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Walters: California’s economic outlook worsens as Newsom travels overseas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

While Gov. Gavin Newsom polishes his foreign policy credentials with visits to Israel and China, California is experiencing an economic slowdown that could bode ill for the final three years of his governorship.The state’s latest employment report, issued last week for September, found fewer Californians employed than there were a year earlier, while the jobless ranks had increased by 144,100. The state’s unemployment rate creeped up to 4.7%, the second highest of any state, while the labor force — Californians working or looking for work — continued to decline.“Census figures released this week reveal the extent to which households continue to leave California,” Taner Osman, research manager at Beacon Economics, said in an analysis of the job data. “The state’s population has fallen by half-a-million people over the past three years and this is filtering through to the economy, where the labor force has shrunk and employers are struggling to find workers.”The darkening ...

State lawmakers seek help from CHP for Antioch police department thinned by scandal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

ANTIOCH — Two state lawmakers have asked the governor to send California Highway Patrol officers to help patrol a city whose police department is engulfed by scandal, leaving dozens of officers on leave.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Leaked video shows Antioch cops fire dozens of shots at man as he runs away Crime and Public Safety | Antioch police ID four cops who shot and wounded homicide suspect; one had spent just 4 days on the job Crime and Public Safety | East Bay leaders in Geneva to speak at Human Rights Council meeting Crime and Public Safety | Antioch: Man wanted for homicide is shot by police during pursuit Crime and Public Safety | With more than half of police unable to work, councilman calls for help In a joint letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom sent Monday, state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, and Assemblymember Tim Grayson, D-Contra Costa, sought help from the CHP in protect...

Santa Rosa drug bust yields over a pound of cocaine, $70K in cash, several weapons

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

(KRON) -- Officers seized over a pound of cocaine, $71,000 in cash, and several firearms along with ammunition in a drug bust last week, the Santa Rosa Police Department announced. Santa Rosa PD detectives launched an investigation last month into someone allegedly selling cocaine locally.The suspect was identified by detectives as Giovanni Small, 31, of Santa Rosa.According to police, Small left his residence in the 1700 block of Ridley Avenue at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. He got into his vehicle and drove to the 1500 block of Hampton Way. Food delivery driver suspected of entering San Jose motel room, sexually assaulting girl Officers contacted him at that location and detained him pursuant to a search warrant.SRPD executed search warrants at two locations: one in the 200 block of E Street; and another at the 1700 block of Ridley Avenue.Officers found "nothing of note" at the E Street location, police said. However, at the Ridley Street location, officers found:Approximately 1...

Santa Cruz's wild 'surfing sea otter' has new pup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) -- A wild sea otter that became famous over the summer for hopping on surfers' longboards is now a proud new mother. Local photographer Mark Woodward captured heartwarming images of "Otter 841" floating in the chilly Monterey Bay with her tiny pup on Tuesday. The sea otter floated on her back and held her napping pup in a kelp bed offshore from the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. "It was kind of an emotional moment. We all need good news in this world right now," Woodward told KRON4 on Wednesday. "Sea Otter 841" snuggles with her pup on Oct. 24, 2023. (Photo by Mark Woodward / Native Santa Cruz) The photographer first started documenting "Otter 841's" unique passion for surfboards when summer waves were crowded with surfers. The sea otter commandeered a dozen surfboards from unsuspecting surfers next to Steamer Lane, and she caught a few waves at Cowells Beach. Wildlife officials made several attempts to catch the 5-year-old otter with plans to place her in captivit...

Sen. John Fetterman’s Former Campaign Staffers Urge Him to Support Israel–Hamas Ceasefire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

Sixteen former Campaign staffers of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., have penned a letter urging their onetime boss to back a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, telling him that “it is not too late to change your stance and stand on the righteous side of history.”The open letter comes as Fetterman, a consistent supporter of Israel, has defended its war on Gaza and is the latest effort by former or current U.S. government employees urging an end to the violence. On Thursday, Fetterman joined 35 other senators in pushing for “the swift implementation of sustained access for humanitarian aid, including water and medical supplies, to save innocent civilian lives in Gaza,” yet he has been dismissive of his congressional colleagues’ calls for a ceasefire.“Now is not the time to talk about a ceasefire,” Fetterman posted a few days after 13 House Democrats introduced a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. “We must support Israel in efforts to eliminate the Hamas terrorists...

