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NRA chief Wayne LaPierre steps down ahead of trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association said Friday he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over allegations he treated himself to millions of dollars in private jet flights, yacht trips, African safaris and other extravagant perks at the powerful gun rights organization's expense.Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective Jan. 31. The trial is scheduled to start Monday in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against him, the NRA and two others who've served as executives. LaPierre was in court this week for jury selection and is expected to testify at the trial. The NRA said it will continue to fight the lawsuit, which could result in a further shakeup of its leadership and the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee its finances.“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement re...

Letters: Violent crime | High-speed losses | Provoking liberals | Worst instincts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Increase penaltiesfor violent crimesRe: “Cop murder suspect has killed before” (Page A1, Jan. 4) and “Fourth suspect arrested in probe” (Page A1, Jan. 5).Just these two articles suggest that we could save many lives and reduce crime without spending any money for more police by keeping dangerous people in jail (which includes all the cops who commit crimes and get away with it).There is an easy solution: increase by five times the sentences for people who commit violent crimes or property crimes with a gun. Why don’t politicians do it?We’re stuck in this nonsense choice between fighting crime by adding cops and incarcerating homeless and addicted people or pursuing justice reform by keeping actually dangerous people out.Roberto GarutiWalnut CreekState should cut losseson high-speed railRe: “Let’s make California’s high-speed rail work” (Page A9,...

Once a ‘murder capital,’ East Palo Alto celebrates a year without killings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

For decades, East Palo Alto experienced more than its share of homicides — sobering statistics that once gained it notoriety as “America’s murder capital.”Today, however, the small Peninsula city with a population of 30,000 boasts a new distinction: In 2023, for the first time in its 40-year history, it had zero homicides for the year.“Together, we celebrate a momentous milestone in 2023: the East Palo Alto community, once marked by adversity, has triumphed with zero murders this past year,” the city’s Police Chief, Jeff Liu, trumpeted in a statement this week.For Mayor Antonio Lopez, the 29-year-old city leader who was born and raised in East Palo Alto, it was an “emotional” moment — something he never imagined witnessing in his lifetime.“You know, I’ve seen friends get caught up in gangs — folks who, if they would have lived in another ZIP code, might have had another opportunity, another chance to better themselves,” said Lopez, who was elected to the City...

Adidas store at San Francisco Centre set to close

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Another major retailer is leaving downtown San Francisco. Global sneaker giant Adidas is closing this month. The Adidas location's last day of business will be next Saturday, Jan. 13, a company spokesperson said in an email to KRON4. Prior to the closure, all items in the store will be 50% off with exclusions for certain select items, Adidas said. Adidas is located at the San Francisco Centre mall at 865 Market St. in the city's downtown area which has seen a number of store closures throughout recent years. University of California to consider opening downtown SF campus Last year, major retailers such as Old Navy and Nordstrom closed their respective downtown San Francisco locations for good. Other companies to close their downtown San Francisco stores include Express, LEGO, Whole Foods and AT&T.Despite the closures, other major retailers have also opened up stores in downtown San Francisco. Furniture retailer IKEA opened a location on Market Street ...

Eastbound lanes on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to close for pothole repairs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

(KRON) -- One westbound lane and two eastbound lanes on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will be blocked off Friday and Saturday night as crews worked to repair a pothole. The closure will be in effect nightly from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning, according to Caltrans.A prior closure on Thursday caused traffic to build up on the bridge. Adidas store at San Francisco Centre set to close Two left eastbound lanes on the bridge are scheduled to be closed from Monday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 11. Those closures will also be in effect from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. nightly.The right westbound lane on the bridge will also close on those same days and times next week, Caltrans said. Those lane closures are needed to perform repairs on the westbound bridge deck.During construction hours, the bicycle lane on the westbound Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will also be closed to allow Caltrans crews to complete their work.

San Jose father accused of causing Baby Phoenix's death pleads not guilty

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

(KRON) -- A San Jose father who is charged with the fentanyl overdose death of his infant daughter, Phoenix Castro, pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday, prosecutors told KRON4.A Santa Clara County judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for David Anthony Castro to begin on January 16.The 3-month-old infant, referred to in court documents as "Baby Phoenix," died on May 13 in a home littered with illicit drugs, according police and prosecutors. The father called 911 and was the only parent at home at the time, the San Jose Police Department said.The District Attorney's Office charged the 38-year-old father with felony endangering or injuring the health of a child, and a special allegation of corporal injury of a child resulting in death.Phoenix's mother, Emily De La Creda, died of a fentanyl overdose just two months after her baby died, according to court documents. The father's behavior during his daughter’s short life demonstrated "clear disregard" for Phoenix’s health and wel...

