Retired Madera County Sheriff Edward Bryant Bates, a towering figure in local law enforcement and a key leader during one of the county’s most harrowing moments, has died at the age of 99. Bates passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday. Madera...
Military Parade on Trump’s Birthday Could Include More Than 6,500 Troops
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military is working on plans that could see more than 6,500 troops, about 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft moving to Washington D.C. for twin celebrations of President Donald Trump's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary, according to officials and documents. U.S. military service branches take...
Israeli Security Cabinet Backs Plans to Expand Gaza Operation, Media Reports Say
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's security cabinet approved plans for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Friday, adding to signs that attempts to stop the fighting and return hostages held by Hamas have made no progress. The decision came after comments from both Prime Minister Benjamin...
California Lawmakers Kill Bid to Force HOAs to Follow Open Meeting Laws
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Republican Assemblymember Joe Patterson says a woman slowly drives by his Placer County home about once a week and takes pictures. She’s not an angry constituent or a stalker. He said she’s a representative from his homeowners’ association...
California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation
By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California Republicans have developed something of a formula in the state Legislature. Push to raise penalties for certain kinds of sex crimes, like trafficking minors. Press the Democrats, many of whom remain wary of...
Fresno Unified’s New Supe Makes 500% More Than a New Teacher
Fresno Unified’s top position comes with a hefty paycheck that is drawing pushback from the community. Misty Her will earn a $385,500 salary annually in her new role as superintendent of the third largest school district in California, not including other pay and benefits. Fresno Unified sparked public outrage on...
Trump Says Harvard University’s Tax-Exempt Status Will Be Revoked
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday his administration will revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, returning to a threat he issued against the Massachusetts school last month as part of his wider attack on elite universities. "We are going to be taking away Harvard's Tax Exempt Status. It's...
Los Angeles Residents Begin to Rebuild After Devastating Fires
LOS ANGELES — Nearly four months after wildfires reduced thousands of Los Angeles-area homes to rubble and ash, some residents are starting to rebuild. In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, construction workers recently began placing wooden beams to frame a house on a lot where only a charred fireplace remains standing. In...
Trump’s Budget Includes $3.2 Billion for World Bank’s Fund for Poorest Countries
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday asked Congress to approve $3.2 billion in contributions to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), which provides low- or zero-interest loans to the world's poorest countries. International finance experts hailed the sum, to be paid over three years, as a welcome...
Illinois Man Sentenced to 53 Years for Hate Crime That Killed Palestinian Child
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A man from Illinois was sentenced on Friday to 53 years in prison after a jury convicted him of the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and the severe wounding of his mother in an October 2023 hate crime stabbing, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. Joseph Czuba,...