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...
Dog Fight! Joey Chestnut ‘Gutted’ to Be Out of July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest
NEW YORK — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the reigning champion of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, will not participate in this year's event after signing a deal with a rival brand, organizers said Tuesday. Chestnut, 40, has long been the face — not to mention the...
New Pro-Palestinian Protests at UCLA Lead to Dozens of Arrests
LOS ANGELES — Police thwarted attempts by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to set up a new encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles, where officers cleared a previous camp this spring after it was attacked by counterprotesters. 27 Arrested During Demonstration Officers arrested 27 people late Monday during the demonstration, Rick Braziel,...
Federal Appeals Court Backs California’s Ban on Gun Shows at County Fairs
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld California's ban on gun shows at county fairs and other public properties, deciding the laws do not violate the rights of firearm sellers or buyers. Court Overturns Federal Judge Ruling The 3-0 decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals...