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NRA chief LaPierre resigns before civil trial begins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

By Michael R. Sisak | Associated PressNEW YORK — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a New York civil trial that’s poised to scrutinize his leadership of the powerful gun rights organization.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. He had been in charge of the NRA since 1991. Andrew Arulanandam will become the interim CEO & EVP, the organization said.Related ArticlesNational News | 10-year-old Northern California boy who allegedly shot and killed another child won’t face charges National News | Study: 300,000 lives could be saved in the next decade if states followed California’s example on gun laws National News | California man fired 71 shots, caused over $100,000 in damage at Las Vegas hotel on New Years Eve National News | 10-year-old Northern California boy held o...

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ starts small, thinks big in Walnut Creek

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

What are the things that make life worth living? For the main character in “Every Brilliant Thing,” the solo play that Center Repertory Company is opening at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, there’s a very long list that he keeps adding to all the time.It’s not an idle exercise. He started the list to give to his mother, who struggles with depression and the will to live. But the list takes on a life of its own that’s inextricably entangled with his own life.It’s not a typical solo show. Written by English playwright Duncan Macmillan with its original performer, Jonny Donahoe, the play involves a lot of audience interaction, but in a uniquely beautiful, purposeful way.“This is a piece of theater that does what we oftentimes will say theater is at its finest, which is a piece of community building,” says director Jeffrey Lo, who directed Caridad Svich’s “Red Bike” for Center Rep last year. “I think it’s step-by-step building community, building comfort within the audi...

NY AG seeks $370M in penalties in Trump fraud case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

By Jennifer Peltz | Associated PressNEW YORK — New York state lawyers increased their request for penalties Friday in Donald Trump’s civil business fraud trial, while his defense argued that 10-plus weeks of testimony produced no evidence of fraudulent intentions or ill-gotten gains.Both sides highlighted their takeaways from the trial in court filings ahead of closing arguments, set for Thursday. Trump is expected to attend, though plans could change.It will be the final chance for state and defense lawyers to make their case in a lawsuit that is consequential for the leading Republican presidential hopeful even while he fights four criminal cases in various courts.The New York civil case could end up barring him from doing business in the state where he built his real estate empire, and state Attorney General Letitia James is now seeking over $370 million in penalties. The figure emerged in her office’s filing Friday; the state had sought $250 million before the trial ...

California judge rules Snap must face lawsuit over children’s fentanyl purchases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

By Brian Fung | CNNA California state judge has ruled that Snap must face a lawsuit from families whose children allegedly used the Snapchat app to purchase fentanyl on the platform.Tuesday’s ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Riff permits a dozen claims to proceed against Snap from the relatives of young people who allegedly suffered fentanyl overdoses that in many cases proved fatal.The decision could ultimately weaken the tech industry’s legal immunity shield, known as Section 230, and expose social media platforms to even more lawsuits.Riff’s decision allowing the case to move forward means Snap will have to fight allegations ranging from product defects to negligence and wrongful death.The ruling highlights the latest lawsuit to effectively circumvent a broad legal tool that tech companies have used for decades to nip content moderation suits in the bud. It has also come under frequent attack from politicians of both political parties in recent years.Tec...

Feds: Florida can import prescription drugs from Canada

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

By Matthew Perrone | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday cleared the way for Florida’s first-in-the-nation plan to import prescription drugs from Canada, a long-sought approach to accessing cheaper medications that follows decades of frustration with U.S. drug prices.Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the plan into law in 2019, but it required federal review and approval by the FDA, which controls prescription drug imports.Democratic President Joe Biden has backed such programs as a way to lower prices, signing an executive order in 2021 that directed the FDA to work with states on imports.The policy change represented a shift after years of successful lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry, which said imports would expose U.S. patients to risks of counterfeit or adulterated drugs. The FDA also previously warned of the difficulties of assuring the safety of drugs originating from outside the U.S.But the politics surrounding the issue have ...

