China has sought to manipulate global critical minerals prices for decades, using its control as an economic weapon to expand its manufacturing sector and its geopolitical influence, a U.S. House of Representatives committee said on Wednesday. The allegations, contained in a 50-page report from the bipartisan U.S. House Select Committee...
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to Step Down
Walmart’s longtime CEO, Doug McMillon, will step down Jan. 31, the company said Friday. John Furner, who has been president and CEO of Walmart’s U.S. division, will become the retailer’s new CEO. McMillon will retire from his position in early 2026 but will remain on the board through the next...
Madera Jewelry Store Robbed, Owner Fires Shots
Multiple suspects wearing black clothing and masks smashed display cases and stole high-value jewelry during a robbery at a store on Country Club Drive Thursday evening, Madera police said. Officers were dispatched around 7:10 p.m. after reports of a robbery and shots fired. Police said the store owner retrieved a...
Palestinians Return for Prayers in West Bank Mosque After Settler Attack
JERUSALEM — Palestinians in a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank held weekly communal prayers on Friday after clearing insulting graffiti, broken glass and burn marks from a mosque they say was targeted by Jewish settlers amid a spike in attacks. Villagers in Deir Istiya who cleaned up the mosque...
Kings County Authorities Arrest Suspect in Ag Wire Theft, Meth Seizure
Kings County authorities arrested a man in connection with stolen copper wire from multiple agricultural wells and a half-pound of methamphetamine, officials said Thursday. Deputies took Salvadore Silva Valdovinos into custody on Oct. 30 while unloading copper wire stolen the previous evening from the Fresno County area, the Kings County...
Visalia Police Tase, Arrest Man After Threatening Officers and Attempting Arson
A 27-year-old man was arrested Thursday after threatening police officers with a metal pipe and attempting to start a fire in a North Visalia yard, authorities said. Just after 1:20 p.m., Visalia Police officers responded to the 2000 block of North Burke Street following reports of a man stealing lawn...
Visalia Police Cite 21 Drivers for Hands-Free Cell Phone Violations
Visalia police cited 21 drivers Wednesday for violating California’s hands-free cell phone law during a distracted driving enforcement operation. Under current law, drivers cannot hold a phone or any electronic device while driving, including talking, texting, or using apps, police noted. Using a handheld cell phone while driving can result...
Valley Children’s Hospital Commits $2 Million to Launch ‘Our Valley Cares’ for At-Risk Youth
Valley Children’s Hospital is committed $2 million to help launch Our Valley Cares, an initiative supporting at-risk youth across the Central Valley, leaders announced Thursday at Fresno Mission's City Center. The program brings together Fresno Mission, CASA, Breaking the Chains, City Without Orphans, Central California Food Bank, Justice Coalition, Martin...
Clovis Republican Tangipa Applauds Trump Administration’s Lawsuit Over Prop. 50 Maps
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Thursday sued California over its new redistricting maps after a ballot measure adopting new congressional districts passed last week, according to documents filed in federal court. The measure could give the Democratic-led U.S. state five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and...
State Center Chancellor Carole Goldsmith Retiring in 2026
State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith announced she will be retiring by September 2026. The leader who oversaw some of the district's biggest expansion and fundraising efforts said she would step down at the start of the 2026-27 school year. She made the announcement Thursday in the district's...