More than 400 fighters from Hezbollah have been killed since the Lebanese armed group launched the opening salvoes of a new war with Israel on March 2, two sources familiar with Hezbollah's count told Reuters. The figure was the first overall toll provided of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israel's expanding air...
Another Senior House Republican Will Retire as Midterm Exodus Grows
WASHINGTON — Rep. Sam Graves, the 13-term Missouri Republican who leads the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said Friday that he would retire in January, the latest powerful member of his party to leave Congress ahead of midterm elections in which it is bracing for big losses. “It’s time to pass...
US Senate Deal to Restore Airport Security Funding May Stall in House
A U.S. Senate-approved compromise measure to end a six-week partial government shutdown was at risk of failing in the House of Representatives on Friday, as some Republican lawmakers voiced opposition to the measure aimed at ending long security lines at airports during the busy spring break season. House Speaker Mike...
What We Know About Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ Protests
More than 3,000 “No Kings” demonstrations are scheduled across the country Saturday to condemn an array of President Donald Trump’s policies and to express general discontent toward the president, whom the protesters view as acting like a monarch. “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant,” the No Kings...
Kern County Authorities Arrest Wasco Man With 175 Pounds of Stolen Copper Wire
Kern County authorities arrested a Wasco man Thursday after he was found in possession of 175 pounds of stolen copper wire, part of a months-long scheme targeting agricultural equipment across the county. Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigation Unit identified Agustin Ramirez Ayala, 50, as a...
US Consumer Sentiment Hits Three-Month Low as War Stokes Inflation Fears
U.S. consumer sentiment fell more than expected in March touching a three-month low, as war in the Middle East stoked inflation worries and cast a shadow over the economic outlook. The decline, reported by the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers on Friday, occurred across political party affiliation and age groups, with large...
California Bans Officials From Using Inside Knowledge to Bet on Prediction Markets
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday issued an executive order barring state officials from using insider knowledge to bet on prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi. The move comes amid concerns that government officials could use inside information to profit from such markets after an unknown trader made more than...
Newsom May Spend $19 Million to Sugarcoat California’s Stalled Economy
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California hasn’t had a truly balanced state budget for four or maybe five years, and the current one continues to overspend its revenues. Nevertheless, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend $19 million on a marketing campaign to portray...
Trump Says He Wants Deere, Caterpillar to Cut Farmers’ Tractor Costs
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted top agriculture supply brands John Deere, Case and Caterpillar to lower farmers' tractor and equipment costs. "I want John Deere and Case and all of - they're great companies, Caterpillar... I want these companies to give it to you in the...
Madera County Breaks Ground on Mental Health Crisis Clinic
Madera County will break ground Friday on a state-of-the-art mental health and addiction crisis center. For adults or youth suffering mental health crises that don't need hospitalization or require involvement in the justice system, the center will provide a place for rest and care. The 17,000-square-foot facility at 14277 Road...