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...
Most Americans Don’t Want Troops Deployed Without an External Threat, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
WASHINGTON — Some 58% of Americans - including seven in 10 Democrats and half of Republicans - think the president should send armed troops only to face external threats, a sign of unease as President Donald Trump increasingly deploys National Guard troops to police American cities, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found....
Pope Leo Tells US Bishops to Address Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo told U.S. bishops visiting him at the Vatican on Wednesday that they should firmly address how immigrants are being treated by President Donald Trump's hardline policies, attendees said, in the latest push by the pontiff on the issue. Leo, the first U.S. pope, was handed...
Fresno County Supervisors Delay Rooster Rules. Committee Will Create New Ordinance
Fresno County supervisors decided Tuesday not to move forward with an ordinance limiting roosters in Fresno County. Instead, supervisors will create an ad hoc committee of community members and elected officials to craft an ordinance that would limit noise and animal cruelty while allowing hobbyists and farmers the resources to...
Gaza Talks Taken up a Notch as Hamas Hands Over Hostage Swap List
CAIRO — Talks to end the war in Gaza were taken up a notch on Wednesday with the expected arrival of senior figures from Israel, the U.S. and regional counties, after Hamas handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be freed in a swap. With U.S. President...
Ex-FBI Chief Comey Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Brought Under Pressure From Trump
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to criminal charges accusing him of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation, U.S. media reported, in the first prosecution by the Justice Department against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies. The charges were brought...
Trump Calls for Jailing Democratic Leaders as Troops Prepare for Chicago Deployment
CHICAGO/WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for jailing Chicago's mayor and the governor of Illinois, both Democrats, as his administration prepared to deploy military troops to the streets of the third-largest U.S. city. Neither Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson nor Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been accused of criminal wrongdoing,...
Newsom Approves Caballero-Backed Plan for Fusion Energy
A new statewide fund will push research into the elusive energy source that, if successful, could nearly provide power rivaling that of the sun. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed into law Assembly Bill 80 from Sens. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, and Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, providing $100 million annually to labs...
Ex-NFL Star Herschel Walker Confirmed as First US Bahamas Ambassador in Nearly 15 Years
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed former NFL star and political candidate Herschel Walker to serve as the United States' next ambassador to the Bahamas, filling a position that has been vacant for nearly 15 years. Walker was one of more than 100 nominees confirmed in a single...
Trump Transportation Department Pulls Back Grants for Trails and Bike Lanes
The Trump administration is rescinding federal grants for recreational trails and bicycle projects awarded under the $1.1 trillion infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden, citing a focus on road capacity and opposition to projects “hostile to motor vehicles," AP reported. Letters sent to local governments in at least six...
Fresno Unified Allowed Registered Sex Offender to Coach at High School, Claim Alleges
Fresno Unified School District allowed a registered sex offender to become a volunteer sports coach and failed to investigate complaints made by student-athletes about the coach's inappropriate conduct while he was coaching at Fresno High School, according to a recent claim. The coach, Dusty William Lewis, was convicted of rape...