Wanting to prevent another biolab operating nearly undetected, Congressmember Jim Costa is proposing legislation that would “address gaps” in federal law when it comes to reporting and notificaiton. In December 2022, a Reedley code enforcement agent serendipitously discovered an undercover biolab, allegedly connected to the Chinese government. In the following months, federal, state, and local agencies raided the lab. Questions mounted of how a lab could operate in plain sight, where 1,000  lab mice, and vials containing infectious diseases were found. The inquiries reached the House Sele ..read more

Home care workers say they will resort to civil disobedience if pay negotiations with Fresno County supervisors don’t progress. While home care worker pay has increased 4.6% in the last nine years, Fresno County Supervisor pay has increased 31.3% in the same period, to $188,272 a year. Home care workers in the In-Home Supportive Services program make $16.60 an hour, said Ua Lugo, regional coordinator for the Service Employees International Union 2015. Negotiations started in February 2023, making it one of the longest negotiated contracts for Fresno County, Lugo said. Most Fresno County labor ..read more

In my travels as a filmmaker and automotive historian, I uncover stories that paint a vivid picture of passion and engineering coming together. One such narrative, filled with inspiration and heartbreak, is woven around a meticulously crafted 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air built in Fresno. Dean Kirkland Central Octane It’s a tale that unfolds in the heart of California’s vibrant car culture, within the walls of Graham’s Hot Rod Shop in Fresno, where a seemingly ordinary vehicle was transformed into a 1,600 horse powered dream of human ambition and creativity. Mike Graham, the proprietor of Graham’s ..read more

KMJ radio picked up big awards recently, and then celebrated at the Fresno City Council. Christopher Gabriel took home a Golden Mic award, an honor by industry group RTNA Southern California. “Fresno’s Morning News,” the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. show on KMJ (105.9 FM/580 AM) — hosted by Gabriel — also took home a Golden Mic for best newscast in its division. Gabriel’s individual award came for best sportscast, notable since Gabriel was filling in that day for regular sportscaster George Takata. Christina Musson, host of the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. “Broeske and Musson Show,” won her second straight Gracie Aw ..read more

DETROIT — Despite a small dip in U.S. vehicle sales, General Motors’ first-quarter net income rose more than 25% on strong deliveries of pickup trucks and other higher-profit vehicles. The automaker said that while its average sales price per vehicle was down slightly from last year at just under $50,000, pickup sales remained strong, and it’s not seeing the price erosion across its lineup that other companies have experienced. GM on Tuesday said it made $2.97 billion from January through March, with revenue increasing 7.6% over the same period a year ago to just over $43 billion. That topped ..read more

Arut Mkhitaryan, owner of the bakery/restaurant Baklava House, has a customer-first attitude. “When people are happy, we are happy,” he says. The combination is working, Mkhitaryan reports, because “business is growing.” Baklava House is at 2040 W. Bullard Ave at West Avenue in the shopping center anchored by Save Mart. The restaurant’s hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. Related Story: Hot Rod Willys: Driven to Bake the Perfect Chicago-Style Pizza The post Fresno’s Baklava House Entices Foodies With Its Delicious Flavors appeared first on GV Wire ..read more

BERLIN – A man who works for a prominent German far-right lawmaker in the European Parliament has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, authorities said Tuesday. The detention came less than 24 hours after three people were arrested for spying for China in a separate German case. The suspect was arrested Monday in the eastern German city of Dresden, federal prosecutors said in a statement. They said that he has worked for a German lawmaker in the European Union’s legislature since 2019. The German national is accused of working for a Chinese intelligence service and of repeatedly pas ..read more

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are rallying Tuesday and adding to their hot start to the week. The S&P 500 was up 1% in midday trading to pull further out of the hole created by a six-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 226 points, or 0.6%, as of 11 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.4% higher. A report on U.S. business activity that was weaker than expected was helping to support the market. Financial markets are in an awkward phase where the hope is for the economy to stay solid enough to avoid a recession, but not so hot that it keeps upward pressure on inf ..read more

After a two-year hiatus, Toyota’s original SUV returns with a new design and new features. According to a recent Toyota Motor North America press release, the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, built for comfort and durability, is expected to arrive in Spring 2024 with a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $55,950. This price includes a $1,495 dealer processing and handling fee. A legendary SUV, the Land Cruiser is known for having the latest advanced technology, high-level safety technology, and comfort for both drivers and passengers. The vehicle handles tough terrain whi ..read more

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom reiterated one of his favorite complaints — that local government officials aren’t doing enough to reduce California’s scourge of homelessness. Dan Walters CalMatters Opinion While renewing the annual local government grants to deal with what Californians view as one of the state’s most vexing problems, Newsom imposed two new layers of state oversight for homelessness programs. Related Story: California Leaders Take Sides in Monumental Supreme Court Case on Homelessness He said the Department of Housing and Community Development will keep tabs on local officials ..read more