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China tourists overwhelm attractions as travel explodes after COVID

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

Millions of Chinese travelers thronged major cities and tourist hotspots across the nation over the Labor Day break, the first normal holiday period for many after three years of pandemic restrictions and COVID waves.More than 159 million trips were made by car, rail, airplane and waterways in the first three days of the five-day holiday which ends Wednesday, according to data from the Transport Ministry cited by the People’s Daily, up 162% from the same period last year.Daily average trips across the nation during the so-called Golden Week period have nearly matched pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Passenger traffic on the railways alone hit 53.5 million, with national operator China Railway Group Ltd earlier saying it expects the figure to hit a record 120 million between April 27 to May 4.With local trips almost back to pre-pandemic levels, so too are another dreaded phenomenon: mass crowds.Social media were inundated with photos and videos of people crammed into public transport and...

EVs are cleaning up California’s air, but mostly for the affluent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

By Todd Woody, BloombergA new study finds that California’s electric vehicle rebate program is resulting in cleaner air, but wealthier communities so far are reaping most of the benefits.Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Miami analyzed the geographic distribution of more than 400,000 rebates issued in California since 2010 for the purchase of electric vehicles. They then modeled estimated emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as PM 2.5 — particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller in length that’s found in vehicle exhaust and power plant emissions. Scientists have linked exposure to PM2.5 with heart and lung disease and 7 million premature deaths globally each year.California’s EV buyers can obtain state rebates worth as much as $7,500, even before any federal incentives allocated as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. But communities that Californ...

Alert issued for missing Lakewood man with cognitive disorder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

A man with developmental disabilities is missing and Lakewood police are asking for the public’s help in locating him.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Missing Indigenous Person Alert canceled after teenage girl found safe Crime and Public Safety | Missing Indigenous Person Alert created for woman last seen in Englewood Crime and Public Safety | 26-year-old Denver man found safe, CBI alert deactivated Crime and Public Safety | Missing woman in Lakewood found safe, CBI cancels alert Crime and Public Safety | 80-year-old Arvada man reported missing found safe Elijah Williams, 20, was last seen on Tuesday afternoon in the 4000 block of Reed Street, according to a Colorado Bureau of Investigation developmental disabilities alert. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a navy blue T-shirt. The alert was issued Wednesday morning.Williams has a cognitive disorder that causes him to be confused and to ...

California State Senator Dave Min arrested for DUI

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

California State Senator Dave Min is apologizing to constituents after he was cited for driving under the influence Tuesday evening, the senator acknowledged on social media.“My decision to drive last night was irresponsible,” Min (D-Orange County) posted on Facebook Wednesday morning. “I accept full responsibility and there is no excuse for my actions.”Min, who is campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said he received a misdemeanor citation. A producer for Inside California Politics confirmed Min was arrested in Sacramento County, booked into jail around 10 p.m. Tuesday, and then released early Wednesday morning.“To my family, constituents and supporters, I am so deeply sorry. I know I need to do better. I will not let this personal failure distract from our work in California and in Washington,” Min said.Min represents California’s 37th Senate district which includes Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.In January, he...

Two California cities ranked among top 10 ‘best’ cities for a good night's sleep

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

The city you live in could be the reason behind your good night's sleep or lack thereof.A study from the U.S. News & World Report’s 360 reviews ranked two California cities among the "best" places for sleep health, while other cities in the Golden State ranked low on the list.San Diego and San Jose ranked fourth and ninth for the “best” places for a good night's sleep, researchers found. Fresno and Long Beach were considered the “worst” places for sleep health. The cities ranked in the 39th and 40th positions, respectively. Post unveils Sweet Dreams cereal designed to help you sleep California cities named on the list:4th: San Diego9th: San Jose13th: Bakersfield25th: San Francisco31st: Oakland33rd: Sacramento34th: Los Angeles39th: Fresno40th: Long BeachResearchers compared 50 of the top cities in the U.S. across five key factors sleep health-based metrics, including air quality, noise pollution, light pollution, physical activity, and sleep duration. Researchers assigned weigh...

