WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in March as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles to avoid higher prices and shortages due to tariffs, but that did little to change economists' views that the economy had shifted into lower gear. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds...
US Pending Home Sales Post Biggest Gain in More Than a Year
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes surged by the most in more than a year in March, boosted by a decline in mortgage rates. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Wednesday its Pending Home Sales Index, based on signed contracts, jumped 6.1% to 76.5...
US Economy Contracts as Tariffs Unleash Flood of Imports
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy contracted for the first time in three years in the first quarter, swamped by a flood of imports as businesses raced to avoid higher costs from tariffs and underscoring the disruptive nature of President Donald Trump's often chaotic trade policy. The Commerce Department's advance...
Fresno Crash Leads to Double DUI Arrest After Passenger Grabs Wheel
Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an SUV crashed into a Fresno business near Shaw and Wishon avenues — and investigators say both were behind the wheel. The California Highway Patrol and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office responded to a solo-vehicle crash involving an SUV...
Fresno Unified Board May Vote to Hand More Control to Superintendent
The Fresno Unified School Board’s bylaws could change Wednesday, altering the board’s role and governance. Bylaw “BB 9000 Role of the Board” has undergone recommended revisions from a board subcommittee, consisting of trustees Veva Islas, Andy Levine, and Claudia Cazares. Board President Valerie Davis and Trustee Cazares did not respond...
Fresno Unified’s New Supe Allegedly Helped Promote Her Cousin. 4 Lawsuits Claim Nepotism, Incompetence
Four lawsuits against Fresno Unified allege a pattern of nepotism, incompetence, discrimination, and retaliation within the district's safety and health division that included a cousin of Fresno Unified's new superintendent, Misty Her. Text messages acquired for one of the lawsuits show that when Her was deputy superintendent, she encouraged her...
How are Fresno County, Valley Prosecutors Using Prop 36 in Drug and Theft Cases?
Several top Central Valley prosecutors have a new tool to help bring habitual thieves and drug users to justice. Proposition 36 passed overwhelmingly by state voters last year at 68%. In Fresno County alone, 75% of voters approved. Early numbers show a slow but steady implementation. The law gave prosecutors more...
49ers Agree to Contract With Free Agent Tackle D.J. Humphries
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers added needed depth to their offensive line, agreeing to a contract on Tuesday with veteran free agent tackle D.J. Humphries. Humphries' agents announced the signing on social media, saying Humphries was healthy after missing most of last season recovering from a torn ACL suffered...
Wisconsin High Court Suspends Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities. The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan into custody on Friday morning at the county courthouse. She faces federal charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and...
Electronic Arts Lays off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game, Bloomberg News Reports
(Reuters) - Electronic Arts is laying off hundreds of workers and is canceling a Titanfall game that was in development at its Respawn Entertainment unit, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday. About 300 to 400 positions were eliminated, including around 100 at Respawn, the report said, citing a person familiar with...