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Florida Republicans ban diversity programs, regulate pronouns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

By Anthony Izaguirre | Associated PressTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s biological sex, building on top priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.The two proposals were given final passage by the Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. DeSantis is expected to sign the bills into law.DeSantis, who is expected to announce a presidential campaign in the coming weeks, has driven a hardline conservative agenda as he seeks to bolster support of Republican primary voters ahead of his White House run.The state’s Legislative session, scheduled to end this week, has been dominated by divisive cultural issues, with Republican allies of DeSantis approving his priority bills on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and education that are expected to aid the governor in his presidential ...

Wells Fargo let boss grope and harass exec, and fired her for complaining: lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

A Wells Fargo boss started by mocking a female executive’s fiancé, moved on to inappropriately touching and groping her, then threatened to take sales opportunities from her if she didn’t date him, according to a new lawsuit against the San Francisco-headquartered bank and the alleged harasser.Wells Fargo management responded to complaints by the former VP and senior portfolio manager, who filed suit anonymously as Jane Doe, by forcing her to continue working with the man, attempting to block her from receiving a hefty referral fee and commission, and finally firing her, the lawsuit claimed.Wells Fargo spokeswoman Laurie Kight said Wednesday the bank was reviewing the lawsuit. “We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously,” Kight said.Doe started in an executive position at Wells Fargo in 2000, in a Los Angeles unit devoted to serving high-wealth clients, and was promoted to a senior VP position five years later, according to her lawsuit filed Wednesd...

Letters: Electric cars | Status quo | Firmer hand | Reforms hurt residents | Community service

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Ample ways to makeelectric cars accessibleRe: “State hits ambitious goal for electric cars” (Page B1, April 21).It’s exciting to see that California now makes up 40% of all new electric vehicle sales nationwide and surpassed a bold electric vehicle goal two years sooner than expected. It speaks to the many reasons why EVs are so appealing, including the savings at the gas pump, overall better driving experience, and the reduction in maintenance costs and harmful emissions.There are a growing number of ways to make EVs even more accessible, which is why I’m glad the author mentioned the tax incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Readers should also be aware of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars for All program. For residents who qualify, the program provides up to $9,500 to retire their old vehicle when purchasing an EV. Others can use the incentive to...

Oklahoma officials: Sex offender killed 6, then himself

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

By Sean Murphy | Associated PressAn Oklahoma sex offender who was released from prison early shot his wife, her three children and their two friends in the head and then killed himself, authorities confirmed Wednesday as concerns grew about why he was free in the first place.Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said that the victims had sustained between one and three wounds to the head when they were found Monday on a rural Oklahoma property. Jesse McFadden, a 39-year-old convicted sex offender, then shot himself, Prentice said in the first major update on the case.The victims’ bodies were found near a creek and in a heavily wooded area.“The evidence is that Jesse McFadden murdered six people and then killed himself. Beyond that, I don’t know what his thought process was,” Prentice said. “I’m not going to express a theory because I follow the evidence, and I don’t have any evidence about what the motive was.”Family members have question...

Letters: Eliminating suspensions | Smoke-free district | Distracted pedestrians | Fitting end | More pay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Don’t cut suspensionswithout teaching firstRe: “Booting kids from class could get harder” (Page B1, April 30).State Senator Nancy Skinner’s Senate Bill 274 seeks to eliminate willful defiance as a cause for student suspensions in middle and high schools.I would suggest all state legislators spend one week as substitute teachers in any public middle or high school in California prior to discussing Skinner’s bill. I believe our lawmakers will see her suggestion as a step in the wrong direction. It might also spur discussion to funding alternatives to at-home suspensions.Steve StavisLos GatosFoothill-DeAnza districtshould be smoke-freeRe: “De Anza students express support for smoke-free campus” (Jan. 22).Exposure to secondhand smoke/vape increases the likelihood of lung cancer by 20%-30%, according to the CDC. I’m writing this letter to express my concerns wit...

