SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California has a huge budget problem that could force thorny decisions from Democratic leaders who enjoyed a more than $100 billion surplus just three years ago. This is the second year in a row the nation’s most populous state is facing a multibillion-dollar shortfall. State revenues have continued to fall amid increasing inflation and a slowdown in the state’s usually robust technology industry. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced his plan to address the deficit in the state's budget. The release of his plan kicks off a budget negotiation marathon with ..read more

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration is expected to try to partially end a 27-year-old agreement that provides court oversight of how the federal government cares for migrant children in its custody, according to an attorney with Children's Rights, which represents children in the case. The anticipated move comes weeks after the Health and Human Services Department published its own rule on safeguards, effective July 1, that Secretary Xavier Becerra said will set “clear standards for the care and treatment of unaccompanied (migrant) children.” Children’s advocates say what is known as ..read more

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)--Several homes on Sumter Way are now destroyed after a fire broke out Wednesday, but the residents in those homes survived thanks to the heroic actions of their neighbor. Hunter Calvert, 20 years old, was relaxing in his hot tub when he heard screams from neighbors whose homes were engulfed in flames. Calvert jumped out of the hot tub and into action. The fire spread to five homes, and the hero was determined to save lives. “He was shirtless. He had shorts on and no shoes, and he banged on the door, and he came out, and he was trying to use our hose in t ..read more

HONOLULU (AP) — As Maui continues to recover from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, Hawaii officials are looking at preventing another similar disaster as the state heads into what is expected to be a dry, fire-prone season, Gov. Josh Green said Friday in proclaiming Wildfire Mitigation and Risk Reduction Preparedness Month. The Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire destroyed much of the town of Lahaina and killed 101 people. Of about 3,000 households displaced, about 600 still need to get into long-term housing, Green said. More than 60 people have applied for “One Ohana,” a $175 million f ..read more

(The Hill) – Barron Trump, the youngest son of former President Trump, has declined the offer to serve as a delegate for Florida at this summer's Republican National Convention (RNC). "While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments," former first lady Melania Trump's office said in a statement. The Florida GOP earlier this week said Barron Trump, who is 18, would join three of the former president's other children — Eric, Tiffany and Donald Trump Jr. — as delegates, with Eric T ..read more

(NEXSTAR) – It's been almost 20 years since we've seen a geomagnetic storm as strong as the one heading our way this weekend. Power operators and other groups that maintain critical infrastructure are preparing for what might happen when the coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, hit Earth. But is there anything you should be doing? A G4-level solar storm, such as the one expected to hit as soon as Friday evening, can cause issues with the power grid, radio communications and the accuracy of GPS. Can’t see the northern lights? Try using your phone camera For those who want to be prepared in case the ..read more

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue that was cut off at the ankles and found days later smoldering in a trash can in a city park in Kansas. Ricky Alderete entered the plea during his arraignment Thursday. A judge signed off on it Friday. Authorities arrested him in February, with court records alleging he entered a Wichita home with the intent to kidnap someone as part of an effort to interfere with law enforcement. He then was charged later that month with felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property in the statu ..read more

(The Hill) — Fewer Americans believe former President Trump’s New York hush money trial will end in a conviction, according to a YouGov/Economist survey released Thursday.  The dip, seen from respondents from both sides of the aisle, is in comparison to a similar poll last month.  Around 39 percent of Democrats said in late April that Trump would be convicted. Now, the number stands at 34 percent. With independents, 21 percent believed in the conviction late last month; it is at 17 percent in new survey. With GOP voters, that belief dropped from 17 percent to 14 percent.  ..read more

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) -- The North Charleston Police Department reports that overall crime has gone down so far in 2024, with Deputy Chief Scott Perry attributing the decrease to factors such as community engagement and enhanced technology.  According to a crime comparison report from the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD), aggravated assaults by April 2023 were at 248; by April 2024, they were at 215, which is 33 less than in 2023. Aggravated assaults with firearms went down by four. The number of victims shot has also gone down four from the previous year. Notably, report ..read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A statue of the late Rev. Billy Graham set to stand inside the U.S. Capitol to represent North Carolina will be unveiled next week in a ceremony. House Speaker Mike Johnson, other congressional members and the family of the Charlotte-born evangelist are expected to attend unveiling of the 7-foot (2.1-meter) tall bronze statue on Thursday in the National Statuary Hall, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said in a news release. The North Carolina General Assembly approved legislation in 2015 asking a congressional committee to eventually approve a likeness of Graham ..read more