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California’s online bar exam disaster in February 2025 exposed catastrophic tech failures and poor planning by the State Bar, leaving thousands of test-takers stranded amid crashing software, delays, and broken support — a costly lesson in why cutting corners on high-stakes exams backfires spectacularly. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advert...

Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno is getting a major makeover with the launch of California’s first “House of Sport,” a game-changing sports hub partnering with Dick’s Sporting Goods. Featuring rock climbing, soccer, baseball, and golf practice zones, it’s designed to turn the mall into an active lifestyle destination—not just a shopping center. Construction wraps by 2027, alongside an outdoor village u...

Congress just passed a historic housing bill hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime” fix — no grand overhaul, but a series of targeted moves to tackle the crisis. Cities failing to build enough housing risk losing 10% of federal grants, potentially hitting places like LA and SF. Manufactured homes finally get a major upgrade: no more permanent chassis requirement, making them cheaper and easier to deploy...

Hot Dog on a Stick, the West Coast icon since 1946, just got a major reboot — scooped up by Amazing Brands for $8 million in cash, with big plans to go global. Led by Stephen Siegel, who grew up loving the brand and has deep personal ties, the new owners aim to expand into airports, stadiums, and beyond while keeping existing locations and staff. They’re modernizing, tweaking the menu, and even pu...

A Fresno substitute teacher, 47-year-old Christin David Flores, has been arrested on serious charges including lewd acts with a minor and arranging to meet a child for sexual contact. School officials confirmed his past employment with the Central Unified School District, though specifics remain undisclosed. The case has sparked alarm among parents and the community, as trust in school safety is s...

A bearded dragon named Shu Shu vanished in March, wandering free for months—until a backyard sighting led to her rescue by Clovis Animal Services. Fostered with a staff member’s family, she was quickly reunited with her FOX26 family, including Chief Meteorologist Kris Kuyper. Her story is a heartwarming reminder to check lost pet maps—because sometimes, even reptiles find their way home. Listen in...

A heartbreaking crash claimed the life of 35-year-old motorcyclist Joshua James Gonzales in Tulare County Wednesday night. Riding a Harley-Davidson west on Avenue 176, he veered off the road and struck a fence, dying instantly at the scene. The CHP, who responded around 8:03 PM, found no signs of alcohol or drugs. They’re seeking eyewitnesses—call the Porterville Area office at 559-784-7444—to hel...

Get ready for a scorcher out west as a brewing heat dome locks in over the Southwest, pushing monsoonal moisture and record-breaking heat into California and beyond. Starting this weekend, expect humidity, clouds, and temperatures climbing above 100 degrees—especially in the Central Valley and inland Southern California, where heat advisories are already in place. With a massive high-pressure syst...

Fresno’s city manager warns the city is trapped by private tech giants, forced to stay updated or risk losing critical systems—like when everyone switched to Microsoft Word and she was left clinging to WordPerfect. AI adoption is exploding, but at a steep cost: city leaders don’t even know how much they’re spending, and employees were caught using ChatGPT so much that OpenAI demanded payment, lead...

A masked man armed with a knife and gun terrorized an apartment complex in Porterville, fleeing into a packed bar and refusing to drop his weapon despite police commands. Officers fired once, hitting him in the leg, but he continued inside, sparking chaos. After multiple taser attempts failed, deputies finally subdued him. The 44-year-old suspect, Lucas Drak, is in stable condition. No officers we...

California Governor Gavin Newsom is sounding the alarm over a chaotic Maine Senate race, where a Marine veteran candidate won the primary but raised red flags about insufficient vetting—now forcing Democrats to scramble for a replacement before July 27. Newsom, while acknowledging he doesn’t know Maine’s exact process, voiced concern that the nomination process fell short, and he’s using the momen...

This summer, Fresno families can save big on kid’s meals at top chains like The Habit Burger Grill, Chili’s, Denny’s, IHOP, and Outback Steakhouse—each with unique rules. From app-based deals to dine-in-only hours, these “kids eat free” offers make family dinners more affordable, but always check the fine print to avoid missing out. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipi...

Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a bold new law forcing California’s biggest corporations to help pay for their employees’ Medi-Cal coverage — a move that could reshape healthcare financing in the state. With implementation deadlines falling after Newsom’s term ends, the real work will be handed to the next governor and legislature, sparking debate over who truly bears the cost. Once a reluctant...

Hanford, California, unearthed a 48-year-old time capsule buried in 1976, revealing a treasure trove of history — including photos, newspapers, cassette tapes, a 50-year-old high school yearbook, and recipes from the era. The real shocker? A signed letter from President Gerald Ford praising the city’s bicentennial celebration, complete with “The White House” stamped on it. Locals were stunned by h...

Avenal’s lone remaining council member, Ricardo Verdugo, is staging a solo political coup—voting himself mayor, undoing past resolutions, and calling for a November election to fill four vacant seats. But City Manager Antony Lopez says it’s legally shaky, since quorum rules require at least three council members to be present—and Verdugo was alone. The chaos stems from April’s recall elections tha...

Baby falcons that hatched in Clovis’s iconic water tower have officially fledged, soaring into the sky after a dramatic journey captured by city cameras and police social media — a real-life nature documentary unfolding right above our heads, proving how tech can spotlight wild moments even in urban landscapes. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn....

Avenal’s in chaos after Councilmember Ricardo Verdugo declared himself mayor following a recall that ousted four other council members — but legal experts say he lacks the authority to make official decisions alone. With city officials disputing his legitimacy and Verdugo countering that previous council meetings were invalid too, the town is caught in a power struggle over who’s really in charge....

Jairo Mancilla, 35, just received a life sentence with no parole for the 2017 murders of two men, Javier Lizaola Jr. and Alexander Esquibel, after a retrial that ended in a guilty verdict on two counts of first-degree murder with gun enhancements. The case, which dragged on for nearly a decade after his first conviction was overturned, saw victims’ families plead for justice and closure, emphasizi...

A woman in Madera was busted for trying to smuggle nearly 800 grams of heroin and 450 grams of cannabis into a California prison — plus $2,000 in cash. Authorities raided her home in July after a months-long investigation, leading to her arrest and booking in Merced County Jail. The DOJ is building a strong case, exposing a serious attempt to flood the prison system with contraband and raising ala...

Veterans in California’s Central Valley are landing jobs on the spot at a revolutionary hiring program called the Strategic Hiring Event—no more resume handoffs, just live skill presentations and instant interviews. Launched in 2018 to tackle the gap between military experience and civilian careers, this high-impact event boasts an 80% success rate within a year. Companies like Pepsi, Home Depot,...

Fresno County voters could soon decide on a new 30-year sales tax, “Better Roads, Safe Streets,” aiming to raise $7.4 billion—with 65% earmarked for neighborhood road repairs, a shift from past freeway-focused plans. Despite criticism from Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, who calls it a “poison pill” and pushes for a 20-year plan with more road funding, the measure has secured enough signatures to hit...

A music teacher in Visalia, California, is fighting back from cancer after emergency surgery, now facing chemotherapy — but his story is one of resilience, community, and a powerful call for universal healthcare. Diagnosed after years of unaffordable care, Chris Casarez credits his survival to the outpouring of support from students, colleagues, and strangers who helped raise nearly $10,000 throug...

The Merced Applegate Zoo reopens Friday, July 24th at 10 AM after a months-long renovation that brought major upgrades — including a brand-new black bear habitat, bobcat enclosure, improved walking paths, and a refreshed gift shop. Originally slated for April, the delay was due to unforeseen challenges, but the zoo is now ready to dazzle visitors with enhanced animal spaces and a more immersive ex...

Valley Golf Center in Fresno is poised for a major change as current owners prepare to step down next month, citing concerns that the incoming corporation doesn’t value the legacy they’ve built. The property, owned by Valley Children’s Healthcare, remains committed to keeping the site open for families while exploring new operators — though details are murky, with conflicting statements from healt...

Two dogs narrowly escaped drowning in a Hickman canal thanks to quick action by firefighters and a good Samaritan—while nearby, a horse tragically drowned in a reservoir, highlighting the unpredictable dangers animals face in nature. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news su...