Vallejo police ask for public's help in search for suspect in restaurant burglary

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

(KRON) -- Officers responded to a report of an overnight burglary at a Vallejo restaurant on Tuesday. Police are asking for the public's assistance in finding this suspect, according to a press release from the Vallejo Police Department (VPD). Woman wins $5M from lottery scratcher in Pittsburg after overcoming homelessness The burglary happened around 12:23 a.m. at an unnamed restaurant on Sonoma Boulevard. VPD believes the suspect of this burglary is the person pictured above. When police arrived at the scene, the front door window was shattered, according to VPD. There was also damage done to the inside and outside of the restaurant. Surveillance video helped determine that the man pictured above is responsible for the damage.This unidentified suspect is the same person who is responsible for multiple related crimes in the area that have resulted in thousands of dollars in damage, the release said. KRON On is streaming news live now.embed-container { position: relative; paddin...

Danville approves grant program for local businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

(BCN) -- Danville has a new grant program that allows businesses to receive up to $3,000 for facade improvements, marketing efforts, promotion, payment systems, and "other purchases to enhance economic vitality of small businesses," town officials said in a statement. A recent Town Council resolution designated $200,000 in grant funding, available on a first-come, first-served basis, to eligible businesses based in Danville. The program targets small brick-and-mortar businesses with less than 10 full-time equivalent employees. Woman wins $5M from lottery scratcher after overcoming homelessness The town developed the program to provide immediate, flexible assistance to licensed businesses in categories including retail, restaurants, personal service (e.g. spas and salons), service commercial (e.g. fitness and dance), and blended use businesses. "We are continuing to support our local small businesses in ways that are in tune with operational needs," Jill Bergman, Da...

Cab driver arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting passenger in Petaluma

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

(KRON) -- A cab driver who allegedly sexually assaulted one of his passengers has been arrested and charged, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Petaluma PD officers responded on Tuesday night around 11:40 p.m. on a report of a sexual assault. Texas man banned from United Airlines after allegedly assaulting employee at SFO The victim told officers she'd called J's Taxi requesting a ride from downtown Petaluma to a residence on the west side of town. The cab driver, who police identified as Noel Ortiz Cortez, picked the victim up and drove the requested destination. However, prior to allowing her to exit the cab, Cortez entered the rear of the cab through the driver's side door, closed the door, and sexually assaulted the victim.Following the assault, the victim got out of the cab and contacted Petaluma PD.Officers and detectives with the Petaluma PD Investigations Team searched the area. Video evidence corroborating the victim's account was found. Cortez was located and ...

Shattuck wins PGA Professional as 20 club pros head to PGA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — Pennsylvania club pro Braden Shattuck capped off his PGA Professional Championship debut by making a 12-foot par putt on the final hole for a 2-under 70 and a one-shot victory that sends him and 19 others to the PGA Championship in two weeks.Shattuck won by one shot over Matt Cahill (68) and Michael Block (69) at Twin Warriors Golf Club. The top 20 are exempt to the PGA Championship on May 18-21 at Oak Hill.Alex Beach tied for 11th and will be going to the PGA Championship for the fifth straight year. Block, Wyatt Worthington II and Colin Inglis all played last year at Southern Hills.Shattuck is the director of instruction at Rolling Greens Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and he considers himself fortunate to be playing. He was in a car accident four years ago that severely injured his back. After taking a few years away from golf, he changed his swing and equipment to compensate for the injuries.“I came into the week hoping I’d made the c...

MKS Instruments: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:57 GMT

ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) — ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) — MKS Instruments Inc. (MKSI) on Wednesday reported a loss of $42 million in its first quarter.The Andover, Massachusetts-based company said it had a loss of 64 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 48 cents per share.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 28 cents per share.The maker of analysis and processing equipment for semiconductor companies posted revenue of $794 million in the period, falling short of Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $795 million.For the current quarter ending in June, MKS Instruments expects its per-share earnings to range from 84 cents to $1.42.The company said it expects revenue in the range of $930 million to $1.03 billion for the fiscal second quarter._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Za...