SACRAMENTO — The California Legislature voted Thursday to give Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration permission to buy massive amounts of electricity, a move aimed at avoiding blackouts by shoring up the state's power supply while jumpstarting the West Coast's fledgling offshore wind industry. And the money would come from a...
Oregon’s Novel Magic Mushrooms Experiment Is Taking Off
EUGENE, Ore. — Psilocybin tea, wind chimes, and a tie-dye mattress await those coming to an office suite in Eugene to trip on magic mushrooms. For roughly six hours, adults over 21 can experience what many users describe as vivid geometric shapes, a loss of identity, and a oneness with...
Biden Announces More Iran Sanctions on Anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s Death
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced new U.S. sanctions Friday on “some of Iran's more egregious human rights abusers” as he marked the anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while being held by the country's morality police. Amini had been detained for allegedly wearing her hijab...
About 13,000 Workers Go on Strike Against Big 3 Automakers After UAW Contract Expires
DETROIT — About 13,000 U.S. auto workers stopped making vehicles and went on strike Friday after their leaders couldn’t bridge a giant gap between union demands in contract talks and what Detroit’s three automakers are willing to pay. Members of the United Auto Workers union began picketing at a General...
Bulldogs Put 11-Game Win Streak on the Line at Arizona State
The matchup: Fresno State (2-0) at Arizona State (1-1), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. PT Television: Fox Sports 1. Radio: Fox Sports AM 1340. Line: Fresno State by 3, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Series record: Arizona State leads 3-1. The Bulldogs staying out in front on the win streaks @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/ijGCmq0Fyy —...
DeSantis Says Trump’s Chance of Being Elected If Convicted ‘Close to Zero’
NEW YORK — Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said Donald Trump is unlikely to be elected president again if convicted in any of the four criminal cases he faces. DeSantis made the comments in an interview with CBS News that aired Wednesday night. The Florida governor has sharpened his critiques of Trump, seeking to paint...
Russia Expels 2 US Diplomats, Accusing Them of ‘Illegal Activity’
MOSCOW — Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday declared two U.S. diplomats “persona non grata" and ordered them to leave the country within seven days as they were allegedly involved in “illegal activity.” The ministry charged in a statement that the first secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Russia, Jeffrey Sillin,...
California School District Pays $27M to Settle Suit Over Death of Teen Recorded on Video
MORENO VALLEY — A Southern California school district has agreed to pay $27 million to settle a lawsuit by the family of an eighth grade boy who died after being assaulted by two other students at a middle school four years ago. The settlement with the Moreno Valley Unified School...
California Lawmakers Vote to Let Legislative Employees Join a Labor Union
SACRAMENTO — Legislative workers at the California Capitol are close to forming their first labor union after state lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that allows them to organize. The Democrats in charge of California's Legislature have historically been friendly with labor unions. This year alone, lawmakers are poised to increase...
Feds Spread $1 Billion for Tree Plantings Among Cities to Reduce Extreme Heat and Benefit Health
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hundreds of communities around the country will share more than $1 billion in federal money to help them plant and maintain trees under a federal program that is intended to reduce extreme heat, benefit health and improve access to nature. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom...