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NRA chief Wayne LaPierre resigns before civil trial begins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

By Michel R. Sisak | Associated PressNEW YORK — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over his spending of millions of dollars’ worth of travel, security and other perks at the powerful gun rights organization’s expense.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against him, the NRA and others who have served as organization executives is scheduled to start on Monday. LaPierre and ex-NRA President Oliver North are among the witnesses expected to testify.LaPierre, 74, has led the NRA ‘s day-to-day operations since 1991, acting as the face and vehement voice of its gun rights agenda. He once warned of “jack-booted government thugs” seizing guns, called for armed guards in every school after a spate of shootings, and condemned foes b...

Oakland city councilmember calls for city to declare state of emergency

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo is calling for the City of Oakland to declare a state of emergency in the face of rising, and often violent, street crime."Right now, there's a very clear demand from the neighbors, the neighborhood, we need to declare a state of emergency here in the City of Oakland," Gallo said. "The bottom line is we need more police presence in the streets, not only on our sidewalk streets, but also to protect our schools."Gallo has called for a multi-agency response to street crime in Oakland, where there has been a year-over-year increase in violent crimes, aggravated assault, robbery, commercial and residential burglaries, and car thefts. Masked suspects in Hercules follow woman home from bank and rob her "Sadly enough, that's the time we're living in," Gallo added. "But in reality, we do need to declare a state of emergency and my city attorney stated very clearly in writing that the one that can declare is the city administra...

Snowiest storm of the winter forecast for Sierra Nevada mountains

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

(KRON) -- After a slow start for Northern California's winter snow season, this weekend's forecast looks promising for skiers and snowboarders ready to hit the slopes. A chilly storm will blanket the Sierra Nevada mountains with fresh powder Saturday. Ski resorts at elevations between 2,000-3,000 feet will receive much-needed snow as temperatures drop to as low as 15 degrees. KRON4 Meteorologist John Shrable said, "Snow will be heavy in the Sierra with snow-level falling as low as 2,000 feet, the lowest of the season so far." Shrable said the storm will not bring heavy rain to the Bay Area, but it will be a "big snow-maker" up in Northern California's mountains this weekend. "Around 1-2 feet of snowfall once you get to those highest elevations. That's going to be making for some great skiing Sunday when things calm down," Shrable said. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the northern Sierra Nevada beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday. On Saturday morning, breezy a...

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake shakes a wide area of Southern California, no injuries reported

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A light but widely felt earthquake shook Southern California on Friday. There were no immediate reports of damage to buildings, other infrastructure or injuries.The U.S. Geological Survey said the 10:55 a.m. quake, after several revisions, was a magnitude 4.2 and was centered about a mile (1 kilometer) northwest of Lytle Creek, in the San Gabriel Mountains about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles. The depth was put at about 5.5 miles (8.8 kilometers).A quake of such magnitude is typically not strong enough to cause significant damage. Michael Guardado, who works at the front desk of the San Bernardino National Forest’s Lytle Creek Ranger Station, said the “building shook hard.”Officials were working to determine the earthquake’s impact on the area and Guardado said he had heard that “a lot of rocks” had fallen onto Lytle Creek Road.Cari Torguson, a bartender at Melody’s Place in Lytle Creek, said she felt “a hard boom and a shake” from the...

Aaron Rodgers voted Jets’ most inspirational player by teammates. QB played just 4 snaps this season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers’ first season with the New York Jets lasted only four snaps. His impact was felt for far longer.The 40-year-old quarterback was voted by his teammates the winner of the Jets’ Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational award Friday for his continued leadership during his rehabilitation from a torn left Achilles tendon that ultimately ended his season.“It’s just the effect that he’s had on this locker room in such a short time is why I think you see him win that award and all the guys here voted for him,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “It says a lot about him and how he’s approached becoming a Jet and being here with us, whether he’s on the field or not.”Rodgers was hurt during the season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 11, but immediately focused on trying to stage an improbable comeback from an injury that usually takes players anywhere from six to nine months to fully recover.The four-time NFL MVP reportedly had a...

