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...
‘I’m Excited to Get to Work,’ Fresno Native Says After Milwaukee Bucks Draft Him
The Milwaukee Bucks added to their "Fresno flavor" by selecting Fresno native AJ Johnson with the 23rd pick in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday night. "I am excited to get to work," the 19-year-old Johnson said in a brief clip posted to X. Excited and ready...
Tribes Honor the Birth of a Rare White Buffalo Calf in Yellowstone and Reveal Its Name: Wakan Gli
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. — In a gathering near a picturesque lake outside Yellowstone National Park, hundreds of people cheered Wednesday as a Native American leader spoke the name revealed on a painted hide for a rare white buffalo that was born in the park earlier this month: Wakan Gli, which...
Iran Presidential Candidates Withdraw Amid Voter Apathy Ahead of Friday’s Election
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two candidates in Iran's presidential election withdrew from the race as the country prepared Thursday for the upcoming vote, an effort by hard-liners to coalesce around a unity candidate in the polls to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, 53, dropped his...
Planning on Traveling for the Fourth of July Holiday? Here’s How to Avoid the Rush
NEW YORK — The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and the travel rush is already heating up. Millions of Americans are preparing to get out of town sometime in the coming holiday week. That will likely mean busy roads, as well as packed airports and train stations....
Fresno County Lightning Complex Fires Grow to More Than 9,000 Acres
CalFire continues to battle three fires within the Fresno June Lightning Complex, caused by 1,000 lightning strikes during a storm on Monday. The fires have now consumed 9,224 acres, CalFire reported Thursday. There are 288 personnel on the scene and they are supported by 28 engines, eight dozers, and four...