Texas, other GOP-led states sue over program to give immigrant spouses of US citizens legal status

By REBECCA SANTANA and VALERIE GONZALEZ Sixteen Republican-led states are suing to end a federal program that could potentially give nearly half a million immigrants without legal status who are married to U.S. citizens a path to citizenship. The coalition filed suit Friday to halt the program launched by President Joe Biden in June, saying in court filings that the administration bypassed Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for “blatant political purposes.” “This action incentivizes illegal immigration and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff states,” the suit filed in federal court in Tyler, Texas, says. Under the policy, which started taking applications Monday, many spouses without legal status can apply for something called “parole in place,” offering permission to stay in the U.S., apply for a green card and eventually get on a path to citizenship. But the program has been particularly contentious in an election year where immigration is one of the biggest issues, with many Republicans attacking the policy and contending it is essentially a form of amnesty for people who broke the law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement

Park Fire in Northern California is fizzling; containment nearly two-thirds complete

A month into fighting the state’s largest wildfire, Cal Fire crews have reached nearly two-thirds containment, and the fire’s growth has slowed considerably. The Park Fire, burning in Lassen National Forest and areas of Butte and Tehama counties, has scorched 429,460 acres but was 65% contained Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. The fire has grown approximately only 200 acres over the past week, according to the agency. Crews have contained about an additional one-third of the blaze over the past 10 days. The fire started July 24 at Upper Bidwell Park in Chico. Authorities say a man pushed his burning car down an embankment, sparking the blaze. It is the fourth-largest wildfire in California history. Suspect Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Butte County Superior Court to a charge of “willful and malicious arson,” as well as to four enhancements included with the charge, authorities said. The alleged enhancements by authorities are that Stout has two prior felony convictions, a felony prison term and that the fire destroyed structures, according to court records. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept.

Justice Department accuses RealPage of scheme to hike rents

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit Friday against real estate software company RealPage Inc., accusing it of an illegal scheme that allows landlords to coordinate to hike rental prices. The lawsuit, filed alongside attorneys general in states including California, alleges the company violated antitrust laws through its algorithm that landlords use to get recommended rental prices for apartments. The algorithm allows landlords to align their prices and avoid competition that would keep rents down, Justice Department officials said. The complaint quotes one RealPage executive as saying, “There is greater good in everybody succeeding versus essentially trying to compete against one another in a way that actually keeps the entire industry down.” In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “Americans should not have to pay more in rent because a company has found a new way to scheme with landlords to break the law.” Attorneys general in several states have separately sued RealPage alleging an illegal price-fixing scheme over its algorithmic pricing software. In a statement posted on its website in June, RealPage called claims against the

Powell: ‘Time has come’ for Fed to start reducing interest rates

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — With inflation nearly defeated and the job market cooling, the Federal Reserve is prepared to start cutting its key interest rate from its current 23-year high, Chair Jerome Powell said Friday. Watch live: Jerome Powell speaks in Jackson Hole Powell did not say when rate cuts would begin or how large they might be, but the Fed is widely expected to announce a modest quarter-point cut in its benchmark rate when it meets in mid-September. “The time has come for policy to adjust,” Powell said in his keynote speech at the Fed’s annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.” His reference to multiple rate cuts was the only hint that a series of reductions is likely, as economists have forecast. Powell emphasized that inflation, after the worst price spike in four decades inflicted pain on millions of households, appears largely under control: “My confidence has grown,” he said, “that inflation is on a sustainable path back

Step into a French Quarter psychic’s parlor with this new North Park speakeasy

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It was all in the cards: A brand-new speakeasy crafted around the dark, mystic world of tarot has arrived in North Park. Located right off University Avenue, The Seventh House is a moody yet opulent reimagining of a former astrology-themed brunch hotspot in the neighborhood that bore the same name — a reference to the ruling house of Libra. “We had brunch, we had a coffee window in the front, a full restaurant, full bar,” Preston Cobb, creative owner of The Seventh House, told FOX 5/KUSI. “But then we decided about five months ago to split it into two different concepts.” SusieCakes opening new location in North County Now, The Seventh House stands as an intimate speakeasy, tucked behind the family-style Italian restaurant, Cacio e Pepe. The new iteration of the bar, which is set to have its grand opening celebration on Aug. 29, sought to create an atmosphere as if guests stepped through a secret door and into a mysterious home parlor in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter to get a reading from a psychic. “We did quite an

