Fresno is among six Catholic dioceses expecting to be subpoenaed by the state attorney general as part of a probe into whether they've properly handled sexual abuse allegations against priests. All of the dioceses have been providing documents since May, church spokesman Kevin Eckery said Tuesday. Listen to this article:...
California Among States Looking to Head Off T-Mobile-Sprint Deal in Court
NEW YORK — A high-drama telecom deal is heading to court. T-Mobile, in its attempt to buy Sprint for $26.5 billion, has already notched approvals from key federal regulators. Now it must convince a federal judge that attorneys general from California and 13 other states suing to stop the deal are wrong....
California Legislators Must Stop the Attorney General From Rigging Ballot Initiative Descriptions
Imagine that in next year’s presidential race, election officials scrambled the letters in Donald Trump so it appeared on ballots as Daldon Prumt. Most people would agree this is not acceptable. Voters need their ballots to accurately convey who it is they are voting for or against. Yet for decades,...
50 Arrested, Guns Seized in Central California Gang Takedown
STOCKTON — Authorities say 50 people were arrested and dozens of guns seized in a law enforcement operation targeting the Norteno street gang in central California. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Tuesday that the gang members are suspected of a variety of crimes in Stockton. The defendants could face...
California Sues E-Cigarette Maker Juul Over Ads, Youth Sales
WASHINGTON — California on Monday sued the nation’s biggest e-cigarette maker, alleging that Juul Labs deliberately marketed and sold its flavored nicotine products to teenagers. The lawsuit from California’s attorney general is the latest legal action against Juul, the multi-billion dollar vaping startup that has been widely blamed for helping...
DACA Supporters Rally in Fresno As Court Weighs Case to End Protections
Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case on the legality of rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, about 40 DACA supporters held a rally at the federal courthouse in downtown Fresno. DACA gives legal work status — and temporary protection from deportation — for those brought...
California Illegal Pot Seizures Top $1.5 Billion in Value
LOS ANGELES — Authorities seized more than $1.5 billion worth of illegally grown marijuana plants in California this year as part of an annual eradication program, officials said Monday. The raids netted more than 950,000 plants from nearly 350 growing operation sites this year through the "Campaign Against Marijuana Planting"...
Walters: Slanting Ballot Measure Titles
Article II Section 10(d) of California’s constitution is brief, to wit: “Prior to circulation of an initiative or referendum petition for signatures, a copy shall be submitted to the attorney general who shall prepare a title and summary of the measure as provided by law.” That sounds like a routine...
Newsom Calls for Attorney General Probe of California's High Gas Prices
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has asked the attorney general to investigate why the state's gas prices are so high, pointing to a new report suggesting big oil companies are "misleading and overcharging customers" by as much as $1 per gallon. Name brand retailers — including 76, Chevron and Shell...
California Sues Auto Dealer for False Ads, Loan Documents
SACRAMENTO — California's attorney general sued Paul Blanco's Good Car Company on Monday, leveling accusations of false advertising and lying on loan documents to boost its profits at the expense of its mostly low-income customers. Xavier Becerra's lawsuit comes after a two-year investigation of the dealer known for its prolific...