President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Ukrainians to maintain unity amid talks with the U.S. on the new framework for a peace deal with Russia, saying the country risks losing its major ally or its dignity. The key quotes from his address to the nation follow: "Now is one of the most...
Wall Street Inches up as December Rate Cut Bets Strengthen
Wall Street's main indexes edged up on Friday as traders boosted bets on an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month following remarks from policymakers, while technology shares steadied after a bruising selloff in the previous session. New York Fed President John Williams, a voting member of the...
Two Florida Academics Say They Have Their Jobs Back After Charlie Kirk-Related Comments
Two Florida academics who were put on leave following comments tied to the September 10 assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk say they have their jobs back. Karen Leader, an associate professor of art history at Florida Atlantic University, and Rebel Cole, a finance professor at the same institution, say...
Fresno Man Killed in Auberry Identified
Authorities have identified the man killed in Auberry last week as 43-year-old Joie Carrell of Fresno. Fresno County sheriff’s dispatchers received a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Deputies initially searched the area but were unable to locate the victim. A...
Highway 41 On-Ramp at Children’s Boulevard To Close for Pavement Repairs in Madera County
Caltrans will close a southbound Highway 41 onramp in Madera County on Friday and Saturday for pavement marking repairs, the agency said. The closures will take place from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., weather permitting. The southbound Highway 41 onramp at Children’s Boulevard will be shut down while maintenance crews...
Trump Administration Reshapes State Department Human Rights Report
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials will consider enforcement of affirmative action policies and state subsidies for abortion as infringements when compiling the State Department’s annual human rights report, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to reshape foreign policy in line with "America First" principles. Under the Trump administration, the human rights...
Grapevine Crash Reduces Southbound I-5 to Two Lanes, Caltrans Says
A multi-vehicle collision involving a big rig struck the center barricade on southbound Interstate 5 near Grapevine Road, reducing the highway to two lanes, Caltrans said Thursday. Crews are working to remove the vehicles and repair the damaged guardrail, officials said. Drivers should expect delays, and there is currently no...
It Will Now Be a Crime to Sell Kratom Within Fresno City Limits
Fresno City Councilmembers Thursday approved an ordinance banning kratom sales in the city. Those caught doing so can be fined $1,000 and spend up to a year in jail. The decision comes after Fresno County supervisors amended a similarly total ban on the opioid-like plant that can act as both...
Verizon Cutting More Than 13,000 Jobs as It Restructures
WASHINGTON — U.S. wireless carrier Verizon on Thursday said it will cut more than 13,000 jobs in its largest single layoff as it works to shrink costs and restructure operations. Verizon also said it plans to convert 179 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations and close one store. The company...
Trump Elevates Once-Fringe Meme Makers to the Mainstream
Loosely organized groups of self-described right-wing trolls and “memers” have long posted flattering portraits of President Donald Trump, portraying him as a war hero, a rock star or a muscular comic book vigilante. Their pro-Trump content, for the most part, was not heavily viewed. Trump is bringing them into the...