Two former officials are on the run, accused of secretly leading a criminal group. Their old boss, now a powerful senator in the president’s party, is being grilled over what he knew. And the timing could not be worse for Mexico’s president, who faces the corruption scandal as President Donald...
US Judges Speak Out About Death Threats, ‘Swattings,’ and ‘Pizza Doxings’
United States judges spoke out against the unprecedented surge in violence and disturbing threats made against members of the judicial branch Thursday morning. Over 400 threats against judges have been documented in 2025 alone, ranging from alarming voicemails to doxing. This is taking place alongside a rise in political actors...
It’s Raining Cash for Some 2026 Fresno City Council Hopefuls
In 10 months, voters in four Fresno City Council districts head to the polls to begin a major reshaping of the seven-member panel. Candidates have filed and are already raising money ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary in an election with just one incumbent, District 5's Brandon Vang. The...
Fresno County Finds E. Coli at Avocado Lake. Don’t Swim There
High levels of E. coli detected at Avocado Lake Swim Beach prompted health experts to advise against swimming at the east Fresno County lake. The Central Valley Water Board received the warning about the bacteria after a routine monitoring on Wednesday. In addition to not swimming, experts also say to...
Trump Fires US Labor Department’s Statistical Leader After Weaker Than Expected Jobs Report
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered that the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erika L. McEntarfer, be fired after data showed employment growth was weaker than expected last month. McEntarfer was nominated by former President Joe Biden to serve in the role in 2023 and was confirmed...
Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will shut down its operations after the loss of federal funding, the nonprofit said on Friday, in a blow to local TV and radio stations that have relied on its grants for nearly six decades. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a $9 billion...
Trump Eyes Bringing Azerbaijan, Central Asian Nations Into Abraham Accords, Sources Say
President Donald Trump's administration is actively discussing with Azerbaijan the possibility of bringing that nation and some Central Asian allies into the Abraham Accords, hoping to deepen their existing ties with Israel, according to five sources with knowledge of the matter. As part of the Abraham Accords, inked in 2020...
Farmers in West Fresno County to Consider 200% Groundwater Pumping Fee Hike
A western Fresno County groundwater agency hopes to increase pumping fees by about 212%, from $8 per acre foot to $25 per acre foot, in a bid to avoid state intervention. The Pleasant Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency board agreed at its Tuesday, July 29, meeting to put the proposed fee...
Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia
President Donald Trump on Friday said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in regions near Russia in response to threats from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. "I have ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements...
Fresno Councilmember Vang Accused of Conflict of Interest in Budget Vote
Fresno City Councilmember Brandon Vang is on the radar of the state agency in charge of campaign finance enforcement. The Fair Political Practices Commission confirmed it received an anonymous complaint last month, alleging Vang voted on a budget item in June involving an issue near his southeast Fresno home. The...