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![In his wide-ranging career, he toured with Bob Dylan, wrote crime novels and ran for governor of Texas in 2006. In his wide-ranging career, he toured with Bob Dylan, wrote crime novels and ran for governor of Texas in 2006.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-OBFRIEDMAN-0627.jpg?w=132)
Kinky Friedman dies at 79; singer-songwriter brought his brand of irreverence to political world
In his wide-ranging career, he toured with Bob Dylan, wrote crime novels and ran for...
![It's the first time Trump and Biden have squared off on the same stage in four years. It's the first time Trump and Biden have squared off on the same stage in four years.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/202406270923MCT_____PHOTO____US-NEWS-DEBATE-EXPLAINER-GET.jpg?w=117)
Watch live: Biden-Trump presidential debate
It's the first time Trump and Biden have squared off on the same stage in...
![Phoebe Gates, the 21-year-old daughter of Bill Gates, has confirmed her relationship with Arthur Donald, the grandson of Paul McCartney, in an Instagram post. Phoebe Gates, the 21-year-old daughter of Bill Gates, has confirmed her relationship with Arthur Donald, the grandson of Paul McCartney, in an Instagram post.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-1696541563.jpg?w=131)
Bill Gates’ daughter touts relationship with Paul McCartney’s grandson
Phoebe Gates, the 21-year-old daughter of Bill Gates, has confirmed her relationship with Arthur Donald,...
![In California, the state’s excise tax on gas will rise from 57.9 cents per gallon to 59.6 cents per gallon. In California, the state’s excise tax on gas will rise from 57.9 cents per gallon to 59.6 cents per gallon.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SJM-L-GASTAX-0629-102.jpg?w=132)
Heads up, drivers: California and 6 other states will pump up gas taxes on July 1
In California, the state’s excise tax on gas will rise from 57.9 cents per gallon...
![The Supreme Court has a dozen cases still undecided, including ones that could reshape the law on everything from homelessness to social media. The Supreme Court has a dozen cases still undecided, including ones that could reshape the law on everything from homelessness to social media.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AP_Poll_Supreme_Court_45786.jpg?w=132)
What’s left for the Supreme Court to decide? 8 cases remain and here are the major ones
The Supreme Court has a dozen cases still undecided, including ones that could reshape the...
![Nikolas Cruz cannot so much as grant an interview without the written consent of a young man he tried to murder in 2018. Nikolas Cruz cannot so much as grant an interview without the written consent of a young man he tried to murder in 2018.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TFL-L-Nikolas-Cruz-Name-Brain.jpg?w=123)
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Parkland school shooter signs away rights to his name. Now, just one survivor owns it
Nikolas Cruz cannot so much as grant an interview without the written consent of a...
![The new combo costs more than McDonald's high-profile $5 Meal Deal but includes more food and will be available longer. The new combo costs more than McDonald's high-profile $5 Meal Deal but includes more food and will be available longer.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-TACOBELL-0627-01-e1719444417233.jpg?w=133)
Taco Bell has a new $7 Luxe Cravings Box
The new combo costs more than McDonald's high-profile $5 Meal Deal but includes more food...
![With its conservative majority, in recent years the justices have restricted the federal agency’s authority to fight air and water pollution. With its conservative majority, in recent years the justices have restricted the federal agency’s authority to fight air and water pollution.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Supreme_Court_25592-1.jpg?w=132)
Supreme Court halts enforcement of EPA plan to limit downwind pollution from power plants
With its conservative majority, in recent years the justices have restricted the federal agency’s authority...
![The house itself cost roughly $300,000 to construct on a one-acre lot worth approximately $100,000, on the current market with clear title. The mistakes made by the developer and construction company may amount to even more. The house itself cost roughly $300,000 to construct on a one-acre lot worth approximately $100,000, on the current market with clear title. The mistakes made by the developer and construction company may amount to even more.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hawaiihome0627.jpg?w=140)
Hawaii court orders deconstruction of house built on wrong lot
The house itself cost roughly $300,000 to construct on a one-acre lot worth approximately $100,000,...
![The final opinion appears largely similar to the draft released early. It reverses the court’s earlier order that had allowed an Idaho abortion ban to go into effect, even in medical emergencies. The final opinion appears largely similar to the draft released early. It reverses the court’s earlier order that had allowed an Idaho abortion ban to go into effect, even in medical emergencies.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Supreme_Court_26110_d459d7.jpg?w=132)
The Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho for now in a limited ruling
The final opinion appears largely similar to the draft released early. It reverses the court’s...