U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Tuesday he has asked Israel to "aggressively" investigate the death of an American citizen who was beaten to death in the West Bank. "There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act. Saif was just 20 yrs old," Huckabee said in...
Home Builder Confidence Drops to a Near Decade Low
U.S. home builder confidence fell to 32 in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index — the third-lowest reading since 2012, according to Landscape Architect. Only December 2022 (31) and April 2020 (30) were lower. NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes cited high mortgage rates and...
US Senate to Vote on Trump Funding Cuts, AIDS Program Funding Preserved
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate is due to begin voting on Tuesday on President Donald Trump's request to slash billions in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting previously approved by Congress, the latest test of Trump's control over his fellow Republicans. However, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell...
Court Compels Fresno Council to Approve 4-Story Herndon Apartment Complex
A Fresno County judge instructed the Fresno City Council on Monday to approve a 4-story apartment complex at Herndon and Prospect avenues that drew the ire of many neighbors. Further, the city may have to pick up the developer's attorney fees. In July 2024, the council rejected developer James Huelskamp's...
Grand Canyon Fire That Was Left to Burn Swells 50% After Destroying Historic Lodge
A wildfire in tinder-dry forest on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon grew around 50% on Tuesday after it destroyed dozens of buildings, prompting public outrage that it was left to burn for a week before firefighters tried to fully extinguish it. The so-called Dragon Bravo Fire swelled to...
US Senator Seeks Safety Reforms After Fatal Collision Between Army Helicopter, Regional Jet
WAHINGTON - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz said on Tuesday he will propose broad air safety legislation after a collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet in January near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people. The legislation would require the use of...
US Consumer Prices Rise in June as Tariff Pass-Through Begins
WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in five months in June amid higher costs for some goods, suggesting tariffs were starting to have an impact on inflation and potentially keeping the Federal Reserve on the sidelines until September. Softening demand as consumers hunker down, however, is limiting...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachel Grace Lucas
July 15, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Rachel Grace Lucas Suspects Date of Birth: January 5, 1988 Physical Description: White Female, 5’ 6, 126 lbs., Blond Hair, Green Eyes. Charges: Assault with a deadly weapon Warrant Number: F25901371 Synopsis of the Case: Rachel Grace Lucas is wanted...
Teen Girl Suspect in Caleb Quick Killing Returns to Court. Will She Be Tried as Adult?
The 16-year-old girl accused of acting as the getaway driver in the murder of Caleb Quick appeared in court Tuesday morning. During a June 18 hearing, her defense team requested a prima facie hearing in hopes it would lead to her release. However, they waived that request during a subsequent...
Visalia Basketball Coach Dies While Hiking in Sequoia National Park
Drew Hall, a 36-year-old boys' basketball coach at Visalia's Golden West High School, died while hiking in rugged terrain in Sequoia National Park over the weekend, authorities said. Hall's friends and families found his body below Sawtooth Peak on Sunday afternoon. He had been reported missing on Saturday night after...