WASHINGTON — A Democratic bill to fund the U.S. government and end a shutdown was falling short of the votes needed for passage in the Senate on Wednesday, as voting continued. — (Reporting by Nolan McCaskill, Katharine Jackson)
Wall Street Climbs as Traders Look to Fed Speakers for Rate Outlook
Wall Street's main indexes edged higher on Wednesday following a brief interruption in a steady rally, as investors awaited fresh clues on the interest-rate trajectory. With the U.S. government shutdown delaying the release of key economic reports, traders are likely to lean heavily on commentary from Federal Reserve officials to...
Man Arrested as Suspect in Setting California’s Deadly Palisades Fire, Official Says
WASHINGTON — A Florida man has been arrested on charges that he intentionally ignited the Pacific Palisades Fire in Los Angeles that killed 12 people, a law enforcement official familiar with the case said on Wednesday. The man is facing three federal criminal charges related to the fire, following an...
Merced Police Ask for Help Locating Stolen Bounce House
Merced police are asking for the public’s help in finding a stolen bounce house taken from a front yard on St. Teresa Street. Police said two men were seen stealing the inflatable and loading it into a newer model Ford F-150 while a third person stayed in the driver’s seat....
Clovis Police Receive $140,000 Grant to Boost Traffic Safety Enforcement
The Clovis Police Department has received a $140,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to enhance enforcement and education efforts aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths on local roads. The grant program runs through September 2026 and will fund several initiatives, including DUI checkpoints, distracted driving operations,...
Arab Mediators Believe Hamas Could Be Open to Partially Disarming
TEL AVIV, Israel — Some Arab mediators negotiating an end to the war in the Gaza Strip believe that they can convince Hamas to partially disarm, a step that has long been a red line for the militant group, according to three people familiar with the mediators’ thinking. The people,...
Most Americans Don’t Want Troops Deployed Without an External Threat, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
WASHINGTON — Some 58% of Americans - including seven in 10 Democrats and half of Republicans - think the president should send armed troops only to face external threats, a sign of unease as President Donald Trump increasingly deploys National Guard troops to police American cities, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found....
Pope Leo Tells US Bishops to Address Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo told U.S. bishops visiting him at the Vatican on Wednesday that they should firmly address how immigrants are being treated by President Donald Trump's hardline policies, attendees said, in the latest push by the pontiff on the issue. Leo, the first U.S. pope, was handed...
Fresno County Supervisors Delay Rooster Rules. Committee Will Create New Ordinance
Fresno County supervisors decided Tuesday not to move forward with an ordinance limiting roosters in Fresno County. Instead, supervisors will create an ad hoc committee of community members and elected officials to craft an ordinance that would limit noise and animal cruelty while allowing hobbyists and farmers the resources to...
Gaza Talks Taken up a Notch as Hamas Hands Over Hostage Swap List
CAIRO — Talks to end the war in Gaza were taken up a notch on Wednesday with the expected arrival of senior figures from Israel, the U.S. and regional counties, after Hamas handed over its lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be freed in a swap. With U.S. President...