Making sense of the alphabet soup of charges on a monthly power bill is challenge enough. But there's a surprising cost baked into customers' bills that doesn't have its own line item. A portion of each payment goes directly in the pockets of shareholders. Called a "return on equity," the...
Merced Officer Saves Choking Toddler. Brings Her a Stuffed Animal as She Recovers.
A Merced police officer is being credited with saving a 14-month-old child who was choking Sunday in central Merced, the police department said in a statement. Officer Cruz Ramirez responded to a 911 call in under two minutes and found the child unresponsive and not breathing, according to police. Ramirez...
US Economy Grows 2.3% in October-December on Eve of Trump Return to White House
WASHINGTON — A humming American economy ended 2024 on a solid note with consumer spending continuing to drive growth, and ahead of what could be a significant change in direction under a Trump administration. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product — the economy's output of goods and...
Trump’s FBI Pick, Kash Patel, to Face Skeptical Dems at Senate Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON — Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the FBI, will encounter deeply skeptical questioning from Democratic senators Thursday about his loyalty to the president and stated desire to overhaul the bureau as he faces a high-stakes hearing that will help determine his path toward confirmation. Patel is...
Fresno Police Will Conduct DUI Patrols on Saturday
The Fresno Police Department will conduct DUI patrols from 4 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday, police said in a news release. Officers will be on the lookout for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The department urges drivers to be aware that impairment can...
Palestinian Prisoners Leave Ofer Prison in West Bank. Eight Israeli Hostages Freed
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — A line of white buses carrying Palestinian prisoners set to be released Thursday left Ofer prison in the West Bank. The buses made their way toward Beitunah, near the occupied West Bank City of Ramallah where relatives and celebrations awaited. Israel was releasing 110 Palestinian...
Stock Market Today: Meta Platforms Leads Most of Wall Street Higher
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are mostly rising following a rush of profit reports from some of the country's most influential companies. The S&P 500 was up 0.6% in early trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 127 points, or 0.3%, as of 9:50 a.m. Eastern time, and the...
Everyone Aboard American Airlines Jet That Collided With Army Helicopter Feared Dead
ARLINGTON, Va. — All 64 people aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter were feared dead in what was likely to be the worst U.S. aviation disaster in almost a quarter century, officials said Thursday. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of...
Do You Have a Place for Ace in Your Heart and Home?
Meet Ace, the clever and friendly dynamo of the litter! With his sharp mind and adventurous spirit, Ace is always the first to greet you at the adoption room door, eager for the next exciting escapade. He’s dog-tolerant and gets along well with the adult cats in the household, making...
DEI Will Not Be Missed in the Military
In December 2015, the Obama administration decided to allow women to serve in all combat roles. “There will be no exceptions,” Ashton Carter, then the secretary of defense, announced. Women would be accepted as “Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry,” among other demanding roles previously open...