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The Bay-Delta ecosystem is collapsing. California just unveiled rival rescue plans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

BY RACHEL BECKER | CalMattersWith the Bay-Delta watershed in the throes of an ecological crisis, California’s water regulators Thursday unveiled several controversial options for managing the heart of the state’s water supply.The long-awaited, nearly 6,000-page draft is part of a fiercely contentious but under-the-radar process to update the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, with high stakes for both wildlife and water providers serving cities and millions of acres of farms.State water officials have said that existing requirements for water quality and flow through the critical but imperiled San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have “failed to protect fish and wildlife” and must be updated “to halt and reverse the ecosystem collapse.”Several of the strategies the report evaluates would set minimum amounts of water to remain in rivers and streams, which could ultimately require water suppliers and other water users to cut back on how much they divert for ...

After grim report, council members ask if Antioch police should call sheriff, CHP for help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

ANTIOCH – “How low do we have to go?”That was Councilmember Mike Barbanica’s question for Acting Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil about requesting outside agencies to assist, knowing how depleted the force is.Vigil told the council this week that of 95 police officers on the books, only 44 are working in “full service” now, and of those, only 31 are assigned to patrol.Another 51 officers are on administrative leave, either on light duty, on medical leave or out for other reasons. It is unclear how many are on leave due to the racist texting scandal, the investigation of which is still underway with outside investigators.The department meanwhile is authorized for 115 officers, with the ability to overhire six in anticipation of pending retirements or resignation and to help limit lapses in police services. Six new officers came aboard this week, but still need to go through field training, Vigil said.“My concern is we’re drastically understaffed,” Barbanica said, adding he was co...

Melania Trump moves to protect Barron’s trust fund from Trump’s legal troubles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

Melania Trump has no intention of leaving Donald Trump but her team has “quietly” renegotiated the terms of her prenuptial agreement to ensure that she’ll always be financially secure and that their son Barron’s “substantial” trust fund won’t be affected by all of her husband’s legal troubles, a report says.A source told Page Six that Melania Trump has worked out a new “postnup” agreement with Trump, whom she married in 2005. Her aim is to protect herself and her 17-year-old son’s financial future, as her husband runs to win a second term in the White House but also faces dozens of criminal charges in multiple jurisdictions. He’s also dealing with the potential loss of his New York real estate empire and a $5 million legal judgement, after a civil jury found he sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll.“This is at least the third time Melania has renegotiated the terms of her marital agreement,” t...

Official statement confirming U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

U.S. Sen Dianne Feinstein, 90, died on Thursday night, according to a statement released by James Sauls, her chief of staff.It will now be up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to name a replacement to serve out the rest of her term. Feinstein was the state’s longest-serving senator and also the longest-serving woman in the chamber.Here is the statement from James SaulsRelated ArticlesCalifornia Politics | What California Gov. Gavin Newsom said about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death California Politics | Trailblazer Dianne Feinstein, California’s longest serving U.S. senator, dies at 90 California Politics | Barabak: Newsom is right in pledging a caretaker for U.S. Senate seat California Politics | Senator Dianne Feinstein’s family feud is set for private talks California Politics | Rep. Lee: Newsom ‘insulting to countless Black women’ on potential Senate appointment “Sadly, Senator Fei...

Three reasons the Cal Bears should win – or could lose – pivotal home game vs. Arizona State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

BERKELEY — Coaches preach playing them one at a time, and this is one game the Cal Bears can’t afford to let get away.The Bears (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) return to Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a noon kickoff against Arizona State (1-3, 0-1) in a game that could go a long way in determining the trajectory of the rest of Cal’s season.On the heels of a 59-32 reality check crushing at No. 7 Washington last week, the Bears won’t get another chance like this one all season: At home, mostly healthy and favored by nearly two touchdowns against an opponent without an FBS victory.Victory becomes imperative on the final day of September because of the gauntlet directly ahead in Cal’s path. The Bears’ next five games over six weeks are against opponents with a combined record of 19-1 — home games vs. Oregon State, USC and Washington State, and grueling road tests at Utah and Oregon.The Bears have little wiggle room in their pursuit of six victories and bowl eligibility and ASU is a game...

