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First two special session bills head to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Updated at 11:30 a.m.: Two of the seven Democratic-backed priority bills are headed to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk after the state Senate voted to approve them Sunday morning. HB23B-1002 doubles the earned income tax credit for 2023, and HB23B-1008 appropriates money to the state Department of Treasury to staff the property tax deferral program.The Senate passed the bills on a party-line vote after starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, with Republicans in opposition. The bills passed without changes or amendments, making the voice votes their final hurdle before getting Polis’ signature.For more than an hour following those votes, the Senate has been in recess, discussing proposed changes to SB23B-001, the property tax relief bill. After that, the Senate will give the bill a third and final vote before sending it to the House committees and chamber for approval.Updated at 11:05 a.m.: The Capitol is off and running this morning on what is likely the special session’s penultimate day. In the H...

Comedian Dana Carvey announces break from acting in wake of son’s sudden death 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Dana Carvey, a comedian and actor best known for his time as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” has announced that he will be taking a break from work and social media after the death of his son. Dex Carvey died of an accidental drug overdose at his L.A. County home on Wednesday, his family confirmed to People Magazine. He was 32 years old. Dex had previously opened for his father’s 2016 Netflix special “Straight White Male” and also starred in “Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser” and “The Funster,” the latter of which was a series featuring his father. According to a social media post from the elder Carvey, Dex “packed a lot into those 32 years” and was extremely talented in numerous creative outlets, including music, art, filmmaking and comedy. “Dex was a beautiful person,” Carvey posted on Instagram. “We will miss him forever.” Dex Carvey, 32, in a family photo shared by his father, Dana Carvey. The “Wayne’s World” star announced Saturday that he would be s...

Why are turkeys so much cheaper this Thanksgiving?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Need something to be thankful for? Well, in addition to the roof above your head and the device you’re reading this on, you can add the price of your Thanksgiving turkey to the list.That’s according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which found that the average price of an 8-to-16-pound turkey was $1.27 per pound in August 2023 — a 22% decline from August 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture likewise lists the average price per pound for frozen, whole hen turkeys as $1.27 in August 2023 — down just over 22% from $1.64 in August 2022. Thanksgiving week weather forecast for Southern California The prices of some turkey products fell more dramatically, like boneless and skinless male turkey breasts, which were 61% cheaper in August 2023 than the same time last year, per the AFBF.Why is this happening? Because, finally, a highly contagious avian flu outbreak came under control.Poultry industry ‘holding its breath’In early 2022, what would become the largest bird flu o...

Local scientist with bees in his bonnet gives Newsom a buzz in his ear

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Among the presidents of nations, high-profile dignitaries, and leaders of household-name companies like Visa, ExxonMobil and Microsoft who descended on San Francisco last week to speak at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events was a Santa Cruz computer scientist who put a buzz in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ear.BeeHero CEO Omer Davidi talked bees at the APEC CEO Summit, right after former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke about international relations, and before Gov. Gavin Newsom took the stage to discuss climate change and the California economy.The world’s population is growing, Davidi told host Helena Humphrey in a “fireside chat” at the Moscone Center. “We need to grow more food,” said Davidi, in a gray suit and light-blue tie. “We need more pollinators, and bees are considered to be the most efficient ones.” But the insects are in peril, with large numbers of bee colonies collapsing worldwide every year, Davidi told Humphr...

A suspect in the killings of four people is found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A suspect in Tennessee died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while on the run Sunday after a series of shootings that killed four of his female relatives and seriously injured a fifth person, police said.Officers found the body of Mavis Christian Jr., 52, in his car during a manhunt following shootings at three locations in Memphis that left three women and a teenage girl dead and a teenage girl critically wounded, the Memphis Police Department said.Police said Christian was related to the victims but could not immediately specify how they were related. The names of the victims have not yet been released.“We are deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless shootings on Saturday … resulting in the deaths of four innocent family members and a fifth victim critically injured,” the police department said in a statement posted on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones as our community grieves more lives taken by domestic v...

