Adjoa Aikins

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California adds second C-130 airtanker to firefighting fleet ahead of peak fire season

SACRAMENTO, Calif (FOX26) — Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the state’s second airtanker is now ready for firefighting operations, with peak fire season on the horizon.The state’s second C-130 Hercules airtanker will strengthen California’s ability to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire, adding to the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world.Last year, California became the first state in the nation to own, operate, and deploy a C-130H airtanker for wildfire suppre...
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Fresno Yosemite airport unveils expanded security checkpoint and public art program

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Millions of future travelers going through Fresno Yosemite International Airport will now have a smoother experience.Wednesday FAT celebrated a FATForward Terminal Expansion Program milestone with the opening of an expanded security checkpoint and public art program unveiling.Passengers traveling through FAT will now experience improved security queueing within a 13,000 square feet facility.Displayed just steps from security screening, is a stunning floor-to-ceiling mur...
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Gov. Newsom accepts clemency plea in 2009 Tulare County gang killing

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Governor Gavin Newsom has granted clemency to 39-year-old Richard Garcia, convicted in a 2009 gang-related murder near Orosi.On April 18, 2025, Gov. Newsom accepted a plea for clemency and commuted the sentence of Garcia, who was convicted in 2011 for the death of an 18-year-old man.During his trial in 2011, a Tulare County jury found Garcia guilty of murder in the second degree and conspiracy, along with the special allegations of principal use of a firearm in a...
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Misty Her selected as the next Fresno Unified School District superintendent

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno Unified School District trustees Wednesday have chosen Misty Her to be the district’s next superintendent.The board voted in a private session.“Misty Her has spent her career dedicated to the students and families of Fresno Unified, building support within our staff and families because of her unmatched integrity and expertise. As an immigrant who came to this country as a child, she understands the reality of so many of our students who must overcome language an...
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Man hospitalized following crash near Fresno airport

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A man is in the hospital Friday after getting into a crash near Fresno Yosemite International Airport.Fresno Police say a white Mazda Miata convertible and Toyota Camry were traveling southbound on Clovis Avenue near the Fresno Airport, when the Mazda crashed into the Toyota, lifting the car up onto the front end of the Mazda.The driver of the Mazda was slightly hurt.He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center.Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in t...
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Flight Level Aviation expanding services at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Flight Level Aviation is expanding its presence at Fresno Chandler Executive Airport (FCH) becoming the exclusive Fixed Based Operator (FBO) at FCH. Operating since 2019, Flight Level Aviation is the premier provider of FBO services supporting private, corporate, and general aviation aircraft operations.As the exclusive Fixed Base Operator at FCH, Flight Level Aviation is responsible for managing ramp activities such as directing transient aircraft to parking areas and...
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Tachi Palace Casino Resort sends warning to the public about fraudulent online ads

LEMOORE, Calif. (FOX26) — Tachi Palace Casino Resort is warning the public about a series of fraudulent online advertisements falsely claiming that the casino now offers online gaming and downloadable apps with large welcome bonuses.Casino officials say these deceptive ads, often appearing on Facebook and Instagram, misuse Tachi Palace’s name, logo and imagery to lure people into providing personal or financial information.“These scam ads are not affiliated with us in any way,” said Rojelio Mo...
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U.S. Department of Education launches Title IX investigation into athletic associations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced an investigation into the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).This comes after both publicly announced plans to violate federal antidiscrimination laws related to girls' and women's sports.This also includes the possibility of allowing male athletes to compete in women's sports and use women's intimate facilities.[RELATED] San Jose State an...
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Should California become its own country? Proposed initiative now collecting signatures

SACRAMENTO, Calif (FOX26) — California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber has announced that a new initiative has been cleared to begin collecting petition signatures.The proposed initiative, started by Marcus Evans, from Fresno, asks whether California should become an independent country.If it gathers enough signatures, the measure on the November ballet will read: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” If at least 50 percent of registered vot...
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Congressman Jim Costa condemns President Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 rioters

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Congressman Jim Costa (D) CA-21, took to the House floor to criticize President Donald Trump’s pardons of over 1,500 violent perpetrators who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.On Monday, President Donald Trump pardoned 1,500 of his supporters who were sentenced for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.Nearly 1,600 people were charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 1,000 of them pleaded guilty.Over 1,100 were sentenced, with more than 700...
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FOX26 News Poll: Who do you trust to prepare Californians for future wildfire risks?

At least five people were killed and more than 1,000 structures were destroyed as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. In a rare, urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department asked all off-duty firefighters in the city to help. Oregon is sending 240 firefighters and 60 engines.AccuWeather estimates $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss...
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Teen arrested for attempted murder in Visalia

VISALIA, Calif. (FOX26) — A 17-year-old teen has been arrested for stabbing his little brother and attempting to strangle his mother.It happened early Saturday morning, just before 2:00 a.m., on the 2600 block of South Burke Street.When officers arrived, they learned that a 17-year-old teen had stabbed his 2-year-old brother multiple times and attempted to strangle his mother.Police say the suspect's stepfather was able to pull the teen away from his mother.The suspect then quickly left the s...
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FOX26 News Poll: Is the electric bill credit enough for Californians?

Millions of people will be seeing some savings on October's electricity bill.Governor Gavin Newsom announced more than 11.5 million Californian households will automatically see savings.Over 1 million small businesses are also expected to receive the credit.This is through the California Climate Credit Program, funded by the State's Cap-and-Trade Program.Do you think the credit is enough to help Californians save on their electric bills?Let us know!

