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....
How Much Will Southwest Airlines Change to Boost Profits? Some Details Are Emerging
DALLAS — Southwest Airlines said Thursday that it plans to end the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and start flights with passengers sitting in assigned seats during the first half of 2026 as the company remodels the airline to change with consumer tastes and in...
Netanyahu Says Israel Will Not Stop Striking Hezbollah Until All Its Goals Are Achieved
TEL AVIV, Israel — Dimming hopes for a cease-fire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel plans to continue striking Hezbollah "with full force" and will not stop until all of its goals are achieved. Netanyahu spoke as he landed in New York to attend the annual U.N. General...
Ohtani’s 50-50 Home Run Ball Could Be Yours for $4.5 Million
RUNNEMEDE — The baseball that Shohei Ohtani hit for his 50th home run, which gave him 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same season, is going up for auction on Friday. Ohtani's Historic Achievement Ohtani became the first player in Major League history in the 50-50 club. The...