Category Archives: KMJ Top Stories

17 Busted for Human Trafficking, Sex Crimes in Kings County During Operation Link-Up

17 Busted for Human Trafficking, Sex Crimes in Kings County During Operation Link-Up

  KINGS COUNTY, CA – 17 people are busted for human trafficking and sex crimes in Kings County during Operation Link-Up. On August 26th, 27th and 28th, 2021 Detectives with the Kings County Sheriff’s Office participated in Operation Link Up. This multi-agency operation targeted human trafficking and sexual predators within the Central Valley.  Agencies who…MORE

All California National Forests Temporarily Closed for Public Safety

All California National Forests Temporarily Closed for Public Safety

  FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The USDA Forest Service has temporarily closed all California National Forests for public safety. In a release, the Forest Service said it’s to “better provide public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing California wildfire crisis.” The Forest Service said it’s intended to limit the number of people on public…MORE

Man Charged with Murdering Kerman Couple Found Guilty

Man Charged with Murdering Kerman Couple Found Guilty

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The man charged with killing a Kerman couple in a scheme to steal their marijuana plants was convicted by a Fresno County jury Tuesday. 54-year-old LeRoy Johnson has been found guilty of first degree murder in the 2009 deaths of Gary and Sandy DeBartolo. Johnson could face the death penalty. Five…MORE

Calif. Issues 600K Direct Payment Stimulus Checks

Calif. Issues 600K Direct Payment Stimulus Checks

FRESNO, CA (KMJ)  Many Californians are seeing a boost in their bank accounts today. The first batch of direct payment stimulus payments arrived Tuesday for 600,000 California residents.[ns-video id=”d92e864bf805e29fc27b9a96598eb03″ publisher=”22180″] The $600 checks are being paid out to those who earn up to $75,000 annually. A spokesperson for the California Franchise Tax Board says the…MORE

California Vaccine Verification Bill Dies, For Now

California Vaccine Verification Bill Dies, For Now

A proposed vaccine verification bill in California has died, but efforts for a stronger push next year are still circulating. If passed, the bill would have required all employers, public or private, to have their employees show proof of vaccination or submit to a weekly COVID-19 test. Democratic Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks from Oakland, who has…MORE

South Lake Tahoe Residents Flee Caldor Fire

South Lake Tahoe Residents Flee Caldor Fire

[ns-video id=”77d6bed6c9854e15d88e81321f11d1d” publisher=”22180″] The governors of California and Nevada declared states of emergency Monday as the fast-moving Caldor Fire prompted officials to tell everyone in the city of South Lake Tahoe to get out. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Alpine, Amador and Placer counties, which surround the Lake Tahoe region, his…MORE

Hurricane Ida may push gas prices even higher

Hurricane Ida may push gas prices even higher

Fresno drivers are currently shelling out an average of $4.26 for a gallon of regular gas, but the price could increase soon. Hurricane Ida’s direct hit on the nation’s oil and gasoline industry could send gas prices higher, exacerbating inflation that’s already hurting American consumers. But how much prices will increase, and for how long, will depend on…MORE

Schwarzenegger Blasts ‘Whiny Babies’ Who Refuse To Wear Masks

Schwarzenegger Blasts ‘Whiny Babies’ Who Refuse To Wear Masks

Arnold Schwarzenegger has doubled down on his criticism of people who refuse to wear masks, branding then “whiny babies.” In his newsletter Saturday, the former governor of California revisited his “screw your freedom” remark to CNN in response to arguments that wearing masks is an infringement on civil liberties. “There is a virus here. It kills…MORE

Newsom Recall: Voter Apathy, Confusion May Lower Turnout

Newsom Recall: Voter Apathy, Confusion May Lower Turnout

[ns-video id=”c5d9073c9b8ff8aa36dbfc19557c058″ publisher=”22180″] Vice President Kamala Harris’ planned Friday rally for California Gov. Gavin Newsom was canceled after the attacks in Afghanistan, Politico is reporting. Symone Sanders, a spokesperson for Harris, tweeted Thursday the vice president was returning to Washington D.C.,  following her weeklong trip to Southeast Asia. Newsom, who is in a recall fight,…MORE

‘French Fire’ Evacuees Frustrated, Leary of Looters

‘French Fire’ Evacuees Frustrated, Leary of Looters

[ns-video id=”a5cacd17b7e96ead5114a1783dec6d5″ publisher=”22180″] The French Fire, started on Wednesday, August 18, west of Lake Isabella in Kern County, has now burned 25,264 acres with 26 percent containment. The fire is being managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 12, coordinating closely with the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest, and Kern County Fire Department…MORE