People on both ends of California say they’re being pinched by high travel costs for flights in the Golden State, as airfare prices continue to climb after jumping more than 25 percent compared to the same time last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase follows a 40 percent spike during…

The first thing “H.N.” did when he got up on a July Sunday morning was say hi to his dog, Biscuit, and then start reading “Treasure Island,” which after just the first chapter may overtake “Robinson Crusoe” as his all-time favorite book—but that needs to wait until he finishes the book. Later, he played Monopoly with…

The West Coast fast food chain In-N-Out Burger recently announced its intention to prohibit masking for its employees unless they receive a doctor’s note, according to a leaked memo and an official statement by In-N-Out’s Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick. According to the statement by Mr. Warnick, the company reasons that “wearing a mask literally…

With California moving into peak fire season, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has partnered with the University of California San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia program to use artificial intelligence for early detection of wildfires. CAL FIRE stated in a news release on July 10 that its goal in the collaboration is to…

WASHINGTON—The deadly crash of a Marine V-22 Osprey in California last year was caused by mechanical failure, according to an investigation that ruled out pilot and maintenance errors. The more than 400-page report released on Friday concluded that the Marines were doing routine flight operations when a “catastrophic, unpreventable, and unanticipated mechanical failure occurred.” The…

Commentary Continued from Part II Experts say that with all religious cults, the brainwashing process begins early and slowly gets people in the habit of complying. And from there, the screws are tightened as the requests become more and more outlandish. The cult members gradually seem to lose all sense of self and can no…

A California organization is hoping to gather enough signatures to place an initiative on the November 2024 ballot to let voters decide if magic mushrooms should be decriminalized. If successful and voters approve it, psychedelic mushrooms could be sold anywhere, including such places as the local supermarket or yoga studios, to anyone over 21. It…

The city council of Modesto, California, on July 11 voted unanimously to repeal the 1990 ban on cruising, to the applause of local car aficionados. Many locals were happy because they believe the car culture promotes unity. They said cruising brings friends and family together. They also see it as an opportunity to bring money…

“Believe it or not, California has some of the lowest rates in the United States out of any state, because of … rate suppression,” said Chris Hebard, president of Hebard Insurance Solutions, a Northern California-based agency that offers home, auto, farm, and other net worth insurance for both personal and business use, on a recent…

Commentary Sometimes art influences life. A dramatic case is the recent movie “Sound of Freedom,” which is pushing into law California Senate Bill 14, by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). In the bill’s language, it “would include human trafficking of a minor within the definition of a serious felony for all purposes, including for purposes of…