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Erwin Chemerinsky: The outlandish ruling that could eviscerate what’s left of the landmark Voting Rights Act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

If a decision handed down by a conservative federal appeals court last week is allowed to stand, it will gut what remains of one of the most important federal laws enacted in my lifetime, the Voting Rights Act.An 8th Circuit Court of Appeals panel held that no one other than the federal government can sue to enforce a key section of this vital statute. And as the dissenting judge pointed out, only 15 of the 182 successful suits under the section over the last 40 years were brought solely by the Department of Justice.The Voting Rights Act has been remarkably effective in countering the myriad laws and practices the Southern states adopted to keep Black people from voting since the end of Reconstruction. Turnout among Black voters in Mississippi increased from 6% in 1964, the year before the law was enacted, to 59% in 1969.Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits state and local election practices and systems from discriminating against voters of color. Congress strengthened the p...

4-year-old boy killed in Weld County train crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

A 4-year-old boy from Ault was killed in a collision with a train near Weld County Road 88 and U.S. 85 in Pierce on Saturday, according to the Colorado State Patrol.The boy was in a vehicle with his parents and brother when the crash happened, family members wrote on a crowdfunding page. The driver, a 26-year-old woman, was not able to stop before the railroad crossing because of snowy and icy road conditions, family members wrote.Road conditions were not included in the initial crash report, said Trooper Gabriel Moltrer. They will be included in the full report, which will not be available for several weeks or months.The crash occurred at 10:12 a.m. when a Subaru Crosstrek was traveling westbound across County Road 88 and “proceeded through the stop sign” at a rail crossing, Moltrer said.A Union Pacific train traveling south on the tracks struck the rear side of the Subaru, causing the vehicle to travel off the road onto an embankment. The train stopped on the tracks fo...

Broncos’ Week 15 matchup against Lions to be played in prime time: “It’s time to go win December”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

The Sean Payton Broncos are turning into the prime time Broncos.The NFL on Thursday finalized its Week 15 slate and slotted Denver’s road game at Detroit for a 6:15 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 16.The game between Payton’s surging 6-5 team and his protege Dan Campbell’s NFC North-leading Lions is the nightcap on an NFL Network triple-header of standalone games.Given Denver enters this weekend tied for the NFL’s longest active winning streak with the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles, perhaps it’s no surprise the television networks are making sure to get the Broncos in high-profile positions.“You want to play meaningful football in December and that’s what we’re doing,” linebacker Alex Singleton said. “When you look at it, we’ve won the month of October and the month of November and now it’s time to go win December.”The Saturday night game will be the Broncos’ fourth prime-time game of the season and it makes for...

Japanese Craft Meets Mexican Flair with The Sushi Society’s Culinary Crossroads

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

A daring culinary experiment unfolds at the buzzing streets of Mexico City. The Sushi Society offers a ground-breaking menu that fuses Japanese artistry with the vibrant essence of Mexican dishes.(Photo from The Sushi Society)A Taste of Two Worlds in the Heart of MexicoLocated in Mexico City, a bustling metropolis rich in history and culture, The Sushi Society occupies a unique niche. By merging Mexican dishes with Japanese techniques, diners are offered a distinct dining experience.The combination of Mexican vibrancy with Japanese precision introduces a gastronomy that encourages patrons to reconsider their understanding of “fusion.” Beyond the mix of flavors, The Sushi Society presents the convergence of two civilizations on a single plate.Telling a Tale of Two TraditionsWith guidance from Mexican chefs, the menu explores fusion’s potential. The “Taco Sushi” stands out, with its base of traditional corn tortilla and nori seaweed and sushi staples. This dish, feat...

89-Year-Old Woman Dies in 2-Car Accident on Anza Avenue [Torrance, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

Elderly Woman Pronounced Dead after Car Collision near Torrance BoulevardTORRANCE, CA (November 30, 2023) – Friday afternoon, an 89-year-old woman was killed in a 2-car crash on Anza Avenue and Torrance Boulevard. The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m.Authorities are investigating a collision involving a 2020 Dodge Charger and a 2003 Toyota Echo. The 89-year-old female driver of the Toyota had to be extricated by first responders and was subsequently transported to a hospital.Despite efforts to save her life, medical personnel later confirmed her death. The identity of the deceased has not been disclosed by authorities. The 24-year-old male driver of the Charger emerged from the incident without injuries.Investigators do not believe intoxication played a role in the collision. In response to the incident, Torrance Officials closed Anza Avenue between Torrance Boulevard and Lenore Street for further investigation.Individuals with additional information about the two-v...

