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Borenstein: BART refuses to make cuts, accelerates toward ‘fiscal cliff’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

As California’s transit operators warn of a “fiscal cliff” ahead for bus and rail systems across the state, BART is accelerating toward that abyss.Its response to plummeting ridership and a $1 billion budget shortfall over the next five years is to increase spending, hire more workers, run more trains and insist that taxpayers bail out the Bay Area’s largest commuter rail system.Most BART directors won’t even consider trimming the district’s operating budget. It’s childish and fiscally reckless. And it demonstrates exactly why neither state lawmakers nor Bay Area voters should entrust BART with more money.“I don’t think we can just keep going along saying ‘more money please’ to the taxpayers,” says BART Director Debora Allen. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)BART doesn’t deserve a bailout until it brings its spending into alignment with the new reality. There is no sign of the system’s ridership returning to pre-pandemic levels — not in the foreseeable future and ...

People are dying after taking drug mistaken for energy shots, the FDA says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

The FDA’s latest warning about the risks of poppers contends the drug is began mistaken for the energy shots sold in little bottles.A social media post by the FDA warned that potentially lethal poppers are being mistaken for energy shots. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) “We continue to receive reports of people dying or being severely injured after consuming poppers that resemble, and often [are] mistaken for, popular energy shots,” said the social media post Wednesday. The post included a link to the Food & Drug Administration’s 2021 statement on poppers.Poppers are amyl nitrite or a similar vasodilator that causes a head rush and muscle relaxation. Used as an inhaled recreational drug, they can be bought at sex shops and online.Because of restrictions on the sale of such substances in the United States, they are often labeled as leather cleaner, nail polish remover or room deodorizer, though their names hint at their use as a party drug: Supe...

California cops illegally share data with anti-abortion states, civil rights groups say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

More than 70 California law enforcement agencies are violating state law by sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data with out-of-state agencies, putting out-of-state abortion seekers at risk, according to a trio of civil rights groups.The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union chapters for both Northern and Southern California sent letters to 71 agencies — including the Folsom Police Department — giving them a June 15 deadline to stop sharing license plate data with states that criminalize abortion.Through several public records requests, the EFF found that the listed law enforcement agencies shared license plate data with out-of-state agencies — sensitive information about where people live, work or seek reproductive health services and other medical care.“ALPRs invade people’s privacy and violate the rights of entire communities, as they often are deployed in poor and historically overpoliced areas regardless of crime rates,” EFF staff atto...

SFPD hold town hall after suspect shot by officer in College Park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- After a man was shot and killed by a police officer in San Francisco last week, the San Francisco Police Department has scheduled a town hall to share an update in the investigation. Police will address the shooting in a "commitment to accountability and transparency" to the community on Friday at 3 p.m., according to a press release from SFPD. SFPD command staff will present the current findings, and then a call-in number will be provided so that viewers can offer public comment.Police were first informed of a suspect armed with a gun and attempting to force his way into a Glen Park home around 2:20 p.m. on Friday, police said. Officers arrived at the scene, and they attempted to negotiate with the suspect, who refused to comply for several hours, SFPD said. Parents of Banko Brown sue Walgreens, security company, Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony for wrongful death It was during these negotiations that the suspect was shot by an SFPD officer. The suspect was dec...

LIST: Nearby late-night food spots open after BottleRock festival in Napa

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

(KRON) -- The 2023 BottleRock Festival is this weekend from Friday, May 26 until Sunday, May 28 with the last performance of the night scheduled to end around 10 p.m. Whether you stay until the end or leave a little early, you might be looking for a late-night bite after the festival in Napa.KRON4 compiled a list of bars, restaurants and places to eat/drink within proximity of the festival, either walking distance or a short drive. All the places listed are open until midnight or later. PHOTOS: Remembering Tina Turner, ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ FoodIn-N-OutTaco Bell*Wendy'sJack in the BoxThe Food Mill - Pizzeria & GrillDomino's PizzaNation's Giant Hamburgers (closes 11 p.m. Sunday)Applebee's Grill + BarBarsCadet Wine & BarBillco's Billiards and DartsStone's Bar & Lounge Green Door Trancas Steakhouse Bar closes at 1:30 a.m.The restaurant closes at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.The full BottleRock lineup can be viewed HERE. *another nearby Taco Bell i...

