Scottie Scheffler has committed to play the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next week, his first competition in about six weeks while recovering from a puncture wound to his right hand while preparing Christmas dinner. Scheffler had said at the start of the week the recovery was progressing well and he...
First Indian American Woman Judge Joins Merced Superior Court
An experienced former prosecutor who is also a homegrown child of immigrants has joined the esteemed ranks of judges on the Merced County Superior Court. Judge Monika Saini Donabed took her gavel for the first time in earlier this month, following her victory in last year's March primary, where she...
Trump Ends Fauci’s Security Detail and Says He’d Feel No Responsibility if He’s Harmed
FLETCHER, N.C. — President Donald Trump has ended the federal security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal...
What’s in Store for California if It Splits From the US?
With Donald Trump back in the White House, he's resuming his long-running feud with California and its political figures, most prominently Gov. Gavin Newsom. Trump refers to Newsom as "Newscum" in his social media postings, and Newsom has called a special session of the California Legislature to pay for steps...
Tulare Man, 79, Sentenced to 26 Years for Molesting Girls
A Tulare man was sentenced to 26 years in state prison Tuesday for sexually abusing three young girls over a span of more than two decades, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Frederick Guerrero, 79, pleaded no contest on Dec. 30, 2024, to 10 counts of...
Djokovic Quits Mid-Match and Walks Off to Boos, Putting Zverev in Australian Open Final vs. Sinner
MELBOURNE, Australia — Spectators booed an injured Novak Djokovic as he left the court in Rod Laver Arena after quitting one set into his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev on Friday. Dealing with what he said was a torn muscle, Djokovic lost the opening set 7-6 (5) when he...
Hamas Names 4 Hostages It Plans to Release on Saturday in Latest Gaza Ceasefire Exchange
TEL AVIV, Israel — The Hamas militant group on Friday published the names of four hostages it said it would release the following day as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There was no immediate confirmation of the names from Israel. The hostages are to be freed Saturday...
US Home Sales in 2024 Fall to Lowest Level in Nearly 30 Years as Prices, and Mortgages, Soar
LOS ANGELES — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in 2024 to a nearly 30-year low for the second time in as many years as elevated mortgage rates, rising home prices and few properties on the market freeze prospective homebuyers out of the market. The National Association of Realtors...
Judge Bars Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes from Entering Washington Without Court’s Permission
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Friday barred Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from entering Washington, D.C., without the court's approval after President Donald Trump commuted the far-right extremist group leader's 18-year prison sentence for orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Capitol four years ago. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta...
AG Bonta Sues Tulare Over Cold Storage Project. Are State Minimums Not Enough?
Tulare's new citywide plan allows cold storage facilities within industrial-zoned parts of town. But California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the city should require costly environmental reviews or mitigation measures otherwise emissions from refrigerated diesel trucks could harm the Matheny community. What's more, Bonta's lawsuit comes as the state last...