WASHINGTON — Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 2.5% cost-of-living increase to their monthly checks beginning in January, the Social Security Administration announced Thursday. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for retirees translates to an average increase of more than $50 for retirees every month, agency officials said. About...
Why Milton and Helene ‘Exploded’ in Strength
How did Hurricane Milton, and Hurricane Helene before it, get so strong, so fast? Raymond Zhong, a reporter focusing on climate and environmental issues for The New York Times, explains. - By The New York Times Copyright 2024 The New York Times Company
Francisco Lindor’s Grand Slam Sends Mets Into NLCS With Win Over Phillies in Game 4 of NLDS
NEW YORK — Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam in the sixth inning, his latest clutch swing in a storybook season full of them, and the New York Mets reached the National League Championship Series with a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Edwin Díaz struck out Kyle...
Milton Knocks Out Power to Millions and Spawns 150 Tornadoes Across Florida. At Least 4 Dead
TAMPA, Fla. — Hurricane Milton barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, where it knocked out power to more than 3 million customers and whipped up 150 tornadoes. The storm caused at least four deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a...
Tulare County Hang Glider Crash Leaves Man Injured
A hang glider crash in Porterville left one man injured on Wednesday evening after his engine failed mid-flight, according to the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. near South Sunset and E. Springville Avenue. The pilot, flying an ultralight aircraft, said he was returning to the...
Betts and Ohtani Help the Dodgers Stay Alive in NLDS With Win vs the Padres
SAN DIEGO — Mookie Betts homered for the second straight night, Shohei Ohtani hit an RBI single and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Dylan Cease and the San Diego Padres 8-0 on Wednesday night to force a deciding Game 5 in their tense NL Division Series. Will Smith and Gavin...
Her Name is Scarlett, but She’s Dressed up Like Wednesday Addams
She’s stripey, super sweet, a little bit of a fraidy cat, and her name is Scarlett. Thanks to her two handsome brothers being her protective detail, she can happily enjoy hunting her toys, romping, racing, and exploring here and there without being over-cautious. Either one of her brothers would be...
Fresno Rotary Surprises Marjaree Mason Center CEO With $100K Donation
Fresno Rotary surprised Marjaree Mason Center CEO Nicole Linder with a $100,000 donation to the domestic abuse shelter and counseling center at its Monday meeting. Before announcing the donation, Fresno Rotary President Ryan Jacobsen said, "I can tell you this individual and organization being recognized has no clue they're being...
Fresno’s Audra McDonald and Other Stars Join Livestreamed ‘Broadway Rallies for Kamala’
Stars of stage and screen — including Anne Hathaway, Kelli O’Hara, Kristin Chenoweth, and Fresno's Audra McDonald — are set for a campaign rally for Kamala Harris in New York City next week that will be livestreamed. “Broadway Rallies for Kamala” will be performed in front of a live, invited audience and...
Sanger High School Lockdown Caused by Hoax Threat
A potential threat called into Sanger High School put the campus on lockdown late Wednesday morning, according to the Sanger Police Department. The call came in around 11:58 a.m., leading school officials to place the campus on lockdown while police responded. Officers conducted a thorough search of the school grounds,...