San Diego voters share outlook on presidential race as DNC concludes

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — There was no hiding the excitement at a Democratic National Convention watch party in Kearny Mesa Thursday night as supporters watched Vice President Kamala Harris address the nation. Standing ovations were given in absentia with Democratic voters leaning in on every word. But earlier in the day, students and faculty members at UC San Diego wondered what Harris was going to bring to the convention stage later that night. “I don’t really have any negative thoughts to her or think that she’s incredible,” said Nicole Sheynin, a student at UC San Diego. “I’m just open.” “She is opening a lot of doors for women,” another student on campus said. “She’s already done so much for women in general, but just like ‘Hey I can be president,” maybe people growing up right now will think ‘Hey maybe I can too.'” “She’s tapped into patriotism, being a good American and taking care of your neighbor,” said Desiree Aldana, a likely Democratic voter at UCSD. The 40-minute speech brought the Democratic faithful to their feet many times, and in one case a Republican

Gardener discovers cache of hand grenades on Baldwin Park sidewalk

A member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad investigates the discovery of four hand grenades by a gardener in a Baldwin Park neighborhood on Thursday. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) A gardener working in Baldwin Park made a shocking discovery Thursday when he found a cache of hand grenades on a sidewalk. Four grenades were found in the 13800 block of Los Angeles Street just after 10:30 a.m., according to emergency scanner reports. The Baldwin Park Police Department responded to the scene and cordoned off the street. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad was called in and rendered the grenades safe for removal, the department announced in a post on X. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department) The status of the investigation into the origin of the grenades was unclear. The Sheriff’s Department referred questions to the Baldwin Park Police Department. A spokesperson for the police department could not be reached for comment Friday morning. The Sheriff’s Department released one image of a black grenade on the sidewalk and another of a bomb squad member wearing body armor kneeling next to

How would Robert F. Kennedy Jr. quitting affect the Harris-Trump race?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to hold a news conference Friday in Phoenix to announce his exit from the presidential race, according to multiple media outlets, which also predicted that the scion of America’s greatest Democratic political dynasty would throw his support behind the Republican nominee, former President Trump. It’s unclear how Kennedy‘s exit would affect the presidential race. A Pew Research Center poll this month suggested that Vice President Kamala Harris has picked up would-be Kennedy supporters. It appeared that backing came in some measure from women and non-white voters who previously were leaning toward Kennedy. But Trump allies say the Kennedy endorsement would be a victory. “Fox & Friends” host Brian Kilmeade said Friday morning that the Republican would surely pick up a critical 2 or 3 percentage points with Kennedy’s support. That would be enough, Kilmeade insisted, to swing the campaign back into the GOP’s favor. Trump is campaigning in Arizona on Friday and posted on social media that he would have a “special guest” at an afternoon rally. On Thursday, Kennedy withdrew from the ballot in Arizona. Kennedy, a 70-year-old Los

8/23: CBS News 24/7 Episode 1

8/23: CBS News 24/7 Episode 1 – CBS News Watch CBS News Harris accepts presidential nomination on final night of the DNC; Tackling inequalities in aquatic sports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

The 6 best smokeless indoor grills of 2024

By Jason R. Rich Edited By Leslie Gornstein Updated on: August 23, 2024 / 12:03 PM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Breville Sure, there are plenty of incredible outdoor propane grills , smart grills , charcoal grills and wood-pellet grills  — but there are times when you want to capture that barbecue flavor in your kitchen. That’s when one of these best smokeless indoor grills comes in handy.  An indoor smokeless grill uses a non-flame heat surface that’s completely safe to use indoors. You can still cook steak, hamburgers, chicken, fish or just about anything else you’d prepare on an outdoor grill, but these indoor devices do not let off enough smoke to set off an alarm. Some even serve as a griddle, too. Best indoor smokeless grill overall: Cuisinart GR-300WSP1 Elite Griddler Best value indoor smokeless grill: Ninja AGR101 Sizzle  Best smart indoor smokeless grill: Breville Smart Grill Best indoor smokeless grill for one or

How to watch tonight’s 49ers vs. Raiders NFL preseason game

By Meredith Gordon, Fox Van Allen Edited By Fox Van Allen August 23, 2024 / 11:52 AM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. Ryan Kang/Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL Week 3 preseason game will be played tonight. The Raiders are coming off a Week 2 loss, while the Niners are riding high from a win last week. Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL preseason game tonight, even if you don’t have cable. How and when to watch the San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders game The San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders NFL preseason Week 3 game will be played on Friday, August

How to watch tonight’s Jaguars vs. Falcons NFL preseason game

By Meredith Gordon, Fox Van Allen Edited By Fox Van Allen August 23, 2024 / 11:46 AM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars talks with Evan Engram #17 prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 17, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida.  Mike Carlson/Getty Images The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL Week 3 preseason game will be played tonight. The Falcons are coming off a Week 2 loss, while the Jaguars are riding high from a win last week. Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL preseason game tonight, even if you don’t have cable. How and when to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons game The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL preseason Week 3 game will be played on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). The game

