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...
Charlie Kirk’s Allies Warn Americans: Mourn Him Properly or Else
WASHINGTON — After the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, U.S. Republicans have a warning for Americans: Mourn him respectfully or suffer the consequences. Over the past several days, Democratic and Republican leaders have widely condemned the murder of Kirk, a 31-year-old activist and Trump world celebrity known for...
US Officials Hold Talks in Kabul Over Americans Detained in Afghanistan
KABUL — U.S. officials held talks on Saturday with the authorities in Kabul over Americans held in Afghanistan, the Taliban administration said, as the White House pushes to free citizens it sees as wrongly detained abroad. Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s special hostage envoy, and Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S....
Trump Presses NATO Nations to Halt Russian Oil Purchases
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States is prepared to impose fresh energy sanctions on Russia, but only if all NATO nations cease purchasing Russian oil and implement similar measures. “I am ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have...
California Mother Says Daughter Killed Herself After Being Transitioned by School
Abigail Martinez lost her 19-year old daughter Yaeli to suicide in 2019 and blames the public school system for pushing gender transition on her daughter. Martinez, a Salvadoran, Christian immigrant who raised four children in California, lost custody of Yaeli for not affirming her gender transition, and says the transition...
Two Years Later, Californians Still Don’t Know Full Impact of $20 Fast Food Wage
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As the California Legislature churns toward the end of its 2025 session this week, processing the remnants of thousands of bills introduced during the year, several measures encompass the Capitol’s most enduring conflict: Labor unions vs. employers over...
Madera County Authorities Arrest Man ‘Covered in Blood’ After Domestic Violence Call
A Madera County man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a domestic violence call, authorities said. Deputies responded to the home of Emmanuel Chavez, 44, on Sunday, Sept. 7, and found him reportedly covered in blood, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. Chavez refused to let...
Clovis Police to Hold DUI Saturation Patrol Saturday Night
The Clovis Police Department will conduct a DUI saturation detail Saturday evening, adding extra officers to patrol city streets for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police urged residents to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using ride-share services or public transportation, and preventing...
California Gas Price Fears Power Big Oil to Win Over Environmental Justice Groups
Politics often boils down to James Carville's famous analysis: "It's the economy, stupid." Environmental justice groups accustomed to getting their way in the Democratic-dominated California Legislature found that out this week. With "affordability" in the notoriously expensive Golden State suddenly top-of-mind for Democrats, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders struck...
While CA Squabbles Over ‘Local Control,’ People Head to Other States
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Across the world, cities have struggled to figure out how to provide more affordable housing to people in need. In Copenhagen, Denmark, so-called social housing accounts for 20% of the region’s housing stock. In Auckland, New Zealand, a set of...
California May Help Solar Bloom Where Water Runs Dry
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Ross Franson stood on the road between two fields, where nothing grows under the Fresno County sun. As a teen, Franson hauled a water tank to spray down the dust on roads like this — rolling past rows...