Hospice fraud in California has been remarkably brazen. Medicare recipients have been signed up for care without their knowledge by thieves who stole their identities. Providers have paid kickbacks to people to enroll even though they aren’t terminally ill and don’t qualify. Sham companies have fabricated lists of employees. The...
How US Marijuana Reclassification Could Help Cannabis Companies
The U.S. administration is expected to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug as soon as Wednesday, Axios reported, citing an official familiar with the matter. President Donald Trump had in December last year signed an executive order directing the loosening of federal regulations on marijuana to reclassify it from...
Nilla Wafers, Lucasfilm Team up on Grogu-Themed Cookies Ahead of New Star Wars Film
Nilla Wafers is partnering with Lucasfilm to release a special-edition cookie inspired by Grogu, timed ahead of the theatrical debut of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, the company announced Wednesday. The collaboration introduces Grogu Nilla Nummies, a limited-edition version of the classic vanilla cookie inspired by...
Fresno Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Gang-Related Murder Case
A Fresno man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder with a gang-related special circumstance in a pair of 2023 shootings that left one man dead and a woman severely injured. Malik Nichols, 30, was sentenced Tuesday...
Nevada Rattled by 4.7 Magnitude Earthquake Near Silver Springs
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck about 11 miles southeast of Silver Springs, Nevada, at 10:23 a.m. PT on Wednesday, according to automatic seismic data. The quake occurred at a depth of 13.8 kilometers, with an estimated magnitude uncertainty of plus or minus 0.2, according to preliminary readings. The event was...
Crypto Entrepreneur Files Fraud Suit Against Trump Family Firm
Not long after the 2024 presidential election, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun bought $75 million in digital coins from World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s crypto startup. World Liberty said it was “honored” to work with him. Sun, known for his globe-trotting promotion of the crypto industry, called World Liberty an...
Oil Prices Jump $3 After EIA Shows Drop in US Fuel Stocks, Reports Gunfire Hits Container Ships in Hormuz
Oil prices jumped by more than $3 on Wednesday after a surprise gasoline and distillate stock draw in the U.S., and prices got a further boost from reports of gunfire attacks on at least three container ships in the Strait of Hormuz and a lack of progress in peace talks...
Madera County Authorities Arrest Suspect in Drug, Theft Case After Car Stuck in Mud
A man was arrested after deputies found him stuck in a mud-filled field, methamphetamine in his pocket and suspected stolen agricultural chemicals in his vehicle, according to the Madera County Sheriff's Office. The agency said deputies responded Tuesday to the area of Road 32 and Avenue 12 after a report...
Pope Decries Inequality, Prison Conditions on Whirlwind Last Day in Africa
BATA, Equatorial Guinea, April 22 - Pope Leo used the last full day of his four-nation Africa tour on Wednesday to speak out against wealth inequality, urging believers to work to bridge the gap between rich and poor as he traversed oil-rich Equatorial Guinea. Leo, who has attracted the ire...
Porterville Police Arrest Fraud Suspect Following Months-Long Investigation
Porterville police arrested a 40-year-old woman after a lengthy investigation into a fraud case in which a victim was defrauded of more than $42,000, authorities said. Officers responded on April 1 to a report of fraud. The case was assigned to Porterville Police Department detectives, who conducted an extensive investigation...