This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Legislature is often the arena for games of political Whac-A-Mole. A piece of controversial legislation fails to clear all of the Capitol's procedural hurdles and appears to die, but suddenly it reappears through the legislative gimmick...
A Loophole in California Law Makes It Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools. Will Lawmakers Close It?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. For over six months, San Diego resident Lee Lor sent hundreds of emails threatening a mass shooting at Shoal Creek Elementary School as replies to random spam emails. He was arrested and spent 10 months in jail, but...
Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa's ambassador to the United States "is no longer welcome" in the country, in the latest Trump administration move targeting the African nation. Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a "race-baiting politician" who hates...
Dodgers’ Star Mookie Betts Sidelined in Japan With Flu-Like Symptoms
TOKYO — Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers' two exhibition games in Japan because of an illness, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. Roberts said he's still hopeful that the eight-time All-Star will be available for the team's first regular season game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday...
US Imposes Sanctions on Thai Officials After Uyghur Men Are Deported to China
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Friday announced sanctions on an unknown number of current and former Thai officials for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghur men to China despite worries that they could be jailed or even face death there. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said...
Shohei Ohtani Hits 2-Run HR in Return to Japan Against Yomiuri Giants
TOKYO — Japanese star Shohei Ohtani showed off some prodigious power in his return to the Tokyo Dome on Saturday night. In an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants, the three-time MVP belted a two-run homer to right field in the third inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a...
Polish PM Offers Jesse Eisenberg Military Training for ‘James Bond’ Role
WARSAW, Poland — Poland's prime minister has made a tongue-in-cheek offer to U.S. actor and director Jesse Eisenberg, who recently gained Polish citizenship, to give him military training that would land him "the new James Bond role." Poland's president earlier this month conferred the country's citizenship on Eisenberg, who has...
Voters Flood Town Halls With Fears of Social Security Cuts, Putting Heat on GOP
HOLLAND, Mich. — One after another, callers on a telephone town hall with U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga pressed the Michigan Republican about possible cuts to Social Security. Among them was a retired teacher and coach from West Michigan who said he and his wife, both with disabilities, have struggled to...
49ers Bring Back Kyle Juszczyk Days After Cutting Him, AP Source Says
SANTA CLARA — Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a two-year, $8 million contract just days after being cut, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't...
Russia, Ukraine Exchange Drone Strikes as Putin Outlines Ceasefire Terms
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia and Ukraine traded heavy aerial blows overnight, with both sides reporting Saturday more than 100 enemy drones over their respective territories. The attacks comes less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of the American proposal...