Colombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella has launched an ambitious security agenda, promising to confront armed groups and drug trafficking with tougher military action. In his first address after taking office, he ruled out further peace talks, outlined closer cooperation with the United States and introduced plans that signal a major change in Colombia's national security strategy.

National Night Out returns across the Bay Area on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, with San Mateo and other cities hosting neighborhood gatherings that connect residents with police, firefighters and emergency personnel while promoting communication, crime prevention and community partnerships. National Night Out events will bring Bay Area residents together with police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel on Tuesd

A Minnesota water cyberattack targeting systems in more than 30 communities has renewed concern about the security of essential US utilities. Investigators are examining possible links to Iran-affiliated hackers, while officials have stopped short of formally attributing the operation. Minnesota Water Cyberattack Disrupts Local Services The coordinated attacks reportedly affected water and wast

California wildfire home hardening can help limit damage from wind-driven embers that enter vents, collect in gutters or ignite nearby debris. CAL FIRE recommends a five-foot ember-resistant zone, regular maintenance and fire-resistant upgrades statewide. Wind-driven embers can ignite homes far from flames   California homeowners are being urged to strengthen properties ag

Strengthening El Niño conditions could change shark activity along California’s coastline this summer. Warmer Pacific waters may shift juvenile white sharks and other species into different coastal areas, although experts emphasize that shark bites remain extremely rare. Juvenile White Sharks May Shift Their Range Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Bea

Oakland street vendors sue the city over enforcement operations they say destroyed equipment, seized property and violated California law. The lawsuit also seeks public records as officials defend safety regulations and expand permit assistance. Oakland street vendors have filed a lawsuit accusing city officials of unlawfully destroying vending equipment, confiscating property and withholding records related to enforcement

The best Bay Area weekend events for July 11–12, 2026, include Oakland’s Temescal Street Fair, free folk music in Golden Gate Park, Ferry Fest at San Francisco’s Ferry Building and the Inner Sunset Flea Market featuring makers and vintage finds. The Bay Area’s weekend calendar includes free music, neighborhood festivals, local food and family-friendly activities across Oakland and San Francisco on Saturday, July 11

A California court has dismissed attempted murder charges against Indian-origin radiologist Dharmesh Patel after he completed a mental health diversion program connected to a 2023 cliff crash in San Mateo County. The case drew national attention after a Tesla carrying Patel, his wife and their two young children plunged about 250 feet off a cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway near Devil’s Slide on Monday, January 2, 2023. All four family m

Bay Area Fourth of July events 2026 include fireworks, parades, concerts, drone shows and family festivals across Northern California. The roundup, updated at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, lists events scheduled around Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026. All event times listed are local Bay Area time. Bay Area Fourth of July events 2026 San Francisco’s Fourth of July fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m., with recommended viewi

Harvest Pizzeria plans to open restaurants in New Albany and Hilliard, adding two communities to its central Ohio network. The company has not provided a calendar year or exact opening dates for either location. Harvest Pizzeria expansion reaches New Albany first The New Albany restaurant is planned for 24 E. Main St., the former home of 24 Main, a bar and restaurant that closed in 2025. Harvest said the location is expected to open in the fall, although

CHINO HILLS, Calif. — Two men have been arrested in the Chino Hills BAPS temple burglary investigation, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. David Sanchez, 48, and Joseph Hernandez, 32, both of Chino Hills, are accused of entering the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir earlier in June and stealing property from the temple, according to investigators. What investigators found in the C

A preliminary magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County at approximately 8:10 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, triggering earthquake alerts across parts of Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area. The Redwood Valley earthquake on June 24, 2026, was centered north of Ukiah at a depth of approximately 5 miles, according to preliminary information from the U.S. Geo

Two people were killed in the Chico library shooting on Monday, June 22, 2026, and police arrested an 18-year-old local suspect after he fled the building, authorities said. Police responded shortly after 5:00 p.m. local time to the Chico branch of the Butte County Library. A 911 call had captured the sound of gunfire and people screaming inside the building. Officers entered the library as the suspect escaped through the rear of the facility. Additional l

Qatar factory blast triggers search operation An explosion at a factory in Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone injured 54 people and left 18 others missing, the country’s interior ministry said Monday, June 22. Authorities described the blast as the result of a technical incident and said emergency teams were continuing search and response operations at the site. The ministry did not immediately provide further details on the condition of

The national average gas price fell to $3.999 per gallon on Thursday, June 18, 2026, according to AAA, dropping below $4 for the first time since March. The decline followed President Donald Trump’s signing of an agreement with Iran on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. National average gas price reaches $3.999 The agreement calls for Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while U.S.-backed sanctions are waived. It also begins a 60-day negotiat

Political Clash Between Newsom and Trump Intensifies California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his ongoing confrontation with US President Donald Trump, accusing the administration of using federal institutions for political purposes. The dispute centres on claims that the Justice Department is conducting a politically motivated investigation aimed at undermining Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential c

Trump endorsements face tests in the June 16, 2026, primaries, as Republican voters in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma decide whether to follow the president’s high-profile choices. The outcomes will offer an early measure of Donald Trump’s influence over the GOP before the November midterms. Trump endorsements shape Georgia runoffs In Georgia, Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Mike Collins faces former football coach Derek Dooley in the Republican Senate runoff.

A serious accident involving a B-52 Stratofortress occurred near Edwards Air Force Base shortly after takeoff, resulting in multiple fatalities among the crew. Early reports indicate the aircraft encountered a critical failure during the initial phase of flight, though officials have not confirmed the exact cause. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site, and flight operations in the area were temporarily reviewed following the incident. Investigation Underway by US Air Force The US Air Force has launched a formal investigation to determine what led to the crash. Focus areas include mechanical performance, maintenance history, and possible operational or environmental factors. Authorities are also reviewing flight data and communication records to reconstruct the final moments before the accident. At this stage, no single cause has been identified, and officials are treating the investigation as open and ongoing. Concerns Over Aging Strategic Fleet The incident has renewed attention on the long-service history of the B-52 fleet, which has remained a central part of US strategic air power for decades. While the aircraft has undergone continuous upgrades, concerns persist about aging airframes, maintenance demands, and operational risks associated with extended service life. Defense analysts often highlight the balance between modernization efforts and the limitations of legacy platforms still in active duty. Cold War Design Still in Active Use Originally developed during the Cold War era, the B-52 was designed for long-range strategic missions and nuclear deterrence roles. Over time, its operational role has shifted toward stand-off strike capabilities, including cruise missile deployment from safer distances. Despite its age, it remains a key component of US strategic aviation planning due to its payload capacity and mission flexibility. Operational Role and Ongoing Upgrades The bomber is typically flown by a multi-member crew and is capable of carrying heavy ordnance loads across intercontinental distances. The US Air Force continues to invest in modernization programs aimed at extending its service life into the coming decades, including engine replacements and avionics upgrades designed to improve efficiency, range, and reliability. However, incidents like this highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining older strategic aircraft in modern operational environments.

Newsom Alleges Political Retaliation California Governor Gavin Newsom accused President Donald Trump of using the Justice Department to pursue a politically motivated investigation targeting him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Newsom said federal agents had contacted friends, relatives and former employees while requesting records connected to the couple. He argued that investigators had not identified wrongdoing and were instead search

B-52 Crashes After Takeoff Eight people died after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday, officials said. The aircraft was on a routine test mission when it went down at about 11:20 a.m. local time. Air Force officials said the crash was quickly assessed as unsurvivable, and emergency crews responded to the scene within the base??