Keyara Piri recently drove cross-country from California to Maryland to get settled in for the start of medical school this fall at Johns Hopkins University. She graduated from Fresno State in May with a biology degree, and now she’s chasing her dream of becoming a doctor. Piri has a heart...
Wall Street Rallies to Its Best Day Since 2022 on Encouraging Unemployment Data; S&P 500 Jumps 2.3%
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks rallied Thursday in Wall Street's latest sharp swerve after a better-than-expected report on unemployment eased worries about the slowing economy. S&P 500 Shaves Off Most of Its Loss From Brutal Start to the Week The S&P 500 jumped 2.3% for its best day since 2022...
Central Schools Incumbent Says He Likely Won’t Run. And Nobody Else Has Filed Yet.
Three seats on the Central Unified School Board are up for reelection and, as of Wednesday, at least one candidate was running in two of them. But in the Area 6 race, the slate remains empty. Trustee Jeremy Mehling, who was elected to his first term to represent Area 6...
3 Columbia University Deans Who Sent Insulting Texts Have Resigned
NEW YORK — Three Columbia University deans who exchanged disparaging text messages that the university president said “touched on ancient antisemitic tropes” during a forum about Jewish issues in May are resigning, a spokesperson said Thursday. The deans, who had responsibility for undergraduate student affairs, sent the biting and sarcastic...
Huge California Wildfire Chews Through Timber in Very Hot and Dry Weather
CHICO — California's largest wildfire so far this year continued to grow Thursday as it chewed through timber in very hot and dry weather. The Park Fire has scorched more than 660 square miles (1,709 square kilometers) since erupting July 24 near the Sacramento Valley city of Chico and burning...
Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys? Saweetie? How About a Dancing Foam Party?
Matching the weather, there's a sizzling menu of entertainment options this weekend. Friday sets the tone: You can choose from wine with live music, comedy, soccer, and a dancing foam party. It culminates Saturday with Grammy-winning Latin bands Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys, and rapping sensation Saweetie. And, you'll...
DNA on Weapons Implicates Ex-US Green Beret in Attempted Venezuelan Coup, Federal Officials Say
MIAMI — Federal investigators say they found the DNA of a decorated former U.S. Green Beret on some of the 60 automatic weapons he allegedly smuggled from Florida to South America as part of a failed 2020 coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The allegations were detailed in court...
Russian Chess Coach May Face Jail Time for Allegedly Poisoning Opponent During Tournament
A Russian chess coach faces potential jail time after allegedly attempting to poison her opponent during a championship in Dagestan. Amina Abakarova, 40, is accused of smearing mercury on the chessboard of Umayganat Osmanova, 30, causing her to fall ill mid-game. Security footage captured Abakarova's actions, leading to her detention....
New High-Speed Rail CEO Has European Train Experience
California's high-speed rail agency found its new leader. And he comes with decades of rail experience, including high-speed transportation. The California High-Speed Rail Authority chose Ian Choudri as the agency's newest CEO. Choudri most recently worked as senior vice president for infrastructure company HNTB Corp. He will replace Brian Kelly,...
US Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Gold Medal Game at Paris Olympics With Win Over Serbia
PARIS — They scored six points in two seconds. And just like that, against what looked like overwhelming odds, the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team was on its way. To a comeback. To a win. And to another Olympic gold medal game. Stephen Curry scored 36 points, including a go-ahead...