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Denver school board candidate Kwame Spearman, teachers union denounce campaign mailer as racist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 GMT

Denver school board candidate Kwame Spearman and the city’s teachers union, which endorsed the former Tattered Cover CEO in his bid for an at-large seat, denounced as racist an election mailer attacking him as a bully. The mailer was sent to Denver residents by an independent expenditure committee called Better Leaders, Stronger Schools, which has spent at least $1 million on advertising in the race for three seats on Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education. The election is on Nov. 7. “I think that is some nasty personal attacks that are coming out,” said Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.RELATED: Colorado voter guide: Stories, explainers and endorsements for the 2023 electionHe said he feels the mailer is racist because it features an upset white child on one side and calls Spearman a bully on the other side, implying that Spearman, who is Black, is bullying the kid. Gould called the advertisement “pretty gross.”Spearman, in a news release, c...

LASD: Father accused of killing 2 children, injuring 2 others not cooperating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 GMT

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies are continuing their lengthy investigation into what led up to a man killing two of his children and hospitalizing two others. The original murders occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday in Lancaster, when police say that the suspect, identified as Prospero Serna of San Bernardino County, inflicted “severe lacerations” on his four children after reportedly locking his wife out of their home. All four children were rushed to a nearby hospital where two were pronounced deceased. The other two children remain hospitalized in critical condition. Prospero Serna is seen being taken into custody shortly before midnight on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Luis Meza)Serna was eventually chased down by deputies, who tackled him and detained him in the street, video from the scene shows.  As he was being detained, his face was visibly bloody, and he could be heard screaming obscenities. He has been arrested on murder and child...

California High-Speed Rail proposes modification to L.A.-to-Anaheim segment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 GMT

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is making some changes to its planned segment from Los Angeles to Anaheim. On Monday, CAHSR announced it now plans to add a fourth rail line between the two Southern California cities, allowing for commuter rail systems and freight trains to each have their own dedicated sets of tracks, rather than have to share and coordinate through the busy metropolitan section. The changes are minor in concept, but are expected to have a meaningful impact once the commuter train service begins operation in the next decade or so.The original plan called for a freight facility to be built in the city of Colton, which would house trains that aren't currently in operation and to allow for storage, maintenance and cleaning. But that plan was abandoned following some local pushback from Colton city officials and residents."The Colton community rightly pointed out that they weren't going to receive any of the benefits from High-Speed Rail, they were just going t...

Santa Ana winds fuel fires, prompt widespread power outages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 GMT

Santa Ana winds continued to rip through parts of Southern California on Monday, prompting fire weather warnings and preemptive power shut-offs.Peak wind gusts topped 40 miles per hour across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with some gusts exceeding 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.The warm and dry desert winds have kept first responders and utility crews busy since they arrived early Sunday.Winds fueled a fire that consumed several bushes and palm trees outside a hotel near John Wayne Airport - coincidentally in Santa Ana. Several hundred guests and staff members needed to be evacuated as embers spread to the roof of the building, authorities said. Palm trees ablaze outside a hotel in Santa Ana on Oct. 29, 2023. (OnScene.TV)A U.S. flag was shredded by the Santa Ana winds in the San Fernando Valley. Oct. 29, 2023. (RMG Media)High winds caused a semi-truck to overturn on I-210 west in Fontana on Oct. 29, 2023. (KeyNewsTV)A fire breaks out on a hillside near ...

Amazon Music’s Closeout to LAFW: Where Music Meets Fashion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 GMT

Imagine an event that mixes music, fashion, and a whole lot of entertainment. Well, that’s what Amazon Music did last week in Los Angeles. They called it “The Future Is Ours…” and it was all about who will be defining the future of entertainment and how they will be doing so.The Amazon Music headquarters in Los Angeles was turned into a stylish and musical wonderland. It was a glimpse into the future, where the next big artists and their fans came together to show off their creativity and emotions.The event featured a unique fashion show, showcasing designs by Keyla Marquez, Fashion Director at the Los Angeles Times. There were live performances by the famous reggaeton artist Ryan Castro and a surprise guest, the rapper Rich the Kid. Fans and attendees enjoyed the closeness and intimacy of these artists’ performances as they were directly on the runway.After the show, Bb Trickz, a rising star from Spain, showed off her cute and charming talents to the audienc...

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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:25:00 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...