A former Visalia man pleaded guilty Thursday to the 1996 murder of Fresno State student Debbie Dorian and the sexual assaults of multiple women in Visalia between 1999 and 2002, prosecutors said. Nickey Duane Stane, 58, entered the plea in Fresno County on Tuesday, nearly three decades after Dorian was...
Despite Budget Woes, Gov. Newsom Wants More Tax Credits for Hollywood
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Staring down a $12 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed steep cuts to California's health care services and public universities — all while promising more dollars to Hollywood. Newsom on Wednesday doubled down on his proposal to...
Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks End Without a Ceasefire Deal
ISTANBUL, Turkey — The first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended after less than two hours Friday, and while both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap, they clearly remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting. One such condition for Ukraine, backed by...
Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Early Morning Shooting
A woman was arrested Thursday in connection with a shooting that left a man critically injured in southwest Fresno, police said. Officers responded around 2:25 a.m. to the area of Parkway and White avenues and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Fresno Police Department. The...
Republicans Reject Trump Tax-Cut Bill After President Calls for Unity
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tax bill failed to clear a key procedural hurdle on Friday, as hardline Republicans demanding deeper spending cuts blocked the measure in a rare political setback for the Republican president in Congress. The vote in the House Budget Committee came despite Trump's...
Democratic Candidates for CA Governor Shy Away From State’s Anti-Oil Crusade
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The most interesting moment of Monday’s labor union-sponsored interrogation of seven declared Democratic candidates for governor was their response to a question from the union representing oil refinery workers. </> They were asked: “As governor, would you be...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Maricella Victoria Vargas
May 16, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Maricella Victoria Vargas Suspects Date of Birth: April 24, 1980 Physical Description: Hispanic Female, 5’ 3, 142 lbs., Brown Hair, Brown Eyes. Charges: Vehicle theft Warrant Number: F24906098 Synopsis of the Case: Maricella Victoria Vargas is wanted on a...
Tawny’s Lovely Green Eyes Are a Window to Her Loving Heart
Furry treasure Tawny’s silky smooth, orange-striped suit is unusual for an iconic tabby girl kitty, but "purrfect" for this gentle, sunny-spirited sweetheart! A year old, she gets along well with other cats, kittens, a small dog, and was especially fond of her beautiful sister, Trixie (already adopted). Timothy, Trixie, and...
$300 Billion in Republican SNAP Funding Cuts Alarm Fresno Leaders
Republican plans to cut $300 billion in food assistance are ringing alarm bells in Fresno. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food for more than 700,000 Central Valley residents. "These proposed cuts to SNAP are not just numbers on a spreadsheet — they are meals taken off the tables of...
WNBA Set for New Season With Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Leading the Way
There's a lot of excitement and buzz around the WNBA as its set to tip off its 29th season Friday night thanks in large part to last season's rookie class led by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The league may have its most anticipated year ahead with the two second...