PHOENIX — The Biden administration's decision to end sweeping asylum limits at the border this May satisfied demands by prominent Democrats eagerly awaiting the end of a program created by Donald Trump in the name of public health. But it creates thorny political challenges for border-region Democrats who face...
Ukraine Forces Strike Oil Depot in Russia Ahead of Peace Talks: Report
KYIV, Ukraine — Talks to stop the fighting in Ukraine resumed Friday, as another attempt to rescue civilians from the shattered and encircled city of Mariupol was thrown into jeopardy and Russia accused the Ukrainians of a cross-border helicopter attack on an oil depot. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod...
Ukraine: Russians Leaving Chernobyl After Radiation Exposure
Russian troops began leaving the Chernobyl nuclear plant after soldiers got “significant doses" of radiation from digging trenches at the highly contaminated site, Ukraine’s state power company said Thursday as fighting raged on the outskirts of Kyiv and other fronts. Energoatom gave no details on the condition of the...
As Coin Shortage Returns, Businesses Seek Change in Strategy
Got a dime you can spare? Coins are in short supply — again. Retailers, laundromats and other businesses that rely on coins want Americans to empty their piggy banks and look under couch cushions for extra change and “get coin moving.” A group of trade associations that represent individual...
Kristin Smart Murder Trial Likely Delayed While New Venue Sought
A judge on Wednesday ordered the Kristin Smart murder trial moved out of San Luis Obispo County, saying he doubted a fair trial could take place there for two men charged in the 1996 killing of the college student, whose body was never found. Judge Craig Van Rooyen granted...
As Russia Sees Tech Brain Drain, Other Nations Hope to Gain
Russia’s tech workers are looking for safer and more secure professional pastures. By one estimate, up to 70,000 computer specialists, spooked by a sudden frost in the business and political climate, have bolted the country since Russia invaded Ukraine five weeks ago. Many more are expected to follow. For some countries, Russia’s loss is...
Sacramento Ukrainian Community Mobilizing to Welcome Expected Refugees
As the United States prepares to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees following Russia's invasion of their country, existing communities in cities like Sacramento and Seattle are already mobilizing to provide food, shelter and support to those fleeing the war. The federal government hasn't said when the formal resettlement...
California Won’t Require Parents With Guns to Tell Schools
Even in California, home to some of the nation's strictest firearms laws, a bill requiring parents to tell school officials if they keep guns in the house went too far to move ahead in the Legislature. It failed Wednesday in its first committee vote after facing opposition from the...
Biden Tapping Oil Reserve for 6 Months to Control Gas Prices
President Joe Biden is ordering the release of 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for six months, the White House said Thursday, in a bid to control energy prices that have spiked after the U.S. and allies imposed steep sanctions on Russia...
With at Least One GOP Vote, Jackson Likely to Be Confirmed
Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday she will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, giving Democrats at least one Republican vote and all but assuring that Jackson will become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. Collins met with Jackson a second time this week after four days of hearings last...