A coalition of 15 states is suing over President Donald Trump's efforts to fast-track energy-related projects, saying the administration is bypassing environmental protection laws and threatening endangered species, critical habitat and cultural resources. Trump issued an executive order declaring a "national energy emergency " on the first day of his...
New Fresno Judge Baloian Uses Experience on Both Sides of Legal Table
Melissa Baloian wanted to be an FBI agent when she was growing up. She stuck with law, but became a lawyer instead. "When I went into law school at USF Law, they really opened my eyes, giving me great experiences and seeing the bigger picture of our justice system," Baloian...
Leo XIV’s Service to Poor Propelled Him to Papacy, Cardinals Say
ROME — Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Mass as leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics on Friday, pledging to align himself with “ordinary people” and against the rich and powerful, and calling for missionary outreach to help heal the “wounds that afflict our society.” The election of Leo,...
The State Law Taking a Financial Toll on California Budgets
LOS ANGELES — In 2018, an anonymous tip led authorities in California to Eric Uller, who for decades had volunteered at an after-school program associated with the Santa Monica Police Department. An investigation revealed Uller, 50, had molested at least four boys on the city’s watch. Allegations from dozens of...
Iran to Send Russia Launchers for Short-Range Missiles, Sources Say
WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Iran is preparing to deliver in the near future launchers for short-range ballistic missiles that the U.S. said Tehran sent to Russia last year for use against Ukraine, according to two Western security officials and a regional official. The delivery of the Fath-360 launchers - if it...
Fresno Unified Draws Union Pushback in Social Media Battle With Teachers
The Central Labor Council criticized Fresno Unified for targeting the teachers union leader, calling on the district to walk back the controversial post and hold the creator accountable. They urged the district to prioritize student outcomes over disputes with the union. On Wednesday, Dillon Savory, executive director of the Fresno-Madera-Tulare-Kings...
Today Harvard Is the Target. Tomorrow It Could Be Your Church.
A Weaponized Tax Code Could Backfire on Conservatives. Conservatives like me once instinctively understood that expanding government power — even briefly — invites harm. Yet recent attempts by President Trump’s administration to use the tax code as a weapon reveal how easily partisanship can override wisdom. In recent weeks, Mr....
‘Luigi Mangione Act’ Seeks to Block Health Insurance Denials, Sparks Outrage Over Name
A California ballot initiative, controversially named after an alleged murderer, that aims to prevent health insurance companies from denying medical care to patients has ignited debate. Retired litigator Paul Eisner has proposed the "Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act," which would make it illegal for anyone other than a...
Jerry Springer — Yes, That Jerry Springer — Can Save the Democrats
Given that Hollywood is often caricatured as a hotbed of liberalism, it’s surprising that Republicans seem so much better than Democrats at the showbiz side of politics. Two Republican presidents have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, as does the former Republican governor...
Newark Airport Has Another Radar Outage
An air traffic control facility that guides planes at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey suffered a brief radar outage Friday morning, the latest technological disruption at one of the nation’s busiest airports. The Federal Aviation Administration said the outage, which affected communications and radar displays at the facility...