Restaurateur Dave Fansler says Fresno needs a boutique hotel. He thinks the plot of land beside his seafood restaurant, Pismo's, and behind Total Wine would be perfect. Now, the owner of Fansler Restaurant Group is reviving his plan for a hotel and shopping around for an operator to make that...
Did CA’s Shift to Counseling Rather Than Punishing Felons Prevent Crimes? The Data’s Sketchy
The Los Angeles Times, California's largest newspaper, has editorialized against Proposition 36, the Nov. 5 ballot measure that would increase penalties for some crimes. Prop. 36 would modify Proposition 47, the 2014 measure that reduced punishment for drug possession and other non-violent offenses. The changes are needed, bill advocates say,...
Hoda Kotb Is Leaving NBC’s ‘Today’ Show Early Next Year
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...