The leader of a New York City suburb is recruiting 75 armed citizens, many of them former police officers, for a force of “special deputies” to be activated whenever he chooses. Blakeman Jumps Into Culture Wars Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who has allied himself with former President...
Tax Preparation Company Intuit to Lay Off 1,800 as Part of an AI-Focused Reorganization Plan
WASHINGTON — Tax preparation and financial software company Intuit announced an AI-focused reorganization plan Wednesday that includes laying off about 10% of its workforce. The company behind QuickBooks and TurboTax said it was laying off 1,800 employees, but that it expects to hire at least that many in fiscal 2025...
House Denies GOP Bid to Fine Attorney General Garland Over Biden Audio Refusal
WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday rejected a GOP effort to fine Attorney General Merrick Garland $10,000 a day until he turns over audio of President Joe Biden’s interview in his classified documents case as a handful of Republicans resisted taking an aggressive step against a sitting Cabinet official. Even if...
Shelley Duvall, Star of ‘the Shining,’ ‘Nashville,’ Dies at 75
Shelley Duvall, the intrepid, Texas-born movie star whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick's “The Shining,” has died. She was 75. Duvall died Thursday in her sleep at her home in Blanco, Texas, her longtime partner, Dan Gilroy,...
A Boy in Gaza Was Killed by an Israeli Airstrike. His Father Held Him and Wouldn’t Let Go
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — He wouldn't let go. Nael Al-Baghdadi held his 12-year-old son, Omar, and held him tight. But it was already too late. Omar, who was playing outside near his home, had been killed Tuesday in the Gaza Strip by an Israeli airstrike. In the photo made...
What to Know About the NBA’s Upcoming 11-Year, $76 Billion Media Rights Deal
The NBA might not be happy with the NFL making Christmas Day a regular part of its schedule. However, its new media rights deals nearly put the two leagues in the same economic arena. The NBA's 11-year, $76 billion contracts would kick in with the 2025-26 season. The deal is...
You Might Have West Nile Virus in Fresno County and Not Know It
Three people in Fresno County learned they were infected with West Nile virus after they donated blood and it underwent routine testing. The Fresno County Department of Health reported Wednesday that all three cases were asymptomatic, meaning they showed no symptoms of being ill. The virus is also showing up...
Wildfire Risk Rises as Western States Dry Out Amid Ongoing Heat Wave Baking Most of the US
LOS ANGELES — Authorities in Western states warned of the rising risk of wildfires as hot conditions and low humidity dry out the landscape amid a protracted heat wave that is expected to bake much of the U.S. again Thursday. California's top fire official said Wednesday that so far this...
US Inflation Cools Again, Potentially Paving Way for Fed to Cut Interest Rates Soon
WASHINGTON — Inflation in the United States cooled in June for a third straight month, a sign that the worst price spike in four decades is steadily fading and may soon usher in interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. In a better-than-expected report, consumer prices declined 0.1% from May...
Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Sued for Wrongful Death in Alleged Fatal Collision
LOS ANGELES — Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death and negligence after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian earlier this year. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Ashley Sanchez, the daughter of 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, who died after being hit while walking in...