CAIRO — It was still dark out when a group of ambulances and a fire truck dispatched by Palestinian emergency response services slowed to a halt in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, early on March 23. They had been sent to find their paramedic colleagues, who had...
How High Will the Thermometer Climb This Week in Fresno?
If you haven't reset your sprinkler system schedule yet to add more watering days, this week would be a good time to get on top of that. The National Weather Service in Hanford is forecasting sunny skies and warmer-than-usual temperatures and pretty much zero chance of rain for at least...
Visalia Man Admits to Selling Machine Guns to Undercover Agent
A Visalia man has pleaded guilty to selling machine guns and illegally manufacturing and dealing firearms, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Shawn Saesee, 20, admitted to selling eight firearms — including five machine guns — to an undercover agent on four separate occasions, according to court documents. Authorities said Saesee carried...
Clovis Council Has ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ Over Recycling Contract Delay
Lamenting "buyer's remorse" over delaying a long-term recycling contract, the Clovis City Council may award a 10-year deal to Mid Valley Disposal after all. In February, the council held off, wanting staff to consider splitting the contract for separate residential and commercial collection. To do so, the city would need...
Guerrero, Blue Jays Agree to a $500 Million, 14-Year Deal That Starts in 2026, AP Source Says
NEW YORK — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $500 million, 14-year contract that starts in 2026, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, a deal that removes what would have been the biggest star from next offseason's free-agent market. The person...
Dodgers LHP Blake Snell Expects to Be Out for 2 Weeks With Shoulder Inflammation
WASHINGTON — Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell expects to be out for two weeks while he recovers from shoulder inflammation. Snell, who agreed to a $182 million, five-year contract with Los Angeles in November, said the shoulder issue has been lingering for three weeks. The two-time Cy Young Award...
Transparency Concerns Arise Again as Fresno Unified Superintendent Interviews Begin
Fresno Unified has become tight-lipped about its superintendent hiring process as finalist interviews begin Wednesday. The district's board of trustees met in a closed session last Thursday to choose the finalists to succeed retired Superintendent Bob Nelson. Board President Valarie Davis declined to comment on how many finalists were selected,...
Wood’s 2-Run Homer Helps Overcome Ohtani’s Big Night in Nationals’ Win Over Dodgers
WASHINGTON — James Wood hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning that helped the Washington Nationals hold off Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Monday night for their third straight victory. Ohtani homered, tripled, singled and walked, finishing 3 for 4 with two RBIs. MacKenzie Gore...
Greene Pitches the Reds to a Win Over the Giants, Ending Their 7-Game Win Streak
SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Greene came within one out of a complete game, outlasting Logan Webb in an old-fashioned pitchers' duel between All-Star starters, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 on Monday night to stop their seven-game winning streak. Blake Dunn hit a two-run double off...
Walter Clayton Jr.’s Defensive Stop Gives Florida Its 3rd National Title With Win Over Houston
SAN ANTONIO — Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. came up with the perfect going-away present for that spirit-crushing Houston defense that bullied, battered and bedeviled him all night. It was a defensive gem of his own. Right before the buzzer. For the win and the national title. The Gators and Clayton...