FRESNO STATE — Frances Levine, whose gift to Fresno State of her U.S. poet laureate husband’s extensive personal book collection sparked the creation of the Philip Levine Reading Room inside the University library, passed away in Fresno on June 13. She was 94. The generosity of Frances Levine — known by friends as “Franny” — was emblematic of her life ...

HEALTH & FITNESS — The same risk factors that contribute to making heart disease the leading cause of death worldwide also impact the rising global prevalence of brain disease, including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2022 Update, more than 54 million people had Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in ...

By Jefferson Beavers, Fresno State FRESNO STATE — Author and Fresno State professor Mai Der Vang was honored May 9 as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, for her groundbreaking book of documentary poetry, “Yellow Rain.” The book integrates archival research and declassified government documents to examine the biological warfare that threads through wars involving Hmong people. In lyrical poems ...

Lars Erik Thorson September 21, 1961 – March 13, 2022 Lars Erik Thorson, age 60, passed away on March 13, 2022, after a long battle with end stage renal disease. His kind-hearted and loyal soul will be deeply missed and his life and spirit will surely live on in those who loved him. Lars was born on September 21, 1961, ...

FRESNO STATE — According to Fresno State communication professor Dr. Devendra Sharma, nothing compares to the satisfaction and fulfilling experience of watching the nautanki, a North Indian form of opera. His memories are enveloped by the beautiful singing backed by instruments and the presence of thousands of people standing on bullock carts and their roofs to reward the troupe with ...