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Wisc. Gov. vows to veto budget if GOP cuts diversity funds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

By Todd Richmond | Associated PressMADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday in a newspaper report that he won’t sign the state budget if Republican lawmakers follow through on their plan to cut funding for the state university system’s diversity officers, escalating a bitter fight over dollars for the state campuses.Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he wants to cut $32 million from the UW System in the state’s 2023-25 budget, an amount he said is equal to what the system spends on diversity officers. He said during a news conference Wednesday that diversity efforts have become liberals’ “new religion” and tax dollars shouldn’t be used to help them.“For people on the left, (efforts to promote diversity have) become their new religion,” Vos said. “They no longer go to church on Sunday, but boy, are they trying to make sure everybody is evangelized on campus, that’s ther...

National pundits turn on John Fisher after A’s fans’ show strong ‘reverse boycott’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

OAKLAND — A’s fans converged on the Coliseum this week to show the world that they still want their team, and it was John Fisher, the team’s owner, who had turned his back with the intention to move their club to Las Vegas.Tuesday’s “reverse boycott” drew a season-high 27,759 fans endlessly chanting “Sell the Team!” and an assortment of often vulgar anti-Fisher missives. But was it just noise or did it resonate outside of the Bay Area?“I think for the average fan that may not pay attention day-to-day, it’s easy to think A’s fans aren’t showing up and the fanbase does not exist,” ESPN national baseball writer, Joon Lee said in a phone interview Wednesday. He added that the boycott is “such an in-your-face example of how the fanbase shows up when things are good. We’ve seen this in the past, too, when the A’s are good.”CBS Radio host Jim Rome went to bat for A’s fans on his nationally syndicated show on Wednesday, notin...

Storm system brings heavy damage to the South

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

Associated PressALBANY, Ga. — Damaging winds and possible tornadoes toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway Wednesday as powerful storms crossed the South from Texas to Georgia.The National Weather Service issued numerous tornado warnings, mainly in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, and cautioned that gusts of hurricane-force winds exceeding 90 mph (145 kph) were possible in parts of northeast Louisiana and central Mississippi. Some areas also were pelted with large hail.Forecasters said severe storm threats could persist into Thursday, with the greatest risk across southern Alabama and Georgia into the Florida Panhandle as well as Oklahoma and parts of northern Texas and southern Kansas.Felecia Bowser, meteorologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, called the far-reaching inland storm system unprecedented for this time of year.“In June, we’re usually gearing up more for tropical weather,” Bowser said. ...

Grand jury indicts Daniel Perry in subway chokehold death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

By Michael R. Sisak | Associated PressNEW YORK — A man charged with manslaughter for putting an agitated New York City subway rider in a fatal chokehold has been indicted by a grand jury, an expected procedural step that will allow the criminal case to continue.Daniel Penny was charged by Manhattan prosecutors last month in the May 1 death of Jordan Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator who struggled in recent years with homelessness and mental illness.Grand jury proceedings are secret and spokespeople for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg declined to comment Wednesday, but the indictment was confirmed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.“I appreciate DA Bragg conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Jordan Neely. Like I said when the DA first brought charges, I have the utmost faith in the judicial process, and now that the Grand Jury has indicted Daniel Penny, a trial and justice can move forward,” Adams said in a statement.Neely was shouting at...

Big-rig fire on eastbound 580 in Livermore closes two lanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A big-rig fire on I-580 east of North Flynn Road in Livermore has shut down traffic across two lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol. The truck caught fire in the eastbound lanes. Major delays are expected, the CHP said shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday.A photo of the burning truck shows a large cloud of smoke billowing from the rig's cab. 240 stolen catalytic converters found in Bay Area theft ring bust "Thank you for your patience and driving safely," the CHP said in a tweet.The fire has extended to the adjacent hillside, however, the driver was able to safely exit the vehicle, according to a Traffic CAD alert.There is no word yet on what caused the rig to catch fire.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Woman slain before East Bay high speed police chase identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A woman who was slain during a chaotic crime spree stretching from the San Francisco Bay Area to Manteca has been identified. A violent chain of events began on Sunday in Oakland. A victim was driving a gray Toyota Camry when they were carjacked in Oakland by two men at gunpoint, according to investigators. The duo drove the stolen car nearly 60 miles east to San Joaquin County. Around 10 p.m., a 23-year-old woman was shot to death while she was waiting to pick up her boyfriend from work in Manteca, according to her family. On a GoFundMe page created by her aunt, family members identified the woman as Ashley Waters of Stockton. According to Waters' sister, the assailants pointed a gun at Waters demanding her car keys and money. When Waters attempted to escape by driving away, the would-be carjackers fired shots through her car window, the sister wrote. Ashley Waters (Image via Facebook / Ashley Waters) A gravely-wounded Waters stumbled into a Planet Fitness gym looking for...