Serbia puts troop on high alert on border with Kosovo following clashes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Serbia put its troops on the border with Kosovo on the highest state of alert Friday following clashes between ethnic Serbs and Kosovo police that left more than a dozen injured on both sides.The Serbs in northern Kosovo, who represent a majority in that region, were trying to block the entrance of municipal buildings to prevent recently-elected ethnic Albanian officials from entering them.Police fired tear gas and several cars were set ablaze. In response to the clashes, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he put the army on a “highest state of alert.” Vucic also said that he ordered an “urgent” movement of Serbian troops closer to the borderline with Kosovo. Vucic will attend a rally in support of him in Belgrade after two mass shootings earlier this month that killed 18 people and left 20 others wounded.He said in a statement that because of “violence” against Kosovo Serbs, Serbia demanded that NATO-led troops stationed in Kosovo protect them from...

Stock market today: Tech leads more gains in on Wall Street

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in midday trading on Wall Street Friday, led by more gains in technology stocks as another chipmaker reported strong demand related to artificial intelligence.The S&P 500 rose 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 267 points, or 0.8%, at 33,033 as of 11:37 a.m. Eastern and the Nasdaq rose 1.7%.Technology stocks were the doing much of the heavy lifting for the benchmark S&P 500. Marvell Technology surged 27% after the chipmaker said it expects AI revenue in fiscal 2024 to at least double from the prior year. That follows Thursday’s report from fellow chipmaker Nvidia, which gave a big forecast for upcoming sales related to AI.The revolutionary AI field has become a hot issue. Critics warn that it is a potential bubble, but supporters supporters say it could be the latest revolution to reshape the global economy. Wall Street remains focused on Washington and ongoing negotiations for a deal to lift the U.S. government’s debt ceiling and avert a p...

Dimitrov advances to first final since 2018, beats Fritz in Geneva Open semis

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Grigor Dimitrov advanced to his first final on the ATP Tour in more than five years on Friday after beating Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2) at the Geneva Open.Dimitrov trailed by a set and 4-2 before rallying to win a semifinal for the first time since February 2018 when opponent David Goffin retired in their match at Rotterdam.The Bulgarian created his match point chance against Fritz in a stunning rally, with powerful forehands and angled drop shots from both sides of the net. The American was left slipping and seated on the clay outside the tramlines to watch Dimitrov hit a winner into the open court.The win was sealed when second-seeded Fritz sent a looping lob long as the fourth-seeded Dimitrov advanced to the net.“It was a crazy match. Honestly, very pleased with the way I fought,” Dimitrov said.He is ranked No. 33 and arrived in Geneva with a 12-9 record this season.“I came this week with a purpose and I intend to finish it up to the end,” he said. He has only on...

Judge says fire retardant drops from air are breaking law by polluting streams, but it can still be used on fires

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Judge says fire retardant drops from air are breaking law by polluting streams, but it can still be used on fires.Source

Kelly Brough talks the Broncos' future

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:13 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos spent a record $100 million this offseason to improve the fan experience at Empower Field at Mile High. That includes a new video board, a hospitality space, added concessions to the South Deck and an expansion to the team store. The team got help from an NFL loan to pay for the improvements. But it comes as the Broncos' new ownership group looks at creating a new era. Kelly Brough highlights housing affordability plan Some season ticketholders received a survey back in March about building a new stadium. The lease on Empower Field expires in 2030.Denver mayoral candidate Kelly Brough talked about the potential scenario this week on "Colorado Point of View.""I don’t think it’s the Broncos without Denver … and I don’t think it’s Denver without the Broncos,” said Brough, the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce."I’m committed to working on this issue, but I’m also committed to no backroom deals. This has to be transparent. Our ...