The California Public Employees' Retirement System for state employees lost 71% of its $468 million investment in a clean energy and technology private equity fund, state records show, but CalPERS won’t explain how. These losses are a major problem for California taxpayers, who at least for now are the backstop...
Microsoft, OpenAI Reach New Deal Valuing OpenAI at $500 Billion
Microsoft and OpenAI reached a deal to allow the ChatGPT maker to restructure itself into a public benefit corporation, valuing OpenAI at $500 billion and giving it more freedom in its business operations. The deal removes a major constraint on raising capital for OpenAI that has existed since 2019, when...
Who Will Start at Quarterback for Fresno State vs. Boise State?
The best on-field Fresno State performance perhaps in Saturday’s unprecedented 23-0 loss to San Diego State was by the university's marching band. They excelled with tunes such as “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi and “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash. As to the football, Bulldogs coach...
Powerful Kern Water Agency Hires Its New Manager at Eye-Popping Salary
The Kern County Water Agency hired its own former board president as its new general manager last week at an annual base salary of $525,000. Eric Averett, who apparently resigned his board seat Oct. 8 though that wasn’t announced until Thursday, will assume his new duties Nov. 24, according to the employment agreement unanimously...
New US Strikes Kill 14 Alleged Drug Traffickers, Mexico Leads Rescue of Survivor
A series of U.S. strikes against suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific killed 14 alleged drug traffickers and left one survivor, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, the latest operation in President Donald Trump's counter-drug campaign. The strikes in the Pacific come against the backdrop of a...
Tear Gas Can Be Dangerous. The Rules on How to Use It Vary.
Federal agents carrying out President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration have repeatedly clashed with protesters and bystanders across the Chicago area in recent weeks. Sometimes, the agents have used tear gas, drawing criticism and bringing new attention to the chemical irritant that has been used by American law enforcement...
Texas Sues Tylenol Makers, Claiming They Hid Autism Risks
Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, sued the makers of Tylenol on Tuesday, claiming that the companies hid the risks of the drug on brain development in children. The lawsuit is the latest fallout from President Donald Trump’s claim last month that use of Tylenol during pregnancy can...
With Golfing Gifts, Japan PM Invokes Abe’s Legacy to Forge Trump Bond
TOKYO — Among the gifts offered up by Japan's new premier Sanae Takaichi to U.S. President Donald Trump in their first meeting on Tuesday was a putter used by Shinzo Abe, his golfing buddy and the country's late leader. Displayed in a glass case alongside a gold-leaf golf ball and bag signed by Japanese...
Hurricane Melissa to Bring ‘Catastrophic Situation’ to Jamaica in Storm of the Century
Hurricane Melissa was expected to bring catastrophe as it makes landfall in Jamaica with storm surges, flash floods and landslides in the worst storm to hit the Caribbean island this century, a U.N. weather official said on Tuesday. The Category 5 storm, the strongest possible on the Saffir-Simpson scale, will bring wind...
Hundreds of Air Traffic Controllers Take Second Jobs as Shutdown Continues
ARLINGTON, Virginia — Hundreds of U.S. air traffic controllers took up temporary second jobs as they missed their first full pay check on Tuesday, mounting pressure on a strained aviation safety system during a prolonged government shutdown, a union official said. Indeed, the number of controllers working second jobs is set...