A committee crafting the next version of a Fresno County transportation sales tax is recommending a 30-year Measure C renewal. The half-cent sales tax expires in June 2027. It needs to be renewed next year for local funds and matching state and federal funds to remain available. The Measure C...
US Vaccine Advisers Abandon Broad Recommendation for COVID Shots
ATLANTA — A panel of U.S. vaccine advisers named by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday abandoned years of broad support for the COVID-19 shot and recommended that the vaccines be made available for all ages based on shared clinical decision-making with a physician. Vaccines recommended by the...
Israeli Minister Calls Gaza a ‘Real Estate Bonanza,’ Igniting Global Backlash
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described Gaza as a potential “real estate bonanza” and said he is discussing dividing the territory with the U.S., drawing international condemnation, the BBC reported. Speaking in Tel Aviv, Smotrich said, “We’ve done the demolition phase… Now we need to build,” referring to the...
Are CA Tax Loopholes and Rebates Good Business or Questionable Kickbacks?
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. When Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders were negotiating a final state budget last June, they reduced some health and welfare programs to help close a multi-billion-dollar gap between income and outgo. Nevertheless, they agreed to more than...
Leader of Fresno Area Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Sentenced to 10 Years
A 72-year-old man who led a multi-million-dollar catalytic converter theft operation in the Fresno area was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in federal prison. George Thomas, formerly of Fresno and Clovis, was convicted of selling thousands of stolen catalytic converters and engaging in financial transactions to conceal the proceeds, U.S....
Trump Administration Plans $6.4 Billion in Weapons Sales to Israel, Sources Say
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel $6.4 billion in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Israel's military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Friday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure, while...
Fresno Police Arrest Driver With Stolen Gun, Firearm Parts
Fresno police arrested a driver after a traffic stop in the Northwest District revealed multiple violations and illegal weapons, the department said on Friday. Officers with the Northwest District Safety Team conducted a traffic enforcement stop near Shields Avenue and Valentine Avenue. The driver was found to have an open...
US Senate Rejects Stopgap Spending Bill
WASHINGTON — A stopgap spending bill that would avert an Oct. 1 government shutdown fell short in the U.S. Senate on Friday, as Democrats withheld support for the legislation while demanding higher spending for healthcare. The 44-48 vote, coming on the eve of a week-long congressional recess, raises the chances...
Bicyclist Killed in Merced County Hit-and-Run, Authorities Seek Public’s Help
A bicyclist was killed early Friday morning in a hit-and-run crash west of Winton, authorities said. The Merced Communication Center notified California Highway Patrol Merced Area Units at 6:22 a.m. of an unresponsive adult male on Santa Fe Drive west of Shaffer Road. Emergency personnel pronounced the man dead at...
UN Allows Palestinian President Abbas to Speak via Video After US Denies Visa
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the annual gathering of world leaders next week via video after the United States said it would not give him a visa to travel to New York. The resolution received 145...