WASHINGTON, Jan 20 - President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown is fast becoming a double-edged campaign issue in November's hotly contested midterm congressional elections because of mounting public unease over aggressive tactics by federal immigration officers. After an ICE officer shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7,...
US Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against Islamic State
BEIRUT — The U.S. special envoy to Syria said Tuesday that Washington no longer needed to rely on Kurdish-led forces as its primary partner to fight the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria because the government was ready to take over security duties. The comments by the envoy, Tom Barrack,...
Three Fresno Court Commissioners Eye Judgeships as Incumbents Weigh Exits
Three Fresno County Superior Court commissioners say they are interested in running for a full judgeship — if one becomes available. And three incumbent judges could be headed for the sidelines instead of seeking re-election on the June 2 ballot. Judge John Vogt already told GV Wire he is not...
Venezuela Calls for ‘Symbolic’ Social Media Action After Trump Post
Jan 20 - Venezuela's government on Tuesday called on citizens to post its official map on social media as a "symbolic action" after U.S. President Donald Trump posted an altered image showing U.S. flags over Venezuela, as well as Canada and Greenland. The image, posted on Trump's Truth Social just...
ICE Broke Into Minnesota Home, Forced Barely Clothed Hmong Man Outside Into Snow
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota, Jan 19 - A Minnesota man told Reuters on Monday he felt fear, shame and desperation a day after ICE officers broke down his door with guns drawn, handcuffed him and forced him outside into the snow wearing shorts and Crocs. ChongLy Thao, 56, a naturalized U.S....
Netafim Hires First Woman to Lead Its North American Irrigation Arm
The Israel-based irrigation company with North American headquarters in Fresno brought on its first woman to lead operations as the company adopts new technologies and helps growers adapt to the latest challenges. Netafim named Melissa Lilze, who has been with the company more than 10 years, as senior vice president...
‘Make America Go Away’ Caps Surge in Popularity as Trump Eyes Greenland
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Bright red baseball caps reading “Make America Go Away” have surged in popularity among Danes and Greenlanders, who have adopted them as a symbol of resistance to President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland. The hats, which mock the “Make America Great Again” hats worn by Trump...
Streaming Captures Nearly Half of US TV Viewing in December on ‘Stranger Things’ Boost
Streaming services captured nearly half of all television viewership in the U.S. in December, powered by Netflix's Christmas Day NFL games and the highly anticipated final season of "Stranger Things," audience measurement firm Nielsen reported on Tuesday. With a record 47.5% of total TV usage in the U.S., including a...
Fresno Unified’s $30 Million Investment to Support Students Is Paying Off
Lunchtime at Fort Miller Middle School in Fresno comes with a sense of urgency these days as dozens of students rush through their meals, eager to throw on jerseys and head outside to play basketball on the blacktop. Three months in, the lunch sports program, with coaching from High Performance Academy,...
Netflix Will Now Pay All Cash for Warner Bros to Keep Paramount at Bay
Netflix has switched to an all-cash offer for Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets without increasing the $82.7 billion price in a bid to shut the door on Paramount's rival efforts to snag the Hollywood giant. The new all-cash bid - at $27.75 a share - has unanimous support...