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...
Southern Baptists Narrowly Reject Formal Ban on Churches with Female Pastors
INDIANAPOLIS — Southern Baptists narrowly rejected a proposal Wednesday to enshrine a ban on churches with women pastors in the denomination's constitution after opponents argued it was unnecessary because the denomination already has a way of ousting such churches. Vote Fails to Get Supermajority The vote received support from 61%...
Wall Street Surges as Bitcoin and Gold Rise Following Unexpected Slowdown in Inflation
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are jumping amid a worldwide rally Wednesday following a surprisingly encouraging update on inflation. The S&P 500 was 1.1% higher in afternoon trading and on track to add to its all-time high set a day earlier. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 57 points,...
US Broadens Sanctions Against Russia, Aiming to Dissuade China from Engaging in Moscow Trade
The United States widened its sanctions against Russia Wednesday as G7 leaders prepared to gather in Italy for a summit where the top priorities will be boosting support for Ukraine and grinding down Russia’s war machine. Wednesday's package targeted Chinese companies which help Russia pursue its war in Ukraine and...