Fresno News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Wesley Shermantine, one of the notorious “Speed Freak Killers,” has died at 60 while on death row in California State Prison, Folsom. Alongside his partner Loren Herzog, they were linked to over 70 murders across San Joaquin County in the 80s and 90s, driven by meth addiction. Herzog’s convictions were later overturned and he died by suicide in 2012. Shermantine’s maps helped investigators locate hundreds of bone fragments in Calaveras County, leading to the identification of victims Cyndi Vanderheiden and Chevy Wheeler via DNA. The DA acknowledged that while Shermantine’s death ends his legal sentence, it doesn’t undo the decades...

A 17-year-old is in critical condition after being shot Thursday night in Exeter—CPR was performed on scene before transport. Multiple agencies including Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay PDs, and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded. The Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and urgently seeks public tips—anonymous tips are accepted via phone or text. If you saw or know anything, please come forward. 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 summary...

Uber is ordered to pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, who was fatally struck on a freeway last year after an Uber driver left her stranded. A retired judge arbitrator ruled Uber is fully liable, rejecting the company’s claim that Proposition 22 shields it from responsibility — arguing voters were never told Uber would be absolved of driver misconduct. The arbitrator also declared Uber a common carrier with a legal duty to ensure safety. Uber disagrees and says Proposition 22 still protects them, while the grieving parents say the company showed no remorse and plan to use the settlement to f...

Fresno’s District Seven race is boiling over as candidates clash over the city’s controversial Flock cameras—license-plate readers costing $1.5 million, set to expire in 2026. Nav Gurm warns of Fourth Amendment violations, calling for strict oversight, warrants, and limited data use. Ariana Martinez-Lott agrees the contract shouldn’t renew without public trust, demanding transparency on how police use surveillance, who accesses data, and how abuses are prevented. She insists community policing can’t be replaced by tech—and if trust isn’t earned, the money should fund proven neighborhood crime-reduction programs instead. Listen in comfort:Get a discount...

A head-on crash near Coalinga sent an Acura careening into a gravel-laden big rig, flipping the truck and scattering debris everywhere. The Acura driver suffered major injuries and was airlifted to a Fresno hospital but is expected to survive. The trucker walked away with minor injuries. This terrifying dashcam moment underscores how fast things can spiral on the road — even with clear visibility, one split-second decision can change everything. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:advertise@thednn.ai This is...

President Unveils Drug Price Reform | Fresno News

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom is racing ahead of the federal government to regulate artificial intelligence, signing an executive order that mandates state agencies to rapidly develop AI safety guidelines—including emergency shutoff features—by 2027. With federal action lagging and public concern rising after alarming AI incidents, Newsom is rallying for urgent, thoughtful oversight, even as some politicians weaponize the issue for political gain. Experts will be convened to recommend concrete steps like mandatory incident reporting, kill switches, and independent audits, with a final report due by November 16. Newsom is clear: if Congress doesn’t move, California will lead the char...

Fresno’s City Council just voted to begin a potential 10-year ban on AI and cloud data centers — even though no projects are currently planned. The move is tied to the hotly contested District Seven election, where both candidates, Nav Gurm and Ariana Martinez Lott, oppose these facilities. Martinez Lott pushed for an immediate temporary ban while the formal process unfolds, while Gurm warns Silicon Valley could drain Fresno’s water for tech profits — calling for a pause on AI centers specifically, while still welcoming other tech businesses. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pil...

A man with active warrants, including one for carrying a loaded firearm, was fatally shot by deputies after a high-speed chase on Highway 101. Randall Kelley, who reportedly told family he wanted to provoke law enforcement, crashed his vehicle and refused to exit despite repeated commands. A drone captured him pointing a pellet gun at officers before the shooting. Deputies are on administrative leave as investigators review the incident amid Kelley’s history of domestic violence and weapons violations. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on...

A deadly shooting at Pleasant Village Apartments in Fresno claimed the life of 35-year-old Mariano Cabrera, who was fatally shot after being approached by 19-year-old Danny Lamas—now arrested and booked on charges related to the attack. Lamas also wounded a woman nearby, though she’s expected to recover. The motive remains unknown as authorities continue investigating the tragic December 21 incident that shook the community. 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...

