What to know about Trump’s tariffs and their impact on businesses and shoppers

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs are here, plunging the country into an escalating trade war with China, Canada and Mexico. Trump’s 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico went into effect Tuesday, along with a heightened 20% levy on Chinese goods. In response, all three countries announced retaliatory measures. Experts say consumers and businesses will be the hardest hit. Companies big and small will face higher costs on the goods they buy from other countries — and could have little recourse but to hike prices themselves. For consumers, that will likely mean more expensive price tags on everything from cars, appliances and other big-ticket items to smaller, everyday purchases including electronics, gasoline and groceries. How are Canada, Mexico and China responding? Canada, Mexico and China all declared on Tuesday that they would impose retaliatory taxes on many U.S. products. China is imposing tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of key U.S. farm exports, including American-grown chicken, pork, soy and beef. It also expanded the number of U.S. companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two

Greenland’s defiant leader says the island ‘is ours’ as Trump vows to acquire the territory

By DANICA KIRKA and STEFANIE DAZIO, Associated Press NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenland’s prime minister declared Wednesday that “Greenland is ours” and cannot be taken or bought in defiance of a message from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said his administration supported the Arctic island’s right of self-determination — but added that the United States will acquire the territory “one way or another.” Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede said the island’s citizens are neither American nor Danish because they are Greenlandic. The United States needs to understand that, he wrote in a post in Greenlandic and Danish on Facebook Wednesday. The future of Greenland will be decided by its people, he wrote. His post came hours after Trump made a direct appeal to Greenlanders in a speech to Congress on Tuesday, a week before islanders head to the polls for parliamentary elections. “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump said. “We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to

Businesses scramble to contain fallout from Trump’s tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico

By PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press Economics Writer A Minnesota farmer worries about the price of fertilizer. A San Diego entrepreneur deals with an unexpected cost increase of remodeling a restaurant. A Midwestern sheet metal fabricator bemoans the prospect of higher aluminum prices. Businesses knew that Trump’s import taxes — tariffs — on America’s biggest trading partners were scheduled to take effect Tuesday. But many of them assumed they’d get a reprieve. After all, the unpredictable president had delayed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days right before they were originally supposed to kick in on Feb. 4. No such luck this time. At midnight Tuesday, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, starting a trade war with its closest neighbors and allies. Trump also doubled his 10% levies on Chinese imports in a series of moves that took U.S. tariffs to the highest level since the 1940s. Canadian energy was shown some mercy, getting taxed at a lower 10%. Trucks enter the U.S. from Mexico at the Pharr International Bridge, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Pharr, Texas. (AP

Key takeaways from Trump’s speech to Congress

President Donald Trump, six weeks into his historic return to the White House, delivered the longest joint address to Congress in history on Tuesday night. Trump triumphantly took the dais to thundering applause from Republican majorities in the House and Senate, but the mood changed within minutes as he faced heckles from some raucous Democrats. The president, though, signaled he is forging full steam ahead with his agenda (however divisive) as he claimed a “mandate” from American voters. Here are the key takeaways: ‘America is back’ Trump opened his address by declaring to Congress and the nation: “America is back.” A chant of “USA” immediately broke out among lawmakers as Republicans rose to their feet. Trump quickly turned to touting the lightning speed with which he’s sought to enact his agenda, arguing his administration’s “accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years — and we are just getting started.” Democrats interrupt, and one gets removed But as Trump turned to talking about the 2024 election, claiming a wide “mandate” though data shows the victory isn’t the total landslide

Suspect in Kabul airport bombing during Afghanistan pullout is caught and heading to US, Trump says

WASHINGTON — A suspected participant in the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that killed 13 American service members and roughly 170 Afghan civilians during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan arrived in the U.S. on Wednesday to face criminal charges in connection with the attack. Mohammad Sharifullah was taken into custody over the weekend and admitted during an FBI interrogation to being a member of the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan and to his role in the August 2021 suicide bombing and other attacks, according to U.S. officials. This handout photo provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows Mohammad Sharifullah escorted by FBI agents as he arrives at Dulles Airport in Dulles, VA. FBI President Donald Trump announced the arrest during his Tuesday night address to Congress, telling the audience that he was “pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.” Senior Pakistani intelligence officers on Wednesday confirmed the arrest and said Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, was captured

What to know about new guidelines on screen time for teens, how to implement healthy screen habits

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 11:53AM Kemberly Richardson has more on the American Psychological Association’s new report. Another plea from medical experts for parents to help in the battle is to be aware of what their kids are watching on TV and social media, especially teenagers. Doctors say this is just as important for kids and their brain development as eating healthy food instead of junk food. Think of it as a roadmap of how to navigate the complex world of teen video watching. The new 32-page report by the American Psychological Association in partnership with YouTube details important tips for parents, including one key point. The type of content teens watch is more crucial than where they are watching it. Researchers found that young people benefit from watching material that promotes empathy and optimism, as opposed to violence and aggression. If you are watching a video with your child and something questionable pops up, experts say don’t stay silent because that could mean it’s OK. “We do need to speak up, even quickly and say uh oh I don’t know if that was Ok or

