When Gov. Gavin Newsom issues one of his periodic boasts about California's superiority vis-a-vis other states — particularly those with conservative politics such as Texas and Florida — he conveniently omits aspects that are less than admirable. The exclusions include California's levels of poverty, homelessness, unemployment, utility bills and housing...
State Farm Asks for ‘Emergency’ Insurance Rate Increases After LA Fires
State Farm, the largest insurer for California homeowners, this week asked the state to approve "emergency" rate increases for insurance policy holders, saying the recent Los Angeles County fires have imperiled its finances. The company wants an average 22% increase for homeowners and 15% for renters on top of rate...
Rubio Strikes Deal With Guatemala to Accept Deported US Migrants
GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala’s president said Wednesday after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his country will accept migrants from other countries being deported from the United States. Under the “safe third country” agreement announced by President Bernardo Arevalo, the deportees would then be returned to their...
Lawmakers Propose $175 Million in New CalFire Funding
Roughly a month after deadly wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, killing at least 29 people, lawmakers in the state Senate have introduced a proposal to bolster CalFire staffing, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with President Donald Trump over disaster aid. Joined by several other senators and firefighters in...
Box-Office Smash ‘Moana 2’ Drives Disney Profit in the First Quarter
NEW YORK — Disney easily topped first-quarter expectations thanks in part to the box office smash "Moana 2." There were some oversized expectations for the animated film but "Moana 2", originally intended as a series for the company's streaming service before it was produced for the big screen — blew...
UN Agencies Concerned Over Pakistan’s Afghan Deportation Plan
ISLAMABAD — The U.N. refugees and migration agencies on Wednesday expressed their concern over Pakistan's decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States and elsewhere. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration in a statement said they were seeking clarification from...
FBI Agents Who ‘Simply Followed Orders’ in Jan. 6 Probes Won’t Be Fired, a Justice Official Says
WASHINGTON — FBI agents “who simply followed orders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner” while investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol are not at risk of being fired, a top Justice Department official said in a memo to the bureau workforce obtained by The...
Cubs Acquire Ryan Brasier in Trade With the Dodgers
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs acquired Ryan Brasier in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, adding the right-hander to their bullpen after he was cut by the World Series champions last week. The Cubs are sending a player to be named or cash to the Dodgers for...
Rob Bonta Tells Politico That He’s Not Running for CA Governor
In an exclusive, Politico reports that state Attorney General Rob Bonta won’t enter California's 2026 gubernatorial race. "Kamala Harris would be a great governor," Bonta told Politico Playbook while admitting he hadn't spoken directly to Harris about her plans. "I would support her if she ran. I’ve always supported her...
49ers Star Tight End George Kittle Is the NFL 2024 Salute to Service Award Winner
NEW ORLEANS — San Francisco 49ers two-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle is the USAA 2024 Salute to Service award winner. Kittle beat out Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox for the award. The award recognizes the "exceptional efforts by members of...