Fresno Unified trustees on Sept. 17 canceled a workshop on California's Ralph M. Brown Act because two trustees were absent. Trustees present for the planned workshop knew that Trustees Susan Wittrup (illness) and Veva Islas (traveling abroad) would not be present for the meeting but still gathered together 30 top...
Trump, Once Promising Graduates Green Cards, Now Proposes $100,000 H-1B Fee
President Donald Trump on Sept. 19 proposed a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, a sharp increase from the roughly $2,500 in current filing and legal costs, The Economist reported. “You graduate from a college, I think you should get, automatically as part of your diploma, a green card,”...
Farming, Computers Lead Gallup’s Industry Ratings. Federal Government Ranks Worst
The farming and computer industries are viewed most favorably among 25 major U.S. business sectors, according to Gallup’s latest Work and Education poll. Sixty percent of Americans rated farming positively, followed closely by computers at 59%. The restaurant industry was the only other sector to earn majority-positive views, at 52%....
Chile’s President Urges Netanyahu to Face International Court Over Alleged Gaza Genocide
Chilean President Gabriel Boric called on Tuesday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others accused of committing genocide in Gaza to face an international court, framing the conflict as a “crisis of humanity” rather than a political dispute, the Eastern Herald reported. “I do not want to see Netanyahu...
TikTok’s US Algorithm to Be Overseen by Oracle Under Pending Sale
CNN reports that Oracle will oversee TikTok’s U.S. algorithm if a pending deal transferring the app’s American operations to majority U.S. ownership is completed, the White House confirmed Monday. The agreement would give a U.S.-based joint venture control of TikTok’s operations, including a copy of the algorithm, with Oracle and...
San Joaquin County Strikes Deal to Get Its First Medical School
CBS reports that San Joaquin County will welcome its first medical school in a bid to tackle a severe shortage of health care professionals, officials announced Monday. The new campus, operated by private nonprofit Aria University, will be housed in a repurposed county building near San Joaquin General Hospital in...
Poll: US Mood Subdued as Crime, Unity Concerns Rise
Americans are feeling more uneasy about the direction of the country, a Gallup poll finds, with increased worry about crime and national unity contributing to a drop in overall satisfaction. Only 29% of U.S. adults say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the country - the...
Israeli Minister Calls Gaza a ‘Real Estate Bonanza,’ Igniting Global Backlash
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described Gaza as a potential “real estate bonanza” and said he is discussing dividing the territory with the U.S., drawing international condemnation, the BBC reported. Speaking in Tel Aviv, Smotrich said, “We’ve done the demolition phase… Now we need to build,” referring to the...
Flood Watch Remains in Effect for Central California Through Friday
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for much of Central California, including Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, and surrounding communities, effective through Friday afternoon. Forecasters warn that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms could trigger flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas. Excessive runoff may also affect flood-prone...
Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw to Retire After 2025 Season
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw announced Thursday he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLB season, closing out one of the most decorated careers in baseball history, CBS Sports reported. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 National League MVP will make his final regular-season start...