Feb 18 - Global food and beverage companies from PepsiCo to Coca-Cola are focusing on shorter ingredient lists and smaller pack sizes in 2026 as more people take appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Companies that previously took a wait-and-see attitude now see GLP-1s as here to stay. So far...
$2 Million Federal Grant to Fund ADA Improvements, San Joaquin River Trail
The city of Fresno and the San Joaquin River Conservancy have secured $2 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Economic Development Initiative. “By investing in these lands, we’re protecting local wildlife, expanding access for our communities, and making sure future generations can experience...
Fresno County Firefighters Free Puppy Stuck in Tire Wheel
Firefighters responded to an unusual rescue call when a puppy became trapped in a vehicle's tire wheel on Wednesday, CalFire reported. Crews from Engine 89 carefully freed the animal after what they described as a patient operation. The puppy walked away from the incident unharmed, firefighters said. — Connect with Anthony...
Fresno Sues Homeowner Over Access to City-Owned Well
The city of Fresno says it is locked out of a city-owned well and that a neighbor is not cooperating. The case is headed to court. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 22 in Fresno County Superior Court, the city alleges Manuel Richard Orrantia will not grant access to the well...
Storm Soaks Fresno, Blankets the Sierra in Snow. When Will It End?
A massive storm hitting California from the top of the Sierra down to sea level is expected to continue through Thursday and could be followed by another round of storms beginning Sunday, the National Weather Service says. The impacts of this week's weathermaker are being felt throughout the Golden State,...
Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance AI Agenda
Meta is preparing to spend $65 million this year to boost state politicians who are friendly to the artificial intelligence industry, beginning this week in Texas and Illinois, according to company representatives. A Major Escalation in Political Spending The sum is the biggest election investment by Meta, which owns Facebook,...
US Says Oil Companies Must Pay Local Taxes, Fees to Venezuelan Government
The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday that companies working in the Venezuelan oil business must pay local taxes, permits and fees to the government of Venezuela, while royalties and federal taxes must be paid into a fund managed by the United States. The Treasury said the royalties on energy,...
Trump to Host Board of Peace Meeting on Thursday, White House Says
President Donald Trump will host a Board of Peace meeting on Thursday in Washington, where he will announce that member states have pledged more than $5 billion for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in Gaza, the White House said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that member states had...
NIH Director Will Temporarily Run CDC in Leadership Shake-Up
WASHINGTON — The director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, will take on the additional role of acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two administration officials said Wednesday. Bhattacharya will continue to run the NIH, according to the officials, who insisted on anonymity...
Putin Meets Cuban Foreign Minister in Moscow, Says US Restrictions Are ‘Unacceptable’
MOSCOW, Feb 18 - Russian President Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday in the Kremlin, where he said that new restrictions imposed on the communist-run island were "unacceptable", Russian state news agencies reported. A senior Russian diplomat said last week that Moscow would provide aid to...