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....
Tulare Police Arrest Visalia Man in Severe Beating Investigation
Tulare police arrested a Visalia man Thursday in connection with a severe assault that left a man hospitalized. Officers were called to the 800 block of East Sonora Avenue on Nov. 7 at about 8:15 p.m. for a reported assault. Upon arrival, they found a male victim who had been...
Turkey Processing Returns to Closed Foster Farms Plant in Turlock
Turkey is back on the menu at the former Foster Farms plant in Turlock that closed this May and took with it 500 local jobs. The Diestel Family Ranch, a longtime Sonora-based specialty turkey producer, has taken over the Turlock site and plans to reopen the facility early next year. “We’re...
Metta World Peace, Paul Guarino to Co-Manage Boxer Chordale Booker
Metta World Peace, a former NBA champion formerly known as Ron Artest, and sports manager Paul Guarino have joined forces to co-manage professional boxer Chordale “The Gift” Booker, they announced in a joint statement. “Chordale’s story represents everything we stand for — perseverance, purpose, and passion,” World Peace said. “We’re...