John C. Harris, who cast a large shadow across the worlds of agriculture, ranching, horseracing, politics, and philanthropy, has died. He was 81. His passing sparked a bouquet of tributes Thursday about the deep impact that Mr. Harris had, and not just in the Central Valley where his eponymous Harris...
Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients
As the drama unfolded Wednesday night into Thursday, Rep. David Valadao was one of the initial holdouts on voting for the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Valadao, R-Hanford, did not immediately cast "aye" on a procedural vote for President Donald Trump's spending and tax cut plan. For hours, Speaker of the...
US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida
ASHINGTON - The U.S. military said on Thursday it will send 200 Marines to Florida to provide administrative and logistical support to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The Marines are the first wave of U.S. Northern Command's support to the immigration enforcement agency's mission, it said. "Service members participating in this...
Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract
Boeing Co said on Thursday it had secured a $2.8 billion U.S. contract to develop and produce two satellites with options for two more. The Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications (ESS) program will deliver space-based nuclear, command, control, and communications for the U.S. president and joint strategic global forces. Boeing is...
Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas
Kaweah Health is elevating its interim chief nursing officer to the permanent position. Schlene Peet came to the Visalia hospital several months ago by way of Frisco, Texas, where she also served as chief nursing officer. In addition to holding master's degrees in nursing, business administration, and health service administration,...
Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County
An 82-year-old woman reported missing by Clovis police was found dead Thursday morning near her vehicle in Mariposa County, the Clovis Police Department said. Pathmani Goonawardena was last seen on June 26 driving in the area of Copper Avenue and Auberry Road in Clovis. A Silver Alert was issued due...
Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department
WASHINGTON - More than 130 retired diplomats and other former senior U.S. officials issued an open letter on Thursday criticizing a planned overhaul of the State Department that could see thousands of employees laid off. "We strongly condemn Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announced decision to implement sweeping staff reductions...
US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30
It is the end of the line for U.S. electric vehicle tax credits. Sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress on Thursday means $7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles will end on September 30, as well as a $4,000 used EV credit, that have helped...
‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67
LOS ANGELES - Michael Madsen, an actor who appeared in dozens of films including "Reservoir Dogs" and "Thelma & Louise," has died at age 67, his representatives said on Thursday. Madsen died of cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu, California, his manager, Ron Smith, said. Born in Chicago, Madsen...
Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team
Authorities are investigating a burglary involving $40,000 in fireworks stolen from a shipping container used for Bullard High School’s basketball team fundraiser. On Tuesday, officers with the Fresno Police Department responded to the theft at 7045 North Marks Avenue. Detectives later identified two Fresno residences where the stolen fireworks were...