Millions of people will be seeing some saving...
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FOX26 News Poll: Should students and parents be publicly shamed?

A sheriff in Florida has had it with bogus school threats.Volusia County, Florida Sheriff Mike Chitwood has a new plan to publicly shame every kid he arrests and their parents.The sheriff believes kids convicted of making school threats should be required to meet with families who lost loved ones in Parkland Florida and Uvalde Texas.Sheriff Chitwood hopes the kids arrested will have a scared straight moment during their 21 days in jail.Do you think it's a good idea to publicly shame students and...
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FOX26 News Poll: Are homeless camping bans cruel or necessary?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday for the removal of homeless encampments in his state.Newsom’s order would direct state agencies on how to remove the thousands of tents and makeshift shelters across the state that line freeways, clutter shopping center parking lots and fill city parks. The order makes clear that the decision to remove the encampments remains in the hands of local authorities.The guidance comes after a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this...
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Enrobing ceremony for Fresno County's first Sikh judge

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A historic milestone was made on Thursday, as Fresno County's first Sikh judge receives his robe.Hundreds of community members and officials celebrated the historic moment at Fresno's City Hall Thursday evening.Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Badhesha to serve as Fresno County Superior Court’s newest judge on May 3.Following the appointment, the City Attorney's Office released this statement:Since 2022, Badhesha has served as Chief Assistant in the Fre...
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Fresno police asking for help solive 2017 murder

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno Police Department is offering a cash reward to anyone with information on an unsolved murder case from 2017.The Fresno Police Department is asking for information on the 2017 murder of 18-year-old Kayla Foster.Police say Kayla was shot in the area of Bardell Avenue and Lorena Avenue in on the morning of May 29, 2017.They say Kayla was standing outside a home with a group of people when an armed suspect fired into the crowd from a moving vehicle.Kayla died at t...
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Groundbreaking Electric Aircraft Training Program comes to Reedley

REEDLEY, Calif. (FOX26) — The nation’s first FAA-Certified Electric Aircraft Training Program is taking flight in Reedley.The Sustainable Aviation Project is a one-of-its-kind for the electric aircraft training program.Now it's the only FAA-certified all-electric aircraft, a Pipistrel Alpha Electro, in the United States that can be used for flight training.The program is covered by Measure C’s New Technology Program, and sponsored by the City of Reedley and the Fresno County Transportation Autho...
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CHP: 2 people hospitalized in DUI crash on Highway 99 in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Two people are in the hospital following a crash on Highway 99 in Fresno, on Thursday.The California Highway Patrol says a person was driving a MR2 while under the influence, when they crashed into a Tacoma truck.[RELATED] Man killed in motorcycle crash in Fresno identifiedThe people inside the truck and the driver of the MR2 were all injured.Officers say the driver of the MR2 suffered from major injuries.Officers are reminding drivers about the dangers of driving under...
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Woman hit and killed near Fashion Fair in Fresno identified, 2 suspects wanted

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno police are now searching for two suspects on the run after hitting and killing a pedestrian.Officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in northeast Fresno, around 10:00 p.m. on Friday.The driver refused to stop, and police began a short pursuit.The pursuit was canceled by one of the field supervisors at the scene.The vehicle continued on westbound Santa Ana Avenue.It then approached a park and hopped the curb hitting two people.31-year-old Shaylee Henry of Fr...
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North and south lanes on Highway 99 open following powerline closure

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The southbound and southbound lanes on Highway 99 near Belmont are now open after a crash hit the powerlines on Wednesday.Dozens of drivers were stuck in traffic following the accident, which closed off southbound Highway 99 on Belmont Avenue around 8:00 p.m. on WednesdayThe California Highway Patrol says a vehicle on Parkway Drive between Belmont and Olive Avenues, hit the power pole.No injuries were reported.Officers say the power lines fell over both southbound and no...
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3 arrested for $218,000 worth of stolen electronics, recovered by CHP

KERN COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — Three people have been arrested following a two-day operation that revealed $218,000 worth of stolen electronics.On Tuesday, CHP along with several law enforcement agencies launched an investigation into a truckload of electronic merchandise coming from Kentucky that was heading to a distribution center in Tulare County.[RELATED]Police bust $160k vehicle 'chop shop' in Merced, 15 and 18-year-old arrestedDuring transit through Kern County, officers say they witnessed...
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Woman injured in domestic violence shooting in northeast Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A woman is in the hospital after being shot in northeast Fresno, Friday night.The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. on Sierra Avenue and First Street.Officers say a woman called the dispatcher saying her boyfriend had shot her, while she was in her car.[RELATED] 3 men injured in Fresno apartment shootingThe woman was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries from shattered glass.Officers found the suspect about four blocks away, shortly after.He is now in custody.T...
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GoFundMe launched for families of Madera County crash victims

MADERA COUNTY, Calif — The community continues to rally behind family members of the victims involved in the devastating crash on Friday morning in Madera County.GoFundMe is now raising money for two more victims in the crash that happened in Madera County on Avenue 7, West of Road 22.A GoFundMe is now raising money for two more victims identified as 28-year-old Alfredo Morales and 30-year-old Victor Hernandez.Money raised will go towards funeral expenses.The family of Morales also hopes to rais...