ABC30 Action News
Man sentenced to 22 years for killing his cellmate more than a decade ago
- Title
- Man sentenced to 22 years for killing his cellmate more than a decade ago
- Runtime
- 2:28
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Sixteen years later, Marcus Faulk learned his fate in court on Wednesday morning for killing his cellmate, Jason Cannon, at Pleasant Valley State Prison.
- Title
- Central California families detail how they're preparing for loss of SNAP benefits
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- With more than 5 million Californians facing risks of hunger, California, alongside 26 other states, is taking a stand in defense of federal food assistance. The hole left by SNAP is already weighing heavily in the Central Valley.
- Title
- Fresno air traffic controllers miss first paycheck amid government shutdown
- Runtime
- 1:48
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Many federal employees are now working without pay as the government shutdown approaches its fourth week. Although officials at Fresno's airport said they have not heard of their employees picking up additional work, some have had to take steps to defer their mortgages and seek additional financial assistance.
- Title
- Porterville man accused of being in online network linked to exploitation of teens, animal cruelty
- Runtime
- 2:39
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A string of sinister acts in Porterville. Police, along with the Department of Justice, arrested 19-year-old Tony Long. He is suspected of mutilating cats and sexually exploiting a minor in Washington state. The indictment details Long, who lives in Porterville, committed cyberstalking and made online threats to a minor in Kern County.
- Title
- Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as Category 5 storm
- Runtime
- 2:20
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of devastating flash flooding and numerous landslides from the hurricane with 185 mph (295 kph) winds.
- Title
- Donations to combat food insecurity as SNAP/CalFresh benefits set to pause
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- As the government shutdown continues, organizations across California are stepping up to fill the need for food in the Central Valley. To combat food insecurity, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, the Alliance of California's Farmers and Ranchers Community Fund and Valley Children's Hospital Foundation donated $10,000 to the Central California Food Bank on Monday.
- Title
- Mother of alleged killer testifies in northwest Fresno murder case
- Runtime
- 2:10
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A new perspective on the day prosecutors say Stewart Coleman shot and killed Carl Johnson was shared in court Monday, by the accused killer's mother. She explained to the court that her son, Stewart, is schizophrenic and has struggled with mental health for 30 years.
- Title
- Postponed amendment on vendor ordinance has Fresno small businesses concerned
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The Fresno City Council is considering an amendment that would eliminate vendors from operating in the Tower District. In the original 14-page amendment, the city said from January 1 to September 1, there were over 5,500 calls to police from the heart of the Tower District. Those calls resulted in multiple arrests.
- Title
- Search for missing Fresno County man expands to Garnet Fire area
- Runtime
- 2:17
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- New developments in the case of the missing Selma man, Ron Dailey. The U.S. Forest Service is now opening up the area of the Garnet Fire to help expand the search. Officials say Dailey went hunting in the mountains near Shaver Lake on October 13th. When he didn't return home that night, his family contacted the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
- Title
- Halloween hack leaves Fresno's 'Hauntmare Expo' organizers short $60k
- Runtime
- 2:27
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A Halloween hack is coming to light as the organizers behind Fresno's Hauntmare Expo open Skream Valley. Luther Riddle and organizer Dino Garcia say the July expo drew thousands to the Fresno Fairgrounds, featuring vendors, celebrities, haunted houses and zombie laser tag.
The revenue from the tickets never showed up.
- Title
- Former Fresno police detective accused of stealing $60K appears in court
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A former Fresno Police detective appeared in court for the first time after betraying his badge, allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from an evidence room.
On Thursday, Rey Medeles appeared out of custody and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of grand theft and preparing false evidence passed down from the Attorney General's office.
- Title
- Fresno couple sentenced for murder of woman and 3-week-old baby
- Runtime
- 2:11
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A complicated and deadly family drama that unraveled in Fresno courtrooms for years came to an end on Wednesday. A judge sentenced Yarelly Solorio-Rivera to two counts of murder. At 25, she is now set to spend two life sentences in prison. Prosecutors say that in 2022, Solorio-Rivera shot and killed her 18-year-old sister, Yanelly, and then her sister's infant daughter, who was three weeks old.
