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Death toll from Hurricane Otis rises to 48, 36 still missing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

By Felix Marquez adn Megan Janetsky | Associated PressACAPULCO, Mexico — At least 48 people died when Category 5 Hurricane Otis slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, most of them in Acapulco, Mexican authorities said Sunday as the death toll continued to climb and families buried loved ones.Mexico’s civil defense agency said in a statement that 43 of the dead were in the resort city of Acapulco and five in nearby Coyuca de Benitez. Guerrero state’s governor had earlier raised the number of missing to 36 from 10 a day earlier. The death toll increased after authorities had raised it to 39 on Saturday.In Acapulco, families held funerals for the dead on Sunday and continued the search for essentials while government workers and volunteers cleared streets clogged with muck and debris from the powerful Category 5 hurricane.Katy Barrera, 30, said Sunday that her aunt’s family was buried under a landslide when tons of mud and rock tumbled down onto their hom...

CFP rankings and Pac-12 football teams as Halloween candy: It’s that time of year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

Tuesday marks one of the most anticipated days of the season with the release of the College Football Playoff rankings and an excuse to eat mass quantities of candy.We’ll address the candy momentarily. Let’s start with the CFP: What should Pac-12 fans expect from the selection committee’s initial rankings, which will be unveiled Tuesday at 4 p.m. on ESPN?Plenty of representation, that’s what.Washington and Oregon should have spots in the top 10, with the undefeated Huskies quite possibly among the first five and the Ducks close behind.Oregon has been far more impressive in recent weeks, but the committee will lean into Washington’s head-to-head victory. The rivals might be next to each other, in fact.Look for Oregon State, UCLA, Utah and USC to make the cut as well, likely in the bottom half.And remember: While the rankings make for great discussion and help ESPN fill airtime, nothing matters until the final top-25 is released on the first Sunday of Dec...

Four-bedroom home in Pleasanton sells for $2.6 million

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

7845 Foothill Knolls Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 7800 block of Foothill Knolls Drive in Pleasanton has new owners. The 2,738-square-foot property, built in 1986, was sold on Sept. 18, 2023, for $2,575,000, or $940 per square foot. This single-story house boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Additionally, the house includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage.These nearby houses have also recently been purchased:In June 2023, a 2,738-square-foot home on Prairie Drive in Pleasanton sold for $2,450,000, a price per square foot of $895. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.A 3,043-square-foot home on the 7900 block of Foothill Knolls Drive in Pleasanton sold in February 2023, for $2,850,000, a price per square foot of $937. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Muirwood Drive, Pleasanton, in August 2022, a 1,809-square-foot home was sold for $1,699,000, a price per square foot of $939. The ho...

How Meg Ryan got back in the rom-com game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

Nora Ephron’s warmhearted spirit buoys “What Happens Later,” Meg Ryan’s welcome return to film rom-coms, the genre that turned her into one of America’s sweethearts — and most popular actors — in the late ‘80s and ‘90s.Those were the days when she was known for her effervescent gold-standard performances in “When Harry Met Sally” (written by Ephron) and “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail” (directed and co-written by Ephron).In the same vein of those rom-com essentials, “What Happens Later” tells a sentimental, defiantly uncynical story. That’s by intention, says its star.“This is a movie that just has its heart on its sleeve and that’s the boldest thing about it,” Ryan said. “It’s just vulnerable.”Ryan not only stars in “What Happens Later,” she directs, serves as an executive producer and co-wrote the film with playwright Steven Dietz. It’s is Dietz’ stage comedy “Shooting Star,” which Ryan says she has not seen, that is the ...

UC Berkeley 'Swifties' launch Taylor Swift course

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

(KRON) -- "Are you ready for it?" University of California Berkeley students will have the option to enroll in a Taylor Swift course in 2024. Students will learn about how the pop star amassed a devoted fanbase, built a wildly attractive brand, and dominated the music industry. The course's syllabus states, "fall down a rabbit hole of what has led to Taylor Swift’s prolific success as a songwriter, businesswoman, and creative influence. Swift’s ability to connect with listeners is as unparalleled. Through lyricism, branding, and craft, we’ll explore how art and authenticity create enduring value and a viable enterprise. We’ll analyze performance and interview clips, discuss media portrayal and perceptions, and develop working definitions of Swift’s role in society—and yours. We’ll put her under scrutiny, but handle it beautifully."Taylor Swift performs at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on July 29, 2023. (Image courtesy TAS Rights Management)The course, titled "Artistry & Entrepre...

