U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel on Wednesday to press for a cease-fire deal in the Israel-Hamas war, saying “the time is now” and warning that Hamas would bear the blame for any failure to reach an agreement to halt the war in Gaza. Blinken greeted the...
What Marijuana Reclassification Means for the United States
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Justice Department proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis, but wouldn't legalize it for recreational use. The proposal would move marijuana from the “Schedule I” group to the less tightly regulated...
Utah Cat With a Fondness for Cardboard Takes Surprise Trip to California in an Amazon Box
Galena, a 6-year-old house cat from Utah, likes hiding and playing with cardboard. Earlier this month, the combination of the two made for a stressful trip in an Amazon package, a feverish search, a California rescue and a tearful reunion. Her family is still waiting to “reintroduce cardboard to her...
The Latest | Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at 2 Arizona Campuses
Police at two campuses in Arizona have cleared out encampments and arrested pro-Palestinian protesters. Several people were arrested by police in riot gear early Wednesday at the University of Arizona in Tucson after President Robert Robbins directed school officials to “immediately enforce campus use policies.” And about 20 people were...
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Vows to Force a Vote on Ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Wednesday she would call a vote next week on ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson, forcing her colleagues to choose sides in a difficult showdown after Democratic leaders announced they would provide the votes to save the Republican speaker's job. Speaking outside the...
Protesters Clash at UCLA After Police Arrest 300 Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators in New York City
LOS ANGELES — Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over and broke up a demonstration that...
Flipping the Script: Board Majority Supports Wide Search for Fresno Superintendent
The Fresno Unified School Board voted 5-2 Wednesday, Aril 3, to pause scheduled interviews with internal candidates for the superintendent's job and to embark on a widespread search. Trustees Veva Islas and Andy Levine asked to have the board proceed with Wednesday's scheduled interviews, reportedly three current employees. When that...
Dems: We Will Save GOP Speaker Johnson’s Job if Republicans Try to Oust Him
WASHINGTON — House Democrats will vote to save Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s job should some of his fellow Republican lawmakers seek to remove him from the position, Democratic leaders said Tuesday, likely assuring for now that Johnson will avoid being ousted from office like his predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy....
Angels Star Mike Trout Needs Knee Surgery. Will He Return This Season?
ANAHEIM — Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout will have surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, sidelining the three-time AL MVP indefinitely. The Angels believe Trout will be able to return this season, general manager Perry Minasian said while announcing the injury Tuesday. Trout is batting...
Will Fresno Unified Voters Agree to Raise Their Taxes in November?
Fresno Unified voters may be asked to hike their property tax bills if the district puts a $500 million bond measure on the November ballot. If approved, it would be the district's biggest bond measure ever and would raise the tax rate to $238.86, which would be the highest in...