- Title
- Madera County Sheriff reveals details about former deputy who took life with Fresno PD gun
- Runtime
- 2:45
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Fresno Police identified 32-year-old Isaac Hare as the man who took his own life with an officer's gun at Community Regional Medical Center. Sheriff Pogue says Hare worked as a deputy in Madera County from December 2016 to September 2017, but was released during his one-year probationary period.
- Title
- Tracking down Central California lawmakers during the government shutdown
- Runtime
- 5:49
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- With the government shutdown playing out for the third week, Action News pressed Central California's congressional delegation for answers on Tuesday. The interviews were straightforward, and Action News asked all the lawmakers the same questions with only slight variations based on their party and chamber.
- Title
- Madera heroes honored for saving students from burning bus
- Runtime
- 2:01
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A potential nightmare for Madera Unified parents was prevented by a pair of unexpected heroes. On Tuesday, the brave men responsible for saving the lives of 20 school children were honored by the Madera County Board of Supervisors and others.
- Title
- 15 arrests made across US in $30 million telemarketing fraud scheme
- Runtime
- 2:26
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Federal officials have arrested 15 people accused of running a fraudulent telemarketing scheme that targeted elderly Americans.
Investigators say the suspects contacted victims who owned or previously owned timeshares through phone calls and emails.
- Title
- Suspect dies after using Fresno Police officer's gun at hospital, chief says
- Runtime
- 2:43
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A suspect has died after shooting himself at Community Regional Medical Center with a Fresno Police officer's gun, Chief Mindy Casto says. During a bathroom break at the hospital, the suspect suddenly attacked an officer and was able to disarm his holstered firearm.
- Title
- Bodycam video shows moment Fresno PD shoot and kill domestic violence suspect
- Runtime
- 4:25
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The Fresno Police Department has released edited body-worn camera footage from an August 23 incident that ended with officers fatally shooting a man following a domestic violence call.
- Title
- California woman gives birth to 'miracle' baby while battling stage four lymphoma
- Runtime
- 2:38
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Alyssa Kincade was 20 weeks pregnant when she found out she had stage four lymphoma. On September 19, 2025, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
- Title
- Fresno driver who hit and killed 10-year-old boy near Woodward Park sentenced
- Runtime
- 2:55
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- A judge sentenced Raymond Celaya on Wednesday for a deadly 2021 northeast Fresno hit-and-run, weeks after a jury convicted him of vehicular manslaughter for the crash that killed Angel Hernandez.
- Title
- New California law targets copper theft with tougher rules and fines starting in 2026
- Runtime
- 2:33
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Crackdowns on copper wire theft are set to increase in the new year. Governor Newsom signed AB 476 to expand current state law and further discourage thieves, requiring additional documentation from metal buyers and sellers.
- Title
- Disturbing details in case of missing California mother found dead in rural Fresno County
- Runtime
- 3:35
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Authorities confirmed to Action News that the body found in rural Fresno County is that of 50-year-old Isabel Lucas-Velasco. A weeks-long investigation ended in tragedy for authorities after Lucas Velasco was last seen at a job site in rural Arroyo Grande on September 12. Authorities announced the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, 45-year-old Alejandro Soriano-Ortiz and his brother, 40-year-old Celestino.
- Title
- California man charged with attempted murder for allegedly setting wife on fire
- Runtime
- 2:30
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- Sean Hofmann entered a not guilty plea in a Tulare County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon for allegedly setting his wife on fire. He's been charged with attempted murder and torture.
- Title
- October storm brings fresh snow to Fresno County mountains
- Runtime
- 2:55
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- It was a steady and scenic view of snowfall during the first big storm of the season at Shaver Lake on Tuesday. Higher up the Fresno County mountains, several inches of glistening white snow are covering China Peak.
- Title
- Teen girl returns to juvenile court on murder charge for death of Caleb Quick
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The alleged getaway driver in the high-profile killing of Caleb Quick returned to court on Monday. She is accused of killing Caleb Quick at a Clovis McDonald's in April. Investigators believe her boyfriend shot Quick and then sped off in a white Tesla, with the girl behind the wheel.
