VALDOSTA, Ga. — Donald Trump repeatedly spread falsehoods Monday about the federal response to Hurricane Helene despite claiming not to be politicizing the disaster as he toured hard-hit areas in south Georgia. The former president and Republican nominee claimed upon landing in Valdosta that President Joe Biden was "sleeping" and...
Startling Video Shows Russian Fighter Jet Flying Within Feet of US F-16 Near Alaska
ANCHORAGE — Military officials have released new video of a startling encounter between a Russian fighter jet flying near Alaska and a U.S. Air Force F-16 sent to intercept it. In the video released Monday, the Russian plane comes from behind the camera and swoops by the U.S. jet, just...
Pete Rose Dies at 83 and Leaves Behind an Unmatched, if Tarnished, Baseball Legacy
Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits leader, died Monday afternoon at age 83, Yahoo Sports reported. Stephanie Wheatley, a spokesperson for Clark County in Nevada, confirmed on behalf of the medical examiner that Rose died Monday. Wheatley said his cause and manner of death had not yet been determined. Rose, a...
Israeli Military Says ‘Limited’ Operation Against Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon Has Begun
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military on Tuesday said it had begun a “limited, localized” operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, opening a new front in its war against the Lebanese militant group. In a brief announcement, it said it was striking Hezbollah targets in areas close to the Israeli...
Campaign Dollars Are Rolling in for School Board Candidates. Unions Are Big Donors for Some.
The campaigns of School Board candidates for Fresno-area districts are raising tens of thousands of dollars, either in direct cash contributions or through "nonmonetary" donations for activities like canvassing or handing out flyers. Unions are playing a big role in building the campaign treasuries of Pablo Villagrana, who is running...
No Prison Time for Fresno County Water Thief Who Took Plea Deal
A water manager of a public agency, who pleaded guilty to stealing as much as $3.5 million of taxpayers' water, won't serve time in prison. At Fresno federal court on Monday, Judge Jennifer Thurston sentenced Dennis Falaschi to five years' probation and six months of home detention. He also was...
Israel Launches Small Ground Raids Against Hezbollah as Fight in Lebanon Intensifies
BEIRUT — The Israeli military launched small ground raids against Hezbollah and sealed off communities along its northern border on Monday as Israeli artillery pounded southern Lebanon and signals grew that more forces could soon be sent across the border to fight the Iran-backed militants. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller...
More US Towns Lean on Government Aid, Sparking Budget Worries
Americans are increasingly reliant on government aid, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. The Economic Innovation Group found that in 2022, over half of U.S. counties derived at least 25% of their income from federal and state safety-net programs, up from fewer than 1% in 1970. This dramatic...
Newsom Signs New Law Backing Tribes in High-Stakes Gambling Fight
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Saturday that would allow California's casino-owning tribes to sue their business competitors, concluding one of the most expensive political fights of the legislative session. With Newsom's signature on Senate Bill 549, tribes now have the ability to ask a judge to decide their...
Dikembe Mutombo, Hall of Fame Player and Tireless Advocate, Dies at 58 From Brain Cancer
Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58. His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta...