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...
Iran Withdraws From Deal to Let International Nuclear Inspections Resume
Iran said Thursday that it was withdrawing from an agreement to allow a resumption of international inspections of its nuclear sites. The decision came hours after a U.N. watchdog agency demanded information about the status of Iran’s enriched uranium stock and its nuclear sites that Israel bombed in June. The...
US DOJ Investigating Handling of Its Own Probe Into Senator Adam Schiff
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors in Maryland are scrutinizing the conduct of two allies of U.S. President Donald Trump in their investigation of Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, according to a document reviewed by Reuters and two sources briefed on the matter. The department has asked a witness in the Schiff case...
Students Accused a Teacher of Sexual Abuse. Prosecutors Say They Can’t Charge Him.
At 15 years old, Melissa Fares enrolled at Miss Hall’s School, a private boarding school in the hills of western Massachusetts. Not long after, she said, a charismatic, respected teacher and coach at the school began to pay her special attention, sharing secrets and private study sessions. After she turned...
Dyer: Fresno Shelter Bed Crisis ‘Not Going to Happen.’ City, County Plan Coming
With Fresno facing hundreds of shelter beds possibly closing in the coming months and more in the coming years, Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city and county are working together to keep beds available. The mayor, along with Fresno County Supervisors Luis Chavez and Nathan Magsig, have held three meetings...
Immigration Crackdown Operation in Charlotte Ends, Sheriff Says
A Border Patrol operation targeting suspected undocumented migrants in Charlotte, North Carolina has ended, local officials said on Thursday, following five days of sweeps by federal agents that ended in hundreds of arrests and sparked protests by local citizens. Charlotte was the latest city run by Democrats targeted by U.S....