Matthew Couto once hid his true identify from fellow Fresno police officers, afraid of how they might react. "I remember very vividly enjoying an evening at a gay event called Pink Wednesdays and hiding when officers drove by the patio out of fear that being seen would limit my ability...
Why Gavin Newsom’s Gun Control Constitutional Amendment Hasn’t Gone Beyond California
One year after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed changing the U.S. Constitution to place new restrictions on gun ownership, no other states have joined his campaign for a 28th amendment. Even as Newsom continues to tout the effort — largely through social media advertisements that encourage people to sign a “petition”...
What Happens When California Schools Call for the Police?
Middle schooler allegedly attacks classmate twice, choking him severely. Police recommend attempted murder charges to district attorney. School staff calls police to report squirrel with injured leg in school courtyard. Unknown man in swimsuit briefs adorned with Australian flag trespassing at high school pool. Lifeguard sees a man follow boys...
Stoves to Big Rigs: Hydrogen Aggressively Powers Into the Valley’s Energy Profile
Los Angeles-based SoCalGas wants to demonstrate in the Valley community of Orange Cove something never tried before in California — fueling homes with hydrogen gas. The company plans to start small, pumping the hydrogen through natural gas lines at a low rate to prove it can be done. And, they'll...
Fresno Thwarts Hundreds of Daily Cyber Attacks: Budget Day Revelation
The city of Fresno held its first day of budget hearings, receiving presentations from several departments. Mayor Jerry Dyer presented the budget, a shade under $2 billion, with the general fund — the pot of money the city council directly controls — at $504 million. Despite a $47 million initial...
Two Brands Dominate List of Most Stolen Cars. Police Have Free Fix for Car Owners.
A social media challenge exploiting a weakness in Hyundais and Kias catapulted the sedans to become the most stolen autos of 2023 — and the trend isn't going away. In 2023, Hyundai and Kia car models took four of the top five spots for the most stolen cars, according to...
State Senator Wanted to Kill Fresno’s Online Sales Tax Advantage. Did He Win or Lose?
Some of the most liberal and conservative members of the state Senate agreed recently that if you buy an iPhone in Los Angeles it shouldn’t help pay for police in Cupertino. But the bipartisanship wasn’t enough to pass a bill that would change the rules allowing corporations wide discretion to...
Fresno Trustee Thomas Leads the Pack in Taxpayer Funded Travel to Tourist Destinations
Fresno Unified School Board members make about $20,000 annually. But, as part of their duties, they attend conferences, some of them in tourist destinations such as Napa, New Orleans, and Miami. Not all conferences are the same, and neither are the costs that trustees charge taxpayers. For example, district records...
Guilty as Charged: Trump Is First Former U.S. President Convicted of Felony Crimes
NEW YORK — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had...
Fresno Population Growth Triples Forecasts. Will That Bring More New Housing?
Demographers counted something not seen in California since before the pandemic — growth in the Golden State's population. But within the state, affordability still has people searching for housing that is a bargain compared to California's median price of more than $900,000. Thus, hybrid work assignments are powering the counties...