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New York Times tackles 'political storm' around St. Louis transgender clinic

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

ST. LOUIS - As a new Missouri law takes effect next week that bans gender-affirming treatments for minors, the New York Times dove deep into one St. Louis pediatric transgender center facing pushback through a series of events described as a "political storm." In February, the Missouri Attorney General's Office launched an investigation into the Washington University Pediatric Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. A whistleblower accuses the center of using experimental drugs on children, distributing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and giving children life-altering drugs without parental consent. BTK killer named ‘prime suspect’ in unsolved cases in Missouri, Oklahoma Washington University has contended that “appropriate policies and procedures” have been followed amid the investigation and claims there is no evidence of misconduct. Months later, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law that would ban transgender children and some adults from acces...

'Rapstar' Polo G faces gun charge after younger brother robs another musician, LAPD says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Hip-hop star Polo G was arrested on a gun charge Tuesday after the Los Angeles Police Department searched his home in connection with an allegation of armed robbery made against his brother, police said.According to police, Taurean Bartlett, the 18-year-old younger brother of the "Distraction" performer and himself a rapper using the name Trench Baby, robbed a fellow musician at gunpoint on Aug. 15.Trench Baby invited the robbery victim to the 18500 block of Clydesdale Avenue in Granada Hills, and when the victim arrived at about 5 p.m., Trench Baby pulled out "a handgun with an extended magazine and demanded that the victim transfer money to an unknown account over a money transfer service," police said in a news release. "The victim was in fear and complied. The suspect also demanded the victim empty his pockets," police added.Eight days later, police raided the home of Polo G — real name Taurus Bartlett, 24 — who was reportedly hosting his younger brother at his San Fernando Vall...

Apple backs California's 'Right to Repair' bill in major policy shift

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Apple is now supporting a California bill that would require electronic and appliance manufacturers to provide product owners with tools and services to repair damaged items.The bill would specially require manufacturers that sell products for more than $100 to make replacement guides, parts and tools available for at least years three after the manufacture date, regardless of whether the three-year period exceeds the product’s warranty period, according to the bill’s text. California bill aims to limit renters’ security deposits The company’s latest move of support comes after its initial decision to oppose the proposed legislation.Apple told TechCrunch that it supports the bill so “all Californians have even greater access to repairs while also protecting their safety, security, and privacy.”“We create our products to last and, if they ever need to be repaired, Apple customers have a growing range of safe, high-quality repair options,” the statement continued.The iPhone maker al...

Man, boy in custody for killing teen in Boyle Heights may be responsible for other homicides

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

A man and a teen have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy in Boyle Heights earlier this month, and police believe they may be tied to several other homicides. The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. Aug. 12 inside the recreation center at Evergreen Park, located at 2844 E. 2nd St., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.The victim, Alonso Ramos, was treated at the scene but succumbed to his injuries.An investigation led to the identity of two suspects: 26-year-old Michael Monarrez and a 14-year-old juvenile.Ramos was apparently confronted while he played basketball at the gym. "He's confronted, he's chased into a room and he's murdered at the hands of a young person who's younger than him," LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Thursday. “A 14-year-old is not born to be a murderer. How did he get to that point?”While detectives were working to arrest the suspects, a second shooting occurred.Police respond to the scene of a fatal shooting in Boyle Heig...

California bill proposes new agency to handle reparations for Black residents

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Reparations for Californians who are descendants of Black American slaves are one step closer to becoming a reality, but precisely what those reparations will be has not been defined. Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) introduced SB 490, the first reparations-related bill introduced in the California Legislature since the state reparations task force submitted its final recommendation report to the governor and Legislature earlier this summer. The bill would establish the state government body that would administer reparations. "This will be the start," said Bradford. "In order to implement reparations —whatever it looks like— you need a governmental agency or some sort of oversight department to do so. Before you can even talk about what reparations look like, you need to have the infrastructure there." California task force votes in favor of reparation proposals for Black residents Among the task force's recommendations is a call for the state to create what is known as the "Calif...