Fresno police arrest 19-year-old Danny Lamas in connection with a December 21 shooting that left one man dead and two others wounded — a chilling reminder of how fast violence can erupt, leaving families shattered and communities shaken. 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 summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://kmph.com/news/local/man-arrested-in-connection-with-triple-shooting-that-killed-one-in-fresno-mariano-cabrera-danny-lamas-community-regional-medical-center-pleasant-avenue-fedora-ave-homicide-detectives More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/62f16393ab2ad971 ...

A 25-year-old man just got 11 years in prison for a drunk driving crash that killed a 28-year-old mom and critically injured her 10-year-old daughter, her mother, and his own pregnant wife — all because he turned left into oncoming traffic while intoxicated. The victim wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and prosecutors made it clear: one reckless choice can shatter multiple lives forever. 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 summary based on publ...

A traffic stop in Visalia turned into a high-speed chase when drivers fled after a mismatched license plate. Both suspects bolted on foot through an apartment complex, but officers were ready—quickly apprehending one on the spot and cornering the other after a fence-climbing escape. No injuries, no further incidents—just proof that training pays off when things go sideways. 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 summary based on public repo...

A suspect caught on camera stealing a package off a Madera porch is now the focus of an urgent police search. Authorities released the video hoping the public can help identify the man who grabbed the delivery and vanished—no name, no ID, just a crime that’s turning heads and sparking frustration. Porch piracy isn’t just theft—it’s a betrayal of trust, leaving residents feeling vulnerable in their own homes. If you recognize him or saw anything odd around the time of the grab, Madera PD wants your tip—call them directly or use Crime Stoppers to stay anon...

Another battery plant fire erupts in Moss Landing, California—this one Friday morning and the third in two years. Firefighters responded to thick smoke and flames on the north side, triggering a shelter-in-place order for residents within half a mile, including pets, and urging travelers to leave immediately. Assemblymember Dawn Addis voiced concern over 1,500 leftover batteries still in the damaged zone and stressed compliance with safety orders. This follows two prior fires without injuries, but scientists warn of rising heavy metals like nickel and cobalt in nearby soil, threatening local ecosystems. The town is now considering a permanent ban on...

California voters face a pivotal decision on Proposition Five, which could overhaul how recall elections work by separating the recall vote from the replacement election. Currently, recalled officials can be replaced on the same ballot with just a plurality of votes — a rule that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to power in 2003. Under Proposition Five, a temporary placeholder like the lieutenant governor would step in until a special election is held later. Supporters, including former Senator Josh Newman, say this prevents chaotic or unrepresentative replacements, while opponents like the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and California Republicans argue it weakens voter power an...

A bear sighting in Oakhurst, California, sent shockwaves through the community—triggering lockdowns at multiple schools and district offices. Authorities, including deputies and Fish and Wildlife, scrambled to secure the area and ensure student and staff safety, while urging the public to stay away. The tense, anxiety-filled scene underscored the importance of swift emergency response and highlighted how wildlife can unexpectedly invade human spaces—without harm to anyone, but with major disruption. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:advertise@thednn.ai <...

This weekend, Fresno’s Punjabi Sikh community gathers at a park named after slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra to honor his legacy—and the thousands of victims he exposed. His fearless investigation into Punjab’s extrajudicial killings, including a Supreme Court petition over 25,000 unidentified bodies, made him a global symbol of justice. Murdered in 1995 by police who tortured and disappeared him, his story lives on: his daughter, a Fresno State alum, leads efforts to heal collective trauma as new memorials—like the first Sikh-named school in North America—emerge. A film about his life was abruptly pulled from strea...

A shooting erupted Thursday night in Exeter, California, prompting a massive multi-agency response as cops from Exeter PD, Farmersville, Woodlake, Lindsay, and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office converged on the scene. A victim was rushed to hospital with unknown injuries. The Sheriff’s Office now leads the investigation, urgently seeking public tips to solve the case — call 559-733-6218 if you have info. 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 summary based...

A chilling case from Hanford: Debbie Hawk vanished in 2006, her body discovered a decade later in a remote barley field—just as her ex-husband, Dave Hawk, was already serving time for another crime. Convicted of first-degree murder and embezzlement of $300K from their kids’ trust fund, he was sentenced to life without parole—even without a body at trial. His appeal in 2021 failed, and he remains locked up. This haunting tale underscores how justice can take years—and how forensic evidence, even decades later, can finally bring closure. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pil...