World’s oldest llama enjoys comforting chronically ill children in North Carolina

RANDLEMAN, N.C. — A bucktoothed llama that spends his days comforting chronically ill children at a North Carolina camp founded by NASCAR royalty has been crowned the world’s oldest llama in captivity. At 27 years and more than 250 days, the selfie- and snuggle-loving llama called Whitetop dethroned Dalai Llama, the Guinness World Records announced last week. Dalai lived on a ranch in Albuquerque and was announced as the oldest in 2023 shortly after his 27th birthday. Whitetop was donated to the Victory Junction camp in 2006, just two years after race car driver Kyle Petty – the son of NASCAR great Richard Petty – and his family founded the camp in honor of Petty’s own son, Adam, who was 19 when he was killed in a 2000 crash while practicing for a race. The year-round free camp sits on 84 acres (34 hectares) in the Petty hometown of Randleman, North Carolina, about 75 miles (121 kilometers) west of Raleigh. It’s designed for children with conditions that include cancer, kidney and heart disease, cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida and an array of neurological and physical disabilities.

IRS drafting plans to cut as much as half of its 90,000-person workforce, sources say

By FATIMA HUSSEIN Wednesday, March 5, 2025 11:04AM The IRS is drafting plans to cut its workforce by as much as half through a mix of layoffs, attrition and incentivized buyouts, AP sources say. WASHINGTON — The IRS is drafting plans to cut its workforce by as much as half through a mix of layoffs, attrition and incentivized buyouts, according to two people familiar with the situation. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to disclose the plans. The sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen. May 4, 2021, in Washington. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File The layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency by closing agencies, laying off nearly all probationary employees who have not yet gained civil service protection and offering buyouts to almost all federal employees through a “deferred resignation program” to quickly reduce the government workforce. A reduction in force of tens of thousands of employees would render the IRS “dysfunctional,” said John Koskinen, a former IRS commissioner. The

The best kits for growing nutrient-packed microgreens at home

Which microgreen grow kits are best? Few things are more satisfying than sitting down to a delicious meal, but there’s one thing that can put it over the top: dining on fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself. Even those living in small spaces with very little room for a garden can cultivate fresh, delicious microgreens for their table. The best microgreen grow kit almost guarantees success. For good looks, ease of use and crop after crop of microgreens, the Microgreen Pros Organic Microgreens Growing Kit is our top choice. What to know before you buy a microgreen grow kit Even if you’ve never had success growing your own herbs indoors or even keeping a houseplant alive, microgreen grow kits are incredibly forgiving and easy to use. Still, there are a few things to consider before you begin. Space available A microgreen grow kit can fit in a small space, but you need to make sure you have room for the growing tray. A windowsill works best for most microgreen grow kits. If space is really tight, consider microgreen grow kits that are divided into

Horoscopes March 5, 2025: Evan Mendes, use your intuition to guide you to what’s right

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kevin Connolly, 51; Matt Lucas, 51; Eva Mendes, 51; Penn Jillette, 70. Happy Birthday: Call on your intuition to guide you in saying and doing what’s right. Distance yourself from extremism, excess and entitlement. Embrace who you are and what you want with enthusiasm, dignity and the intent to turn your thoughts into something tangible. Put your energy where it counts, and it will bring the highest return to you and what matters most. Speak from the heart and follow through. Your numbers are 3, 14, 24, 27, 32, 41, 47. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to let anger set in when positive action is necessary if you want to get things done. Simplify your life, take care of unfinished business, and declutter and organize your space to ensure you can optimize your time and talents to the fullest. Personal growth will pay off. 3 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Hesitation will work against you. When in doubt, take a pass and focus on what you feel comfortable doing. Put time and effort into adapting your surroundings to suit your

Person of Interest Questioned After Possible Remains of Infant Found in Dumpster

MODESTO – Authorities questioned a person of interest Monday after what appeared to be the remains of a fetus were discovered outside of a business on South Ninth Street. At about 3:40pm Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff, along with firefighters and medical personnel responded to a report of a possible deceased infant outside of a business on the 800 block of South Ninth Street. The area was quickly secured and investigators with the Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene. They processed the scene and gathered evidence to determine who may have been involved in the incident. In a news release, the Sheriff’s Office said they were questioning a person of interest, and the coroner will work to determine if the remains are in fact those of a baby and to determine gestational age if they are. Safe Surrender locations throughout Stanislaus County can be found at www.csa-stanislaus.com Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Rodriguez at (209) 525-7114. Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems

South Ninth Street Crime Scene Investigated

Central Valley TV South Ninth Street Crime Scene Investigated News Published 6 days ago on March 3, 2025 MODESTO – Authorities closed off an area near a gas station next to a Highway 99 overpass Monday afternoon to investigate a crime scene. Shortly before 4:00pm deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to a gas station on South Ninth Street for what was initially reported as a person down. Firefighters and medical personnel also responded to the scene. Shortly after, deputies were instructed to establish a crime scene. Several additional resources responded. The investigation appeared to focus on a nearby dumpster. No further details were available at time of publication. Further updates will be posted as they become available. Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their