WASHINGTON — The nation’s economy slowed sharply last quarter to a 1.6% annual pace in the face of high interest rates, but consumers — the main driver of economic growth — kept spending at a solid pace. Commerce Department Report Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross domestic...
No Security Fence for Bullard High. Why Did Fresno Trustees Table Bid Award?
Bullard High School's plans for a new security fence were put on hold Wednesday when the School Board voted to table the $2 million bid award on a 4-3 vote. Voting to table were board clerk Valerie Davis and trustees Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, Keshia Thomas, and Claudia Cazares after questions...
Fresno Unified Comedy Night: ‘President Trump’ Meets ‘Superintendent Biden’
Amid the tensions of recent Fresno Unified board meetings, outgoing Superintendent Bob Nelson inadvertently provided some levity on Wednesday night. Concluding his opening remarks, Nelson said, "I'll defer back to President Trump" — causing laughter to erupt in the boardroom — because he obviously meant School Board President Susan Wittrup....
Lawyer Says Iran Rapper Famous for Songs After 2022 Killing of Mahsa Amini Sentenced to Death
JERUSALEM — A rapper in Iran who came to fame over his lyrics about the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and criticizing the Islamic Republic has been sentenced to death, his lawyer and rights activists said Thursday. Confusion still surrounds the death sentence issued against 33-year-old metal shop worker Toomaj...
Jose Ramirez Bout, Clovis Rodeo Are Center Stage in a Weekend Crammed With Events
April is closing out with a bang with a great variety of events. The Golden Boy Boxing promotions match between Jose Ramirez and Rances Barthelemy, the Clovis Rodeo, and comedian Rob Schneider are the main events in the Valley over the weekend. Here’s a look: Rob Schneider: Table Mountain Casino...
Supreme Court Seems Skeptical of Trump’s Claim of Absolute Immunity But Decision’s Timing Is Unclear
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared likely to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution over election interference, but it seemed possible Trump could still benefit from a lengthy trial delay, possibly beyond November’s election. Chief Justice John Roberts was among at least five...
Hamas Official: We’ll Put Down Arms if an Independent Palestine Is Created
ISTANBUL — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established...
Tennessee Legislators Join Movement Permitting Teachers to Carry Guns in Schools
Some public school teachers in Tennessee could gain new powers to carry concealed guns into the classroom, a year after a deadly school shooting in the state's capital city stirred impassioned debate about the best ways to curb such violence. The Republican-led Legislature in Tennessee gave final approval to the legislation Tuesday, just days...
Strict New EPA Rules Would Force Coal-Fired Power Plants to Capture Emissions or Shut Down
WASHINGTON — Coal-fired power plants would be forced to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a rule issued Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency. New limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric plants are the Biden administration's most ambitious effort yet to roll back planet-warming pollution from...
Jayden Daniels Downplays Issues With Commanders, Says He’d Be ‘Blessed’ to Go No. 2 Overall
DETROIT — Jayden Daniels handled the media with the same poise and command he displays in the pocket. Asked a few times about speculation that he doesn’t want to play for Washington and whether he prefers going to another team, Daniels understandably took a diplomatic approach one day before the...