NEW YORK — When Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. circled up aboard the president-elect’s plane over some McDonalds burgers and fries recently, Donald Trump Jr. was seated in the center of that power foursome. The central spot occupied by Trump’s eldest son,...
What’s Blocking a Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah?
BEIRUT — Diplomats and other officials say there have been several sticking points in ceasefire talks to end the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, even as conditions for an agreement appear to be ripe. Israel’s military has killed nearly all of the militant group’s top leaders, but it...
Rams Again Fall Flat in Prime Time, Blow Chance to Move Atop NFC West
INGLEWOOD — For the second time in three weeks, the Los Angeles Rams went into a game knowing a win would move them into a tie for the NFC West lead, only to struggle mightily on the prime-time stage. Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley ran for 255 yards, the most the Rams...
Controversy Surrounds San Jose State’s Volleyball Tournament Seeding Amid Boycotts
SAN JOSE - San Jose State's volleyball team, which received six forfeit victories because of boycotts from Mountain West opponents, is seeded second in the conference tournament in Las Vegas and will receive a first-round bye. The Spartans are scheduled to play in Friday's semifinals against the winner of Wednesday's...
NBC’s Mike Tirico Calls Eagles-Rams Game After Suffering Achilles Injury
INGLEWOOD — NFL players are done for the season whenever they suffer an Achilles injury. In the case of a football announcer, they just keep going. NBC's Mike Tirico called Sunday night's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams despite rupturing his left Achilles tendon last Monday. Tirico's...
In California’s Heartland of Fresno, Some Latino Immigrants Back Trump’s Border Stance
FRESNO, Calif. — When José Pérez Gómez came from Mexico more than 25 years ago, he scraped together money by selling handmade furniture on the streets of Fresno, California. Eventually, he turned that hustle into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar business, which allowed him to raise a family and send two daughters...
Alabama, Mississippi Fall Out of Top 10 While Oregon Remains Unanimous No. 1
PORTLAND, Ore. - Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio...
UCLA Stuns No. 1 South Carolina, Snaps Gamecocks’ 43-Game Win Streak
LOS ANGELES — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks' overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April...
Californians Pay Sky-High Utility Rates While Subsidizing Out-of-State Residents
California’s solar energy boom has created a paradox: the state generates so much solar power that its grid often cannot handle the surplus, forcing operators to curtail production or pay other states to take the excess energy, the Los Angeles Times reported. Over the past year, more than 3 million...
Father Arrested After Merced Toddler Dies in Unsecured Firearm Accident
A 2-year-old child died Friday after accessing an unsecured firearm and suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Merced Police Department said in a statement. Officers responded to a report of a gunshot injury at approximately 4 p.m. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the child died upon arrival at the...