Whether it be housing or commercial real estate, economic slowdowns stifled growth in Fresno County in 2024. But after years of declines, experts expect a turnaround soon. The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation brought out a panel of experts to discuss housing construction and sales, major commercial real estate purchases,...
First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close
California's effort to have no new gas-powered vehicles sold in the state by 2035 is beginning, and it requires 35% of all 2026 models sold this year to be zero-emission. Dealers say they aren't close to fulfilling the mandate for zero-emission vehicles and are nervously wondering what the future holds...
Harvard Must Face Lawsuits Over Theft of Body Parts by Ex-Morgue Manager, Court Rules
Harvard University can be sued by families alleging it mishandled the bodies of loved ones donated to its medical school and whose parts were then sold on the black market by the former manager of its morgue, Massachusetts' top court ruled on Monday. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that...
White House to Appeal Ruling on Portland Troop Deployment
The White House said on Monday it will appeal a recent court decision that challenges the federal government's deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. A federal judge in Oregon on Sunday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from sending any National Guard troops to police Portland. "So we are...
What’s Behind the Doors at a North Fresno Social Club Promising Michelin-Level Food?
Over the decades, Fresno has grown enough wealth to support a Michelin-star restaurant, says Gilbert Quesada, director of operations for the PM Lounge. "This is generations of wealth. Their family businesses are now companies and corporations," Quesada said. Instead of Fresno's top earners turning to places such as Las Vegas,...
Fallen Fresno and Kern County Firefighters Honored at California Firefighters Memorial
Two fallen Fresno County firefighters and one from Kern County were among 30 honored Saturday at the Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Capitol Park, the California Fire Foundation said. Fresno Fire Captain Walter E. Sickler, 55, who died Aug. 6, 2025, after a battle with job-related cancer, was remembered...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Kurt Paul Harris
October 6, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Kurt Paul Harris Suspects Date of Birth: December 15, 1982 Physical Description: White Male, 6’ 3, 239 lbs., Brown Hair, Green Eyes. Charges: Stolen vehicle Warrant Number: F24907133 Synopsis of the Case: Kurt Paul Harris is wanted on a...
West Nile Virus Claims a Third Life in the San Joaquin Valley
West Nile virus, a disease that is typically transmitted to people by mosquitos that have fed on blood from infected birds, has so far killed four California residents in 2025, including three in the San Joaquin Valley. In the Valley, West Nile deaths have been confirmed in Tulare, Fresno and...
Israel Deports Greta Thunberg and 170 Other Activists to Greece and Slovakia
Israel said it deported on Monday campaigner Greta Thunberg and another 170 activists from an international flotilla it prevented last week from delivering aid to Gaza, sending them to Greece and Slovakia. Earlier, Swiss and Spanish activists from the flotilla said they were subjected to inhumane conditions during their detention...
Is It Time for California to Bolt From Trump’s Autocratic America?
I will sing this vict'ry song 'Cause I'm already gone — The Eagles Divorce has a legal concept called “constructive abandonment.” When a spouse fails to perform the responsibilities of marriage—provides no emotional support, makes no financial contributions, refuses to have sexual relations—the spouse has abandoned the marriage. Californians, even...
Pope Leo Trims Powers of Vatican Bank, Rolling Back a Francis Reform
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo cancelled the Vatican bank's sole authority over investments held by the city-state on Monday, rolling back one of the financial reforms of his predecessor Francis. In a short decree, Leo said the Vatican bank, known officially as Institute for the Works of Religion, would no...
CHP Seizes $900,000 in Cocaine During Traffic Stop in Merced County
A routine traffic stop on Highway 99 led to a major narcotics seizure on Saturday night. Just after 9:30 p.m., a California Highway Patrol officer stopped a vehicle north of Applegate Road. During the stop, the officer requested assistance from a Central Division K9 team. A search of the vehicle...