How well is your California legislator representing you?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

How well is your California legislator representing you? BY SAMEEA KAMAL | CalMattersPop quiz: What does your state senator do?And for extra credit: Which Assemblymember represents you?You’d be forgiven for not knowing. Despite the hundreds of laws that legislators pass each year, many Californians aren’t always aware of what their representatives do, or how their decisions impact their lives.That’s partly why Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover hosted a fall “Meet Your Representatives” event in the relatively new Folsom Ranch neighborhood. Inside the sparkling clean cafeteria at Mangini Ranch Elementary School, about two dozen residents gathered to hear what city, county and state elected officials do for them.Most of the audience questions were focused on local issues: What is the city doing to attract bigger businesses? Why aren’t dogs on leashes?But one resident asked the state lawmakers about school safety: Were they planning to introduce any bills to deal with the problem of mass shootings?Hoover took that question: “There was an ...

Best of the West rankings: Arizona on top, followed by Gonzaga, BYU and Colorado State

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Best of the West rankings: Arizona on top, followed by Gonzaga, BYU and Colorado State Welcome to the first installment of the Hotline’s Best of the West rankings for the 2023-24 basketball season. We’ll examine the top teams in the western third of the country on a weekly basis through Selection Sunday.And if the first NET rankings of the season are any indication, it should be an intriguing three months.Brigham Young is the No. 1 team this week in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, with Arizona and Colorado State in the top 10 and a barrage of others in the top 40.The NET plays a central role in the March Madness selection process. Generally, teams in the top 40 at the end of the regular season can be fairly confident of receiving NCAA at-large bids. As the results roll in, the NET will gain predictive power.Here we go.(NET rankings through Tuesday)1. Arizona (7-0)NET ranking: No. 3Next up: vs. Wisconsin (Saturday)Comment: Unfortunately, the Wildcats opted for the path of least resistance and will finish non-conference play against No. 23 Wisconsin...

2023’s Best Online Casinos: 10 Casino Sites for Big Wins & Bonuses (Updated List)

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

2023’s Best Online Casinos: 10 Casino Sites for Big Wins & Bonuses (Updated List) Sponsored ContentThe best online casinos have amazing games, easy-earn bonuses, and fast withdrawals – but where do you find them, though?Well, that’s the tricky part, but we’re here to help.We’ve put in the painstaking hours of reviewing each and every popular online casino on the gambling market today. After sifting through plenty of weeds, we’ve found the diamonds in the rough.Based on our updated results, the best online casino is still 7Bit, but there are plenty of competitors you ought to check out.Sounds good? Let’s begin.Best Online Casinos in 20237Bit: Best casino overallSlots.lv: #1 site for slotsHighway Casino: Up to $7,000 welcome bonusIgnition Casino: Poker tournaments with $1M GTDsBetOnline: #1 pick for table gamesRed Dog: Best for beginners Ducky Luck: Highest payout casinoBovada: Top pick for mobileWild Casino: Excellent blackjack libraryCafé Casino: Top pick for live dealer gamesmBit Casino: 4 BTC bonus + 300 free spinsHeads up about our links! Adblock might g...

Panera hit with another wrongful death suit over its caffeinated ‘charged lemonade’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Panera hit with another wrongful death suit over its caffeinated ‘charged lemonade’ Panera is being sued again after another customer is said to have died after consuming the chain’s caffeinated lemonade.Dennis Brown was a 46-year-old man with a chromosomal deficiency disorder, ADHD and high blood pressure who avoided energy drinks, according to a wrongful death complaint filed this week by his mother, brother and sister. A loyal Panera customer, he started regularly ordering “charged lemonade” in late September, according to the suit.On October 9, Brown, who had a mild intellectual disability and blurry vision along with developmental delay but lived independently, ordered a charged lemonade and is believed to have refilled his cup twice over the course of about an hour and a half, the suit said. He suffered a cardiac event on his walk home and was pronounced dead at the scene when found unresponsive.The complaint resembles another wrongful death suit filed earlier this year by the parents of Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old woman who died in September 2022 after drinkin...

San Francisco homicide: Woman dead in Presidio Heights home

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

San Francisco homicide: Woman dead in Presidio Heights home The death of a woman in a Presidio Heights home is being investigated as a homicide, San Francisco police said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Bay Area homicides 2023: Map and details The woman was found unresponsive by officers called to a building on the 3200 block of Clay Street for a well-being check at 7:12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Despite paramedics’ efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.The woman was identified as Kimberly Wong, 27.Police have not released information about the cause of her death but said the homicide unit is investigating the case.

