NEW YORK — Hoda Kotb, a fixture at NBC for more than two decades, says she will leave her morning perch on the "Today" show early next year, telling staffers "it's time." In a memo to her team — and later in an emotional on-air reveal Thursday — Kotb said...
The Cure Announces a New Album and Releases Its First New Song in 16 Years, ‘Alone’
NEW YORK — Goths, rejoice: At long last, The Cure has released new music. "Alone," their first new song in 16 years, premiered on Mary Anne Hobbs' BBC 6 Music radio show Thursday morning. The English band also announced a new album, "Songs of A Lost World," to be released...
FUSD Trustees Delay Vote on $500M Bond Project List, Focus on Student Outcomes
The Fresno Unified School Board continued its recent trend of on-time starts for its semi-weekly board meetings, and Wednesday night's meeting marked the start of presentations outlining what the district is going differently this year to boost student academic outcomes. But missing from the agenda was the $500 million Measure...
The Oakland Coliseum Provided Many Memorable Moments and Numbers
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...