The city of Fresno threw Raj Singh Badhesha a going away party, filled with speeches, proclamations and food. Badhesha (pronounced Buh-DAY-shaw), the chief assistant city attorney, starts as Fresno County Superior Court judge on July 15. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Badhesha in May, to replace the retired Jon Kapetan. "I'd...
What Success — and Failure — Looks Like for Biden and Trump Tonight
Opinion: The stakes in Thursday’s debate are high, and so is the risk of failure. - The New York Times Copyright 2024 The New York Times Company Distributed by The New York Times Licensing Group
Valley Man Sentenced to Life for Fresno Murders
Andrew Levi Hammond, 29, of Oakhurst, was sentenced Thursday to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, plus an indeterminate term of 75 years to life, in state prison, the Fresno District Attorney's office announced. Hammond was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of...
Ahead of Election, Iranian Voters Say, ‘We Have Been Going Backward’
TEHRAN, Iran — Central Tehran is ablaze this week with posters and billboards of the six candidates in Friday’s presidential election, and the streets are jammed with buses taking supporters to campaign rallies, yet it is hard to find enthusiasm even for voting, much less for any individual candidate. Iranians...
Did Political Bias Influence California Court Ruling on Anti-Tax Ballot Measure?
When the California Supreme Court unanimously declared a week ago that a highly controversial tax limitation measure could not appear on the November ballot, its proponents immediately cried foul. They alleged that a court dominated by Democratic appointees had acted with political motives rather than legal reasoning, ruling that The...
Oklahoma Requires Public Schools to Teach the Bible
Oklahoma’s state superintendent on Thursday directed all public schools to teach the Bible, including the Ten Commandments, an extraordinary move that blurs the lines between religious instruction and public education. Superintendent Says Bible Must Be Taught The superintendent, Ryan Walters, a Republican, described the Bible as an “indispensable historical and...
Packed House Fully Engages With ‘American Idol’ Winner Phillip Phillips at The Standard
Local radio station Y101 revived its Unplugged series at The Standard restaurant with "American Idol" season 11 winner, Phillip Phillips, performing an acoustic set on Wednesday night. Phillips packed the place and the fans clapped and sang along as he performed many of his best-known songs. There were those sitting...
Fresno Council Approves 114% Trash Rate Increase Over 5 Years
Fresno trash rates will increase by as much as 114% for some households over the next five years. The Fresno City Council voted 5-2 on Thursday to raise rates. For users of the 64-gallon gray bin, rates will rise from $19.20 to $41.21 by 2029. Those using the 96-gallon container...
Fresno Right-Wing Activist Convicted of Two Felonies in US Capitol Riot
A federal jury in Washington, D.C. convicted Madera resident and former Fresno real-estate agent Benjamin Martin, 46, of two felonies and several misdemeanors for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot on Wednesday. The Department of Justice announced Martin's convictions on Thursday morning. Martin was found guilty of...
Apple Weather Predicts Record 121 Degrees for Fresno. What Do the Experts Say?
Fresno residents were shocked Thursday morning when checking their iPhones to find Apple Weather forecasting a scorching high of 121 degrees for Saturday, July 6. The Apple forecast sharply contrasts the National Weather Service in Hanford's prediction of a peak between 108 and 111 degrees. According to the NWS, there...