- Title
- Central California locals have mixed feelings amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire
- Runtime
- 2:05
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- The faces of the final 20 surviving Israeli hostages who are now reunited with their families can be seen as you walk into Temple Beth Israel in northwest Fresno. Rabbi Rick Winer says the release of hostages is a relief, but many questions remain.
- Title
- Trump signs peace agreement, last living hostages released
- Runtime
- 3:01
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war. The moment remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing the first phase of Trump's plan.
- Title
- California families protest in hope of Proposition 57 reform
- Runtime
- 2:07
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- On the corner of Blackstone and Nees, families lined the sidewalk, demanding changes to Proposition 57 on Saturday. Prop 57 was approved by California voters in 2016. It gave judges the power to decide if a minor should be tried as an adult instead of prosecutors.
- Title
- Man arrested for setting his wife on fire near Porterville, authorities say
- Runtime
- 2:53
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A Tulare County man is in jail, accused of setting a woman on fire. Family members say the victim is his wife. Michael Post says he learned his stepfather, Sean Hoffman, poured gasoline on his mother, Sheena, and was threatening to light her on fire.
- Title
- Former Fresno nurse sentenced for stealing fentanyl from her employer
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A woman learned her fate in a Fresno County Courtroom for stealing fentanyl from her employer in 2019.
Thursday afternoon, former Fresno nurse Melissa Galvani was handcuffed in court and sentenced to 180 days in custody and 2 years probation.
- Title
- Former Fresno Police detective arrested for allegedly stealing $60K from evidence room
- Runtime
- 2:28
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A former Fresno police detective has bonded out of jail after being arrested on Thursday on accusations of theft.
It follows an FBI investigation that claims 10-year veteran Rey Medeles stole $60,000 from the department's evidence room.
- Title
- Officers, ex-girlfriend take stand in retrial of accused murderer Andrew Leon
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- On Wednesday afternoon at the Fresno County Courthouse, a retrial began in a Huron murder case that ended in a hung jury earlier this summer.
Andrew Leon, 21, is accused of shooting and killing April Diaz, his then-girlfriend's mother, in November of 2023.
- Title
- Procession held for Chowchilla Police officer killed in on-duty crash
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Law enforcement from across the Valley and the state came together Wednesday for a solemn procession honoring the life of a Chowchilla Police Officer killed in a crash.
- Title
- Fresno Unified offers early retirement to cut costs
- Runtime
- 3:15
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- From classroom staff to custodians, Fresno Unified is offering hundreds of its eligible employees an opportunity to voluntarily retire early. The offer includes a one-time plan for the District's 1,900 qualified employees who meet specific criteria: 55 years and older who have given five consecutive years of service to the district.
- Title
- Florida man charged with starting what turned into deadly Palisades Fire in SoCal
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- An arrest has been made in connection with the Palisades Fire, which caused widespread destruction in Los Angeles County and killed a dozen people earlier this year, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is accused of "maliciously" igniting a fire on Jan. 1 in the Pacific Palisades that ultimately erupted into the Palisades Fire, the Department of Justice said.
- Title
- Man accused of killing his cousin in Fresno hears from witnesses
- Runtime
- 2:32
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- In a red jumpsuit, Gerrick Franklin sat in a Fresno County courtroom Tuesday listening to witnesses.
Franklin is accused of shooting and killing his own cousin, 33-year-old Tyler Hamon, last November in northwest Fresno.
- Title
- California mother grieves son after he was hit and killed by suspected DUI driver
- Runtime
- 2:47
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A heartbroken Valley mother lashes out with harsh words for the driver suspected in her son's death. Sebastian Reyna tragically died as he had lived, helping someone or something, when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver.
- Title
- Charges dropped for man accused of 8-year-old Sophia Mason's murder
- Runtime
- 2:18
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A man once accused of the killing of an 8-year-old girl in the North Valley -- walked free on Monday. Action News was there after the district attorney dropped the murder and child abuse charges against him. Dhante Jackson's release comes three and a half years after Sophia Mason was killed in Merced.
