With California in drought conditions amid the third-driest precipitation totals in state history, Valley lawmakers want Gov. Gavin Newsom to take immediate action. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group asked Newsom to declare a statewide water emergency. The governor's office responded by saying Newsom will take action "if it becomes necessary."...
California Just Finished Its Homeless Count. It's Sure to Be Inaccurate, and Politically Weaponized
By Manuela Tobias, The Fresno Bee and Matt Levin, CalMatters With yellow vests and flashlights, over 200 volunteers fanned out across Fresno to count homeless people on Tuesday night. Along the railway, one group walked by a freight container with a mattress and shoes inside, and past a dirt cot...
Wildfire Creates State of Emergency in Australian Capital
CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian capital region declared a state of emergency on Friday because of an out-of-control forest fire burning erratically to its south. It's the first fire emergency for the Australian Capital Territory area since 2003 when wildfires killed four people and destroyed almost 500 homes in a...
Firefighting Plane Crashes in Australia, Killing 3 Americans
SYDNEY — Three American crew members were killed Thursday when a C-130 Hercules aerial water tanker crashed while battling wildfires in southeastern Australia, officials said. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the crash deaths in the state's Snowy Monaro region, which came as Australia grapples with an unprecedented fire...
US Officials: 'Highly Likely' Iran Downed Ukrainian Jetliner
WASHINGTON — Two U.S. officials said Thursday it was “highly likely” that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner late Tuesday, killing all 176 people on board. The crash came just a few hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops amid...
New Fresno Emergency Winter Shelter Filled to Capacity
Thanks to RH Community Builders and other supporters, people who are homeless have a roof over their heads, meals, and guidance to better days ahead. On Dec. 13, the 77-bed RH Winter Warming Shelter opened at 2445 W. Whitesbridge Ave., in southwest Fresno. Within 96 hours, the shelter reached capacity....
Time Running Short, Showdown Looms Over Border Aid Package
WASHINGTON — A House-passed $4.5 billion emergency border aid package faces a dim future in the GOP-held Senate, the chamber's top Republican said Wednesday, as pressure builds to wrap up the measure before the government runs out of money to care for thousands of migrant families and unaccompanied children. The...
How California is Working to Reduce Wildfire Risk
Millions of Californians face an unprecedented increase in natural disasters brought about climate change with an accompanying increase in risk. Unless. Imagine if everyone is prepared in advance of an emergency, and we all know what to do and where to go to keep safe. Imagine if every Californian in...
Kids Get Measles Vaccine After County Declares Emergency
NEW CITY, N.Y. — Some parents who had resisted having their children vaccinated reluctantly brought them in for a measles shot Wednesday as a state of emergency took effect in a county in New York City's northern suburbs. Rockland County enacted the emergency order Tuesday night to fight a measles...
Trump Will Sign Bill, Then Declare Border Emergency
WASHINGTON — Congress steamed toward lopsided approval of a border security compromise Thursday night that would avert a second painful government shutdown but ignite a major new confrontation — this time over President Donald Trump's plan to bypass lawmakers and declare a national emergency to siphon billions from other federal...