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Judge: Oregon lawmakers who walked out can’t run again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

By Claire Rush | Associated PressPORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge has rejected a request from Oregon Republican state senators who boycotted the Legislature to be allowed on the ballot after their terms end.U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken issued the decision Wednesday.State Sens. Dennis Linthicum, Brian Boquist and Cedric Hayden were among the plaintiffs who filed the federal lawsuit to challenge their disqualification from running for reelection under Measure 113. The voter-approved constitutional amendment, which passed by a wide margin last year, bars legislators from seeking reelection after 10 or more unexcused absences.Each of the three senators racked up more than 10 absences during a record six-week walkout that paralyzed the 2023 legislative session. The boycott stemmed from bills on abortion, transgender health care and guns.The lawmakers sought, among other things, a preliminary injunction to prevent the secretary of state’s office from enforcing their disqualif...

Google workers, others hold ‘die-in’ over Project Nimbus contract with Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

Hundreds of protesters rallied in San Francisco this week against Google’s Project Nimbus cloud-computing contract with the Israeli government.About a dozen protesters outside Google’s offices on Market Street laid down Thursday on the sidewalk under white shrouds marked with “Genocide” in Google’s trademark colors.Marching to drums, protesters chanted, “Google, Google, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”Bay Area Google software engineer and protest organizer Rachel Westrick said a significant number of the activists were Google employees, but an exact number was not available. Workers at the Mountain View tech giant have been agitating against Project Nimbus since it was announced in 2021, gathering more than 1,000 signatures on an internal company petition demanding Google drop it, Westrick said.People protest outside Google offices in San Francisco, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Demonstrators protested Google’s contract w...

Sharks put one center on IR, acquire another one from Vancouver Canucks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

The San Jose Sharks picked some organizational center depth Friday as they acquired  Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick.Studnicka, 24, is in his fifth pro season and has split time this year between the AHL and NHL. With the Canucks, he had one goal in five games.Studnicka was with Abbotsford, the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, in Tucson, Ariz. Per the Sharks, Studnicka will drive to Tempe tonight to join the team, which is playing the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena at 6 p.m. (PST). He will not play tonight.Studnicka, listed at 6-foot-1 and 187 points, will be added to the Sharks’ roster on Saturday and be available to play in San Jose’s game against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday in Denver.The Sharks created a roster spot for Studnicka by placing center Nico Sturm on injured reserve. Sturm was hurt during Tuesday’s game with the Winnipeg Jets and did not travel with the team.Studnicka has 16 poi...

Oakland robbers chase, ram victim's car at Lake Merritt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

(KRON) -- A harrowing Oakland car chase stretched from International Boulevard to Lakeshore Avenue until one vehicle flipped on its roof next to Lake Merritt around sunrise Friday. Oakland Police Department officers said the incident began on the 800 block of International Boulevard where three vehicles began following a victim's car.The victim realized he was being followed and tried to drive away, only to be chased and rammed by hostile drivers behind him.A car flipped and landed on the Lake Merritt walking trail on Dec. 15, 2023. (AIO FILMZ) The victim said he called 911 while he was trying to escape, but emergency dispatchers placed his call on hold. A freelance videographer said she witnessed multiple cars chasing the victim's vehicle along Lakeshore Avenue.Oakland police officer Rosalia Lopez wrote, "One of the vehicles collided with the victim’s vehicle, causing the victim’s vehicle to rollover."A car flipped and landed on the Lake Merritt walking trail on Dec. 15, 2023. (AIO...

7 displaced, firefighter injured in Saratoga condominium complex fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

(KRON) -- Crews responded to a fire at a condominium complex in Saratoga on Friday, the Santa Clara County Fire Department announced on X. Around 11:58 a.m., multiple condominium units in the area of Stoneridge Drive had been affected by the blaze.Seven people were displaced due to the fire. One firefighter sustained a minor injury, officials said. However, county officials said no residents were home during the fire. Santa Clara County Fire Department did not specify if the seven displaced people lived at or near the complex. Photos of the scene of the fire can be viewed below. SFO worker wins $20M after buying Scratchers ticket in East Bay (Santa Clara County Fire Department)(Santa Clara County Fire Department)It is unknown how the fire started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

