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Elias: California bills to cut prison population unlikely to stop

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democrats in Sacramento are working steadily these days to close several California prisons, perhaps as many as six.Related ArticlesLocal News | Elias: For California police, there’s less heat on the heat for the moment Local News | Elias: California housing costs worse for homeowners than renters Local News | Elias: Newsom-DeSantis debate may mean more in 2028 than 2024 The stated benefits include saving money and doing something to address mass incarceration of African Americans and other minorities, which is partly the result of the much-maligned federal and state “war on drugs.” Despite support from the elected chief prosecutors in several of the most populous California counties, though, there are dangers.Take some provisions of a bill that came within a hair of becoming law this fall, one that would let most convicts, including murderers and rapists, petition for resentencing and eventual parole ...

Governor Newsom celebrates ‘paradigm shifting’ mental health legislation in Southern California

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

Governor Gavin Newsom gathered with civic leaders at Los Angeles General Medical Center on Thursday, Oct. 12 to celebrate the signing of two laws intended to transform the state’s approach to the twin crises of homelessness and mental health.The first law, AB 531, seeks to create 11,150 mental health treatment beds and supportive housing units by placing Proposition 1, a $6.38 billion bond measure, on the March 2024 ballot for voters to decide. About $1 billion of that funding would be reserved for veterans.The second law, SB 326, aims to modernize the Mental Health Services Act of 2004 by requiring that counties spend 30% of the act’s funding on housing. This change will also appear on the ballot as part of Prop. 1.The two bills strive to ensure all Californians can access high quality mental health resources, including direly needed residential treatment beds, as well as stable supportive homes in which to recover.“Today marks a powerful and important milestone that we are moving ...

4 men dead after suspected honey oil fire at California warehouse

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

A fire at an Irwindale warehouse that left four men dead on Monday, Oct. 9, is believed by authorities to have been caused by an explosion of butane gas that was being used in a honey oil extraction lab.Firefighters received calls Monday about the warehouse fire in the 1400 block of Arrow Highway, including one caller who said they saw a man fully engulfed in flames exiting the structure, according to the Irwindale Police Department.After the fire was extinguished, authorities found the charred remains of three men inside the warehouse, police said. The fourth victim, who was referenced in the call, was found near the warehouse and taken to a hospital, where he died.The victims had not been identified on Thursday, pending identification from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.Butane is a chemical that is used in the extraction of the “honey oil,” also known as “butane hash oil,” from cannabis plants. The chemical poses an explosion hazard because of its highly fla...

Review: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ is a tense and gripping drama

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated PressOf all the ways that a relationship can end, a fundamental disagreement about a work of art is in some ways extremely silly. And yet, a film or a book exposing an irreparable rift in a love that perhaps wasn’t as compatible, as symbiotic or as caring as one might have thought is also, somehow, as good a reason as any. Maybe it will even, eventually, provide a funny story.Another, more excruciating, way for a relationship to end is with one party falling off the roof of a house to their death, followed by a humiliating public trial to determine the fault or innocence of the other, as happens in Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anatomy of a Fall.” And just like “The Corrections” before it, it seems that “Anatomy of a Fall” might be the new litmus test for modern relationships. See it with a romantic partner at your own risk. But, from my perch, this is one that’s worth the debate(s) it pro...

Barabak: Election officials are quitting in droves. Why you should care

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

Election denialism is a losing cause.Studies of the vote in 2022 put the penalty at anywhere from 2% to 7%, depending on the office.In other words, Republicans who spread the Big Lie about massive fraud and a stolen 2020 election received significantly less support — in races for secretary of state, governor and Congress — than Republicans who refused to traffic in such nuttiness.But new research by a political reform group, Issue One, has given us something else to worry about: a troubling exodus of local election officials — those on the front lines fighting for truth, justice and the American way.In 11 Western states, including California, roughly 40% of the chief local elections officials are new to the job since 2020, the study found.In four states — Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — the turnover exceeds 50%.Why does that matter?“It takes a long time to learn how to do what we do,” said Ryan Ronco, the elections chief in Placer County and head...

