This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Robert Brown had tried everything for his pain, from acupuncture to massage to chiropractors. A 59-year-old Army veteran who spent decades living on the street, Brown has a crushed disk in his spine and nerve damage to his...
Protesters in Fresno Rally Against Tesla and Elon Musk
Local activists made their voices heard at Fresno's Tesla dealership on Herndon and Palm Avenue, where the peaceful protest resonated with passing motorists who showed overwhelming support, with only a couple of negative reactions. The protest, part of a nationwide #TeslaTakedown movement, saw dozens of passing motorists honking in solidarity,...
Trump Considers Massive Extension of Travel Ban Targeting Up to 43 Countries
President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating a new travel ban that could affect citizens from up to 43 countries. This potential expansion of his first-term policy, which primarily targeted Muslim-majority nations, has been outlined in an internal memo obtained by major news outlets. According to the memo, countries would be...
George Soros and Elon Musk Clash in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
MADISON, Wis. — When Republicans are looking for a political bogeyman, they point to liberal megadonor George Soros. Democrats recently have been answering with a villain of their own: the world's wealthiest man and close adviser to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk. Now, the billionaires' influence on politics is colliding...
Romania’s Democracy Tested as Court Blocks Controversial Presidential Bid
BUCHAREST, Romania — A top Romanian court on Tuesday rejected an appeal by far-right politician Calin Georgescu to lift a ban on his candidacy for the rerun in May of Romania's presidential election, after the same court annulled last year's election in which Georgescu won the first round. The ruling...
Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to use "overwhelming lethal force" until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. "Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial...
Merced Kicks Off $3.5 Million Bob Hart Square Renovation
The ever-changing appearance of Merced's downtown is getting another important upgrade. Merced leaders held a noon ceremony Tuesday to officially kickoff the $3.5 million renovation of Bob Hart Square, the historic central hub of the city's downtown at West Main and Canal streets. City leaders planned to give the square...
Playing Political Whac-A-Mole As Issue Of Bond Measure Language Pops Up Again
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Legislature is often the arena for games of political Whac-A-Mole. A piece of controversial legislation fails to clear all of the Capitol's procedural hurdles and appears to die, but suddenly it reappears through the legislative gimmick...
A Loophole in California Law Makes It Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools. Will Lawmakers Close It?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. For over six months, San Diego resident Lee Lor sent hundreds of emails threatening a mass shooting at Shoal Creek Elementary School as replies to random spam emails. He was arrested and spent 10 months in jail, but...
Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that South Africa's ambassador to the United States "is no longer welcome" in the country, in the latest Trump administration move targeting the African nation. Rubio, in a post on X, accused Ebrahim Rasool of being a "race-baiting politician" who hates...