US government injects confusion into Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. government injected confusion into next year’s presidential election in Venezuela on Friday by incorrectly suggesting opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had filed an appeal to reverse her ban on running for office.Machado subsequently sidestepped questions about whether she had been pressured by the Biden administration to appear before Venezuela’s highest court, but she made a veiled criticism of the U.S. comment, saying she wished she had been able to announce her actions herself.A tweet from the U.S. government’s unit that oversees Venezuelan affairs praised Machado’s “courage and willingness” to appeal the ban. But as she left the country’s highest court Friday evening, she told reporters she did not file an appeal because she has not been officially notified of the ban announced against her in June.“I am not going to resort to that procedure,” she said of the appeal process.Instead, Machado, a longtime foe of the ruling party and win...

Pirates finalize deal with Tellez, acquire Olivares from Royals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rowdy Tellez and the Pirates finalized their $3.2 million, one-year contract on Friday, when Pittsburgh also acquired outfielder Edward Olivares from the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal.Tellez, a first baseman and designated hitter, can earn $800,000 in performance bonuses as part of the deal.Olivares, 27, hit .263 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs last season. He has a .261 average with 24 homers and 73 RBIs in parts of four seasons with San Diego (2020) and the Royals.The 21-year-old Nadal hit .212 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 101 games for Class A Bradenton last season.The 28-year-old Tellez hit .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs for Milwaukee in 2023. The left-handed batter is a career .233 hitter in six seasons with Toronto and Milwaukee.Right-hander Roddery Muñoz was designated for assignment by the Pirates.The Pirates entered the offseason in need of help at first base. They began 2022 with Carlos Santana at the posi...

Michael Wacha gets $32M, 2-year deal with Royals, Hunter Renfroe $13M contract, AP sources say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager J.J. Picollo knew he needed to upgrade his rotation and fill a corner outfield spot this offseason.He took care of both tasks Friday.In the latest moves in what has become a busy offseason in Kansas City, the Royals agreed to a $32 million, two-year deal with pitcher Michael Wacha and a $13 million, two-year contract with outfielder Hunter Renfroe, people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreements had not been announced.Wacha’s deal calls for a $16 million salary next season and contains a $16 million player option for 2025, while Renfroe will get a $5.5 million salary next season with a $7.5 million player option for 2025 and a $1 million buyout.In addition. the Royals traded outfielder Edward Olivares to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league outfielder Deivis Nadal. The 21-year-old Nadal hit .212 with eight homers, 39 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 1...

76ers agree to multi-year extension with team president Daryl Morey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers extended team president Daryl Morey’s contract through the 2027-28 season.Financial terms were not disclosed.“I’m very excited to be here in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future and even a little bit longer,” Morey said. “We have goals that ownership wants to accomplish, I want to accomplish, Joel Embiid, (Tyreese) Maxey, Tobias (Harris), everyone wants to accomplish.”Morey’s .653 winning percentage through his first three seasons represents the best mark in franchise history. Last season, the 76ers compiled a 54-28 regular-season record, the team’s best mark since 2000-01. However, they have not made it past the second round of the playoffs since that same season. They entered Friday’s game against Detroit with a 16-7 record this season.“Daryl is one of the best front office executives in sports and I greatly value his leadership,” Josh Harris, 76ers managing partner, said in a statement issued by the team. “I’m thrilled to have reached...

Matt Carpenter acquired by Braves in multiplayer trade with Padres

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:08 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — First baseman Matt Carpenter was acquired by the Atlanta Braves along with left-hander Ray Kerr and cash from the San Diego Padres on Friday for outfielder Drew Campbell.A three-time All-Star with St. Louis, the 38-year-old Carpenter revived his career with the New York Yankees in 2022 when took advantage of the right-field short porch and hit .305 with 15 homers and 37 RBIs. He played for the Yankees from May 26 to Aug. 8, when he broke his left foot with a foul ball. He returned for the postseason and went 1 for 12 with nine strikeouts.Carpenter signed a $12 million, two-year contract with the Padres that included a $5.5 million player option for 2024. He hit .176 with five homers and 31 RBIs, but had just 50 at-bats from July 1 on. Carpenter didn’t play after Sept. 10 because of right elbow inflammation.Carpenter was an All-Star in 2013, ‘14 and ’16. He has .260 career average with 175 homers and 644 RBIs for the Cardinals (2011-21), Yankees and Padres.Kerr...