WASHINGTON - The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict in the next two weeks. Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "Based on the fact that...
Tulare County Farmers Cry Foul Over Proposed Groundwater Fees
Tulare County farmers are incensed by a proposed new fee structure that they say will put the entire burden of state groundwater oversight across the San Joaquin Valley solely on their shoulders. It costs the state Water Resources Control Board about $5.5 million a year to oversee six basins in...
Canseco, Cheechoo to Sign Autographs When Chukchansi Cuts Ribbon on Top Golf
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino will soon have a Top Golf simulator, and to celebrate the opening, the Madera County gaming hub will bring in two sports greats. On Wednesday, June 25, the public will have it first chance to tee off on the golf simulator at Chukchansi. In attendance:...
California Man Accused of Planting Cameras in Children’s Dance Studio Bathroom
A Torrance man has been charged with felony possession of child pornography and other crimes after hidden cameras were discovered inside a bathroom and changing room at a children’s dance studio where he worked, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Jourdyn Godoy, 24, was charged Tuesday...
Whatever Happened to the New Northwest Fresno Costco?
A grassroots group says the city botched an environmental report when it approved a proposed Costco in northwest Fresno. The group had its day in court on Wednesday. The expansive West Herndon Avenue lot where the mega-retailer wants to relocate its West Shaw Avenue store is empty. Not only has...
Iran Held Direct Talks With US Amid Intensifying Conflict With Israel, Diplomats Say
DUBAI/CALGARY, Canada - U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, in a bid to find a diplomatic end to the crisis, three diplomats told Reuters. According to the diplomats, who asked...
Oil Prices Jump as Israel-Iran Conflict Enters Seventh Day
CALGARY - Oil prices rose on Thursday after Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks overnight and U.S. President Donald Trump's stance on the conflict kept investors on edge. Brent crude futures rose $1.60, or 2.1%, to $78.29 a barrel by 1030 ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for July was up $1.64, or 2.1%, at $78.34. Brent...
Three New Judges Appointed in the Valley. Who Are They?
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of three judges Wednesday to fill vacancies created by judicial retirements in the San Joaquin Valley. Here is a look at the appointments: Merced County Ashley Albertoni Sausser will serve as a judge in Merced County Superior Court following the retirement of Judge Shelly...
As Death Toll Rises, Gazans Make Life-Risking Journeys to Seek Food
GAZA/CAIRO - Like thousands of other Palestinians in Gaza, Hind Al-Nawajha takes a dangerous, miles-long journey every day to try to get some food for her family, hoping she makes it back alive. Accompanied by her sister, Mazouza, the mother-of-four had to duck down and hide behind a pile of rubble on the...
EU Increasingly Resigned to 10% Baseline Tariff in US Trade Talks, European Sources Say
BRUSSELS - European officials are increasingly resigned to a 10% rate on "reciprocal" tariffs being the baseline in any trade deal between the United States and the European Union, five sources familiar with the negotiations said. President Donald Trump has announced wide-ranging tariffs on trade partners and wants to reduce...