The northbound Highway 99 offramp and outermost lane at Ashlan Avenue closed Wednesday after a garbage truck overturned, according to Caltrans. Traffic was reported backed up to Shields Avenue. Officials said there is no estimated time for reopening. — Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.
Gallup Poll: Congress Approval Falls to 15%, Trump Holds Steady
Americans’ approval of Congress has plunged to just 15%, while approval of former President Donald Trump remains steady at 41%, according to a new Gallup poll released Tuesday. The drop for Congress represents an 11-point fall from a month earlier, with disapproval now at 79%. Much of the decline stems...
Madera Man Arrested for Attempted Sexual Assault of Juvenile
A 43-year-old Madera man was arrested Saturday morning after police say he unlawfully entered a home and attempted to commit a sexual act on a young female juvenile. The Madera Police Department received a 911 call at about 3 a.m. reporting an unknown male inside a residence. Officers arrived to...
World Court Says Israel Must Allow UN Aid to Gaza and Ensure Basic Needs of Palestinians Are Met
THE HAGUE — The United Nations' top legal body, the International Court of Justice, on Wednesday gave an advisory opinion saying that Israel is under the obligation to ensure the basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza are met. The panel of 11 judges added Israel has to support...
US Considering Curbs on Exports to China Made With US Software, Sources Say
The Trump administration is considering a plan to curb a dizzying array of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines, to retaliate against Beijing's latest round of rare earth export restrictions, according to a U.S. official and three people briefed by U.S. authorities. While the plan is not...
US Military Strikes Suspected Drug Vessel in Pacific
The U.S. military carried out a strike against a suspected drug vessel late on Tuesday in Pacific Ocean waters off of South America, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday. The strike is the first known U.S. military operation in the Pacific since starting a new offensive against the drug...
Madera County Farmworkers Honored for Rescuing Students from Burning Bus
Two farmworkers who rushed to rescue school children moments before their bus burst into flames were honored Tuesday by the Madera County Board of Supervisors. Carlos Perea Romero and Angel Zarco received proclamations for their bravery during a ceremony at the county government center. The men were working near Avenue...
Why Did Nearly All Central Valley Lawmakers Back Controversial Housing Bill?
Nearly the entire Central Valley delegation in Sacramento — Democrats and Republicans — voted for a housing measure that some experts say could drastically increase costs. Supporters, such as state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, said the bill will help increase housing stock. The bill, AB 130, builds on the state’s...
Fresno Police Identify Former Madera County Deputy Who Shot Himself at Hospital
Fresno police revealed the name of the suspect, a former Madera County sheriff’s deputy, who shot himself with a police officer’s gun at Community Regional Medical Center on Monday. The department’s Organized Retail Theft Tactical Team contacted Isaac Hare, 32, earlier that day about a grand theft case at the...
Meta Plans to Cut 600 Jobs at AI Superintelligence Labs
SAN FRANCISCO — Meta on Wednesday said that it plans to cut approximately 600 jobs in its artificial intelligence division, according to a memo sent to employees that was relayed to The New York Times, as the company seeks to keep pace with competitors in the furious contest over the...