Tranquil midcentury beauty

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

This stunning four-bedroom, three-bathroom Piedmont Pines home is a treasure.This carefully updated home showcases high vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows with deck access and a peaceful view. Built in 1956, it has been lovingly updated with a keen attention to craftsmanship and detail. This charmer offers two fireplaces and an abundance of natural light. Two primary suites have private decks and gorgeous updated bathrooms.The well-equipped, stylishly updated kitchen overlooks the front courtyard. A large family room with exterior access offers many possibilities.With vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan and a two-car garage, it’s a wonderful place to call home.Location: 6251 Girvin Drive, OaklandPrice: $1,295,000Open house: Oct. 15, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 6251GirvinDr.comContact: Nahid Nassiri (510) 851-5244  Lic. #00827680

France boosted by Dupont return in Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Antoine Dupont will captain France in its Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against defending champion South Africa following a broken cheekbone, giving the host team a huge boost on Friday in its mission to deliver a first title and do it on home soil.Dupont sustained the facial fracture in a head-on-head tackle by Namibia’s Johan Deysel three weeks ago, putting his tournament in doubt and leading to major fretting in the French camp. The brilliant scrumhalf is widely acknowledged as the world’s best player.Dupont had surgery on the injury, was cleared for full-contact training at the start of the week, and was back in the lineup for a pivotal moment in the French campaign. France beat three-time champion New Zealand in the tournament’s opening game and victory over the Springboks, also three-time winners, would doubly confirm France’s title credentials.“I thought (my) competition was over,” Dupont said. “I had to wait for the tests, the appointment with the sur...

France star Dupont cleared to face South Africa in Rugby World Cup quarterfinal

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — After fearing a broken cheekbone ended his Rugby World Cup campaign, France captain Antoine Dupont reassured anxious supporters of the title-chasing tournament host on Friday: “I’m at the top of my game.”Dupont was picked to start in the quarterfinal against defending champion South Africa at Stade de France on Sunday, 3 1/2 weeks after a sickening collision of heads broke his face.“I feel very well. I haven’t felt any pain and that’s what reassured me,” Dupont said in his first public comments. “If I’m playing now it means that I’m feeling well and the doctor has validated my presence.”Dupont was cleared only on Monday by the surgeon who repaired him to resume full contact training, and he will wear a scrum cap at the surgeon’s request. “It doesn’t bother me or interfere with my vision,” Dupont said. “I wasn’t put under any pressure by the staff. We respected all the deadlines and what was important was how I felt.”When he was injured by an ille...

England boldly picks Marcus Smith at fullback against Fiji for Rugby World Cup quarterfinals

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — England made the bold decision to start Marcus Smith at fullback for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Fiji on Sunday.Smith, typically a flyhalf, was handed his first international start at No. 15 for the pool match against Chile in what was regarded as an experiment.England coach Steve Borthwick is going with the same ploy for his team’s biggest match of the tournament, with Freddie Steward — who has been a solid option at fullback for the past two years — not even making the matchday 23.Steward is reliable under the high ball but that might not be important against Fiji, whose attacking game relies on its power runners and offloading more than up-and-unders and an aerial threat. That might explain Borthwick’s preference for Smith, who has more flair as a broken-field runner.Owen Farrell reverts to flyhalf, meaning George Ford drops to the bench.___England: Marcus Smith, Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Al...

Czech parliament’s lower house approves government plan to keep ballooning deficit under control

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:25:24 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech parliament’s lower house on Friday approved dozens of measures proposed by the government designed to keep the ballooning budget deficit under control.Czech citizens are a step closer to paying more for beer and medicine while businesses will face higher corporate taxes.In the 200-seat house, 108 lawmakers from the ruling coalition voted in favor of the plan, while 86 opposition members were against.When the government introduced the package in May, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the proposed cuts, tax increases and austerity measures are necessary because the pace of the debt rise is “threatening.”Fiala said Friday the measures should reduce the budget deficit by 97 billion Czech crowns ($4.2 billion) next year and by 150 billion ($6.5 billion) in 2025.As a result, the deficit of 3.5% of the gross domestic product expected for this year should drop to 1.8% next year and to 1.2% in 2025. The package still needs approval from the upper house, the Senate, where...