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Bill to legalize 'cannabis cafés' heading to Newsom's desk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

A bill that would clear the way for cannabis businesses to open recreational "cafés" to enjoy their product in public with others has advanced out of the California legislature and is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.Assembly Bill 374 was drafted by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) and would allow local California governments to license the "Amersterdam-style" cafés to allow recreational cannabis users to get high in a designated business where they can also enjoy coffee, food and live entertainment.“Lots of people want to enjoy legal cannabis in the company of others,” Haney said. “And many people want to do that while sipping coffee, eating a scone, or listening to music. There’s absolutely no good reason from an economic, health, or safety standpoint that the state should make that illegal." Haney said he drafted the bill to help out struggling cannabis businesses that were struggling due to "over-saturation, high taxes, and the thriving black market."The Assembly me...

Police ID missing mother of toddler found abandoned in stroller

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for the mother of a child left in a stroller in Larchmont Village early Tuesday morning.A few minutes before 3 a.m., a person found the child, a girl believed to be 2 or 3 years old, in a stroller while walking in the 100 block of North Larchmont Boulevard, located in the Windsor Square neighborhood, according to the LAPD.The child, who appeared to be in good health, was taken to a local hospital to be examined.Inside the child's stroller, police found an ID for the child's mother, Targie Alexandre. Toddler found inside abandoned stroller in L.A. "Officers have located the child’s father, but the whereabouts of Targie are still unknown," police said in a news release.Alexandre, 25, is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Targie Alexandre is asked to contact the LAPD Wilshire Division front desk at 213-473-0476.During non-business hours ...

4 Injured after Traffic Crash on Van Nuys Boulevard [Pacoima, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

Ambulance/Pickup Truck Collision near San Fernando Road Left Two Men in Critical ConditionPACOIMA, CA (September 12, 2023) – A traffic crash involving a rescue ambulance on Van Nuys Boulevard early Sunday morning left at least four people injured.The collision happened around 12:35 a.m. at the intersection of Van Nuys Blvd. and San Fernando Road.According to the report, a full-size pickup truck broadsided an LAFD Paramedic Rescue ambulance responding to a medical emergency.The impact of the crash sent the pickup to a nearby utility pole and trapped two male occupants inside.Eventually, emergency personnel arrived and extricated the two patients before transporting them to a regional trauma center. The two men remained at the hospital in critical condition.Meanwhile, the two LAFD paramedics managed to exit the ambulance and were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries.Additionally, a large portion of the roadway was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and prelimin...

Donald Berg Jr. Fatally Struck in Hit-and-Run on 15 Freeway [Lake Elsinore, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

Auto-Motorcycle Collision Near Railroad Canyon Road Left 63-Year-Old Man DeadLAKE ELSINORE, CA (September 12, 2023) – A hit-and-run crash on 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore early Saturday morning left Donald Berg Jr. fatally injured.Reports of the incident arrived around 2:30 a.m. along Interstate 15, just north of Railroad Canyon Road.According to CHP, a northbound vehicle collided with the back of a 2007 Yamaha V-Star traveling in the same direction.However, the driver of the vehicle did not render aid to the motorcyclist and fled the scene before the authorities arrived.Tragically, paramedics from the Riverside County Fire Department declared the rider dead at the scene. Authorities later identified the deceased motorcyclist as 63-year-old Donald Berg Jr. of Menifee.Moreover, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.Currently, the CHP investigators are working to identify the suspect and the suspect’s vehicle. Those w...

California Fast-Food Workers Move Closer To $20 Minimum Wage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

California fast-food workers may soon earn $20 per hour as local unions and restaurants came to a tentative agreement.A new California bill will reflect the wage increase, while at the same time eliminating Assembly Bill 257, which would have asked Californians to vote on a $22 per hour minimum wage for fast food workers on the November 2024 ballot.The negotiations and agreements were made by representatives within the the Save Local Restaurants group, which is made up of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Restaurant Association and the International Franchise Association (IFA).“Fast food workers are on the cusp of winning a seat at the table + $20/hr,” SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said Monday. “This is what it looks like when workers rise up and demand elected leaders stand with them to unrig the rules and hold corporations accountable. I’m honored to be in this fight.”The previous bill was approved by California Gov. Gavin...

