Perplexity AI made a $34.5 billion unsolicited all-cash offer for Alphabet's Chrome browser on Tuesday, a bid far above its own valuation as the startup reaches for the browser's billions of users pivotal to the AI search race. Run by Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity is no stranger to headline-grabbing offers: it...
Newsom’s Congressional Redistricting Drive in California Faces Tall Hurdles
This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom justifies — or rationalizes — his drive for a mid-decade reconfiguration of California’s congressional districts as a heroic mission to thwart President Donald Trump’s power grab. Newsom, who seems to be edging ever closer to...
Democrat Sherrod Brown to Seek a Return to US Senate in 2026 Election, Media Reports Say
WASHINGTON — Democrat Sherrod Brown will attempt to win back his U.S. Senate seat in Ohio in next year's midterm elections, according to media reports, in a race that likely would pit him against Republican Senator John Husted as Democrats fight to win back control of the chamber. The media...
What Deal Might Emerge From Trump-Putin Summit and Could It Hold?
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine when they meet on Friday in Alaska for a summit that is also likely to affect wider European security. European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy plan to speak with Trump...
Taylor Swift Announces New Album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
Taylor Swift relishes announcing her albums in dramatic fashion. On Tuesday, she did it again, revealing the name of her 12th original studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” when a countdown clock on her website ticked down to 12:12 a.m. Eastern time. She did not disclose the release date...
CA Taxpayers Gave PG&E a Huge Loan. Losses Are Already Mounting
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Two weeks before the 2022 legislative session ended, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration came to lawmakers with a big ask: authorize a $1.4 billion state loan to keep open California’s last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon. The money was...
Madera County Authorities Seek Family of Deceased Coarsegold Man
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating the next of kin for a 68-year-old Coarsegold man who died last month. Officials said Michael Varela was found dead at his home on July 23. Despite efforts, investigators have not been able to find any relatives....
Fresno Police Plan DUI Checkpoints, Increased Patrols Throughout August
The Fresno Police Department is urging drivers to keep the final days of summer “fun, not fatal” by avoiding impaired driving and practicing road safety during the upcoming Labor Day period. Extra officers will patrol from Wednesday, Aug. 13, through Sept. 1, focusing on suspected impaired drivers as part of...
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Twanisha Madonna Lee
August 12, 2025 Most Wanted Person of the Day Suspect Name: Twanisha Madonna Lee Suspects Date of Birth: July 29, 1990 Physical Description: Black Female, 5’ 3, 160 lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes. Charges: Assault with a deadly weapon Warrant Number: F23907053 Synopsis of the Case: Twanisha Madonna Lee is...
Military Deployed to LA Protests Despite Little Danger There, General Testifies
Troops were used to protect federal property and personnel in Los Angeles in recent months even though intelligence assessments showed little danger, two military officials testified on Monday at a landmark trial over President Donald Trump's authority to use soldiers to police American streets. The three-day non-jury trial before San...