Data Doctors: Tips for buying used smartphones

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

Q: I’m looking to buy a lower-cost smartphone. What are the differences between refurbished and used smartphones?A: The yearly improvement in smartphone technology leads many people to get rid of perfectly good smartphones in pursuit of owning the “latest and greatest” technology.This trend has led to a thriving used smartphone market that is estimated to have over 75 million units shipped in 2023.If you don’t need to own the latest and greatest — you can save a lot of money buying older generations that were “top of the line” just a few years ago.What you buy and where you buy can be the difference between a great deal and a total nightmare.Refurbished vs. UsedWhen you go shopping for a used phone, you’ll generally see these two options and there are meaningful differences.Refurbished smartphones, especially directly from the manufacturer, tend to be very close to new condition and come with a warranty of some sort.A properly refurbished smartphone wil...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts toward the close of its first losing week in the last 10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is closing its first losing week since Halloween with a listless performance Friday following reports showing workers are getting bigger raises but key parts of the economy still don’t look like they’re overheating. The S&P 500 was 0.1% lower in late trading after flipping between small gains and losses through the day. It’s on track for its first losing week in the last 10 after roaring into 2024 on hopes that inflation and the overall economy are cooling enough for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates sharply through 2024. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 52 points, or 0.1%, with an hour remaining in trading, and edging a bit further from its record set early this week. The Nasdaq composite was 0.1% lower.Treasury yields swung sharply in the bond market following the economic reports. They initially climbed after the latest monthly jobs report showed U.S. employers unexpectedly accelerated their hiring last month. Average hourly ...

Demanda contra bancos de EEUU alega que negaron préstamos a beneficiarios de DACA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

Una organización nacional latina de derechos legales y civiles ha demandado a instituciones financieras por supuestamente implementar políticas que discriminan a los beneficiarios elegibles de DACA al negarles préstamos y otros servicios basados en su estatus migratorio, según 10 demandas presentadas en los últimos siete años.El Fondo México-Americano para la Defensa Legal y la Educación, más conocido como MALDEF, presentó sus dos demandas más recientes la semana pasada.“Es un gran problema”, dijo Thomas Sáenz, presidente y consejero general de MALDEF, en una entrevista con NBC News el jueves. Además de las demandas que ya han presentado, MALDEF está investigando “al menos media docena más” de casos similares. “Cada vez que presentamos uno de estos casos, nos contacta gente diciendo: ‘Oye, esto me pasó en otro banco o cooperativa de crédito’”.Casi 580,000 adultos jóvenes indocumentados, muchos de ellos latinos, que llegaron a Estados U...

Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism after being confirmed at New Year’s Eve Mass

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

Actor Shia LaBeouf has converted to Catholicism after being confirmed on New Year’s Eve at a Mass presided over by Capuchin Franciscan friars.The Capuchin Franciscans-Western American Province announced the news on its Facebook site where it posted images of a smiling LeBeouf receiving Communion, kneeling with his eyes shut in prayer at Mass and hugging friars who attended the ceremony.The sacramental ceremony was held at Old Mission Santa Inés Parish in Solvang, California, the same friary where LaBeouf trained for months for his role as one of Italy’s best-known and most revered saints in the 2022 film, “ Padre Pio.” “The Capuchin Franciscan friars are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey,” the Catholic religious order said.LaBeouf “has embarked on a profound spiritual journey that has led him to embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church,” the order said. “His decision to fully enter the Church is a testament to his s...

'Top Chef' winner to open restaurant in Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:19 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Award-winning chef Hosea Rosenberg announced he is opening a new Blackbelly restaurant in Denver next month.Rosenburg is originally from Taos, New Mexico, but he studied engineering physics at the University of Colorado. While in college, According to Slow Food Nations, he found a new passion in the culinary industry. Denver foodie: Some local restaurants that won awards, made headlines in 2023 He landed his first chef position in 2001, was an executive chef by 2004 and went on to win Bravo TV's Top Chef Season 5 in 2009.His company, Blackbelly, launched in 2011 as a catering business. It grew with a small farm, a food truck, a full-service restaurant and bar in 2014, and Boulder's only whole animal artisanal butcher shop in 2016.In February 2024, Blackbelly will open its first outpost in Denver at 4324 W. 41st Ave. The space was formerly Il Porcellino Salumi, but Rosenburg said owner Bill Miner is shifting his focus to wholesale and handed the space off to be the...