WASHINGTON — He spoke of “overwhelming force” and the U.S. military’s unmatched ability to rain “death and destruction from above” on its “apocalyptic” Iranian foes. Then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing in the Pentagon, issued a call to the American people for a specific kind of wartime prayer. He asked...
Trump Says US Getting Close to Meeting Objectives in Iran War
President Donald Trump said on Friday the U.S. was getting very close to meeting its objectives as it considers winding down its military efforts in the Iran war and called on countries that use Strait of Hormuz to guard and police it "as necessary." "The Hormuz Strait will have to...
US Judge Blocks Restrictive Pentagon Press Access Policy
A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration’s restrictive Pentagon press access policy, which threatens journalists with being branded security risks if they seek information not authorized for public release. The lawsuit by the New York Times in the Washington D.C. federal court alleged that policy changes by the Defense...
Limited Tickets Remain for Clovis Rodeo’s High-Demand Events
Tickets for the 112th Clovis Rodeo are becoming scarce, with Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, rodeo performances nearing capacity and now available only at the event’s ticket box office, organizers said Thursday. The Clovis Rodeo Association said the April 25 night concert-only tickets are still available online and...
Georgia Pauses Gas Tax for 60 Days as Iran War Fuels Price Surge
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Friday suspended the state's gas tax amid rising fuel prices as the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran enters its third week. The move - the first such relief offered by a U.S. state since the war started on February 28 - suspends Georgia's tax of 33.3...
Kern County Authorities Arrest 7 in Warrant Sweep, Seize 100 Pounds of Stolen Copper Wire
A warrant sweep in western Kern County led to multiple arrests and the seizure of stolen industrial materials, authorities said. On Wednesday, deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Taft Substation and detectives with the Rural Crimes Investigation Unit, assisted by the Kern County Probation Department, conducted an operation in...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Diamond Deonn Reeds
March 20, 2026 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Diamond Deonn Reeds Suspects Date of Birth: February 5, 1999 Physical Description: Black Male, 5’ 8, 215 lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes. Charges: Battery resulting in serious bodily injuries Warrant Number: F25905618 Synopsis of the Case: Diamond Deonn Reeds...
Iraq Declares Force Majeure on Foreign-Operated Oilfields Over Hormuz Disruption, Sources Say
Iraq has declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign oil companies after military operations in the region disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, halting most of the country's crude exports, three energy officials with direct knowledge of the decision said. Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz —...
Oil Jumps to Highest Settlement Since July 2022 as More Mideast Supply Disrupted
Oil prices jumped on Friday and settled at their highest in nearly four years, as Iraq declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign oil firms and the Iran war escalated with the U.S. set to deploy thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East. Brent futures...
Fresno Voters Will See Dueling Transportation Tax Petitions. What’s the Difference?
With two proposals to fund road repair in Fresno County cleared to begin collecting signatures, voters will soon see petitions to put the competing half-cent sales tax measures on the November ballot. In a presentation before the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, former Fresno County Transportation Authority executive...