The federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws has moved to dismiss its own lawsuit on behalf of a worker allegedly fired for his sexual orientation and gender identity, arguing that the case now conflicts with President Donald Trump's recent executive order, according to court documents. The Equal Employment Opportunity...
IRS Will Lay Off Thousands of Probationary Workers Mid-Tax Season
WASHINGTON — The IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season, according to two sources familiar with the agency's plans, and cuts could happen as soon as next week. This comes as the Trump administration intensified sweeping efforts to shrink the size of the...
Judge Sentences Walmart Shoplifters to Wash Cars in the Parking Lot
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A Michigan judge is putting sponges in the hands of shoplifters, ordering them to wash cars in a Walmart parking lot when spring arrives. Judge Jeffrey Clothier hopes the unusual form of community service discourages people from stealing from Walmart and rewards shoppers who could...
Treasury Watchdog Audits Musk DOGE Team’s Access to Payment System
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General on Friday said it was launching an audit of the security controls for the federal government's payment system, as Democratic lawmakers raised red flags about the access provided to Trump aide Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency team. The audit will...
Tiny but Mighty: Cloe the Yorkie-Chihuahua Mix Seeks Her Perfect Match
Cloe, a 10-month-old Yorkie/Chihuahua mix, is small in size but big in personality. Weighing just seven pounds, this spirited pup is known for her bold and sassy nature, earning her the nickname “The Fearless & Bold Boss Baby.” Cloe thrives on human companionship and would do best in a home...
Costa Introduces Bill to Improve Epilepsy Care and Research
Epilepsy affects some 3.4 million Americans. About 1 in 26 people will develop the neurological condition at some point in their lives, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Now, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) has introduced a bill creating a plan to improve care, research, and public awareness of the disease. "As...
Trump Order Threatens Federal Funds for Schools With COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
WASHINGTON — Schools, colleges and states that require students to be immunized against COVID-19 may be at risk of losing federal money under a White House order signed Friday by President Donald Trump. The order is expected to have little national impact because COVID-19 vaccine mandates have mostly been dropped...
Fresno Leaders Celebrate Completion of Blackstone Hotel Conversion Project
Families have already started moving into one of Fresno County's first hotel-to-permanent-affordable-housing conversions after two years of rehabilitation. Even in the rain, builders, social workers, and city and county officials cut the ribbon Friday on Crossroads Village, a 141-unit housing complex at Blackstone and Dakota avenues. In the midst of...
Tulare Police Arrest Second Suspect in Fatal Gang-Related Shooting
A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man in Tulare, the Tulare Police Department said in a statement. Solomon Ponce, of Tulare, was shot on the night of Feb. 7 near San Joaquin Avenue and N. California following a fight, authorities said....
Fresno Unified Hires Firm for National Superintendent Search
Fresno Unified took major steps in its slow-moving national search for a superintendent at the Wednesday night School Board meeting. The board unanimously approved a third-party search firm, exclusionary criteria, and search screens for the superintendent search, and a position description. The district's goal is to introduce Bob Nelson's permanent...