JERUSALEM — Hamas will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, as well as five Thai nationals during the next hostage release set for Thursday, Israel and Hamas said Wednesday as their tenuous ceasefire moves ahead. The Israeli women are Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Agam Berger, 20,...
Study Says Climate Change Made Conditions That Fed California Wildfires More Likely, More Intense
WASHINGTON — Human-caused climate change increased the likelihood and intensity of the hot, dry and windy conditions that fanned the flames of the recent devastating Southern California wildfires, a scientific study found. But the myriad of causes that go into the still smoldering fires are complex, so the level of...
Tax Season Has Begun. Here’s When You’ll Get Your Refund
NEW YORK — Tax season is underway, and the IRS expects 140 million people will file returns by April 15. The agency has also debuted a new online tool to help taxpayers check the status of any refund they may be entitled to. President Donald Trump this week offered all...
RFK Jr. Struggles to Answer Questions on Medicare and Medicaid at Hearing
WASHINGTON — In a contentious confirmation hearing to be the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about how he would reform Medicaid or Medicare, the government health care programs used by millions of disabled, poor and older Americans. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana,...
Trump White House Rescinds Order Freezing Federal Grants After Widespread Confusion
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's budget office on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country, according to two people familiar with the matter. The Monday evening order from the White House Office of...
Judge Clears Former Fresno City College Coach Ed Madec in Threats Case
ABC30 reported that a Fresno County judge cleared former Fresno City College men's basketball coach Edward Madec of criminal wrongdoing, ruling that the charges against him did not meet the standard of probable cause. Details of the Alleged Incident Madec was arrested on Oct. 13, 2023, after allegedly threatening to...
Merced Authorities Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing At-Risk Man
The Merced Police Department is requesting help in locating Oliver Ervin, 94, police said in a statement. Ervin was last seen around midnight on Tuesday in the Loughborough area, wearing a black T-shirt and green and black pants. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Merced...
Valley’s Violent Crime Rate Is CA’s Highest. Fresno Bucks the Trend.
California’s violent crime rate edged up in 2023, continuing a post-pandemic trend, while property crime declined in most counties, according to adjusted data from the state’s Department of Justice. The Public Policy Institute of California reported that violent crime statewide increased by 1.7% to 503 incidents per 100,000 residents —...
CSU Campuses Brace for Possible Cuts in Classes and Sports
When Kaitlin Anderson committed to play golf for Sonoma State University, she posed proudly in a Seawolves sweatshirt. But last week, school officials announced that they plan to end all NCAA sports next year, part of a bid to balance the school's budget amid sliding enrollment and anticipated cuts to...
Another Heartbreaking Mountain West Defeat for Fresno State
The Fresno State's men's basketball team was one second away from upsetting Wyoming in Laramie and getting its first Mountain West road victory under first-year coach Vance Walberg. But Obi Agbim hit a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie it at 67 apiece, and the Cowboys buried the Bulldogs...