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Opinion: What did Westerners care about in 2023?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

This past year, Writers on the Range, an independent opinion service based in western Colorado, sent out 52 weekly opinion columns. They were provided free of charge to more than 200 subscribing editors of publications large and small, each of whom republished dozens of the columns.Writers on the Range has a simple two-part mission. One of its aims is to engage Westerners in thinking and talking to each other about issues important to the region. The other aim is to entice readers to look forward to these fact-based opinions, with the hope that they’ll then want to keep their local journalism outlet alive and flourishing.This year, the focus of writers ran the gamut from A to W. Abortion bans, wrote Idaho-based Crista Worthy, caused women’s health to suffer severely, while wolves, wrote Story Warren, were unfairly blamed for killing livestock in Colorado.Several columns covered the depleted Colorado River, while longtime journalist Rocky Barker wrote that at last, four Klamath River...

California set to approve plan to turn sewage into drinking water

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

When a toilet is flushed in California, the water can end up in a lot of places - the ice in a skating rink, the manufactured snow on ski slopes, in pipes providing irrigation for farmland. And - coming soon - in your drinking glass. California regulators on Tuesday are set to vote on new rules to let water agencies recycle wastewater and put it right back into the pipes that carry drinking water to homes, schools and businesses.It's a big step for a state that has struggled for decades to have a reliable source of drinking water for its more than 39 million residents. And it signals a shift in public opinion on a subject that as recently as two decades ago prompted backlash that scuttled similar projects.The San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater facility is seen, on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in San Jose, California. Sewage water is treated at the site before it is discharged into San Francisco Bay. California regulators are preparing to vote on new rules for turning recycled was...

LAPD officer involved in crash; ambulances sent to scene

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

Two ambulances were called when a Los Angeles Police Department officer was involved in a traffic collision in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Central Los Angeles Tuesday morning. The crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. near the intersection of South Hoover Street and Venice Boulevard. Two rescue ambulances were requested but the extent of the injuries was unclear, LAPD Officer Moran said. No details about the crash or how many vehicles were involved were immediately released. Check back for updates on this developing story.

Google spent $1.2M lobbying against paying news publishers: LAT

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

A California bill that would require large tech companies to pay news publishers for their content is on hold until at least next year, and it appears lobbying by those same companies played a role.The Los Angeles Times reports that Google spent $1.5 million lobbying state lawmakers between January and September, including $1.2 million for an advertisement attacking Assembly Bill 886, the California Journalism Preservation Act.In contrast, the California News Publishers Association and News/Media Alliance, both of which support the bill, spent $161,519 on lobbying in California during that same time period, the Times reports.While Google is using money to fight the bill, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has said it will block news stories from appearing on its platforms if the bill becomes law.

Marjorie Vasquez Killed in Pedestrian Crash on Hollister Avenue [Goleta, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

86-Year-Old Woman Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Collision near Lowell WayGOLETA, CA (December 19, 2023) – Marjorie Vasquez died Tuesday night in a pedestrian collision on Hollister Avenue near Lowell Way.Around 6:30 p.m., police officers responded at the 7300 block of Hollister Avenue.An ongoing inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding a vehicular collision with a female pedestrian in the vicinity. The victim, identified as 86-year-old Vasquez from Goleta, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.The driver involved in the incident remained at the scene and actively collaborated with the investigation. Initial assessments by the police indicate that drugs and alcohol are not suspected to have played a role in the incident. The Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Response Team is currently spearheading the investigation. Further details will be made available as the investigation progresses.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to extend their...

49ers-Ravens preview: Christmas night offers potential Super Bowl matchup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

SANTA CLARA — With three games left in the regular season, the high-scoring, star-filled 49ers are hosting an AFC juggernaut in a potential Super Bowl preview.That scenario played out in 1994, against the Chargers on the 49ers’ way to their most recent Lombardi Trophy.That also could describe the 49ers’ current path.On Monday night, the NFC-leading 49ers (11-3) welcome the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens (11-3) as Christmas guests at Levi’s Stadium.Both teams are positioned as the No. 1 seed for their respective conference playoffs that begin next month, with a potential rematch in store at Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.In 1994, the 49ers came off a 50-14 divisional win (over the Atlanta Falcons) before beating the then-San Diego Chargers 38-14 in a December duel. In their rematch 49 days later, the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX 49-26.This year, the 49ers are the first team to make the NFC playoffs, and the Ravens followed suit Sunday night as the AFC’s first entry, w...