Body found in Bay near Pier 9, SFPD investigating

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A body was found in the San Francisco Bay Monday in the water off Pier 9, according to the San Francisco Police Department. SFPD received a report of a body in the water and responded at around 9 a.m.The body was recovered by the San Francisco Fire Department. SFPD and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will take over the investigation, according to police. Protesters bring demonstration from SF streets to highway, block lanes on Hwy 101 Police said all information provide was preliminary and that the investigation was active and ongoing. No other information was provided.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Residents of Richmond neighborhood ordered to evacuate after natural gas leak

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

(BCN) -- Authorities in Richmond have issued mandatory evacuations for a neighborhood in Richmond on Monday following a natural gas leak. The leak is in the area of of Shasta Street and Carlson Boulevard, in the Richmond Annex neighborhood, according to the Richmond Fire Department.PG&E crews have responded to repair the gas leak, with an expected completion time of 12:30 p.m., fire officials said in a release shortly before noon. Protesters bring demonstration from SF streets to highway, block lanes on Hwy 101 The areas that must evacuate are the 1900 block of Carlson Boulevard; the 1800 block of Shasta Street; and the 1800 block of Butte Street. Residents are asked to leave their homes immediately and proceed to a temporary evacuation shelter site at Richmond Fire Training, at 3510 Cutting Blvd.Residents should bring essential items such as medications, identification, and any important documents. People are asked to using electrical appliances, and should turn off your gas ...

Santa Rosa man arrested for felony assault of an elder adult 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

(KRON) – The Petaluma Police Department arrested a 53-year-old food delivery driver for assaulting an elder on Oct. 23. Petaluma police officers were dispatched to the 100 Block of Payran Street on Oct. 23, for an alleged assault. The victim was walking with her 4 and 6-year-old grandchildren. As they were crossing the street in the crosswalk at the intersection of Payran Street and Madison Street, a car proceeded through the intersection without yielding to the victim and her grandchildren, police said.  15-year-old arrested in fatal San Jose hit and run that killed pregnant mother and her child The driver was identified as 53-year-old Santa Rosa resident Carlos Barreda.According to the police investigation, as Barreda drove past the victim, the victim observed that Barreda was on his cell phone and likely did not see them due to being distracted. The victim was continuing her walk to her destination with her grandchildren when she noticed Barreda pull over ah...

Online antisemitic threats unnerve Jewish students and spark condemnation at Cornell University

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — Threatening statements about Jews on an internet discussion board have unnerved students at Cornell University and prompted officials to send police to guard a Jewish center and kosher dining hall.The menacing, anonymous messages, posted over the weekend in an online forum about fraternities and sororities, came amid a torrent of antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric that has flowed on social media during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged during a visit to Cornell’s Center for Jewish Living on Monday that state police would work to identify anyone making online threats and hold them accountable.“No one should be afraid to walk from their dorm or their dining hall to a classroom,” she said. “When speech crosses over into hate speech and into hate crimes, that’s when we have to make sure that students know that we’ll step up and protect them.”The Cornell University Police Department is also investigating and has notified the FBI.The now...

Biden wants to move fast on AI safeguards and signs an executive order to address his concerns

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:12:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday signed an ambitious executive order on artificial intelligence that seeks to balance the needs of cutting-edge technology companies with national security and consumer rights, creating an early set of guardrails that could be fortified by legislation and global agreements.Before signing the order, Biden said AI is driving change at “warp speed” and carries tremendous potential as well as perils.“AI is all around us,” Biden said. “To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology.”The order is an initial step that is meant to ensure that AI is trustworthy and helpful, rather than deceitful and destructive. The order — which will likely need to be augmented by congressional action — seeks to steer how AI is developed so that companies can profit without putting public safety in jeopardy.Using the Defense Production Act, the order requires leading AI developers to share safety test results and other inform...