This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A perfect storm of economic, fiscal and political trends is battering California’s already deficit-ridden state budget, leading public employee unions and other interest groups dependent on money from Sacramento to explore hefty tax increases. The budget has what...
International Rapper Derrick ‘Aesop’ McElroy Who Called Fresno Home Dies at 51
When he wasn't touring Asia, Europe, or across the U.S., Derrick "Aesop" McElroy was busy making a name for himself and for the city he called home — Fresno. McElroy — known for his time with hip-hop supergroup Living Legends under the name Aesop, Black Aesop, and the Black Wolf...
Trump Administration to Vet Immigration Applications for ‘Anti-Americanism’
President Donald Trump's administration has said it will assess applicants for U.S. work, study and immigration visas for "anti-Americanism" and count any such finding against them, sparking concern about implications for free speech. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a "policy alert" dated Tuesday that it gave immigration...
Texas Republicans Approve Trump-Backed Congressional Map to Protect Party’s Majority
Texas legislators on Wednesday passed a new state congressional map drawn at the behest of President Donald Trump to flip five Democratic-held U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections, after dozens of Democratic lawmakers ended a two-week walkout that had temporarily blocked passage. Republican legislators, who have dominated Texas...
Fresno County Authorities Seek Suspect in Casino Assault
Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team are searching for a 27-year-old man wanted on multiple arrest warrants for assault, burglary and drug possession. Robert Rios of Auberry is accused of punching, choking and dragging a woman during a domestic disturbance at Mono Wind Casino on June...
Poll: California Dems Favor Newsom Over Harris in 2028 Matchup
A new POLITICO‑Citrin Center‑Possibility Lab survey shows California Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents prefer Gov. Gavin Newsom over former Vice President Kamala Harris in a hypothetical 2028 presidential primary, with Newsom leading 25% to 19%. The poll, conducted from July 28 to Aug. 12, surveyed 1,445 registered Democratic and Democratic‑leaning independent...
‘Moral Conflict’ Drives Dem Doubts About Newsom’s Redistricting Plan
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As Republicans lambasted California lawmakers for rushing through their effort to gerrymander the state’s congressional map, Democrats are facing a quieter angst in their own party. To counter what they call President Donald Trump’s undemocratic power grab for...
Fresno Animal Center at Critical Capacity After Receiving Over 100 Dogs
The Fresno Animal Center is operating at about 110% capacity after taking in more than 100 dogs in recent days, prompting urgent calls for help from the community, the center’s director said Wednesday. On Saturday, the shelter received 26 dogs, followed by 19 the next day. On Tuesday the shelter...
Fresno Police Arrest Two SoCal Men in Homicide Investigation
Fresno police have arrested two Southern California men in connection with a July 21 shooting that left a 33-year-old dead. Northwest Policing District officers responded at 6:52 p.m. to a report of a shooting near State and Acacia avenues. Kuvar Kumar died at the scene. Homicide detectives determined the shooting...
Fresno Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing of 31-Year-Old Man
A 31-year-old man died Tuesday after being chased, assaulted and stabbed near Orchard and Grant avenues, Fresno police said. Police identified the victim as Cecil Deloney, who was found unresponsive in the roadway around 3:55 p.m. with a stab wound to his upper body. He was taken to Community Regional...