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Modesto Grand Prix coverage

The Modesto Grand Prix is coming to downtown Modesto Aug. 1-3.

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Local

(center in image:) Justin Schuppert, of Turlock, in black, and Brad Catlett, of Denair, cheer during the demolition derby at the Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock Monday, July 14, 2014.

Stanislaus County Fair attendance up this year

The Stanislaus County Fair saw a bump in attendance this year, with nearly 239,000 people coming through the gates over its 10-day run. That’s an increase of 6 percent over the 2013 attendance numbers, fair officials said in a news release.

Sports

Another strong outing by Samardzija gives A’s bullpen a much-needed rest

Right-hander Jeff Samardzija was watching TV in his hotel room after the A’s beat the Houston Astros late Wednesday night when he happened to catch a replay of Bob Melvin’s post-game interview, in which the manager was asked about the...

Opinion

Our View: The good and bad of those rising Valley home prices

It’s great that home prices are rising, but beware of the horrible disparity between the Valley and the coast.

State

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, is surrounded by reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 25, 2014, as she emerges from a closed-door session with fellow Republicans. President Barack Obama will urge Central American leaders to help slow the influx of unaccompanied children fleeing their countries for the United States, even as Congress remains deeply divided over proposals to stem the crisis at the border.

Obama urging Central American leaders for help

President Barack Obama met with Central American leaders Friday to urge them to help slow the stream of unaccompanied children from their countries to the U.S., as House Republicans tried to agree on their own proposed solution to the crisis at the... 4 minutes ago

Living & Entertainment

Wine tastings across the Modesto region

WHAT: Beyond Napa Chardonnay and Cabernet

Business

Relatives of people killed while driving a GM vehicle gather at the Capitol in Washington in April. The automaker set aside $400 million to compensate crash victims.

GM: $400 million set for victims fund

General Motors estimated that it would pay victims of an ignition-switch defect about $400 million in settlements through a compensation fund administered by an outside official – although the cost could increase by $200 million depending on...

Nation & World

Frank Thomas.

‘The presence of greatness’: How Frank Thomas became Columbus’ most famous ball player

As a child, Frank Thomas Jr. told his sisters he was going to be a rich and famous baseball player. He fell in love with the sport in the Boxwood neighborhood of Columbus, where he lived. His mother, Charlie Mae Thomas, said he bought a 50-cent bat... 37 minutes ago