This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. While writing a book about California politics a quarter-century ago, I devoted one chapter largely to the phenomenal emergence of Native American tribes as a powerful interest group after being treated shamefully, even viciously, for nearly 500 years....
Israeli Airstrikes Shake Beirut and Drone Attacks Hit Tehran
Waves of airstrikes shook Beirut and Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday and into Thursday morning, adding to the toll of the war in the Middle East, as the Pentagon told Congress that the U.S. cost of the war was more than $11.3 billion in just the first six days. The dollar...
Two US Sailors Injured After Non-Combat Fire Aboard Carrier in Red Sea
Two U.S. sailors were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a non-combat-related fire on board, the U.S. military said on Thursday. In a statement, the military said the sailors were receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and were in stable condition. "There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion...
Sanger Police Arrest Juvenile on Firearms Charges After Search Warrant
A juvenile was arrested on firearms-related charges following a search warrant served at a residence in the 1300 block of K Street in Sanger, authorities announced. The warrant was executed Wednesday night by detectives with the Fresno County Adult Compliance Team working in partnership with the Sanger Police Department. According...
US Sues California Over Zero Emission Vehicle, Greenhouse Gas Rules
The Trump administration on Thursday sued the state of California, claiming the state's zero-emission vehicle and tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions rules are illegal and preempted by federal law. The U.S. Transportation Department sued the California Air Resources Board in U.S. District Court in California over vehicle rules that remain in...
Iran’s Supreme Leader, in First Remarks, Vows to Avenge ‘Martyrs’, Keep Strait Closed
Iran will avenge the blood of its martyrs, keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and attack U.S. bases, new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday in a statement read out on state television, his first remarks since succeeding his slain father. In the defiant address, Khamenei said the United...
Fresno Jury Awards $15.4 Million in Racial Discrimination Suit
After deliberating for more than a day, an eight-person federal jury found the city of Fresno guilty of racial discrimination, awarding lead plaintiff La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson, who is Black, $15 million in damages on Wednesday afternoon. The jury awarded the second plaintiff, Charles Smith, who is white, $400,000. Both formerly...
Visalia Fire Hazmat Team Responds to Possible Chemical Spill
Firefighters in Visalia responded to reports of a possible unknown chemical spill Wednesday afternoon, prompting a hazardous materials response and warnings for the public to avoid the area. The Visalia Fire Department said crews were dispatched just after 2 p.m. to the area of Kelsey and Doe after receiving reports...
Visalia Lawmaker Macedo Leads Call on Newsom to Fix ‘Rampant’ Hospice Fraud
After media reports of what could be widescale fraud in Los Angeles County's hospice care network, a group of California state legislators, led by Alexandra Macedo, R-Visalia, called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to implement protective measures after years of warnings with no apparent action. They say the governor failed to...
Central Unified School Board Appoints Temporary Area 3 Trustee
The Central Unified School Board appointed district native Harmanjot Singh as the Area 3 trustee, filling the opening left by Natalie Chavez. Chavez, who became a trustee in 2024, resigned in late January due to moving out of state. In response, trustees unanimously agreed to appoint a new trustee to...