Avalanche, Bruins and Golden Knights mark 1st time in NHL history 3 teams open a season 6-0-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

The defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights have picked up where they left off, the Boston Bruins are figuring out their game after an early playoff exit last spring and the Colorado Avalanche are winning while not yet playing their best hockey.All three are undefeated to start the NHL season, making some history in the process. It’s the first time the league has had three teams open a season with at least six wins in a row. Vegas, which already has the best start for a reigning champ with seven consecutive victories, is the closest to tying the record for the longest winning streak to start a season: 10, by the 1993-94 Toronto Maple Leafs and 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres. The Golden Knights scored twice in the final eight minutes of regulation Tuesday, rallying from down 2-1 to beat Philadelphia.“We’ve got talent, for one,” coach Bruce Cassidy said, when asked about the undefeated start. “We have different guys that can help you win. That’s probably the simplest answer....

Opening statements set to begin in trial of boat captain for 2019 fire that killed 34 passengers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors are set to begin their opening statements Wednesday in the trial of the captain of a scuba dive boat that caught fire in 2019, killing 34 people on board and becoming the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history. Captain Jerry Boylan is charged with one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a pre-Civil War statute colloquially known as “seaman’s manslaughter” that was designed to hold steamboat captains and crew responsible for maritime disasters. He faces 10 years behind bars if convicted.He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. His federal public defenders did not return The Associated Press’ repeated requests for comment, and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment.Twelve jurors and three alternates were sworn in Wednesday morning. Both sides are scheduled to make their opening statements in the afternoon.The National Transportation Safety Board blamed Boylan for the tragedy, saying h...

76ers tell James Harden to stay home ahead of season opener in Milwaukee

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers added another wrinkle to their messy relationship when the team told the disgruntled guard to stay home instead of traveling for Thursday’s season opener against Milwaukee.Harden — who issued an offseason trade demand — did not play in the preseason and skipped practice last week for what was officially called a personal matter before he showed up Wednesday at the team’s complex in Camden, New Jersey, ready to play.Coach Nick Nurse said he was told Tuesday night that Harden had arrived in town. Nurse said Harden was involved in practice early and late but not in the game preparation part for the Bucks.The opening matchup pits NBA MVP and two-time scoring champion Joel Embiid against Milwaukee’s two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million extension this week with the Bucks.“We have to get ready for our game tomorrow with the guys that are going to be playing,” Nur...

Pro Picks: Bills should get back on winning track vs. Buccaneers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here.___The Buffalo Bills haven’t looked like Super Bowl contenders in a month.Since whipping Miami 48-20 in Week 4, the Bills (4-3) have lost twice and barely beat the Giants thanks to a pair of stops at the 1-yard line.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) present an opportunity for Buffalo to get back on track.With Baker Mayfield under center and a dismal run game, the Buccaneers have struggled on offense. Their top-10 defense has kept them in games.They’ll need that D to step up Thursday night in Buffalo.Despite slow first-half starts in the past three games, the Bills have a dynamic offense behind Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.“We’re very aware that we haven’t played up to our standard and our potential the last couple of weeks and we’re looking to fix that,” Allen said. “So any opportunity that we get to play this game, you know, we’re going to jump...

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts likely to start with knee injury Sunday against Washington

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:51:41 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts is expected to start for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday against Washington while playing through an injury to his left knee.In the second half of a 31-17 victory over Miami, Hurts played with a brace on his left knee yet still led the Eagles on a go-ahead drive. Hurts clearly hasn’t been himself this season. The game-breaking runs have been kept in check and his eight interceptions are two more than he threw a season ago.“Just taking it day by day,” Hurts said Wednesday.Hurts didn’t specify when he was injured except to say it wasn’t in the game against the Dolphins.“I don’t want to make it bigger than what it is,” Hurts said. “I think it’s something that comes with every player in this league. Things happen in this league and you just try to avoid them.”The defending NFC champions are 6-1 and surely can’t afford to lose Hurts for any length of time. They started 13-1 last season before Hurts sprained his right shoulde...