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Letters: PG&E undergrounding | Change platform | Carbon dividend | Excluding Israel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Urge CPUC to supportPG&E undergroundingWe at PG&E are committed to stopping wildfires in Bay Area communities.Burying powerlines is the most effective solution to reduce the risk of wildfire from electrical equipment. Undergrounding also improves reliability and reduces the need for safety shutoffs.That is why we propose moving overhead electric powerlines underground in the highest fire-risk areas, including 40 miles in our Bay Area Region. For these investments, PG&E customers will benefit from lower expenses for overhead-line maintenance; improved air and water quality; protection of wildlands; and, eventually, improved access to homeowners insurance at lower premiums.The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wants to gut this critical safety program, reducing proposed undergrounding to as little as 200 miles systemwide.We’ve seen the devastating toll wildfires have taken on our co...

San Jose to audit its animal shelter after criticism over death rate and care conditions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

In the wake of growing community concerns and a Mercury News investigation about the dire situation at San Jose’s animal shelter, the city formally launched an audit on Wednesday of the facility’s operations and conditions.The audit, which was unanimously approved by the Rules and Open Government Committee, will specifically investigate the number of animals leaving the shelter alive versus being euthanized, staff protocols for medical care and training, and whether the facility’s nearly two-decade-old building is serving its animals adequately. The nature of the shelter’s relationship with volunteers and rescue groups also will be scrutinized.Mayor Matt Mahan, along with Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei, Omar Torres, Peter Ortiz and Bien Doan, are urging the City Auditor Joe Rois to focus on starting an audit “in the coming months.”“We recognize that the auditor does have a full platter already,” said Councilmember Kamei. “This is ...

49ers’ focus more on Browns’ Garrett, No. 1 defense than on Watson’s injury status

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Deshaun Watson’s absence from Cleveland Browns’ practice is not distracting the 49ers from Sunday’s bigger issue: the Browns’ defense, and, Myles Garrett, in particular.“He’s one of the most talented guys anyone’s seen,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. “The style they play on defense is very similar to ours: they rush the passer on every play and then react to everything else.”The 49ers (5-0) make their first visit to Cleveland since 2015, the Browns (2-2) will rely on Garrett and their defense to key an upset bid, what with Watson unable to practice because of a rotator cuff injury.P.J. Walker, not rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson of UCLA, will start ahead if Watson can’t play a second consecutive game because of a rotator cuff injury, the Browns announced. Prior to last weekend’s bye, Watson was somewhat of a surprise scratch against the Baltimore Ravens, so Thompson-Robinson drew the start an...

Vehicle crashes into SF building, causes gas leak: officials

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A vehicle that crashed into a building caused a gas leak Wednesday afternoon, the San Francisco Fire Department confirmed. The building is located in the area of Filbert and Fillmore Streets -- near Pacific Heights and the Marina District. Over $17K of merchandise from Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret recovered in suspected SF fencing operation Residents on the 2200 block of Filbert Street are evacuated. No injuries were reported, but the driver was evaluated and denied medical assistance, SFFD said.Vehicle and pedestrian traffic are closed at this time, authorities said. Video from the scene can be viewed in the media player above. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Evicted backyard breeder abandoned dozens of bunnies, rescue group says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

(KRON) -- Dozens of rabbits were rescued from a Petaluma backyard breeding mill after the owner was evicted from a property and abandoned the bunnies, according to animal rescuers. Mill Valley-based SaveABunny received a call from a concerned citizen on September 15 who reported more than 30 rabbits had been abandoned in Petaluma and were in need of urgent care. "The breeder of these purebred Lionhead rabbits had been selling them on Craigslist and Nextdoor for questionable purposes, and had left them behind when evicted weeks earlier," the nonprofit rescue group wrote on GoFundMe.Lionheads are a domestic breed of rabbits that grow cute fluffy fur around their heads, like a lion's mane.SaveABunny mobilized a team that found the rabbits inside dirty cages and "heart-wrenching conditions" on the property. Rescued adult lionhead rabbits are recovering with vet care. (Image courtesy SaveABunny) "Huddled together for warmth and safety were momma bunnies and their babies, in addition to d...