Rider Injured in Motorcycle Collision on Sahara Avenue [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

30-Year-Old Man Hospitalized after Motorcycle Crash near Durango DriveLAS VEGAS, NV (November 30, 2023) – A motorcyclist was admitted to the hospital on Sunday afternoon following a collision at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Durango Drive.Emergency dispatchers were on the scene at approximately 4:30 p.m., on November 18th.According to authorities, the rider of a southbound red 2004 Yamaha R6 was traveling at high speeds as they approached Starboard Drive.The motorcycle then collided with a northbound black 2013 Nissan Versa for reasons currently under investigation.Upon impact, the 30-year-old rider was ejected from the motorcycle and landed on cacti and other landscaping. Paramedics transported the injured motorcyclist to the Trauma Unit at University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.Simultaneously, the 26-year-old driver of the Nissan sustained minor injuries, with no signs of impairment reported by the police. The LVMPD’s Collision Investigation S...

Letters: Too much grace | A war indeed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.10 mph grace istoo much for speedersRe: “Map: Speed cameras are likely to be placed on these San Jose streets” (Nov. 20).With the decision to install speed cameras, San Jose city leaders are finally deciding that combatting speeding should be a priority. These cameras are a force multiplier in the battle against distracted speeders and speed demons alike and will reduce accidents.However, allowing a cushion of 11 mph over the limit before a citation is issued will change the de facto speed limit on every roadway to 10 mph above the posted limit. This is too generous for serious speed enforcement. Sixty in a 50? Thirty-five in a 25? The cushion should be 10% of any posted limit, or at most 5 mph over the limit. Remember, this is not a point on a driving record, just a civil fine. And allowing a warning before issuing a fine? Ridiculous.Drivers are responsible for their actions, especially spee...

Penguin parents sleep for a few seconds at a time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

By Christina Larson | Associated PressWASHINGTON — It’s a challenge for all new parents: Getting enough sleep while keeping a close eye on their newborns. For some penguins, it means thousands of mini-catnaps a day, researchers discovered.Chinstrap penguins in Antarctica need to guard their eggs and chicks around-the-clock in crowded, noisy colonies. So they nod off thousands of times each day — but only for about four seconds at a time — to stay vigilant, the researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science.These short “microsleeps,” totaling around 11 hours per day, appear to be enough to keep the parents going for weeks.“These penguins look like drowsy drivers, blinking their eyes open and shut, and they do it 24/7 for several weeks at a time,” said Niels Rattenborg, a sleep researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Germany and co-author of the new study.“What’s surprising is that they’re able to func...

NYC real estate firm gains full control of big chunk of San Jose land

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

SAN JOSE — An East Coast real estate firm has taken full ownership of a huge chunk of land in south San Jose, but it’s unclear if the property will ever be developed.DLJ Real Estate Partners, acting through an affiliate, has bought about 115 acres in south San Jose near the corner of Yerba Buena Road and old Yerba Buena Road.Vacant land totaling about 115 acres near the corner of Yerba Buena Road and Old Yerba Buena Road in south San Jose, shown within the outline. Evergreen Valley College is visible on the left side of the image. Boundaries are approximate. (Google Maps)New York City-based DLJ Real Estate paid $5 million for the vacant land, documents filed on Nov. 29 with the Santa Clara County Recorder’s Office show.Before the property purchase, San Mateo-based Legacy Partners, Chicago-based Walton Street Capital and DLJ Real Estate all had ownership stakes in the property.With the transaction complete, DLJ’s affiliate is the sole owner of the propert...

Kissinger’s legacy draws praise, scorn from across the globe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:41:52 GMT

By Foster Klug and Geir Moulson | Associated PressTOKYO — The death of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger drew both admiration and scorn Thursday from political leaders around the world, highlighting the complicated legacy of Kissinger’s views about what it meant to serve America’s interests during the Cold War — and how the country should exert its influence.Kissinger, who died Wednesday at 100, was one of America’s most powerful diplomats. During his years serving under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, he shaped the country’s foreign policy in ways that led to breakthroughs, including normalizing U.S.-China relations and advancing detente with the Soviet Union.But during Kissinger’s tenure the U.S. also overlooked the rise of brutal regimes in other countries, and critics argue his approach ran counter to democratic ideals and left lasting damage throughout the world.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said he was among th...