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🌱 How will UC Merced spend MacKenzie Scott’s surprise $38 million gift?

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Morning Merced! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will UC Merced spend MacKenzie Scott’s surprise $38 million gift?
  • Why are purebred corgis turning up at Merced’s county shelter?
  • How UC Merced is helping turn farm waste into national security assets

Also on today's calendar: Date Night: Take A Spin and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Mercedfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Mercedfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Low clouds breaking, with a high of 46 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Friday: Cool with some sun; fog early, temps: high: 51, low: 40.
  • Saturday: Areas of fog in the morning, with a high of 50 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mackenzie Scott is giving $38M to UC Merced (yourcentralvalley.com) — UC Merced has received a surprise $38 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, providing a major boost for research, student success programs, and campus innovation. Campus leaders say the unrestricted money will especially benefit Central Valley students and could be transformational for the 20-year-old university’s growth and opportunities.
   

2. Woman Visits Shelter-‘Can't Believe' the Breed She Finds With No Microchip (thenewstribune.com) — A local animal lover recently visited Merced County Animal Services and was stunned to find a purebred corgi there with no name, tag, or microchip. Her Instagram video helped draw attention to the dog, who has since been adopted and named Gnocchi, while also highlighting that the Merced shelter regularly takes in purebreds and mixed-breed dogs needing homes.
   

3. Biotech commission explores California ag's role in national security (agri-pulse.com) — UC Merced recently hosted members of a national biotech security commission, spotlighting how Merced County’s farm byproducts could fuel new biomanufacturing jobs and strengthen U.S. supply chains. Local growers, educators, and industry leaders pushed for policies and investments that help smaller farms and students tap into this emerging circular bioeconomy.
   

4. Dogs rescued from Modesto, Ceres among those flown to Northwest, Merced rescue says (modbee.com) — A Merced-based animal rescue just helped fly 132 cats and dogs, including many saved from harsh conditions in Modesto and Ceres, to new homes in Washington and Montana. New Beginnings For Merced County Animals says local foster families and volunteers are still caring for many fearful dogs in the Merced area as they prepare them for adoption.
   

5. Valley PBS Gets 'Stabilization Grant' to Help Bridge Loss of Federal Funds (gvwire.com) — If you watch Valley PBS in Merced County, your station just got a stabilization grant to help offset a major loss of federal funding. The money, part of a national rescue effort for struggling public broadcasters, aims to keep local programming and emergency alerts on the air while new funding models are developed.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Toy giveaways-
    Hey guys here’s a few flyers for some upcoming toy giveaways that do not require signing up before hand . Just show up on the date and time. (Nextdoor Sierra Vista)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Blake And Mack was LOST on December 7, 2025 in Merced, CA 95340 near Arboleda Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Bear Creek Merced County)
  • University of California Merced posted a job opening for Postdoctoral Scholar in Theoretical Chemistry/Applied Mathematics (Multiple Hires) in Merced. Apply here.
  • Domino's Pizza, Inc. posted a job opening for Pizza Maker/Cashier in Merced in Merced. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merced here.

Ok Merced! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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