Second biggest US lottery prize ever is up for grabs in Powerball drawing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

FILE - Powerball lottery tickets are displayed Oct. 4, 2023, in Surfside, Fla. An estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot that has been growing since July is about to be on the line. Saturday night’s jackpot is the world’s fifth-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 33 consecutive drawings. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)(AP/Wilfredo Lee) FILE - Powerball lottery tickets are displayed Oct. 4, 2023, in Surfside, Fla. An estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot that has been growing since July is about to be on the line. Saturday night’s jackpot is the world’s fifth-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 33 consecutive drawings. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)(AP/Wilfredo Lee) ST. LOUIS (AP) — After 35 str...

Mets owner Steve Cohen hopes to build casino adjacent to Cit Field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets owner Steve Cohen hopes to construct a casino adjacent to Citi Field as a way to attract people to the area near the ballpark.Cohen, who bought the Mets before the 2021 season, hopes to create attractions near the stadium in Queens in the manner of other teams.“There’s nothing going on. The only thing you can do at Citi Field is get your hubcap changed or maybe get back a catalytic converter,” he said Wednesday during the closing session of Sportico’s Invest in Sports conference. “The way I would describe it is 50 acres of cement.”New York State this year authorized three casino licenses for New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and many groups have discussed proposals.In addition, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans last November to build a stadium adjacent to Citi Field for Major League Soccer’s New York City team, owned by the parent company of England’s Manchester City.“The fans want something to do before the game, a...

Bronny James is ‘doing well,’ USC coach Andy Enfield says at Pac-12 media day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Southern California basketball coach Andy Enfield said Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is “doing well” nearly three months after the prized recruit went into cardiac arrest while participating in a practice on campus.The coach didn’t offer any other details on James’ recovery while speaking during Pac-12 media day in Las Vegas on Wednesday.“At the appropriate time, the James family will most likely come out with an update on Bronny’s situation,” Enfield said. “But currently, we’re respecting the privacy of a medical condition and look forward to the near future and go from there.”The 18-year-old James went into cardiac arrest on July 24 as the team was holding offseason practices in preparation for a two-week European tour. He was stricken just over a year after USC freshman 7-footer Vincent Iwuchukwu collapsed during a practice. Iwuchukwu returned to play for the Trojans in the second half of the season.LeBron James said last week ...

Capital City Africa Week in full swing in DC

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

One of the paintings from Ghanaian artist Kwesi Agyare on display at Capital City Africa Week Festival in D.C. this week. (Kate Ryan/WTOP)It’s very clear that D.C. is an international city, with world leaders involved in diplomacy, business and cultural exchanges.And this week, there’s another event showcasing the District’s cosmopolitan reputation: the first-ever Capital City Africa Week Festival.Paxton Baker, D.C. business owner and one of the organizers of Capital City Africa Week Festival, says the focus of this year’s festival is Ghana, a place he’s traveled to many times and “feels like home.” (WTOP/Kate Ryan)Music, dance performances and vendors selling crafts were at Howard University on Wednesday. For Thursday and Friday, an art exhibition at U Street’s True Reformer Building and fashion pop-ups at the Rosewood Hotel in Georgetown are planned.The festival started on Oct. 9, and will run until Oct. 14.The week’s events will be capped with a friendly match between...

The UAW says it is expanding its strike to include a Ford truck plant in Kentucky

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:52 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union significantly escalated its strikes against Detroit Three automakers Wednesday by going on strike against a major Ford truck plant in Louisville, Kentucky.In a surprise move, the 8,700 members left their jobs about 6:30 p.m. at the plant, which makes profitable heavy-duty F-Series pickup trucks and large SUVs.UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement that the union has waited long enough “but Ford hasn’t gotten the message” to bargain for a fair contract.Ford called the strike expansion “grossly irresponsible” but said it wasn’t surprising given the UAW leadership’s statements that it wanted to keep Detroit automakers wounded with “industrial chaos.” THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Detroit’s three automakers have laid off roughly 4,800 workers at factories that are not among the plants that have been hit by the United Auto Workers strikes, which have lasted for nearly four weeks.The companies say ...