4.2-magnitude earthquake near San Bernardino shakes Southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck near the Lytle Creek area of San Bernardino County on Friday, Jan. 5, and was felt throughout Southern California.The earthquake happened at 10:55 a.m. The San Bernardino County Fire Department said on social media that there were no immediate reports of damage or calls for service.The U.S. Geological Survey shake map showed reports came in from Oxnard, Palm Desert and San Diego, among other areas. Lytle Creek is near the Cajon Pass by the 15 Freeway in San Bernardino County. Other nearby cities are San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Devore, Hesperia and Mt. Baldy.An earthquake of this magnitude usually will cause no more than minor damage.The M4.4 that just occurred in SoCal is near Lytle Creek in Cajon Pass, where the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults come together. In 1970, there was a M5.2 with a M4.0 foreshock in close to the same location— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) January 5, 2024 Good morning Southern California! Did y...

San Leandro man charged with shooting woman in front of her 4-year-old daughter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

OAKLAND — A 27-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly shooting a woman in front of her 4-year-old daughter after the victim got into a fight with the defendant’s girlfriend, court records show.Daniel Esparza-Flores, of San Leandro, was charged Nov. 29 and entered a not guilty plea in December. He is set for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 16, and has been released from jail while the charges are pending, court records show.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Bay Point man arrested in ridiculous crossbow theft Crime and Public Safety | East Bay man’s murder arraignment delayed in Santa Cruz court Crime and Public Safety | East Bay man arrested in connection with Aptos ‘road rage’ shooting Crime and Public Safety | Veteran officer tapped as Hayward’s next police chief Crime and Public Safety | 5 months after acquittal in murder case, East Bay man charge...

Aqui restaurants add low-alcohol Swirls to their boozy lineup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

As any Aqui Cal-Mex fan can tell you, the Industrial Strength Swirls are just that.But what if you want a little less industrial in your Aloha Mai Tai Swirl, Sunrise Swirl or other slushy frozen margarita cocktail?The South Bay restaurant group has now obliged, adding Low Proof Swirls to the menu in response to customer requests.“We actually have three levels of Swirls available now: Zero Proof, which is our agua fresca swirled with a no-alcohol, blended citrus frozen drink; Low Proof, which has no-alcohol drink swirled with our house-blended margarita; and the original Industrial Strength Swirls,” said Rob Francis, executive chef and co-founder.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | What’s new in fast food for January 2024 Restaurants, Food and Drink | Gilroy residents rally against order for removal of controversial parklet Restaurants, Food and Drink | Mochi pizza? Sushirrito’s cofounders launch new Bay Area fusi...

Elderly woman found in California freezer may have been dead up to 9 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Police Department has released new details regarding a suspicious death investigation after a body was found in a freezer last month.The incident occurred on Dec. 22, when a family visiting from out-of-town discovered a deceased person inside a chest freezer at a home on the 4900 block of Zion Avenue in Allied Gardens. Teen who died in fireworks related incident on Treasure Island identified Based on the unusual location of the body, SDPD's Homicide Unit was called in to investigate. While working with the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, detectives have now identified the body as Mary Margaret Haxby-Jones. Haxby-Jones, who would have been 81 years old, is believed to have lived at the residence at some point before her death, SDPD explained. Detectives also believe it is possible that the elderly woman may have been missing or dead for up to 9 years.  The cause of her death has not yet been determined and remains under investi...

Far-Right Judges Are Coming for Lifesaving Abortions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:28:19 GMT

Abortion rights demonstrators listen to speakers during a Women’s March rally in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 8, 2022.Photo: Montinique Monroe/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesLess than a week into the new year, a federal appeals court has already issued a pernicious new decision in a Texas abortion case, setting the stage for the far-right’s escalating assault on reproductive rights in 2024.The conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that Texas hospitals are not obligated to perform abortions to stabilize a pregnant patient facing a medical emergency. With a similar Idaho case under reconsideration by the 9th Circuit, the rulings tee up a Supreme Court battle on the question of emergency abortion care.Under the 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, hospitals that receive Medicare funding — which is pretty much all hospitals — must perform emergency services, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. The law has always been deeply insufficien...