U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs could cost U.S. semiconductor equipment makers more than $1 billion a year, according to industry calculations discussed with officials and lawmakers in Washington last week, two sources familiar with the matter said. Each of the three largest U.S. chip equipment makers - Applied Materials,...
NAACP Sues US Education Department Over DEI School Funding Cuts
(Reuters) - The NAACP sued the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday to stop its alleged illegal effort to cut off funding to schools that use diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and prevent Black students from receiving equal education opportunities. In a complaint filed in Washington, D.C., the largest U.S....
Oil Company Fined Record $18 Million for Defying CA Orders to Stop Work on Pipeline
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Coastal Commission fined an oil company a record $18 million last week for repeatedly defying orders to stop work on a corroded pipeline in Santa Barbara County that caused a major oil spill nearly a decade...
Why Is It So Expensive to Build Affordable Homes in CA? It Takes Too Long
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The spiraling cost of housing in California has affected virtually every facet of life. California has the nation’s largest unsheltered homeless population and among the highest rates of cost-burdened renters and overcrowded homes. One reason for the seemingly...
Three Children Test Positive for Cocaine in Tulare County, Couple Arrested
Update on April 17, 2025 The Tulare County Sheriff's Office reported that two other children from the home also tested positive for cocaine. Ashley Flores, 29, and Casey Willbanks, 32, now face three counts of child endangerment, one count for each of the three children, authorities said. Original Story A...
Fresno Political Consultant Now Listed in Documents Tied to Mailer Attacking Vang
A local political consultant who recently had a $100,000 contract with the city canceled is behind the dark money group that sent an attack mailer in the recent Fresno City Council special election. In an amended filing with the city clerk last week, Fresno Future Forward now lists Alex Tavlian...
How Picnickers and Anglers Can Skip the Gate to Lakes McClure and McSwain
Fishing or just enjoying an outing at Lake McClure and Lake McSwain has become a whole lot easier. Visitors to the Mariposa County lakes can can now buy day-use, boat passes, and annual passes in advance via the Yodel app. After buying a pass, visitors can drive straight through the gate...
Exclusive: Top Hegseth Advisor Dan Caldwell Put on Leave in Pentagon Leak Probe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leading advisers, Dan Caldwell, was escorted from the Pentagon on Tuesday after being identified during an investigation into leaks at the Department of Defense, a U.S. official told Reuters. Caldwell was placed on administrative leave for "an unauthorized disclosure," the...
Homeless Man Wins Life-Changing $1 Million on Lottery Scratcher in SLO
A homeless man in San Luis Obispo struck luck last week, winning $1 million on a California Lottery scratcher ticket purchased from Sandy’s Deli-Liquor downtown. According to Sandy’s manager, Wilson Samaan, the man, described as a loyal customer, initially thought he’d won $100,000. “Bro, you hit the jackpot,” Samaan told...
Arkansas Asks USDA to Let It Ban Soda, Candy From Food Stamps Program
(Reuters) - Arkansas on Tuesday became the first state to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow it to ban soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, with the support of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has...