WASHINGTON — Inflation in the United States eased in May for a second straight month, a hopeful sign that an acceleration of prices that occurred early this year may have passed. The trend, if it holds, could move the Federal Reserve closer to cutting its benchmark interest rate from its...
Over 200 Rockets Launched from Lebanon Following Israeli Strike on Hezbollah Commander
Hundreds of rockets were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel on Wednesday, hours after Israeli airstrikes killed a Hezbollah militant commander. The Israeli military said that about 215 projectiles were detected, of which some were intercepted, and that several fires were caused by the strikes. Hezbollah vowed to intensify its...
Rep. Costa Blasts GOP House For Holding AG Merrick Garland in Contempt
WASHINGTON — The House voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio of President Joe Biden’s interview in his classified documents case, Republicans' latest and strongest rebuke of the Justice Department as partisan conflict over the rule of law animates the 2024 presidential...
Is California’s $20 Minimum Wage to Blame for Loss of 10,000 Fast-Food Jobs?
Assembly Bill 1287, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom last September, has set off ripples across the state's fast-food industry reports The Hoover Institution. The bill, which mandates a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers and establishes a regulatory council empowered to annually adjust this wage, has sparked debates...
Balderrama: ‘I Plan on Leading This Police Department to Even Greater Heights’
Paco Balderrama said he plans to remain Fresno police chief, despite allegations he had an inappropriate relationship. "I am human. I am imperfect. I work extremely hard. So I plan on continuing to lead this police department to even greater heights," Balderrama said at an impromptu news conference Wednesday outside...
Wired Wednesday: Clovis Raises Water Development Fee by 105%. Impact on Homebuyers?
GV Wire reporter Edward Smith speaks with KMPH Fox 26 “Great Day” anchor Jim De La Vega about the 105% development fee hike approved by the Clovis City Council. Homebuilders will pass this fee on to buyers, raising questions about whether new homes in Clovis will become too expensive for...
As Californians’ Stance on Crime Hardens, Republicans Try to Regain Relevance
Over the last dozen years, Democrats have gained, lost, and finally nailed down supermajorities in the California Legislature. Now they hold more than 75% of its 120 seats. Having achieved total control, Democratic leaders could — and did — completely ignore the dwindling numbers of Republican legislators, now just 18 in the...
Lawsuit Claims Valley Children’s Paid On-Call Employees Less Than Minimum Wage
A class-action lawsuit against Valley Children’s says the hospital has been paying far less than minimum wage for on-call employees. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Madera County Superior Court, claims it was the hospital's policy to pay between $6 and $8 an hour for employees working on call even though...
Edison High Murals Will Stay After Student Survey Says ‘Keep Them’
Murals on the front of Edison High School that included images of labor activist Cesar Chavez and poet Maya Angelou will remain in place due to student support, despite calls from members of the southwest Fresno community to remove them. That was the conclusion in a staff report sent last...
Over 1.5 Million Foreign Pilgrims Flock to Mecca for Annual Hajj
MECCA, Saudi Arabia — Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca ahead of the start of the Hajj later this week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale. Over 1.5 Million Foreigners Traveled to Mecca Saudi officials say more than 1.5 million foreign...