How Ryan Walker learned to overcome bad outings and became SF Giants’ closer

SAN FRANCISCO — A former 31st-round draft pick who methodically climbed the minor-league ladder and debuted last May in relative anonymity at 27 years old, Ryan Walker was such an unlikely candidate to become the Giants’ next closer even he had trouble envisioning it until recently. Walker’s elevation to the closer’s role wouldn’t have been possible without a season’s worth of lights-out performances in increasingly high-leverage situations. But first he had to learn how to deal with the bad ones. “I (would) just let my emotions take over,” Walker said. “With the harder innings, I’ve been able to not mentally destroy myself on those anymore. Last year, I did a little bit. Afterward. Even in the middle.” In fact, in the middle of his stickiest situation since assuming the role, Walker did some of his best work. Protecting a 4-2 lead last Saturday in Oakland, Walker loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th, but he buckled down to strike out the next three batters to end the game. “When the bases got juiced, I honestly felt more calm,” he said

Park Fire arson defendant Ronnie Dean Stout II pleads not guilty

OROVILLE — The man accused of starting the Park Fire on July 24 in Chico pleaded not guilty to arson charges during arraignment Thursday in Butte County Superior Court. Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, is accused of pushing a burning car into a ravine in upper Bidwell Park, triggering the fire that burned almost 430,000 acres and destroyed more than 600 structures. The fire was still just 61% contained as of Thursday, but its growth has been stopped. Public defender Nicole Diamond entered the plea to a charge of “willful and malicious arson” on Stout’s behalf in the courtroom of Judge Kristen Lucena. Diamond also denied four “enhancements” on the charge: two prior felony convictions, a felony prison term and the allegation the fire destroyed structures. Stout will return to court Sept. 19 to set a date for a preliminary hearing. That preliminary hearing is where Lucena would determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed to trial. If she determines the evidence is sufficient, a trial date would be set at that time. Stout’s two prior felony convictions are “strikes” under California’s three

Sports Shorts: Friday, April 26

Every Friday, we bring you a quick rundown of Riversiders achieving athletic excellence and a guide to sporting events around the city. These events provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment and foster civic pride and community connections. See you in the bleachers. Girls Flag Football (High School) The number of CIF-Southern Section schools participating in Girls Flag Football more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. Almost all of our local schools have teams, and the season is underway. Look for this sport to expand in a big way as more collegiate athletic governing bodies start sanctioning competition and local athletic clubs are already forming flag football teams for girls. Schedules and scores for local high school competitions can be found on the CIF-SS website .  Boys Football CIF Football is right around the corner. Pre-season scrimmages are being played, and official contests will start next weekend. League realignment has Arlington and Poly back in the same conference for CIF season play. This classic rivalry will be a season-closing battle at RCC Wheelock Stadium on Halloween! We will bring you more on that as the date approaches. High

Review: Weighed down by too much muck and not enough myth, a slackly remade ‘The Crow’ flops

The dirty secret of urban hellscape movies drenched in rain and blood is that when it comes down to it, they don’t so much trigger worries about future blight as they do tourism fantasies. (When are theme parks going to figure out that “The Blade Runner Experience” would surely break attendance records?) Alex Proyas’ 1994 fever dream “The Crow,” adapted from James O’Barr’s graphic novel, understood that appeal implicitly, serving up tactile gothic vengeance in a dashed Detroit with the panache of a circus grotesque. But in our current glut of movie dystopias, we’ve gotten away from that kind of immersive showmanship. Case in point, the dreary, pedestrian and ho-hum retelling of O’Barr’s story, also called “The Crow,” this time directed by Rupert Sanders. It’s like an anti-entertainment protest. This time around, the wraithlike Bill Skarsgård is our back-from-the-dead avenger. But before he gets to ring his eyes with black paint for a slaydate with crow-powered destiny, he’s given an interminable amount of screen time to be broken, glum Eric, a loner still depressed about the death of his childhood horse (seriously) and whiling away

