Category: Sacramento

By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. OK, but let’s start with bonus rewards From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge who presided over the seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keepers members said Wednesday that it would be “frightening” if the anti-government group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, is pardoned for orchestrating a violent plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election. President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly has vowed to pardon rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol nearly four years ago. Rhodes is serving an 18-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him and other Oath Keepers members of seditious conspiracy, the most serious charge stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by a mob of Trump supporters. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta alluded to the prospect of Rhodes receiving a presidential pardon as he sentenced William Todd Wilson, a former Oath Keepers member from North Carolina who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy. “The notion that Stewart Rhodes could be absolved of his actions is frightening and ought to be frightening to anyone who cares about democracy in this country,” Mehta said. Mehta isn’t the first judge at the federal courthouse in

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has transferred two Malaysian detainees at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. military prison to their home country, after they pleaded guilty to charges related to deadly 2002 bombings in Bali and agreed to testify against the alleged ringleader of that and other attacks, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Prosecutors say Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep worked for years with Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, an Indonesian leader of al-Qaida affiliate Jemaah Islamiya. That includes helping Nurjaman escape capture after Oct. 12, 2002 bombings that killed 202 people at two night spots in Bali, U.S. officials said. The two men entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and other charges in January. Their transfer comes after they provided testimony that prosecutors plan to use in the future against Nurjaman, the alleged mastermind, the Pentagon said in a statement. Nurjaman is in custody in Guantanamo awaiting resumption of pre-trial hearings in January involving the Bali bombings and other attacks. The two Malaysian men’s transfers leave 27 detainees in custody at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay. President George

Migrants in the U.S. under what’s known as Temporary Protection Status are worried that Trump will revoke the program upon taking office.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he’s optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency’s agenda.

Today’s Fed rate cut could have an impact on mortgage rates — but there are other factors at play, too.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday moved to lower its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points. Here’s what to know.

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below* Giving someone a present to support their well-being is the best way to show someone that you care. The gift guide below is full of wellness essentials for you to choose from, including healing oils and other self-care essentials. Be sure to also check out the best Christmas gifts and best gifts under $100 for your essential shopping this holiday season. Mount Lai Rose Gua Sha “This has been a part of my skincare routine for the past half a year, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it,” says Carolina Zamora, an intern at ABC Localish. Like a mini-massage for your face, the Sephora Rose Gua Sha is designed to hit all the sweet spots on your facial bone structure, helping you achieve that jawline and destress quickly. Crane Humidifier Humidifiers can relieve dry skin and nasal congestion, making the Crane Humidifier an absolute must-have this winter season. Renpho Eye Massager Renpho has always been well-regarded for its smart massaging products

SAN FRANCISCO — The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed at banning sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2035. The incoming Trump administration is likely to try to reverse the action. The California rule is stricter than a federal rule adopted this year that tightens emissions standards but does not require sales of electric vehicles. EPA said its review found that opponents of the two waivers did not meet their legal burden to show how either the EV rule or a separate measure on heavy-duty vehicles was inconsistent with the federal Clean Air Act. “California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change.” WATCH: California leads the way in zero-emission transportation, but there are still challenges to overcome By 2035, sales

It’s the first day of a strike for the City of Fresno Professional Employees Association over salary and policy changes. Wednesday, December 18, 2024 5:03PM A group of City of Fresno employees were on the picket lines Tuesday morning, calling for higher wages and improvements to working conditions. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A group of city employees have reached a tentative agreement with the City of Fresno, ending a planned two-day strike. The video above is from a previous story and will be updated. According to a spokesperson for the City of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA), the agreement was reached late Tuesday night. The CFPEA represents 400 supervisors who oversee transit, wastewater and Fresno’s local parks. As many as 114 members, representing roughly 30% of CFPEA membership, made the decision to strike Tuesday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City of Fresno staff members begin 2-day strike Initially, the union and the city could not agree upon 13 conditions, including increasing salaries. Mayor Jerry Dyer and CFPEA representatives will be providing details on the tentative agreement at a news conference scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Stay with ABC30

MADISON, Wis. — The 15-year-old girl alleged to have shot seven victims, two fatally, in an attack on Monday at a Wisconsin Christian school marks the rare occurrence of a female school shooter, according to data from the FBI and U.S. Secret Service. Police identified the suspect in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison as Natalie Rupnow, a student at the school who went by the name Samantha. After allegedly killing a teacher and a classmate, and leaving five others injured, including two students in critical condition, Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. “It’s a very sad but a rare thing to have a female school shooter,” said Don Mihalek, a retired senior special agent for the Secret Service and an ABC News contributor. “Historically, and the studies show, that typically it’s a white male student or former student that ends up committing these acts of violence in schools.” The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) studied 41 incidents of targeted school violence incidents between 2008 and 2017, including those where no one was injured, and

