For more than half a century, California's "lemon" law was considered one of the best in the nation at giving consumers the legal right to demand car companies fix or replace defective vehicles still under warranty. Now, California lawmakers are scrambling to repair recent changes they made to the law...
Verlander Eyes 300 Wins at 42, Joins Giants for 20th MLB Season
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Three-time American League Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander turned 42 years old on Thursday, and is still hopeful of reaching 300 wins in his big league career. The right-hander is at 262 career wins, the most among active pitchers, while preparing for his 20th big league...
Robot Umpires Are Getting Their First MLB Test During Spring Training
TAMPA, Fla. — A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in the minor leagues. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is an advocate of the Automated Ball-Strike System, which potentially as early as...
Merced Council Members Offer Cash Reward for Stolen Zoo Sign
Amid the search for an ornate display sign stolen from Applegate Zoo, two members of the Merced City Council say they're offering a cash reward for its return. At the conclusion of Monday's City Council meeting, Councilmember Mike Harris said he's offering $250 for the return of the sign. Councilmember...
California Fire Captain Found Stabbed to Death in Home
A veteran fire captain in California was fatally stabbed in her home, with authorities investigating the incident as a potential domestic violence case, according to ABC News. Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found with multiple stab wounds at her residence near Ramona, California, on Monday, Feb. 17. Deputies from the San...
Spurs’ Wembanyama Is Out for Season with Blood Clot
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama is not expected to play again this season after a blood clot condition was found in his right shoulder, a massive blow to the league and the second major health-related hit for the Spurs this season. Wembanyama's condition — deep vein thrombosis...
Trump Loyalist Kash Patel Is Confirmed as FBI Director by the Senate
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's...
Will Soria Run for State Senate Instead of Assembly?
Could Esmeralda Soria eschew a third term in the state Assembly and make an attempt for the chamber on the other side of the state Capitol? Several Democratic insiders told Politics 101 there is considerable buzz that Soria, D-Fresno, is considering a run for state Senate District 14 in 2026....
Trump Backs Idea to Send Some DOGE Savings to American Citizens
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said that he likes the idea of giving some of the savings from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency back to U.S. citizens as a kind of dividend. He said at an investment conference in Miami on Wednesday that the administration is considering a concept...
Tulare County At-Risk Child Missing, Authorities Seek Public’s Help
Authorities are searching for an at-risk, missing 12-year-old girl, the Exeter Police Department said in a statement. Aubreana Madrigal was last seen in the Exeter area around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday. She is about 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was...