Look inside Zootopia land pitched for Disneyland expansion

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

The world’s first Zootopia-themed land set to debut at Shanghai Disneyland offers a glimpse of what the future could hold for the Disneyland resort over the next couple decades under a reimagined long-term vision for the Anaheim theme park resort district.A Zootopia-themed land was pitched in 2021 as a possible project for a proposed theme park expansion in the DisneylandForward plan presented to the city of Anaheim.The new Zootopia themed land coming to Shanghai Disneyland. (Disney) The new Zootopia land officially debuts on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Shanghai Disneyland following an extended soft opening.A street scene in the Zooptopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland. (Courtesy of Disney) The backstory for the new land finds the animal residents preparing for a Zootopia Day concert starring Zootopian pop star Gazelle.The Zootopia: Hot Pursuit trackless dark ride at the Zooptopia-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland (Courtesy of Disney) The Zootopia: Hot Pursuit trackles...

Mercedes adds turquoise lights to indicate self-driving cars

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

(CNN) — Mercedes-Benz has just received approval to add a fourth color of exterior lights:  turquoise, to indicate when a Mercedes car is driving itself.Related ArticlesTechnology | Google users will share $630 million in a Play store settlement Technology | California is set to become 2nd state to allow turning wastewater into drinking water Technology | Vans, North Face owner VF Corp. says a hack is disrupting holiday orders Technology | Apple to halt sales of some Apple Watches in US over patent dispute Technology | Uber to join S&P 500: Here’s what it means for investors, consumers Only California and Nevada have approved the new light color. Those are the only states where Mercedes’ “conditionally autonomous” Drive Pilot technology is legal.Mercedes Drive Pilot can be used on selected major highways when vehicles are traveling at less than 40 miles an hour. Under those conditions, the driver can...

Actor James McCaffrey dies at 65; had roles in ‘Rescue Me,’ ‘Suits,’ ‘Blue Bloods’

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — James McCaffrey, who voiced “Max Payne” in the popular video game franchise and also starred in television shows including “Rescue Me,” has died, according to his agent. He was 65.McCaffrey’s talent agent David Elliot confirmed Monday that the New York native passed away Sunday surrounded by family and friends.His wife, actor Rochelle Bostrom, told The Hollywood Reporter that he died at home in Larchmont, a New York suburb of Manhattan, following a battle with myeloma, a form of cancer that affects white blood cells.Fellow New York actor and “Entourage” star Kevin Dillon was among those who took to social media to honor McCaffrey.“#rip James McCaffrey we were lucky to have known you,” he wrote Sunday in an Instagram post that included a photo of the two.McCaffrey had a 35-year career in television and film that also included roles in the television shows “Blue Bloods” and “Suits.”Related ArticlesObituaries | Longtime Bay Area News Group ‘...

Driver killed in Newark freeway crash is identified

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:15 GMT

NEWARK — A person killed Sunday when his car crashed on Highway 84 was identified by the coroner’s office Tuesday as a 29-year-old Hayward man.The crash happened about 1:30 p.m. Sunday on westbound Highway 84 east of Ardenwood Boulevard. The man killed was identified Tuesday as Luis Ernesto Chavez II.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Concord: Man killed in collision on Kirker Pass Road Crashes and Disasters | Three killed, five injured in crash on I-680 in Pleasanton Crashes and Disasters | Child killed in alleged Martinez DUI highway crash is identified Crashes and Disasters | Driver says he hit a deer, police found a dead body in his car Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian killed in San Leandro hit-and-run collision; suspect later arrested The California Highway Patrol said Chavez was driving a Honda sedan that went out of control and crashed into a center divider.He died at the scene....