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California bill proposes new agency to handle reparations for Black residents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

Reparations for Californians who are descendants of Black American slaves are one step closer to becoming a reality, but precisely what those reparations will be has not been defined. Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) introduced SB 490, the first reparations-related bill introduced in the California Legislature since the state reparations task force submitted its final recommendation report to the governor and Legislature earlier this summer. The bill would establish the state government body that would administer reparations. "This will be the start," said Bradford. "In order to implement reparations —whatever it looks like— you need a governmental agency or some sort of oversight department to do so. Before you can even talk about what reparations look like, you need to have the infrastructure there." California task force votes in favor of reparation proposals for Black residents Among the task force's recommendations is a call for the state to create what is known as the "Calif...

Did the AMPTP violate labor laws when they publicly revealed their deal to the WGA?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

Both actors and writers are on the picket lines again after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) publicly shared their offer to members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).Some suggested that was a publicity stunt to show Wall Street, among others, that they were trying to settle with the union and end the strike. Others claim the plan was more sinister as they felt the organization went around union leadership to try and sow discord among union members with those who may like elements of the new offer and some who may not. WGA member David Slack took to X, formerly Twitter, to point this out. "Turns out what the AMPTP did last night wasn't just sleazy and pathetic. They may also have violated labor law," he wrote. A labor expert weighed in and said that the WGA member may be right, according to the L.A. Times.“They are trying to appeal to the union membership directly, which is a violation of the duty to bargain in good faith,” said Andrea Schneider, d...

Cyclist Severely Injured in Bicycle Crash on Jensen Avenue [Fresno County, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

Car Accident on East Avenue Left Bicyclist Critically HurtFRESNO COUNTY, CA (August 24, 2023) – Thursday night, one victim sustained injuries in a bicycle crash on Jensen Avenue.The crash occurred around 6:00 p.m., in the area of Jensen and East Avenues.According to the reports, a cyclist was trying to get across the crossing from Jensen Avenue’s south side, but he did not have the right of way.A car heading eastbound on Jensen Avenue collided with the cyclist as he attempted to cross the street.When officers came, they discovered an adult male in his 50s on the sidewalk with serious injuries.Medical personnel arrived and transported the cyclist to a nearby hospital for further treatment in serious condition. However, authorities have not yet released their name or place of residency.The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.No further details regarding the crash are public at this time. However, more information will be provided once available.Injur...

Police: Man charged in Oakland fatal shooting of man he met less than three hours earlier

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

OAKLAND — A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting Sunday morning of another man in East Oakland whom the defendant had met less than three hours earlier, according to authorities and court documents.Juan Sura-Martinez, of Oakland, is accused in the death of Guillermo Kelly-Torres, 23, of Corte Madera, who police were told was a grocery store employee.Authorities said Sura-Martinez, who is on probation for a conviction as a juvenile, allegedly admitted the killing, which happened about 5:44 a.m. Sunday outside a home in the 9200 block of E Street.Authorities said the two men did not know each other but both knew people at the home.Both men arrived at the home about 3 a.m. to hang out, police said.Just before the shooting the two men got into an argument. Police would not say what the argument was about but it ended with Kelly-Torres being shot. He died at the scene.Sura-Martinez fled before police arrived, but investigators were able to identify him...

Exec says Oakland A’s temporary home after 2024 likely down to three sites, including … SF Giants’ Oracle Park?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

Oakland Athletics team president David Kaval says the team has narrowed the list of potential temporary homes while construction of their proposed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is underway to three cities: Oakland, the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, and San Francisco.The A’s want to relocate to southern Nevada, but the ballpark they want to build next to the famed Las Vegas Strip will not open until 2028 at the earliest. The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires after the 2024 season, and Kaval said, in the meantime, the team will probably play its home games either at the current — and nearly 60-year-old — facility, San Francisco’s Oracle Park, or Las Vegas Ballpark, the home field of Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate.“I think those are the three most likely scenarios and how that plays out,” Kaval told the Nevada Independent in a story published Wednesday. “That’s something (Major League Baseball) is running point on.”Oakland city officials have previously told this publ...

Nearly $100K in fines still isn’t pushing this San Jose church owner to fix downtown eyesore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

A China-based property owner behind a downtown San Jose church that’s been sitting in significant disrepair for years could end up getting an eye-popping bill from the city.Z&L Properties, which owns First Church of Christ, Scientist at 43 East St. James St. and whose principal executive is mired in a bribery scandal, has already racked up around $85,000 in penalties for allowing the century-old house of worship to languish. But city leaders say Z&L is still sitting on their hands, despite repeated outreach.Now, San Jose is considering upping its penalty cap for neglectful property owners, from $100,000 to half a million dollars, with the hopes that it compels Z&L to fix up the site. The city is also considering ways to take over the property — though officials said that may be legally complicated.“Behind me is a symbol of negligence that will no longer be tolerated in the city of San Jose,” said Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday standing outside of th...

US intelligence assessment: Wagner chief’s plane crashed after intentionally caused explosion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

By Emma Burrows and Aamer Madhani  | Associated PressWASHINGTON — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin’s lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the p...

National Cinema Day: Major theater chains offering $4 tickets for 1 day only

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX/NEXSTAR) – The Cinema Foundation has announced plans for its second annual National Cinema Day on Aug. 27, and moviegoers can join in the celebration with deep discounts on movie tickets at theaters across the country.More than 3,000 locations across the U.S. are said to be participating in the promotion, offering viewers the chance to attend showings of blockbuster films or indie releases at just $4 or less. Why are movie theater snacks so expensive? “We look forward to gathering at the movies and celebrating an exciting slate of new releases and classics, from beloved family favorites and outrageous comedies to thought-provoking dramas and thrilling adventures," said Cinema Foundation president Jackie Brenneman in a statement obtained by Variety. "There’s something for everyone.”Those interested in heading to the theaters on Sunday can visit the National Cinema Day for a list of available films and showtimes in their area. A wide selection of movies — including ...

San Francisco police defend how officers arrest unsheltered residents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Police Department released new data about how its officers use force against unsheltered people in the city. The data was released in response to an article published by the San Francisco Standard Thursday that shone a glaring spotlight on who SFPD officers most frequently use force against.The Standard wrote, "Over a recent five-year period, nearly a third of all people whom San Francisco police used force against had something in common. (They) were experiencing homelessness." The Standard obtained the use-of-force data first through filing a public records request.SFPD fired back with a lengthy explanation behind the data. SFPD Sgt. Kathryn Winters wrote, "In response to a report in the SF Standard ... the SFPD is setting the record straight. SFPD officers received 174,176 homeless-related calls from dispatchers between 2017 and 2022. Only 43 of those cases resulted in a use of force after the individual either assaulted or resisted polic...

Bay Area air quality advisory issued for Friday due to wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:24:21 GMT

(BCN) -- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory for Friday because of wildfire smoke from fires elsewhere in Northern California. The air district says Bay Area residents may see smoky or hazy skies or smell smoke, but the pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards or prompt a Spare the Air alert. Scientists solve deep-sea ‘Octopus Garden’ mystery off California coast The smoke is from the Smith River Complex fire near the California-Oregon border and other fires in Northern California, according to the district. Air quality advisories were also issued for Sunday through Wednesday this week. Anyone who smells smoke is recommended to stay inside with windows and doors closed and should set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside, air district officials said. People can check the latest air quality readings in their area by visiting http://baaqmd.gov/h...