Urban Putt to open new location in San Jose

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

(KRON) -- Urban Putt announced this week that it has shut down its San Francisco location, but fans of the mini golf spot will soon be able to enjoy it at a new place. Urban Putt confirmed to KRON4 that it is opening a new course in San Jose. San Jose's Urban Putt will have its grand opening on Feb. 1 and will be located at 201 South Second St. That is several blocks west of San Jose State University. Giants acquire former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in trade with Mariners The previous Urban Putt was located at 1096 South Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco's Mission District. It had been open since 2014.“Urban Putt would love to thank the thousands of customers who have visited us down in the Mission since 2014 and all of the team that brought it to life,” it said.In its place, another mini golf course will open up. Holey Moley, which already has a course in Denver, is expected to open at the same place in early 2024. San Jose's Urban Putt will be located across the city from the Sout...

Frisco becoming for NCAA FCS football what Omaha is for baseball or Oklahoma City for softball

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — North Dakota State athletic director Matt Larsen believes Frisco is becoming for FCS football what Omaha is for NCAA Division I baseball or Oklahoma City for softball.“When you think about a championship location, every FCS program at the beginning of the year, their goal is to get to Frisco,” Larsen, vice chair of the FCS committee, said Friday. This is the 14th time that the Football Championship Subdivision title will be decided in the 20,500-seat professional soccer stadium in North Texas. This is only the fourth time that the Bison haven’t made the trip from Fargo to Frisco. The Bison got knocked out of the 24-team playoff by a double-overtime loss in the semifinal round at No. 2 seed Montana (13-1), which plays defending champion and top-seeded South Dakota State (14-0) in Sunday’s title game. Montana last played for the FCS championship at the end of the 2009 season, the year before the game moved from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Frisco, and sw...

Muere el empresario mexicano Carlos Bremer, director de Value Grupo Financiero y juez del programa Shark Tank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

(CNN Español) — El empresario mexicano Carlos Bremer Gutiérrez, director general de Value Grupo Financiero, falleció este viernes a los 63 años, confirmó a CNN el área de prensa de la empresa.Bremer era una figura pública conocida por su labor al frente de Value y por su participación como uno de los “tiburones” en las primeras temporadas de la versión mexicana del programa de televisión Shark Tank.En un comunicado enviado a la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV), Value Group confirmó el fallecimiento de Bremer este viernes en un hospital del área metropolitana de Monterrey.Value Grupo Financiero es una sociedad mexicana que controla las empresas Value Casa de Bolsa, Value Arrendadora y Value Consultores.Bremer había asumido la dirección general de Value en 1993.La empresa adelantó que, tras el fallecimiento de Bremer, José Kaún Nader asumirá interinamente las funciones de director general del grupo y de su subsidiaria Value Casa de Bolsa.Cámaras empresariales y políti...

EEUU establece una nueva estrategia migratoria para evitar la ruta del Darién, aunque persisten los cruces ilegales

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:16:22 GMT

Hace cinco años Alexis Llanos y su familia huyeron de Venezuela hacia Colombia, escapando de amenazas de muerte y persecusión política. Tampoco allí consiguieron estabilidad y resolvieron atravesar la peligrosa selva panameña del Darién para cruzar ilegalmente la frontera de Estados Unidos con México. Sus planes ya tenían fecha para agosto de 2023 cuando un amigo les contó de un nuevo programa del gobierno de Estados Unidos que les permitiría llegar de manera legal. Entonces decidieron esperar, y funcionó. Después de un proceso de cuatro meses que incluyó exámenes médicos y numerosas entrevistas con organismos de la Naciones Unidas y funcionarios estadounidenses, Llanos, su pareja Diomaris Barboza, y sus hijos de 7 y 3 años llegaron a la Florida. Crisis migratoria: legisladores republicanos se reúnen en la frontera y critican política de Biden En medio de crisis migratoria, EEUU planea la reapertura de múltiples puntos de acceso en la fronte...