Rags to riches: California woman wins $5M from lottery scratcher after overcoming homelessness

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

One of California's newest millionaires was homeless just six years ago. KTLA sister station KRON reports, Lucia Forseth recently bought a California 2023 Scratchers ticket at a Walmart in Contra Costa County while getting an oil change when she scratched the top prize, lottery officials announced Wednesday."I only bought one ticket,” Forseth told the California Lottery. “I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won! I first thought I’d won a free ticket, but I checked, and it said I won $5 million!” California Lottery players win a total of $6 million from scratchers tickets Back in 2017, Forseth said she was homeless. This year she said she plans to get married and her associate degree. She also said she plans to buy a house and then invest the rest of her winnings."You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me,” Forseth said.

Child Killed in Pedestrian Accident on Avenue 256 [Visalia, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

2-Year-Old Boy Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Collision near Road 159VISALIA, CA (May 3, 2023) – Friday evening, a young child was killed in a pedestrian accident on Avenue 256.The incident occurred around 7:54 p.m., near Road 159.Officers say the 27-year-old male driver of a Nissan was traveling west on Avenue 256 when a toddler who was playing in a driveway ran out onto the street.As a result, the toddler was struck by the front end of the vehicle. Paramedics arrived and transported the 2-year-old boy to a nearby hospital where he later died. Authorities have not yet released his identity.In addition, the driver of the Nissan stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Following preliminary duties, officers do not believe that drugs or alcohol were a factor.No further details regarding the Avenue 256 pedestrian crash have been released to the public. Visalia Officials will provide more information once available.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow fel...

Woman Injured in Hit-and-Run Crash on Harney Street [San Diego, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

Pedestrian Accident near San Diego Avenue left Woman InjuredSAN DIEGO, CA (MAY 3, 2023) – Sunday evening, a hit-and-run crash near the 4000 block of Harney Street a woman injured.The incident happened on April 23rd, at around 6:15 p.m.According to reports, a 29-year-old woman and a goldish-tan Ford F-350 crew cab truck were involved. The Ford pulled over to pick up the woman but as the woman got in, the driver continued to drive forward.As a result, the woman fell down the street and was run over by the Ford. The driver left the scene and did not call for help.Furthermore, the woman suffered wounds on her thigh and head and police stated that the woman was in critical condition.At this time, it was unknown if the driver and the victim knew each other. At this time, the hit-and-run crash on Harney Street is still under investigation.A driver must stop and take certain actions when involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in property damage or injury to another party. I...

Bay Area arts: 7 cool shows to see this weekend and beyond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

There are a lot of great concerts and live shows to see this weekend in the Bay Area. Here is a partial rundown.Salvant’s new/old songs comes to SFThree-time Grammy-winning jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant’s extraordinary musical talents are seemingly matched only by her fertile imagination. And both facets of her talent will be on display during her weekend set at SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St., San Francisco. Salvant is blessed with a rich, nimble voice that can delve effortlessly into blues, R&B and pop standards, and interpretive skills that are even more extraordinary when you consider that she is but 33 years old.Salvant comes to SFJAZZ for four shows Friday through Sunday to showcase her acclaimed new album, “Mélusine,” a collection of Salvant originals and reinterpreted songs, some of which date as far back as the 12th century. “Mélusine” recounts an ancient folk tale about a woman who was cursed as a child to turn into a serpentine creature every Saturday. Singing in...

Palo Alto resident scares off burglars breaking into her home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:05 GMT

PALO ALTO — A resident interrupted two suspects who were attempting to burglarize her home Tuesday night, police say.Alerted by her home security cameras, a woman in her 50s discovered that two suspects had entered her home on Byron Street through an unlocked side yard gate, according to a police news release. She called a police emergency line at about 9:12 p.m. and yelled out “hello” while on the phone. She then heard one of the suspects utter a curse word and both individuals immediately fled the scene.Upon arrival, officers discovered a shattered sliding-glass door, but no missing items. Police said in a press release that it’s believed the suspects entered the home but fled when they heard the woman’s voice.Security cameras showed a dark four-door sedan, which police say could be a Dodge Charger, driving southbound on Byron Street at a high-rate of speed just after the incident was reported. Police did not release a detailed description of the suspects, ...