WASHINGTON — They pleaded ignorance, saying they'd not read the diplomat's damning statement. They condemned the Democrats' tactics as unfair. They complained that the allegations against President Donald Trump rested on second- or third-hand evidence. Wednesday was a day of careful counterargument by congressional Republicans, the day after America's top envoy in...
Visalia Priest Put on Administrative Leave by Diocese
Father Eric Swearingen has been on paid administrative leave since Wednesday, June 5, because of sexual abuse allegations, the Diocese of Fresno says. Bishop Joseph V. Brennan said Monday the action resulted from "detailed information associated with a civil case dating back to 2009." Seventh Diocese Priest on Leave The...
Former US Security Officials to Oppose Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON — A group of former U.S. national security officials is set to release a statement arguing there is no justification for President Donald Trump to use a national emergency declaration to fund a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The statement, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, has 58...
Kavanaugh-Ford Hearing: A Dramatic Lesson on Gender Roles
NEW YORK — He let his anger flare repeatedly, interrupted his questioners and cried several times during his opening statement. She strived to remain calm and polite, despite her nervousness, and mostly held back her tears. Throughout their riveting, nationally televised testimony on Thursday, Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh...
Voice Shaking, Ford Tells Her Kavanaugh Assault Story
WASHINGTON — Christine Blasey Ford told the Senate Judiciary Committee and a riveted nation Thursday that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in a locked room at a 1980s high school party, as the panel began an extraordinary and historic hearing at which Kavanaugh hoped to salvage his Supreme Court nomination....
'Sesame Street' Wants to Clarify: Bert and Ernie Aren't Gay
NEW YORK — The producers of "Sesame Street" want you to know that Bert and Ernie are not, in fact, gay. Sesame Workshop tweeted a statement Tuesday that the characters are best friends and have many human traits but "remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation." In a follow-up tweet,...
Browns Cut Fresno Native Kendricks After Insider Trading Charge
Fresno native Mychal Kendricks, a linebacker with the Cleveland Browns, was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to commit fraud via insider trading by federal authorities in Philadelphia. His attorney said that he expects Kendricks to plead guilty to the charges. But Kendricks was released by the NFL team Wednesday night anyway....