Fire at Marathon Refinery prompts public health advisory

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Contra Costa Health issued a public health advisory early Sunday morning due to a fire at Marathon’s Martinez Renewable Fuels refinery.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Letters: Death penalty | Clean Sunnyvale | Uniting country | Keep landlines Crashes and Disasters | Surprise! Giant pandas may return to San Diego Crashes and Disasters | What’s behind E. coli in Point Reyes National Seashore? Beef grows between ranchers and environmentalists Crashes and Disasters | Contra Costa D.A. announces “joint civil enforcement action” against Martinez Refining Company Crashes and Disasters | Letters: Up to voters | Reject Big Lie | Hamas the cause On social media, the health department said a hazardous materials team was “responding to reports of a fire” at the refinery at 1:34 a.m. and that an advisory had been issued for Martinez, Pacheco, Concord and Clyde.The health de...

Pac-12 rewind: Washington wins in the rain, Arizona slays again, Nix shines in blowout and Williams (probably) waves goodbye

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

Recapping the Week 12 action across the Pac-12 …Theme of the week: No. 1 seed setWashington clinched a berth in the conference championship game, and will be the home team in Las Vegas, with a 22-20 victory at Oregon State that was exactly as arduous as expected. The Huskies will face either Oregon or Arizona. The Ducks clinch with a victory over Oregon State or an Arizona loss at ASU; the Wildcats must beat ASU and need the Ducks to lose. Oregon is favored by 13.5 points over the Beavers, according to FanDuel.Theme of the week II: This is goodbyeUSC finished its regular season Saturday with a dreadful showing against UCLA in what seemingly was quarterback Caleb Williams’ final college game. (We expect him to skip USC’s bowl and enter the NFL Draft.) While some of his actions were hardly commendable — for example, the four-letter words on his fingernails — there is no denying that he is a phenomenal, otherworldly, generational talent.Game of the week: W...

Two drivers arrested in Concord PD DUI enforcement patrol

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

(KRON) – The Concord Police Department arrested two drivers on suspicion of DUIwhile conducting a DUI enforcement patrol on Nov. 18. Martinez refinery fire prompts public health advisory Concord Police Department issued a reminder to drivers regarding driving under the influence, “Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal andrecreational marijuana is legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.”According to Concord police, the department will be holding a series of DUI enforcement patrolsthroughout the year.Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Martinez refinery fire prompts public health advisory

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

(BCN) -- Contra Costa Health said on social media at 1:34 a.m. a CCH hazardous materials team was "responding to reports of a fire at Martinez Renewable Fuels (Marathon Refinery) that may affect surrounding areas." A public health advisory was issued for Martinez, Pacheco, Concord and Clyde. Shortly after, CCH said on social media it lifted the public health advisory for Martinez, Pacheco, Concord and Clyde. "The fire at Martinez Renewable Fuels is under control," is said. CCH said on its website at 3:54 a.m. "Flaring incident at Marathon Martinez that may be seen by the surrounding community." An all clear for Martinez, Pacheco, Concord and Clyde" was later issued on the CCH web page.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Nylander scores in OT, Maple Leafs extend win streak to 4 with 4-3 victory over Wild in Sweden

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:06 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — William Nylander scored at 3:09 of overtime, and the Toronto Maple Leafs extended their winning streak to four with a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday in the final game of the NHL’s Global Series in Sweden.Nylander collected the puck, skated toward the net and fired a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury for his 12th goal of the season. He also extended his franchise-record season-opening point streak to 17 games.“It’s pretty special to get the OT winner there,” Nylander said. “It was a great four points for us here.”Nylander had five points (two goals, three assists) in Toronto’s two games in Stockholm.“He’s got such confidence and swagger here now that he is just feeling like he can turn a game at any point in time,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He stepped up in big moments and was a huge part of why we got four points here.”Auston Matthews added a goal and an assist for Toronto. He tied Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets for the league lead with 14 goals....