A federal grand jury Thursday charged a former Bullard High photography teacher with sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child sexual abuse images, and sending obscene material to a minor. Between November 2024 and February 2025, 37-year-old Ray Waller allegedly exchanged obscene images with a minor over phone, according...
New Data Clarifies a Lingering Question on 2024 Turnout
In the wake of November’s election, many Democrats blamed low turnout for Kamala Harris’ defeat. It wasn’t entirely without reason, as turnout dropped in Democratic areas, but many months later it is clear the blame was misplaced. Newly available data, based on authoritative voter turnout records, suggests that if anything,...
US Announces New Fentanyl-Related Visa Restriction Policy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at stopping the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States. "Imposing visa restrictions on drug traffickers, their family members, and close personal and business associates will not only prevent them from entering...
Trump Administration Has ‘No Imminent Plans’ to Refill Nation’s Emergency Oil Reserve
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has no imminent plans for refilling the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday. The emergency oil reserve is currently at its lowest levels since the 1980s after President Joe Biden tapped the stockpile to help lower prices amid market...
Why Is Usually Sleepy Fresno County Schools Superintendent Race Suddenly Hot?
What's typically a low-key race for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools is gearing up to be a high-profile election in 2026 as the incumbent, Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, faces a challenger with substantial name recognition. Cantwell-Copher's opponent is Dr. Eimear O'Brien, the former Clovis Unified superintendent who reportedly is already drawing...
Tulare County Authorities Seek Leads After Armed Robbery in Earlimart
Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday night at a gas station in Earlimart. Just before 9:30 p.m., deputies responded to the Speedway Gas Station in the 200 block of East Sierra Avenue, where two armed suspects reportedly entered the store. Authorities...
US Justice Department to Probe Hiring Practices at University of California
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department will investigate hiring practices at the University of California system to examine whether its efforts to boost faculty diversity run afoul of anti-discrimination laws, the department said in a statement on Thursday. The probe is the latest move against colleges and universities by President...
White House Wants Major Cut in US War Crimes, Accountability Funding, Sources Say
WASHINGTON/THE HAGUE - The White House on Wednesday recommended terminating U.S. funding for nearly two dozen programs that conduct war crimes and accountability work globally, including in Myanmar, Syria and on alleged Russian atrocities in Ukraine, according to two U.S. sources familiar with the matter and internal government documents reviewed...
No Known Intelligence That Iran Moved Uranium, US Defense Chief Says
WASHINGTON - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said he was unaware of any intelligence suggesting Iran had moved any of its highly enriched uranium to shield it from U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program over the weekend. U.S. military bombers carried out strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities...
What Does the Fresno County Schools Superintendent Do? Read This Q&A to Find Out
GV Wire sought an in-person interview with Fresno County Schools Superintendent Michele Cantwell-Copher to talk about her first two years in office, but she declined and instead provided written responses to the following questions: Q: What challenges have you as superintendent and the Office of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools...