As fires rage through Southern California and exacerbate the state’s insurance crisis, the California Senate has no one in charge of its Insurance Committee due to questions surrounding a federal corruption investigation. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire said he is waiting to hear from federal prosecutors about Sen. Susan Rubio, who’s been questioned...
Texas Man Charged With Stalking WNBA Star Caitlin Clark
Authorities in Indianapolis have charged a 55-year-old Texas man with felony stalking of Indiana Fever star and WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. Michael Thomas Lewis is accused of repeated and continued harassment of the 22-year-old Clark beginning on Dec. 16, the Marion County prosecutor's office wrote in a...
Newsom Blocks Early Release for Merced Man Who Murdered Teacher
A man who murdered a popular Peterson Elementary School teacher will remain in state prison, following a community outcry from voices that included Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria. Gov. Gavin Newson has reversed a decision by the state parole board to recommend early release for Rodolfo Romero,...
Gov. Newsom Sparks Outrage as Donation Link to LA Fire Relief Connects to Super PAC
Gov. Gavin Newsom's fundraising practices for Los Angeles wildfire relief are under scrutiny after his website directed donors through ActBlue, a Democratic Party political action committee and fundraising platform. ActBlue, founded in 2004, gained significant popularity among political candidates, with all 2020 Democratic presidential primary contenders using the platform to...
Costa Says Immigration Sweeps Are Over. He and Valadao Want Border Patrol Clarity
Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) says the Kern County immigration sweep that resulted in 78 arrests would be the last major effort in the San Joaquin Valley. Operation Return to Sender conducted by Customs and Border Protection caused fear, protests, and speculation about the extent of immigration actions — especially in...
Fresno’s Fentanyl ‘King’ Gets 23 Years in Federal Prison
Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., 24, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to 23 years and one month in prison on drug trafficking charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the sentence in a news release. Torrecillas Urias received the sentence after previously pleading guilty to distribution, conspiracy, and possession charges involving...
What Are Fresno Leaders Saying About Anti-Deportation Protests?
Update at 1:52 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2025 After this story was posted, Mayor Jerry Dyer made this statement to the media: “I completely understand the concerns raised by members of our community about immigration-related issues as well as the protest at River Park on Sunday. I want to make...
IRS Issues Stimulus Payments Again. Who Is Getting Them?
The IRS is distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who didn't receive their COVID stimulus payments. By the end of January, approximately 1 million taxpayers will receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS. The IRS said it's distributing these payments to taxpayers who failed to claim a...
Mike McCarthy Won’t Return as Dallas Cowboys Coach: AP Source
DALLAS — Mike McCarthy is not returning as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, who are going on three decades since their last Super Bowl title, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because a decision hasn’t...
As Crazy as It Sounds, Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy Could Work
In a joint Los Angeles Times op-ed by Samuel Moyn and Trita Parsi, they say that Donald Trump’s first term displayed a clear rejection of international cooperation. They point out that withdrawals from agreements such as the Iran nuclear deal and Paris Climate Accords marked Trump's first presidency. His approach...