Petaluma PD seek public help to find missing at-risk person

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Petaluma PD seek public help to find missing at-risk person (BCN) -- Petaluma police are seeking public assistance to locate Benedetta Pelosi, 33, who was reported missing early Wednesday morning.Pelosi was last seen around leaving her residence in the 100 block of Wyndham Way for her routine walk, but she has not been seen since, said police, who added that officers were not able to find her in the area she frequently walked. Oakland police union blames Mayor Thao for missing out on grant According to police, Pelosi has a cellphone but it is turned off. Pelosi is described as a white female adult, standing five feet and three inches, and weighing around 105 pounds. She has short brown hair and brown eyes. She is believed to be wearing a multicolored sweatshirt, black leggings, reading glasses, and carrying a blue backpack. She does not own a vehicle and has concerning medical conditions, according to police.Those with relevant information are asked to contact their local police agency or the Petaluma Police Department at (707) 778-4372....

Free safe disposal of household hazardous waste to take place Jan. 27 in Santa Clara

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Free safe disposal of household hazardous waste to take place Jan. 27 in Santa Clara (BCN) -- Santa Clara residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste at a free drop-off event in the city on Jan. 27.City officials said residents must register to attend this event by calling the County Household Hazardous Waste Program at (408) 299-7300 or by visiting hhw.org. SF homicide victim identified as 27-year-old tech worker Items that can be disposed of include fluorescent light tubes, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, paint, automotive fluids, cleaners, solvents, batteries, propane and helium tanks, fertilizers, pesticides, wood preservatives, sharps containers, prescription medications, electronic waste, and other types of household hazardous wastes. City officials said items that will not be accepted include Styrofoam, large household appliances, ammunition, explosives, or containers larger than five gallons. For disposal of ammunition or explosives, community members are asked to contact the Santa Clara Police Department at (408) 615-4700.Copyright © 2023 Ba...

Dengue fever is on the rise in Mali with more than 20 deaths, health director says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Dengue fever is on the rise in Mali with more than 20 deaths, health director says BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Authorities say dengue fever is on the rise in Mali, posing a new threat to the West African nation struggling with extremist attacks and political turbulence.The director general of health and public hygiene, Dr. Cheick Amadou Tidiane Traore, told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that his department had counted 21 deaths and 600 cases of the disease as of Monday.Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that mostly causes flu-like illness. In severe cases, it can cause joint pain, swollen glands, bleeding and death. There is no specific treatment, but two vaccines have been recommended by the World Health Organization for countries that suffer regular outbreaks.Mali’s government has not officially released any figures on the disease to the public, nor has it announced whether it has requested aid from the WHO.With the country in political transition and facing the threat of fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a new...

Fourth-division club Barbastro eliminates Almeria in 2nd round of Copa del Rey

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Fourth-division club Barbastro eliminates Almeria in 2nd round of Copa del Rey MADRID (AP) — Fourth-division club Barbastro upset struggling La Liga team Almeria 1-0 on Wednesday in the second round of the Copa del Rey.Franc Carbonell scored in the 28th minute to put the small club from northeastern Spain into the next round. The result added to Almeria’s woes this season. The Saudi-owned club has only one victory in 17 matches in all competitions — against third-division club Talavera in the previous Copa round.Almeria is the only winless team after 15 rounds in the Spanish league, with 11 losses and four draws. It sits in last place with four points, seven behind the first team outside the relegation zone.Rayo Vallecano, which is 11th in the Spanish league, needed two late goals to secure a 2-0 win against fourth-division club Yeclano. Radamel Falcao scored in the 89th and Raúl de Tomás in stoppage time. Valencia, Villarreal and Getafe won their matches against lower-division clubs on Tuesday.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

Stock market today: Wall Street ticks up, near a 20-month high on hopes for easier interest rates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 23:08:15 GMT

Stock market today: Wall Street ticks up, near a 20-month high on hopes for easier interest rates NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is hanging near its best level in 20 months Wednesday following the latest signals that pressure on inflation may be easing.The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in morning trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 90 points, or 0.2%, at 36,214, as of 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, and approaching its record just below 36,800. The Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher.Homebuilder Toll Brothers was helping to lead the market with a gain of 3.5% after it reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It said demand from buyers has also remained solid so far in the current quarter, thanks in part to slightly easier rates available for mortgages.Mortgage rates have regressed as Treasury yields have dropped on hopes that the Federal Reserve may finally be finished with its barrage of hikes to interest rates, meant to get high inflation under control. Wall Street is betting the Fed’s next move will be to cut rates, possibly as early as March, whi...