After more than two weeks, and there is no resolution on a leadership dispute within the Fresno County Republican Party. Incumbent Liz Kolstad and newcomer Peter Halajian both claimed victory after separate leadership votes among the party's executive committee on Jan. 7. Last week, Kolstad's group sent Halajian and his...
When Did Fresno EOC Finances Start Their Downhill Plunge?
One Fresno state lawmaker has put a spotlight on the financial morass of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission by calling for a forensic audit. Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula’s letter to his fellow commissioners in November, one month after he replaced his mother on the commission, charged that the agency’s financial footing...
Trump Signs Executive Order on Developing Artificial Intelligence ‘Free From Ideological Bias’
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence Thursday that will revoke past government policies his order says “act as barriers to American AI innovation." To maintain global leadership in AI technology, "we must develop AI systems that are free from ideological bias or engineered social agendas,” Trump's...
Trump Pardons Anti-Abortion Activists Convicted for Blocking Abortion Clinic Entrances
CHICAGO — President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would pardon anti-abortion activists convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances. Trump called it “a great honor to sign this.” "They should not have been prosecuted," he said as he signed pardons for "peaceful pro-life protesters.” Among the people pardoned were those involved...
Fresno Police Seek Public’s Help in Star Pro Smog Burglary Investigation
Authorities are investigating a burglary at Star Pro Smog, located at 1606 N. West Avenue, the Fresno Police Department said in a statement. According to authorities, two male suspects broke into the business at approximately 4:00 a.m. on November 2, 2024. Investigators have not released further details about what was...
SZA to Join Kendrick Lamar as a Guest During Super Bowl Halftime Performance
LOS ANGELES — Guess who's joining Kendrick Lamar on the Super Bowl halftime stage? None other than Grammy-winning singer SZA. Lamar and Apple Music released a trailer Thursday of him walking on a football field before SZA walked up from behind and playfully splashed the rapper. Lamar and SZA would...
California Approves $2.5B for State Response to Los Angeles-Area Fires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California bolstered funding to help the Los Angeles area recover from its recent deadly wildfires under a more than $2.5 billion fire relief package approved Thursday by the California Legislature. Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the bills, which had bipartisan support, and now head to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's...
Senate Confirms Ratcliffe to Lead the CIA, Giving Trump His Second Cabinet Member
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA,...
Madera County Two-Vehicle Crash Claims Winton Woman’s Life
A 40-year-old woman from Winton was killed Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle collision near Firebaugh, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 10:18 a.m. at the intersection of Avenue 7 and Avenue 7 ½, also known as Firebaugh Boulevard. CHP officers said the woman was driving...
Is Matthew Stafford Retiring? Rams Coach Wants Answer ‘Sooner Than Later’
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay says he would like to know “sooner than later” about Matthew Stafford's status for next season. McVay provided no updates on his veteran quarterback's plans for the coming year when the coach held his end-of-season news conference Thursday, but McVay sounded...