A new study shows California’s wine and winegrape industry contributed $57.6 billion to the state’s economy and $114.1 billion to the U.S. economy in 2015. The study commissioned by the Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers measures the sector’s economic impact regarding employment, wages, taxes, tourism spending and visits. Wine Institute CEO…… MORE
Alleged Visalia Rental Fraud Scammer Behind Bars
FRESNO (KMJ) – A Visalia man is behind bars for allegedly trying to rent out properties which he didn’t own and taking money from potential renters. Visalia PD Property Crimes Detectives say 28-year-old Nicholas Vallez scammed victims, stealing their money in the form of rental application fees. Vallez is facing multiple misdemeanor and felony charges. To date, 11…… MORE
Caltrans To Clear Dry Brush Along Fresno Freeways
FRESNO (KMJ) – Caltrans will be clearing dry brush to prevent future fires along freeways. A grassfire threatened homes along the 41 Freeway by McKinley on Thursday, August 4th. Fresno City Councilmember Clint Olivier was out there standing with residents, garden hoses in hand, trying to help them save their homes from the fire. “This…… MORE
Stockton Mayor Claims He’s Innocent, Denies Child Endangerment Charges
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on the arrest of a California mayor (all times local): 2:05 p.m. A California mayor has forcefully declared his innocence and says he never endangered children amid allegations that he made secret audio recording of strip game at youth camp run by him. Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva made the…… MORE
Calif. Export Trade Takes a Hit
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — California exporters ended the fiscal year with $14.6 billion worth of merchandise shipped. That’s down 3 percent from June of 2015, according to Beacon Economics. Weaker prices for exporters, and a strengthening U.S. dollar that is making goods more expensive, are among the factors responsible. However, the Golden State is doing a bit…… MORE
BBB: Millennials Most Susceptible to Scams
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — We’ve heard countless stories about the elderly falling prey to fradusters, often losing substantial sums of money. However, according to the Better Business Bureau, those most susceptible to scams are millennials. Researchers say many millennials tend to have what they call an “optimism bias,” and live under the illusion that they’re invulnerable. Those…… MORE
WATCH: BRAND VS. PEREA KMJ MAYOR’S DEBATE
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UPDATE: Garth Brooks Adds More Shows in Fresno
(FRESNO, CA – KMJ) – For the first time in nearly two decades country music superstar Garth Brooks will play the Save Mart Center. Brooks will play FOUR shows – one on Friday, September 23rd (7pm), two on Saturday, September 24th (7pm and 10:30pm) and one on Sunday, September 25th (7:30pm). Tickets went on sale Friday,…… MORE
6 Juveniles Break Into School Snack Bar
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – 6 teens were taken to Fresno County Juvenile Hall Friday morning after breaking into an elementary school snack bar. A burglary alarm went off at Fig Garden Elementary in northwest Fresno Friday morning just before 1:30am. When police showed up, they found six boys – ages 13 to 16 – running through…… MORE
Fires Rage Along Hwy 41, Halt Traffic
(KMJ) Numerous brush fires erupted along Highway 41 Thursday afternoon threatening homes and bringing traffic to a standstill – for a time – as thick smoke enveloped vehicles. At the same time, firefighters battled a 3-alarm house fire on N. Fresno St. Fresno Fire was stretched so thin that the department had to stop responding…… MORE
