THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A photo symbolizing “love and compassion” of an 85-year-old Brazilian woman getting her first embrace in five months from a nurse through a transparent “hug curtain” was named the World Press Photo of the Year on Thursday. The choice of a winning photo portraying the global...
Immigrant Health Care is on California Senate’s Wish List
SACRAMENTO — Democrats in the California Senate said Wednesday they want to spend the state's projected multibillion-dollar budget surplus on things such as making college debt-free for students, paying for the health care of some older, low-income adults living in the country illegally and partnering with first-time homebuyers in the...
Ex-Porterville Mom Suspected of Killing 3 Pleads Not Guilty to Carjacking
BAKERSFIELD — A former Porterville woman suspected of killing her three children pleaded not guilty Wednesday to carjacking during an alleged escape. Liliana Carrillo, 30, entered pleas in a Kern County courtroom to four felony counts of carjacking, attempted carjacking, and auto theft. Her bail was set at $2 million....
US Stocks Rise to Records on More Proof of Economic Recovery
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are rallying toward records on Thursday after a suite of encouraging data showed how hungry Americans are to spend again, how fewer workers are losing their jobs and how much fatter corporate profits are getting. The S&P 500 was 0.9% higher at 4,163 in late...
Gov. Newsom Pushes School Reopenings as Many Districts Resist
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday urged all California schools to reopen, emphasizing that there are no state or health barriers to getting children back into classrooms and ending distance learning. His frustration was evident: “Money is not an object now. It’s an excuse," he said. “I want...
Sierra Gold Rush Town to Remove Noose from City Logo
PLACERVILLE — The California Gold Rush town of Placerville will change its logo to remove a noose that stems from its mid-19th century reputation as “Hangtown” following lynchings of criminal suspects by mobs of miners. Unanimous Decision The City Council voted Tuesday night to remove the noose after listening to...
Prosecutor Says Suspect Killed Kristin Smart During 1996 Rape Attempt
LOS ANGELES — The San Luis Obispo County district attorney said Wednesday that missing California college student Kristin Smart was killed in 1996 during an attempted rape by a fellow student and the suspect’s father helped hide her body. District Attorney Dan Dow said Paul Flores will be charged with...
Minnesota Cop Will Be Charged in Shooting of Black Motorist
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — A Minnesota prosecutor said Wednesday that he will charge a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer with second-degree manslaughter for killing 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright in a shooting that ignited days of unrest and clashes between protesters and police. Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim...
Sikhs Mark Toned-Down Holiday Amid Continuing Virus Concerns
LIBERTY, Missouri — Sikhs across the United States are holding toned-down Vaisakhi celebrations this week, joining people of other faiths in observing major holidays cautiously this spring as COVID-19 keeps an uneven hold on the country. Vaisakhi, which falls April 13 or 14 depending on which of two dueling calendars...
‘The Bachelor’ Star Colton Underwood Comes Out as Gay
Colton Underwood, the former football tight end who found fame on "The Bachelor,” has revealed that he is gay. “I’ve ran from myself for a long time. I’ve hated myself for a long time,” Underwood told “Good Morning America” on Wednesday. “And I’m gay. And I came to terms with...