Breathing in smoke from wildfires may significantly increase the spread of COVID-19, researchers say. The warning, from a new study of links between smoke-caused air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infections, comes as firefighters battle 80 large wildfires in the western United States. The largest — 300 miles south of Portland, Ore. — covers over 500 square…… MORE
LONG BEACH – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed legislation into law with a goal of stopping “ORT” (Organized retail theft) that has seen a rampant rise recently in California. AB 331 by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D-Los Angeles), extends the sunset date of the crime of organized retail theft, as well as the…… MORE
(KMJ) – Fresno Unified School Board member Terry Slatic confirms to KMJ that fellow FUSD School Board Member Carol Mills died just after midnight Wednesday at a Valley Hospital. Mills said she had overcome a speech impediment and pursued a law degree then became an attorney. She received a B.A. in Political Science from…… MORE
(Photo courtesy: Yosemite National Park) (KMJ) – The search for a Nevada hiker missing in Yosemite National Park ends after his body is found by search teams. The National Park Service says the body of 61-year-old Fred Zalokar of Reno was recovered Tuesday near the summit of Mount Clark. Officials say he set out on…… MORE
(Photo courtesy: Kern County Fire) (KMJ) – Evacuation orders are issued for parts of Kern County after a wild fire sparks Tuesday afternoon south of the community of Havilah. The Peak Fire was first reported just before Noon north of Walker Basin Road. In the hours that followed, the Kern County Fire Department issued an evacuation…… MORE
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified a Fresno woman who was killed when her car was rear-ended on Highway 41 on Monday as 42-year-old Brandi Urena. The California Highway Patrol received a call of a four vehicle accident around noon on Monday. Officers said the collision took place as Urena…… MORE
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) — The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Kingsburg City Councilmember Jewel Hurtado after being accused of DUI. The Fresno DA says Hurtado was driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher, driving under the influence of alcohol, and speeding. The DA’s…… MORE
PULGA, CA — Documents filed with the California Public Utilities Commission indicate that PG&E equipment may have started the Dixie Fire in the Feather River Canyon. The fire has burned 30,074 acres and is 15% contained. PG&E filed the documents Monday. In the documents, PG&E reports the Cresta Dam off of Highway 70 in…… MORE
FRESNO (KMJ) What was originally thought to be a murder-suicide has now evolved into a double murder investigation. 18 year old Robert Cotter is behind bars at Fresno County jail after being arrested Friday for the shooting deaths of his father and younger brother. The investigation began after a shooting at a home on W.…… MORE
California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner defended her travel out of state on Friday — insisting that she is not pausing or suspending her campaign — after an Australian publication reported that she is in Australia filming “Celebrity Big Brother.” “My campaign team is in full operation as am I. I am in this race to win for…… MORE
