OAKLAND — In its final years leading to the goodbye game for the Oakland Athletics, the Coliseum was known for its small crowds, run-down facilities and even the possums that populated the stadium. But the last active stadium to serve as home for a Major League Baseball and NFL team...
What Should Israel Do?
Opinion by Thomas L. Friedman on Sept. 25, 2024. What would you do? There is no other question that Israel’s government has posed to the world more often since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7 and Hezbollah attacked Israel on Oct. 8. What would your country do if terrorists crossed...
Merced County Avoids Strike, but Concerns Remain Over Healthcare Changes and Rising Costs
Merced County is changing its health insurance plan offerings and contributing more to healthcare costs as employees see yet another year of increased premium rates. The changes come after a year of intense negotiations with employee unions who argued the skyrocketing insurance costs resulted in a pay cut for their...
Sudden Changes in Merced City Schools’ Top Ranks. Here’s What We Know
A Merced City School District trustee announced this week he is stepping down, and an associate superintendent is on paid administrative leave, The Merced FOCUS has learned. Trustee Jessee Espinosa announced during Tuesday's regular board meeting that he took a job in San Francisco and won't finish the remainder of...
Justin Herbert Is ‘Feeling Less Pain’ in Sprained Ankle as Chargers Prepare for Chiefs
EL SEGUNDO — Justin Herbert gave some optimism to Los Angeles Chargers fans after a tough three-day stretch. Herbert said on Wednesday he is "feeling less pain" with his left ankle and that he is out of a walking boot. The fifth-year quarterback — who has a high ankle sprain...
Polling Shifts Walz’s Home State to Toss-Up in 2024 Presidential Race
A recent shift in the 2024 presidential race forecast has moved Minnesota from a state leaning toward Vice President Kamala Harris to a toss-up, according to a Newsweek report. As of Monday, the polling aggregator reclassified Minnesota, which had been listed as “lean Harris” since July 27. This development signals...
30-Year Mortgage Rates Hit Two-Year Low, Sparking Increased Refinancing Activity
The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained nearly unchanged this week but reached its lowest level in two years, Yahoo Finance reports. Thirty-year mortgage rates averaged 6.08% as of Thursday, down from 6.09% the previous week, according to Freddie Mac data. Average 15-year mortgage rates rose one basis...
Alyssa Thomas Helps the Connecticut Sun Eliminate Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever From Playoffs
UNCASVILLE — Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun were happy to finally close out an opening round series at home in two games. Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Sun sweep rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs with an 87-81...
Helene Is Upgraded to Category 2 Hurricane as It Barrels Toward Florida
CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. — Fast-moving Hurricane Helene was advancing Thursday across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida, threatening a "catastrophic" storm surge in northwestern parts of the state as well as tornadoes, damaging winds, rains and flash floods hundreds of miles inland across much of the southeastern U.S., forecasters said. Helene...
Rams Expect Time Together Will Be Beneficial to Reconfigured Offensive Line
LOS ANGELES — With a win under their belt and no new injuries to account for, the Los Angeles Rams can focus on getting better instead of trying to make sure things don't get any worse. "It's been a while since that's been the case," quarterback Matthew Stafford said Wednesday....