WASHINGTON — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency central to his vision of cracking down on illegal immigration, faced senators Friday at confirmation hearing that will be her first chance to lay out her vision for the sprawling Department of Homeland Security. Noem, a...
Russia and Iran Sign Partnership Treaty to Deepen Ties in Face of Western Sanctions
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a broad cooperation pact Friday as their countries deepened their partnership in the face of stinging Western sanctions. Russian and Iranian officials say the "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" covers all areas -– from trade and military cooperation...
California Years Behind in Implementing Law to Make Homes More Fire Resistant
SACRAMENTO — Reeling from destructive wildfires, including the deadliest in California history, state lawmakers in 2020 passed new requirements for clearing combustible materials like dead plants and wooden furniture within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of homes in risky areas. The rules were set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023....
Supreme Court Upholds Law Banning TikTok if Not Sold by Chinese Parent Company
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it's sold by its China-based parent company, holding that the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users...
Fire at One of World’s Largest Battery Plants in California Forces Evacuations
MOSS LANDING — Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate and part of Highway 1 in Northern California was closed early Friday after a major fire erupted at one of the world's largest battery storage plants. The fire started Thursday afternoon and sent up towering flames and black smoke, and...
Shohei Ohtani Is Donating $500,000 to Help Firefighters and Others Affected by the LA Wildfires
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is donating $500,000 to help firefighters and animals forced to flee the deadly wildfires around the region. Ohtani announced his intention on Instagram, with LA Strong in white lettering against a black background. "We'll be donating $500,000 to help those firefighters...
The Big Chill: Siberian Air to Make Trump Swearing-in Coldest in 40 Years
NEW ORLEANS — The vast majority of Americans are about to get an extended taste of frigid Siberian weather. Another polar vortex disruption will stretch Arctic air across the top of the globe and make Donald Trump's second inauguration the coldest in 40 years, meteorologists said. After starting in the...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Kevin Grant Price
Update on Jan. 22, 2025 at 3:10 p.m. Kevin Grant Price was arrested by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday. Original Story Jan. 17, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Kevin Grant Price Suspects Date of Birth: June 10, 1996 Physical Description: White Male, 6’ 1,...
Nintendo’s New Switch 2 Console Will Come Out in 2025
LOS ANGELES — Gaming giant Nintendo revealed its newest console Thursday in a highly anticipated announcement gamers had been waiting for since rumors of its release first spread years ago. The Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the Nintendo Switch system, will be released in 2025, the company said. Larger...
Sting, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Perform at FireAid Benefit Concert
NEW YORK — Sting, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the performers slated to take the stage at FireAid, a benefit concert for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief. Announced last week, FireAid was originally scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. It...