- Title
- Disturbing testimony reveals months of abuse in death of 14-year-old Goshen girl
- Runtime
- 2:27
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Disturbing new details unfolded in a Tulare County courtroom on Monday in the preliminary hearing for two men: 51-year-old Raymond Pena and 65-year-old Brett Minkler.
The Goshen father and grandfather were arrested in March of last year for the death and sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl.
- Title
- Helicopter crashes onto Sacramento highway, critically injuring 3
- Runtime
- 1:42
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A medical helicopter crashed on a highway in Sacramento, critically injuring three people aboard, including a woman who was pinned underneath and was rescued with the help of motorists who lifted part of the aircraft, according to officials.
- Title
- California Army National Guard member dies in car crash in Fresno County
- Runtime
- 1:52
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Authorities confirm a member of the California Army National Guard died Sunday morning in an off-duty crash on Tollhouse Road near Van Vleet in Fresno County. Authorities said the driver, who friends identify as David Solomon, worked not far from where he was found.
- Title
- Criminal charges won't be charged in death of Coalinga police K9, DA says
- Runtime
- 2:05
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A Coalinga K-9 dies, but not in the line of duty. Prosecutors decide no charges will be filed against the people who were supposed to be caring for the police dog. That legal decision leads to strong words from both the Fresno County District Attorney's office and the City of Coalinga, but for opposite reasons.
- Title
- Chowchilla Police Officer Raymond Barrantes killed in crash, officials say
- Runtime
- 3:04
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- The California Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed Chowchilla Police Officer Raymond Barrantes while on duty on Friday night. Authorities say the officer was driving eastbound on Highway 152 when he crashed into the right side of a big rig truck that was crossing on Road 13.
- Title
- Judge temporarily blocks Trump from sending National Guard troops to Oregon
- Runtime
- 1:35
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- A federal judge on Sunday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon, including the California National Guard.
California and Oregon sought the temporary restraining order after the president sent guard members from California to Oregon earlier in the day.
- Title
- Government shutdown adding more stress for Fresno airport air traffic controllers
- Runtime
- 3:13
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Already facing a shortage, Fresno-Yosemite International Airport air traffic controllers are feeling more stress due to the government shutdown.
- Title
- Big Fresno Fair rolls out new safety measures, including clear bag policy
- Runtime
- 2:54
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Whether you're towering above the crowds on stilts or cruising through the fairgrounds, safety remains a top priority at the Big Fresno Fair. Once inside, attendees will see officers patrolling on the ground, in the air and across multiple camera screens inside its Police Command Station on the fairgrounds.
- Title
- Parlier killer sentenced to 21 years for 'deadly case of mistaken identity'
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- More than four years after the death of Silvano Mendoza, a convicted Parlier killer learned his sentence and came face-to-face with his victim's daughter. Prosecutors say Francisco Munoz shot Mendoza from a passing car in what they previously described as a deadly case of mistaken identity.
- Title
- Fresno County prison employees working without pay amid government shutdown
- Runtime
- 2:05
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- With the government shut down, around 750,000 federal employees are either furloughed or being forced to work, with hopes they'll be paid in the future. Employees at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Mendota are apart of those considered essential, and must keep working.
- Title
- Yosemite remains partially open during government shutdown, most employees furloughed
- Runtime
- 2:58
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- More than half of all National Park Service employees are now furloughed, but Yosemite National Park itself remains partially open. Park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials remain open. Hotels and other lodging options operated by Yosemite Hospitality are still welcoming guests, and the popular YARTS buses are running smoothly.
- Title
- 15-year-old bicyclist hit and killed by car in central Fresno identified
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- An emotional scene played out in Central Fresno on Tuesday afternoon, hours after police identified 15-year-old Nathan Torres as the bicyclist hit and killed on Monday.
Action News was there as a passerby stopped to mourn Nathan. She was visibly overcome with emotion as she bent down to pray for the boy.
