WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate Finance Committee has approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of Janet Yellen to be the nation’s 78th Treasury secretary. Supporters said they hoped to get the full Senate to approve her nomination later today, making her the first woman to hold the job. The Finance Committee approved Yellen’s nomination on a…… MORE
Tyson Agrees to Price-Fixing Settlement
Tyson Foods agreed to $221.5 million to settle claims related to price-fixing lawsuits. The settlements are with three consumer and commercial purchasing groups who bought chickens directly from Tyson and require a federal judge’s approval. Tyson did not admit liability in agreeing to settle and said the payments will be reflected in its first-quarter…… MORE
Calif. Man Sentenced after Traveling to Abuse Children
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) – A Southern California man who authorities said traveled across the country to sexually abuse children, including a 6-year-old girl, has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison. Twenty-nine-year-old Daniel Seibert of Lake Forest was sentenced Thursday. Prosecutors say in 2019, Siebert traveled from California to Michigan to…… MORE
Vaccinations Urged for California Dockworkers
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Port executives, union leaders and elected officials are pushing for dockworkers to become eligible for coronavirus vaccinations to prevent a slowdown of cargo moving through the booming twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The Los Angeles port’s executive director tells the Los Angeles Times there’s more cargo than labor.…… MORE
Dave Chappelle Tests Positive for COVID-19
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Dave Chappelle has tested positive for the coronavirus and his upcoming comedy shows have been canceled. A spokeswoman for the comedian says he tested positive just before a show planned for Thursday at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas. Thursday’s show, as well as shows for Friday, Saturday and Sunday…… MORE
Biden Halts Border Wall Building After Trump’s Final Surge
SAN DIEGO (AP) – President Joe Biden has ordered a “pause” on all border wall construction, one of 17 executive orders issued his first day in office. The move leaves billions of dollars in unfinished work under contract after his predecessor, Donald Trump, worked feverishly to successfully to build 450 miles. A Senate aide tells…… MORE
Calif. Spends $19 Million to Shield Capitol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California spent nearly $19 million for a week’s worth of high security around the state Capitol and other locations because of fears of civil unrest surrounding the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Just one supporter of departing President Donald Trump was present as Biden took his oath of office. Gov. Gavin…… MORE
Calif. Sees Suspicious Surge in Jobless Claims
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California reported a significant surge in unemployment claims last week for independent contractors that has raised concerns about a return of widespread fraud that already cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. The U.S. Labor Department says California received an additional 77,000 claims last week compared with a week earlier…… MORE
Yosemite National Park to Remain Closed After Wind Damage
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) – Yosemite National Park will remain closed through the weekend after high winds that battered much of California knocked down two giant sequoias and caused millions of dollars in damage. The park says it hopes to reopen Tuesday except for areas south of Yosemite Valley that will remain shut to…… MORE
It’s a Secret: California Keeps Key Virus Data from Public
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California’s public health agency recently surprised local officials by lifting a stay-at-home order in the 13-county Greater Sacramento region. It’s a mystery how the state decided to lift regional restrictions because officials won’t share their data despite repeated pledges of transparency. State officials projected intensive care unit capacity and virus spread…… MORE
