The American people’s confidence in the presidency has plummeted 15 points on President Biden’s watch — falling to 23 percent, according to a new Gallup poll, its lowest point on record. One of the many reasons for this collapse, columnist Mark Thiessen says, is the worst inflation in four decades. And Biden...
What to Know About California’s Latest COVID Surge
California is in the midst of its third-largest COVID surge of the pandemic, with roughly 19,000 new cases being reported each day, according to The New York Times’s tracker. The true number of people falling sick is undoubtedly even higher, since most at-home tests aren’t included in official case counts....
Oil From U.S. Reserves Sent Overseas as Gasoline Prices Stay High
More than 5 million barrels of oil that were part of a historic U.S. emergency reserves release to lower domestic fuel prices were exported to Europe and Asia last month, according to data and sources, even as U.S. gasoline and diesel prices hit record highs. The export of crude...
Jeff Bezos Calls out Joe Biden’s Latest Inflation Claim
After President Joe Biden called on companies running gas stations to lower the price of gas, Jeff Bezos accused the president of misleading the public or said he lacked a "basic" understanding of the forces that actually drive prices.' "Ouch. Inflation is far too important a problem for the White...
Bitwise Buys Bakersfield Residential Hotel, Seeks to Move Tenants to Other Housing
Buying the Porterfield Hotel in downtown Bakersfield was already a challenging undertaking for Fresno-based Bitwise Industries. But an arguably harder task — finding new homes for the dozen or so long-term tenants who call the hotel home — is about to begin now that the property has officially changed...
Home Prices Will Continue to Rise, Forecast Shows. But by How Much?
Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased year over year by 20.2% in May 2022 compared with May 2021, according to an analysis by the industry website CoreLogic. The trend of rising prices appears poised to continue, though the scale of increases appears to be abating, the site's data...
Loitering for Prostitution No Longer an Offense Under California Law
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed controversial legislation Friday that bans police officers from arresting people for loitering with the intent to engage in prostitution. Sen. Scott Wiener authored the change with support from groups like ACLU California Action. Proponents argue that loitering laws are frequently used to discriminate against women,...
West Coast Port Labor Contract Expires, Raising Stakes for Economy, Biden
The union and employers negotiating a new labor contract for more than 22,000 U.S. West Coast port workers said high-stakes talks that are being closely watched by industry and the White House would continue after the agreement expired late on Friday. The agreement covers 29 Pacific Coast ports stretching...
Taliban Splits Emerge Over Religion, Power and Girls’ Schools
After remaining largely united during its insurgency against the United States, Taliban leaders are now at odds over ideology. At issue: how to interpret Islamic law and how strictly to enforce it, including in schools. Rival factions are also feuding over power and the limited spoils of their victory....
Economists Sour on US Outlook After Spending Stumbles
An influx of data showing softer consumer spending, sagging sentiment and subdued manufacturing suggest a US economy with a more fragile foundation, prompting several forecasters to lower their estimates for growth. The weakness in consumer spending, which is by far the biggest contributor to US gross domestic product, compounded...