From Hollywood Studios to NFT Stardom: The Journey of Meta Monopoly’s Animators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

As the brainchild of an ex-cartoon animator from a prominent Hollywood studio, Meta Monopoly is steadily showcasing a fascinating fusion of artistic expertise with the NFT world. By turning every character into an animated video, Meta Monopoly NFT’s characters come to life, with each one exemplifying a relatable personality. The NFT project transforms cinematic artistry into digital collectibles, becoming a giant in the social media landscape. Meta Monopoly’s viral success comes from decades of animation experience, which is now playing a pivotal role in sculpting the next big thing in the NFT world.The profound understanding of artistic principles lies at the heart of Meta Monopoly‘s attainment, as the animators involved in the project have spent years perfecting their craft. With an unparalleled ability to create captivating and visually stunning digital collectibles, Meta Monopoly‘s animators’ artistic mastery displays the epitome of their depth and detail withi...

The iPhone 15 and five other takeaways from Apple’s ‘wonderlust’ event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

(CNN) — Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 lineup along with other, major updates during its September keynote event it called “wonderlust” Tuesday. The company confirmed rumors that it will switch to USB-C from its proprietary lightening charging cable with the iPhone 15. Apple also announced its updated Appwle Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, with new colors and features.Although the annual iPhone event has become formulaic over the years — often with incremental changes to battery life, camera systems and displays — this year’s USB-C announcement marks the biggest change to the iPhone’s design in 11 years. The change could streamline the charging process across various devices and brands. The charger update comes as Apple looks to give consumers more reasons to upgrade their iPhones. Last month, Apple’s sales fell for the third consecutive quarter. iPhone revenue came in at $39.7 billion for the quarter, marking an approximately 2...

Cal Bears expect Ott in lineup for Idaho game after airborne injury in loss to Auburn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

BERKELEY — Cal running back Jaydn Ott, injured over the weekend against Auburn, is expected to be ready to play Saturday when the Bears welcome Idaho to Memorial Stadium, coach Justin Wilcox said.“We’re anticipating that (he will play),” Wilcox said Tuesday. “He’s day-to-day but we’re anticipating that.”Wilcox said Ott told him at morning practice that “he felt great today.”BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: California running back Jaydn Ott (6) is all smiles while resting on the bench after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Cal defeated Arizona 49-31. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Ott, who leads the Pac-12 Conference with 266 rushing yards through two games, was injured in the third quarter when he went airborne trying to leap over linebacker Eugene Asante.Instead, he was hit, landed hard on the Memorial Stadium turf and remained down for at least two minutes. Ott...

5 officers charged with civil rights violations in Nichols’ death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

By Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise | Associated PressMEMPHIS, Tenn. — Five former Memphis police officers were charged Tuesday with federal civil rights violations in the beating death of Tyre Nichols as they continue to fight second-degree murder charges in state courts arising from the killing.Tadarrius Bean, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin and Justin Smith were indicted in U.S. District Court in Memphis. The four-count indictment charges them with deprivation of rights under the color of law through excessive force and failure to intervene, and through deliberate indifference; conspiracy to witness tampering; and obstruction of justice through witness tampering.The new charges come nine months after the violent beating during a Jan. 7 traffic stop near Nichols’ Memphis home. Nichols died at a hospital three days later, and the five officers have pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder and other alleged offenses in the case. The five forme...

CDC advisers recommend updated Covid-19 vaccines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:53 GMT

(CNN) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s independent vaccine advisers voted 13-1 on Tuesday to recommend updated Covid-19 vaccines for all Americans 6 months of age and older.The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, is a panel of experts that advises the CDC on its vaccine recommendations.Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC, must sign off on the recommendations before the shots can be administered. The committee heard in its meeting Tuesday that the new vaccines will be available in pharmacies within 48 hours of her signoff.The endorsement from the committee means the vaccines will be covered by public and private insurance plans.The new vaccines have been updated to fend off the currently circulating viruses that cause Covid-19. They’re arriving amid a late summer uptick in Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths.The most recent data from the CDC shows that hospitalizations for Covid-19 rose 9% from the week prior. Despite the increase, hospitaliz...