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 4:19PM Friendswood father, known as the Texas Pie Guy, ditches the oven for this bold take on an old favorite. FRIENDSWOOD, Texas — Tyler Sublett goes by Texas Pie Guy. He has put a smoky twist on traditional pies. “If you like the smoky flavor of barbecue, and you like the sweetness of a pie, I found a way to marry the two together,” Sublett said. Instead of baking the pies, the former construction worker cooks them in his handmade smokers. “Some people say, ‘Oh, this tastes like bacon. Oh, this taste like brisket’ but nah, it’s just smoked pies,” Sublett shares. Click the video above to see the story. You can find Texas Pie Guy at the Houston Farmers Market on December 21 and 22. To know where he will be next visit his Instagram page or you can order pies through his website, here.

FAA data shows that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.

Surviving members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, revisit the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will take up a challenge to a new law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S.

Four Russian military aircraft flew in international airspace near Alaska on Tuesday, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

By STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting Wednesday on final passage of a sweeping defense bill that will authorize significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boost overall military spending to $895 billion while also stripping coverage of transgender medical treatments for children of military members. The annual defense authorization bill usually gains strong bipartisan support and has not failed to pass Congress in nearly six decades, but Pentagon policy in recent years has become a battleground for cultural issues. Republicans this year sought to tack on priorities for social conservatives to the legislation, contributing to a months-long negotiation over the bill and a falloff in support from Democrats. Still, all but a handful of Senate Democrats — as well as nearly all Republicans — have supported the procedure to bring the compromise legislation to a final vote. “The NDAA is not perfect. It doesn’t have everything either side would like. It includes some provisions that we Democrats would not have added and other provisions that we would want left out entirely,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

By ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press Business Writer BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday that they are discussing closer collaboration but denied reports they have decided on a merger. Nissan’s share price soared nearly 24% in Tokyo after reports citing unnamed sources said it might merge with Honda to form the world’s third-largest automaking group. Honda’s share price fell as much as 3%. Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is also part of the talks. Trading in Nissan’s shares was suspended but then resumed after the companies jointly issued a statement saying they were “considering various possibilities for future collaboration, but no decisions have been made.” An industry shakeup The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China’s BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers have been all but removed from the playoff picture, which also means they’re all but removed from the postseason honors picture as well. The hardware is for winners, as evidenced by Christian McCaffrey capturing the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season and Nick Bosa being the Defensive Player of the Year following the 2022 season. Tellingly, neither is in the conversation this season, mostly due to the almost absurd amount of injuries that have helped derail the 2024 season. Quarterback Brock Purdy, fourth in last year’s MVP voting, isn’t a factor with the 49ers at 6-8. Tight end George Kittle remains a worthy All-Pro pick, whether it be first or second team. Playing on a fractured ankle, Fred Warner hasn’t been up to his usual level but could be a reputation selection. But left tackle Trent Williams, a first-team All-Pro the last two seasons, has seen his season affected by personal tragedy as well as injuries, and the same could be said for cornerback Charvarius Ward. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir merits All-Pro consideration, and his five-year, $92 million contract

By DEVI SHASTRI and SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Community members in Wisconsin continued to wrestle with grief and called for change in the aftermath of a school shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others. Several hundred people gathered outside the Wisconsin State Capitol for a vigil Tuesday night to honor those slain at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison the day before, with some passing candles to each other and standing close against the winter chill. Among those in attendance was Naomi Allen, 16, who was in a nearby classroom Monday when a 15-year-old girl attacked people in a study hall before fatally shooting herself. “It’s doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, something like this could happen. There’s nothing that is going to exempt someone,” Allen said at the vigil. Allen’s father, Jay Allen, reflected on the dangers students face these days. “When I was in school these things never happened,” he said. “This country at some point needs to take mental health seriously and we need to pour resources into it. We

By WILL GRAVES, Associated Press National Writer One of President-elect Donald Trump ‘s most popular talking points during his campaign centered on the future of transgender athletes. Trump revisited the topic multiple times in the months and weeks before the election, suggesting at his rallies that one of the goals of his second term would be to “keep men out of women’s sports.” Millions were spent on advertising that turned something that affects a tiny minority of competitors into a wedge issue. More than half of voters overall — and the vast majority of Trump supporters — said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. What, exactly, Trump will do when he takes office on Jan. 20 is unclear. His transition team has not divulged any specifics, though the president-elect said during his campaign that the process would be “easy.” In some ways, it might be. In others, things could be far murkier. What did Trump say during the campaign? A lot. Trump seemed to identify the discussion