'Major' injury vehicle collision causes road closure in Santa Clara

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A single-vehicle collision caused delays in Santa Clara on Wednesday afternoon, according to the City of Santa Clara. Movie theatre to leave San Francisco Centre after Westfield departure The crash happened in the northbound lanes of San Tomas Expressway between Forbes Avenue and Homestead Road. Local police and fire departments are on the scene. As of 3:45 p.m. San Tomas Expressway was closed in both directions near the scene of the crash. The city said the collision had at least one "major injury" but no further details were provided. Drivers are asked to travel through the area at low speeds and follow all instructions of emergency personnel on the scene or use alternate routes.

Was A's 'reverse boycott' a success? Here were the attendance numbers at Coliseum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) -- In an attempt to keep their team in Oakland, A's fans planned a "reverse boycott" to pack the Coliseum on Tuesday. The goal was to protest the A's move to Las Vegas and show ownership the team belongs in Oakland.Despite low attendance this season, it was a different story for the reverse boycott. Coming into Tuesday, the average attendance at A's home games for 2023 was 8,555. Attendance at the Coliseum more than tripled as 27,759 fans showed up to see Oakland's 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays who have the best record in MLB. It was the A's seventh straight win. A’s stadium bill approved by Nevada State Senate The season-high attendance Tuesday night was the largest crowd for an A's game since 2018 when the A's versus Dodgers brought 33,654 fans to the Coliseum on Aug. 7.A's manager Mark Kotsay said the home crowd made it feel like it was the postseason."Tonight was as close to a playoff crowd as I've experienced managing a game," Kotsay said. "The ene...

Braves beat Tigers 10-7 and 6-5 to sweep DH and win series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Eddie Rosario hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth inning and the Atlanta Braves held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 Wednesday night and sweep a doubleheader.Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. had solo homers earlier for the NL-East leading Braves, who scored in five of the first six innings.Andy Ibanez, Matt Vierling and Jake Rogers also cleared the fences in the second game, pulling Detroit into a 5-all tie after five innings.Collin McHugh (3-0) pitched three perfect innings after starter Dylan Dodd allowed five runs on six hits and three walks over four innings.Joe Jiménez, who pitched in Detroit in his first six seasons, had an eight-pitch eighth inning and retired the first two batters in the ninth. A.J. Minter struck out pinch-hitter for the final out and his 10th save.Michael Lorenzen (2-4) gave up six runs on nine hits over six innings.In Atlanta’s 10-7 win earlier in the day, Michael Harris went 4 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs while Acuna Jr. ha...

Golden Knights’ success lifts Las Vegas to another level in sports world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:29:51 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Massive cheers rather than the usual boos rained down on Gary Bettman on Tuesday night because nothing could keep Vegas Golden Knights fans from enjoying what the NHL commissioner was about to do.He first presented the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP to Jonathan Marchessault and then moments later handed the Stanley Cup to captain Mark Stone, who shared it with the rest of the team.“What has happened here has been simply incredible,” Bettman told the crowd. “Not only is Vegas a hockey town, it’s a championship town.”The modern era for Las Vegas sports began when the NHL awarded the city an expansion franchise in 2016, and the Knights began playing in the 2017-18 season. Owner Bill Foley issued his famous “playoffs in three, cup in six” proclamation and Vegas made the Stanley Cup Final in its first season and won it all this year — its sixth season.Since the Knights came on board, Las Vegas has acquired an NFL team in the Raiders and the WNBA’s S...