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Los Angeles city workers to join strikes of 'hot labor summer'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

Hot labor summer continues as yet another large group of workers have announced plans to strike. Los Angeles city workers are planning to go on a 24-hour strike Tuesday, according to multiple reports. Striking workers will picket at Los Angeles City Hall and LAX, worker union SEIU Local 721 indicated on Twitter.They join hotel workers, UPS workers, writers and actors in using strikes — or the threats of strikes — to negotiate for better wages and benefits from their employees.The L.A. city worker strike would be the first in 15 years, the Los Angeles Times reports. SEIU Local 721 said about 11,000 people will participate, including "sanitation workers, heavy duty mechanics, traffic officers and engineers," the Times added. The workers are "vital to the function of services for millions of Angelenos every day and to our local economy," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement issued in response to the strike announcement."They deserve fair contracts and we have been bargainin...

Swim in the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

After a two-year closure of Hearst Castle, the landmark is allowing people to come over for a swim. The pool was once visited by Hollywood legends like Joan Crawford, Howard Hughes and Charlie Chaplin.You have the chance to go behind the scenes and swim in the San Simeon, California, pool. But it'll cost you. First, you have to be a member of the Foundation at Hearst Castle, which costs $500 annually. After that, you can book a reservation for $1,000, which gives you access to the iconic Neptune pool. Those who qualify and are interested can book their reservation online. There are a limited amount of tickets available. The first swim event is the Hollywood at Hearst Castle Neptune Pool Swim on Aug. 19. Hollywood insiders like Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of "American Idol" and the creator of "So You Think You Can Dance," "Grace and Frankie" actress June Diane Raphael and her husband, actor Paul Scheer from "The League," and more will be in attendance. No more than 50 peop...

Person found dead in car on U.S. 101 in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

An individual was found dead on U.S. 101 in San Jose on Friday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.At just past 11:30 p.m., CHP reported a white Hyundai Genesis was stopped on the left-hand shoulder of U.S. 101 near Yerba Buena Road. A coroner was called to the scene, but details behind the death were not immediately.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Former Sacramento Kings player gets 10 years in prison for NBA benefit fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

NEW YORK — Terrence Williams, who played briefly for the Sacramento Kings in 2012, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a federal judge Thursday for defrauding the NBA’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan of $5 million between 2017 and 2021.Williams, a first-round pick by the then-New Jersey Nets in the 2009 NBA draft, was also ordered to forfeit more than $650,000 and pay $2.5 million in restitution.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | San Jose flooring company owner sentenced for shorting workers $1 million in overtime wages Crime and Public Safety | Wells Fargo accused of new fake-accounts scam in racketeering, identity-fraud lawsuit Crime and Public Safety | Man arrested after California sheriff’s department receives 7,000 spam calls Crime and Public Safety | Sam Bankman-Fried faces potential gag order after witness-tampering allegations Crime and Public Safety | Businessman gets over 5 years in priso...

California home prices could jump 7%. Where might biggest gains occur?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

“Crystal Ball” helps decipher numerous forecasts that ponder the future ups and downs of the economy.Buzz: It could be another rollercoaster ride for California home values as one forecast calls for price dips reversing to a 7.3% gain over the next 12 months.Source: My trusty spreadsheet reviewed the June report for CoreLogic’s home-price indexes, looking at what happened to values in 12 big markets and what might come next. This “paired sales” index is based on a study of price changes tied to individual transactions compared with other yardsticks that only track median sales prices.The trendCalifornia’s home prices fell 2.2% in the year ended in June with losses found in all but one of a dozen markets tracked. The dip follows statewide prices soaring 35.5% in the previous 24 months.This turnabout can be largely tied to plummeting affordability on the heels of Federal Reserve rate hikes. The central bank morphed in early 2022 from a home-price pumper – using historically cheap mone...

