This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom devoted most of his final State of the State address last week to touting what had been accomplished during the past seven years, and one boast was about California's public school system educating nearly 6...
At Least 5,000 Dead in Iran Unrest, Official Says, as Judiciary Hints at Executions
At least 5,000 people have been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, an Iranian official in the region said on Sunday, citing verified figures and accusing "terrorists and armed rioters" of killing "innocent Iranians." Nationwide protests erupted on Dec. 28 over economic hardship and swelled over...
Conservative Influencer Jake Lang Chased From Minneapolis Streets by Counterprotesters
MINNEAPOLIS — A small protest organized by a conservative influencer in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday was quickly overwhelmed by a liberal counterprotest, as both sides scuffled and exchanged taunts for hours. The influencer, Jake Lang, who was among the pardoned Jan. 6, 2021, rioters, was eventually chased into the lobby...
Merced County Police Chiefs Share Public Safety Goals, What’s Ahead for 2026
With the close of 2025, police chiefs across Merced County are focusing on technology upgrades and filling staff vacancies in the New Year. There are six police departments in Merced County who serve more than 296,000 residents, not including UC Merced and Merced College police departments. The Merced County Sheriff’s...
Iran’s Leader Khamenei Accuses Trump of Inciting Deadly Protests
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed President Donald Trump for weeks of demonstrations that rights groups said have led to more than 3,000 deaths. "We consider the U.S. president criminal for the casualties, damages and slander he inflicted on the Iranian nation," Khamenei said, according to Iranian state...
Ukraine’s Peace Negotiators Arrive in US for Talks With Trump Officials
Ukraine's peace negotiators arrived in the United States on Saturday for talks on details of a proposed agreement to end the four-year war with Russia, the head of the Ukrainian president's office said. Kyrylo Budanov said the delegation would meet with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's son-in-law...
Protesters Rally in Denmark and Greenland Against Trump Annexation Threat
Protesters in Denmark and Greenland demonstrated on Saturday against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the U.S. and called for it to be left to determine its own future. Trump says Greenland is vital to U.S. security because of its strategic location and large mineral...
Trump Vows Tariffs on Eight European Nations Over Greenland
President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland, escalating a row over the future of Denmark's vast Arctic island. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said additional 10% import tariffs would take...
Homelessness Crisis Remains One of Newsom’s Biggest Political Liabilities
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. While delivering his final State of the State address and proposing his final state budget last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom clearly sought to neutralize an issue that has haunted his political career for more than two decades and...
Golden Mussels to Land Conservation, Ag Expo Will Offer Plenty of Water-Related Information
In less than a month, more than 100,000 people will descend on the Tulare International Agri-Center to stroll through rows of imposing tractors while smoke from grilled rib eye steaks and hamburgers wafts through the air at the 59th annual World Ag Expo. The show, being called “Grounds for Innovation,”...