Column: Kamala Harris faced a high bar in convention speech. She soared past it

CHICAGO —  On the final night of the Democratic National Convention, expectations were high and rumors were rampant. Speculation of a surprise guest — Taylor Swift? Beyoncé? — turned out to be nothing but wishful thinking. No matter. Kamala Harris crushed it. The vice president was always the main attraction of the four-day event and her Thursday night acceptance speech was always intended as its grand finale. From the moment she strode out flashing her high-wattage smile, Harris commanded the stage with a purpose and passion that eluded her the last time she ran, aimlessly and unsuccessfully, for the White House. In just over 37 minutes, Harris capped what’s been a remarkable monthlong run of luck and political success with a powerful address that strongly positions her for the last stretch of this fiercely fought presidential campaign. Our columnists, Mark Z. Barabak and Anita Chabria — who, combined, have attended precisely zero Swift or Beyoncé concerts — overcame their disappointment at the no-show and collected themselves to share these thoughts. Barabak: Previewing this convention, I’d made fun of the breathless most-important-speech-of-her-career hype that anticipated Harris’ Thursday

San Bernardino County lawmakers ‘told the truth’ on funding

Inland Empire state legislators weren’t surprised by the results of San Bernardino County’s “fair share” report, released last week. It showed that the county was receiving 9% more state revenue than the average California county. Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-Colton (Courtesy of Eloise Gómez Reyes) “After spending $200,000 of our taxpayers’ money, the Board of Supervisors now knows that what the Legislature told them was the truth,” a statement issued by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-San Bernardino, reads in part. “And our advice was free.” In July 2022, Rancho Cucamonga real estate developer Jeff Burum promoted the idea that San Bernardino County wasn’t receiving its share of state and federal funding. The remedy, he said, might be to secede, and form a state called Empire, or to join with Arizona or Nevada. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors put the question on the November 2022 ballot. Measure EE passed by a narrow margin. In her statement Wednesday, Reyes called Measure EE “disingenuous.” Critics have alleged the measure was intended to drive voters to the polls, where they encountered Measure D, which raised supervisors’ pay

The U.S. DOJ sues RealPage, alleging it enabled price-fixing on rents

Why Inflation cooling in July matters Inflation cooled in July but housing prices and rent costs remain high 04:00 The Justice Department on Friday filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a property management software provider, alleging it enabled a collusion among landlords to inflate rents for millions of Americans.  The complaint claims the Richardson, Texas-based company and its competitors engaged in a price-fixing scheme by sharing nonpublic, sensitive information, which RealPage’s algorithmic pricing software used to generate pricing recommendations. The company replaced competition with rent coordination to the detriment of renters across the U.S., according to the suit, monopolizing the market through its revenue management software which was used by landlords to determine rent costs.  The DOJ is joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. The complaint alleges that RealPage violated sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, an antitrust law. “Americans should not have to pay more in rent because a company has found a new way to scheme with landlords to break the law,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement

Archaeologists unearth colonial-era status symbol, clues about slavery

August 23, 2024 / 10:56 AM EDT / CBS/AP Sitting pretty: Colonial Williamsburg furniture restoration Sitting pretty: Colonial Williamsburg furniture restoration 06:18 Archaeologists in Virginia are uncovering one of colonial America’s most lavish displays of opulence: An ornamental garden where a wealthy politician and enslaved gardeners grew exotic plants from around the world. Such plots of land dotted Britain’s colonies and served as status symbols for the elite. They were the 18th-century equivalent of buying a Lamborghini. The garden in Williamsburg belonged to John Custis IV, a tobacco plantation owner who served in Virginia’s colonial legislature. He is perhaps best known as the first father-in-law of Martha Washington. She married future U.S. President George Washington after Custis’ son Daniel died. Historians have also been intrigued by the elder Custis’ botanical adventures, which were well-documented in letters and books. And yet this excavation is as much about the people who cultivated the land as it is about Custis. “The garden may have been Custis’ vision, but he wasn’t the one doing the work,” said Jack Gary, executive director of archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history

World Bank pulls paid ads from X over racist content on Musk’s platform

By Emmet Lyons, Joanne Stocker Updated on: August 23, 2024 / 11:10 AM EDT / CBS News Advertisers pull back from X after Musk post Advertisers pull back from X after Elon Musk endorses antisemitic post 01:49 The World Bank has ceased all paid advertising on Elon Musk’s social media platform X , which was formerly Twitter, after a CBS News investigation found promoted advertisements from the organization showing up under a racist post from an account that prolifically posts pro-Nazi and white nationalist content.  CBS News found a verified X account with more than 115,000 followers that had posted a racist image alongside a post praising Europe’s colonization of Africa. CBS News is not publicly identifying the accounts spreading racist content on X.  A promoted advertisement for the World Bank showed up in the comments section below the post.  “The World Bank Group had already reduced its paid marketing on X while working with the platform to implement the strongest safety protocols X offers for our content,” a spokesperson for the World Bank told CBS News on Friday, adding: “This latest incident is entirely