With affordability low, starter homes see the largest price gains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

”Survey says” looks at various rankings and scorecards judging geographic locations while noting these grades are best seen as a mix of artful interpretation and data.Buzz: The housing market is apparently getting a boost from significant interest in the lowest-priced residences.Source: My trusty spreadsheet reviewed First American’s home-price indexes for 30 of the nation’s biggest housing markets, which comes with a curious twist. These yardsticks slice markets into thirds based on price points for single-family homes within each metro area: the cheapest (starter homes), the in-between (mid-tier) and the priciest (luxury).ToplineThe overall price changes in these 30 markets averaged a 2.7% gain for the 12 months ended in August, not bad for a turbulent period for house hunting.The past year’s biggest gains were an eclectic mix – Detroit (up 6.9%), St. Louis (6.6%), Orange County (6.5%), Baltimore (5.8%), Boston (5.7%), and Miami (5.5%).Meanwhile, overall pricing was down in three ...

What California Gov. Gavin Newsom said about Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

At 90. U.S. Sen Dianne Feinstein was California’s longest-serving U.S. senator and the longest-serving female member in the chamber’s history when she died Thursday night.With her death, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will need to make a crucial decision on who will replace the Democratic senator. He had previously promised to name a Black woman to the post if Feinstein retired as she battled health issues. Feinstein had already announced she would not seek another term, which set off a scramble among California politicians who want to replace here.Here is the statement Newsom’s office released on Friday morning:“Dianne Feinstein was many things — a powerful, trailblazing U.S. Senator; an early voice for gun control; a leader in times of tragedy and chaos. But to me, she was a dear friend, a lifelong mentor, and a role model not only for me, but to my wife and daughters for what a powerful, effective leader looks like.Related ArticlesCalifornia Politics | ...

Pac-12 recruiting: Big weekend for Colorado as Mater Dei HS stars arrive to watch USC showdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Sept. 28 …The buzz may have died down ever so slightly, but there is still plenty of excitement in Boulder.After losing the Pac-12 opener at Oregon, Colorado returns to Folsom Field this weekend for its first conference home game. Most of the attention won’t even be on USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner across the field.Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has a who’s who of recruits coming to town, including a trio of players who attend a high school that has long sent stars to USC.Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei is the No. 1 team in California, and its 2025 and 2026 classes are absolutely loaded with talent.Jordan Davison, the No. 2-rated tailback in the junior class, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings, will retu...

A bus carrying children overturns in northwest England, killing the driver and a 14-year-old girl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A bus carrying dozens of schoolchildren overturned on a highway near the English city of Liverpool on Friday, killing the driver and a 14-year-old girl, police said. The bus was transporting students from Calday Grange Grammar School and West Kirby Grammar School on the Wirral Peninsula, across the River Mersey from Liverpool. Traffic on the M53 highway was blocked as police and other emergency services responded to the incident, which was reported shortly after 8 a.m. Two other occupants of the bus were taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool with serious injuries, while a number of other patients were taken to surrounding hospitals for treatment to minor injuries, North West Ambulance Service said.A total of 50 children were transported to a casualty clearing center. Thirty-nine of them were discharged while the others were taken to hospitals for further treatment. Source

Country star Dustin Lynch was at an impasse. The only way forward was to have ‘Killed the Cowboy’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:37:22 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ahead of his sixth studio album, “Killed the Cowboy,” Dustin Lynch sensed some inner conflict. The 38-year-old country star had achieved many of his goals: He spent the last decade securing country radio hits, raking in billions of streams and touring with the likes of Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Kane Brown. He was inducted into the Grand Olde Opry by Reba McEntire. After all that, the question became, what next? “I’m single, you know, at this point in my life, I’ve chased down a lot of dreams. But what’s the next level to unlock? You know, in my life, where do I want to be in five, 10, 20, 30 years?” he told The Associated Press. “Is that with somebody? Is it still being free and enjoying the adventure? So, there’s this ongoing battle that I have with myself daily (of) what’s the best version of me.”The album’s title, and the title track, stemmed from that idea. Does he kill the cowboy, or let him ride? If there is a narrative thread ...