ethic. Can do attitude. These traits helped to establish America and Americans as a force to be dealt with in the early days of our new Republic. Challenges were seen as short-lived obstacles over which we would triumph. Impossible was not a word in the vocabulary of Americans. The more difficult the task, the more determined and focused we became....

3-9-22  Most of you have seen the movie, the Wizard of Oz. An all-time favorite movie. After all it has a beautiful young girl and an almighty Wizard. Throw in Munchkins and monkeys along with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion and you have movie magic! Each character is in search of something special. The scarecrow wants a brain. The tin man wants a heart. The lion wants courage. And Dorothy...

3-8-22  Did you know that almost every successful corporation has a Board of Directors that helps them develop strategies for the future, reviews current plans, recommends courses of action, and keeps the leadership accountable? Dad taught me as a leader that I need to seek wise counsel. As a result, I have my own personal board of directors. We have all heard the old saying that no man is an...

3-7-22  My two grandsons, Daniel 7 and AJ 9, celebrate birthdays today and on Saturday. They are both remarkable kids who are each talented in their own ways and are a joy to be around. In their young lives, I have watched them adapt to Covid19 restrictions and they have handled them with a skill that I wish many adults had. I certainly give the lion’s share of the credit to their parents who...

3-4-22  Mom and dad taught me a long time ago that if you don’t stand up for what is right, you will fall for anything. Right and wrong does exist. We have become accustomed to the term tolerance and thus have allowed wrong to go unchallenged because of political correctness. Tolerance has moved to advocacy. No longer is it enough for us to be politically correct or silent, we must now become...

3-3-22 In the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States it reads in part: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: Religious freedom is the first part of the Bill of Rights. It was not simply chance that Religious Freedom was the first thing addressed in the Bill of Rights. Religion is foundational to who we are as...

3-2-22 I have to admit that I liked fast cars when I was a kid. I thought I was indestructible and was such a good driver that I would be able to handle any driving situation. My first fast car was a Chevelle 396 Super Sport. It had over 400 horsepower, was Bolero Red with Black Leather interior, had four speed manual transmission and was flat out fast. I have had an RX7, a Corvette, a 370Z and a...

3-1-22 The new iphone 13s are now in the marketplace. Each new release is an event unto itself. Thousands of folks rush to the local Apple store to be among the first to get the latest and greatest digital device. I have to admit, the pull to be the first is quite strong and it is amazing to see that your fingerprint and facial image are now the standard and that each new generation seems to be tw...

2-28-22 There are very few Americans who would watch someone struggle to survive and not lend a hand. We are, after all, the most generous people in the world. But America is called the Land of Opportunity not the Land of You Owe Me even if I don’t want to work. Americans are known for giving a hand up rather than just a hand out. We also use to be a people who wouldn’t take a handout without work...

2/25/22 I was thrilled to be able to participate in wrestling in High School. We had 13 weight classes from the little 95 pounders to unlimited. My senior year I wrestled the 120 pound weight class. I am 5 foot 10 inches tall so I was your typical bean pole of a kid. Having had polio complicated my participation in most sports but not wrestling. Most sports required two normal legs and good size....

2/24/22 IPhones, iPads, iPods. So many digital devices and most of us have more than one. I personally have four of them. I know I need each one to make sure that I am connected with the world and all of my personal friends and acquaintances, business friends, news outlets, facebookers, tweeters, and all the other members of my digital family. I am more connected than most…and yet it seems that is...

2/23/22 There have been many leaders in Fresno over the years and we have been so fortunate that most of them have loved our community. One of them, Dr. Peter G. Mehas, was bigger than life. His impact on Fresno and the Valley was undeniable and over a very long period of time. He advocated for students at the local, state, and national levels. For those of us who knew Pete, he was not shy about s...

2/22/22 Coach Dale Thomas, of Oregon State and a member of the NCAA wrestling rules committee, took his team to Fresno State to wrestle a dual match in the late 1960s. I officiated the match. Coach Thomas got in my face over a call I made. The Oregon State wrestler had pulled down his top while still on the mat, which according to the rules, resulted in a team penalty point. Coach Thomas raced out...

2/21/22 If you have ever visited Yosemite National Park, you have probably had your breath taken away by its grandeur and majesty. Did you know in 1864 former California Senator John Conness sought to have the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove transferred to the state in order for them, as he said, to “be used and preserved for the benefit of mankind.” President Lincoln actually sign...

2/18/22 When my daughter and son-in-law become Foster-Adopt parents, I became keenly aware of the amazing number of children who need foster care. My eyes have also been opened to the number of parents who treat their children as throw-aways. There is little or no thought about having a baby and the responsibility that goes along with a having a child. I hear a lot about the right to have children...