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...
Trio Win Nobel Chemistry Prize for Work on ‘Hermione’s Handbag’ Materials
STOCKHOLM — Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi won the 2025 Nobel chemistry prize for developing a new form of molecular architecture, yielding materials that can help tackle challenges such as climate change and lack of fresh water. The three laureates worked to create molecular constructions, known as metal-organic frameworks...
Bakersfield Assemblymember’s Exit Shakes Up Central Valley Races
A Bakersfield Assemblymember's decision to leave Sacramento for good could ripple through a competitive Central Valley race. It is one and done for state Assemblymember Stan Ellis, R-Bakersfield. He announced he will not seek re-election after his term expires in December 2026. "I've seen how the system works, and the...
Trump Says He May Go to the Middle East for Gaza Deal
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he may travel to the Middle East this weekend as his negotiators seek to seal a Gaza hostages-for-ceasefire deal. Trump said at the White House that a deal is "very close," and that he may depart Saturday for the region. He spoke after talking...
Strengthening Families Must Be California’s No. 1 Priority
Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. Here in Fresno County, we see every day how family structure shapes public safety, education, and economic stability. When families thrive and neighborhoods are safe, children do better in school and our local economy grows. But when families fall apart, the cost...
Fresno County Authorities Investigate Fatal Shooting at Kerman Wedding
Fresno County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the fatal shooting of a man at a wedding in Kerman over the weekend. Deputies responded around 10 p.m. Saturday to a report of an injured person at a home on the 3300 block of S. Congress Avenue, where a wedding celebration was underway....
Buddy Mendes Will Retire as Fresno County Supervisor, Endorses Former Sheriff for Seat
Long-time Fresno County Supervisor Ernest "Buddy" Mendes announced Wednesday he will not seek reelection in 2026, and endorsed former Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims for the District 4 seat. Mendes' announcement and endorsement of Mims — long rumored in local political circles — came even though Mendes had filed this...
In the Central Valley, Prop. 50 Is a Fight Between Newsom’s California and GOP’s Washington
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Along the highways of California’s San Joaquin Valley, as field workers harvest almonds and pistachios and tractors churn dusty top soil into the already hazy air, drivers can’t miss the giant yellow billboards. “VOTE NO on PROP 50....
Gold Shatters $4,000 Milestone, Silver Belts Record High as Investors Rush to Safety
Gold surged past the $4,000 an ounce level for the first time on Wednesday, building on a record-breaking rally as broader geopolitical and economic uncertainty, as well as expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts, sent investors flocking to the safe-haven asset. Silver also climbed to a record high on Wednesday,...
What Is Antifa and Why Is Trump Targeting It?
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to attend a White House roundtable on Wednesday to discuss the anti-fascist antifa movement, which he has called a domestic "terrorist organization" sponsoring left-wing political violence. Here is some background on antifa, and why it might be difficult for the Trump administration to follow...
Joan Kennedy, Who Married Into a Political Dynasty, Dies at 89
Joan Kennedy, who married into one of America’s foremost political dynasties and spent much of her life wrestling with alcoholism while caught up in the tragedies and tempests that stamped the Kennedy family, died Wednesday at her home in Boston. She was 89. Her death was confirmed by Steve Kerrigan,...