‘Heartless’ jail time for Bay Area mother of newborn twins

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

A petition for resentencing will be heard Monday in Solano County Superior Court for a mother of newborn twins who was denied bail July 28 after being convicted of fraud.Patricia Anne McCleese, 33, who left the courtroom in tears after the denial, will face Judge Carlos R. Gutierrez in a bid to convince the judge to “recall” her jail sentence of two years and eight months.Chief Deputy Public Defender Oscar Bobrow said after the July 28 hearing that an appellate court might be interested in the bail denial “given the gravity of the impact on the children who were just born.”Bobrow added that in his 40-year legal career he had “not seen a judge be this heartless” and the denial of bail “seems unduly harsh.” Gutierrez responded by pointing out  Bobrow has never been a judge.Guiterrez was requested by Division 5 of the First Appellate District to file a response granting or denying McCleese’s request to be released on her own recognizance with bail, pending appeal. The judge must respon...

White California mom claims Southwest Airlines thought she was human trafficking when traveling with her Black daughter, according to lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

By Jamiel Lynch|  CNNA mother is suing Southwest Airlines for racial discrimination, saying she was accused of human trafficking when traveling with her biracial child.Mary MacCarthy, who is White, traveled from California to Denver with her daughter, who is Black, to attend her brother’s funeral in October of 2021, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday.“Unbeknownst to Ms. MacCarthy, while they were in the air, a Southwest employee called the Denver Police Department to report Ms. MacCarthy for suspected child trafficking for no reason other than the different color of her daughter’s skin from her own,” the suit alleges.As MacCarthy and her daughter were walking down the jet bridge, they were confronted by Denver police officers, it continues.“The officers began questioning Ms. MacCarthy and made it clear that they were given the racially charged information that Ms. MacCarthy’s daughter was possibly being trafficked by her simply because Ms. MacCarthy is White and her daughter is...

High school football 2023 preview: Oakland Athletic League

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

OAKLAND ATHLETIC LEAGUE(Predicted order of finish)No. 1 MCCLYMONDSCoach: Michael Peters2022 record: 12-2What to expect: Until proven otherwise, McClymonds is still the undisputed king of the Oakland Athletic League, an elite program that expects to compete for state titles. The offensive line should be elite, with 270-pound junior Sione Vailea and 6-7 senior Ahmad Robinson paving the way for the electrifying Tajir Golden, who totaled 689 yards from scrimmage in 2022 and is converting to RB this year. Senior Jacob Wasso, a transfer from Freedom, is expected to be the starting QB.  Linebackers John “Sharky” Tamale and Amir Gobar lead a defense that graduated almost its entire defensive line. Redmani Albert, Berkeley transfer Jimmy Bush and Tay’Shon Clayton are all stalwarts at DB. Kicker Isaac Espinosa has 50-yard range. McClymonds’ brutal non-league schedule includes games at Bellarmine, San Ramon Valley and De La Salle.Season opener: Sept. 1 vs. Bellarmine at San Jose City College, ...

‘Unusual for our area’: Severe storms expected to rattle DC area Monday afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

Severe thunderstorms with strong winds, bearing the possibility of tornadoes and hail, are expected to come down on the D.C. area Monday afternoon and into the evening.Much of the area is now under a Moderate (Level 4 of 5) Risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Widespread damaging wind gusts are likely, with potential for locally destructive winds. Tornadoes and large hail are also possible. Have a way to receive warnings! pic.twitter.com/6gINUGKGi7— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 7, 2023The National Weather Service warns that there is a moderate risk for severe storms in the D.C. area later Monday — level 4 out of 5, in terms of severity — with the risk of damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and large hail possible. The storms should be moving from west to east from 3 to 9 p.m.WTOP Meteorologist Mike Stinneford said this threat level is “unusual for our area,” and locals should be prepared for significant, severe weather.According to ...

At least 12 people were injured in a blast at a port in northwest Turkey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:40 GMT

ISTANBUL (AP) — An explosion at a port in northwest Turkey on Monday injured at least 12 people, officials said.The blast at a grain depot at the port of Derince on the northern shore of the Gulf of Izmit sent up plumes of thick smoke and dust. An initial investigation showed the explosion was caused by “wheat dust compression during the transfer of wheat from a ship to the silo,” said Seddar Yavuz, governor of Kocaeli province.The explosion at the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) site was still being investigated, he added.Kocaeli Mayor Tahir Buyukakin said three of the injured were hospitalized in serious condition. All personnel had been accounted for.The Transport Ministry said no ships were affected.Source