Did the AMPTP violate labor laws when they publicly revealed their deal to the WGA?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Both actors and writers are on the picket lines again after the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) publicly shared their offer to members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).Some suggested that was a publicity stunt to show Wall Street, among others, that they were trying to settle with the union and end the strike. Others claim the plan was more sinister as they felt the organization went around union leadership to try and sow discord among union members with those who may like elements of the new offer and some who may not. WGA member David Slack took to X, formerly Twitter, to point this out. "Turns out what the AMPTP did last night wasn't just sleazy and pathetic. They may also have violated labor law," he wrote. A labor expert weighed in and said that the WGA member may be right, according to the L.A. Times.“They are trying to appeal to the union membership directly, which is a violation of the duty to bargain in good faith,” said Andrea Schneider, d...

Cyclist Severely Injured in Bicycle Crash on Jensen Avenue [Fresno County, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Car Accident on East Avenue Left Bicyclist Critically HurtFRESNO COUNTY, CA (August 24, 2023) – Thursday night, one victim sustained injuries in a bicycle crash on Jensen Avenue.The crash occurred around 6:00 p.m., in the area of Jensen and East Avenues.According to the reports, a cyclist was trying to get across the crossing from Jensen Avenue’s south side, but he did not have the right of way.A car heading eastbound on Jensen Avenue collided with the cyclist as he attempted to cross the street.When officers came, they discovered an adult male in his 50s on the sidewalk with serious injuries.Medical personnel arrived and transported the cyclist to a nearby hospital for further treatment in serious condition. However, authorities have not yet released their name or place of residency.The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.No further details regarding the crash are public at this time. However, more information will be provided once available.Injur...

Police: Man charged in Oakland fatal shooting of man he met less than three hours earlier

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

OAKLAND — A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting Sunday morning of another man in East Oakland whom the defendant had met less than three hours earlier, according to authorities and court documents.Juan Sura-Martinez, of Oakland, is accused in the death of Guillermo Kelly-Torres, 23, of Corte Madera, who police were told was a grocery store employee.Authorities said Sura-Martinez, who is on probation for a conviction as a juvenile, allegedly admitted the killing, which happened about 5:44 a.m. Sunday outside a home in the 9200 block of E Street.Authorities said the two men did not know each other but both knew people at the home.Both men arrived at the home about 3 a.m. to hang out, police said.Just before the shooting the two men got into an argument. Police would not say what the argument was about but it ended with Kelly-Torres being shot. He died at the scene.Sura-Martinez fled before police arrived, but investigators were able to identify him...

Exec says Oakland A’s temporary home after 2024 likely down to three sites, including … SF Giants’ Oracle Park?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

Oakland Athletics team president David Kaval says the team has narrowed the list of potential temporary homes while construction of their proposed stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is underway to three cities: Oakland, the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, and San Francisco.The A’s want to relocate to southern Nevada, but the ballpark they want to build next to the famed Las Vegas Strip will not open until 2028 at the earliest. The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires after the 2024 season, and Kaval said, in the meantime, the team will probably play its home games either at the current — and nearly 60-year-old — facility, San Francisco’s Oracle Park, or Las Vegas Ballpark, the home field of Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate.“I think those are the three most likely scenarios and how that plays out,” Kaval told the Nevada Independent in a story published Wednesday. “That’s something (Major League Baseball) is running point on.”Oakland city officials have previously told this publ...

Nearly $100K in fines still isn’t pushing this San Jose church owner to fix downtown eyesore

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:50:21 GMT

A China-based property owner behind a downtown San Jose church that’s been sitting in significant disrepair for years could end up getting an eye-popping bill from the city.Z&L Properties, which owns First Church of Christ, Scientist at 43 East St. James St. and whose principal executive is mired in a bribery scandal, has already racked up around $85,000 in penalties for allowing the century-old house of worship to languish. But city leaders say Z&L is still sitting on their hands, despite repeated outreach.Now, San Jose is considering upping its penalty cap for neglectful property owners, from $100,000 to half a million dollars, with the hopes that it compels Z&L to fix up the site. The city is also considering ways to take over the property — though officials said that may be legally complicated.“Behind me is a symbol of negligence that will no longer be tolerated in the city of San Jose,” said Mayor Matt Mahan on Thursday standing outside of th...