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California's ranking drops in 'Best States' annual report

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

California was considered the country's 33rd “best” state, according to the latest Best State Ranking from U.S. News and World Report.The annual study used survey data to measure how well the 50 states serve its residents. Researchers analyzed more than 70 metrics across eight categories, including health care, education and economy. One California location named among the ‘most beautiful’ places in the world Here is where the Golden State ranked in the following categories: 6th: HealthCare20th: Education:23rd: Crime and Corrections:29th : Economy30th: Natural Environment:34th: Infrastructure39th: Fiscal Stability50th: OpportunityThe Golden State’s overall 33rd ranking for the “best” state is a decline from its placement in 2021 when it was considered the 24th “best” state.  Researchers found that the top 10 best states were:UtahWashingtonIdahoNebraskaMinnesotaNew HampshireIowaWisconsinVermontFloridaUtah took the top spot from Washington, which held the position for two ...

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" filmmakers join WGA protestors in Hollywood

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert created a lot of buzz this past awards season for their Oscar-winning film "Everything Everywhere All at Once."However, earning the coveted award did not prevent them from standing in solidarity with their peers who were protesting outside of Netflix's Hollywood lot on Sunset Boulevard as part of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.Both men are a part of the Guild. "We're striking man," Scheinert told KTLA 5 News. "We're members of the Writers Guild, proud members, and it didn't lead to a fair deal and we're hoping it does soon.""The Daniels" as they're known, stood by the many protestors as they entered Day 2 of the demonstration. While there is some concern as to how long the demonstration will last, Kwan said he planned to protest no matter how long it takes. "In the greater context, this is a story that's happening all around the country. Every single state. Every single city. The story goes: corporate profits are soaring, and wages and sal...

Formerly homeless California woman wins $5 million from lottery scratcher

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

One of California's newest millionaires was homeless just six years ago. KTLA sister station KRON reports, Lucia Forseth recently bought a California 2023 Scratchers ticket at a Walmart in Contra Costa County while getting an oil change when she scratched the top prize, lottery officials announced Wednesday."I only bought one ticket,” Forseth told the California Lottery. “I closed my eyes and picked that one, and it won! I first thought I’d won a free ticket, but I checked, and it said I won $5 million!” California Lottery players win a total of $6 million from scratchers tickets Back in 2017, Forseth said she was homeless. This year she said she plans to get married and her associate degree. She also said she plans to buy a house and then invest the rest of her winnings."You never think you have a chance to win it. It is just random. Being homeless just six years ago, I never thought it would happen to someone like me,” Forseth said.

Bolsonaro home searched in fake vaccine card probe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

By Carla Bridi and David Biller | Associated PressBRASILIA, Brazil — Brazil’s Federal Police searched former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home and seized his phone Wednesday in what they said was an investigation into alleged falsification of COVID-19 vaccine cards. Several other locations also were searched and a half dozen people faced arrest, police said.The former president confirmed the search of his residence while speaking with reporters, as did his wife, Michelle, on her Instagram account.A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, said Bolsonaro would be questioned at Federal Police headquarters and confirmed that one of his closest allies, Mauro Cid, was arrested.Asked about the search of Bolsonaro’s home, the Federal Police’s press office provided a statement saying officers were carrying out 16 searches and six arrests in Rio de Janeiro related to the introduction of fraudulent...

Former Cal swimmers file suit against UC regents after alleged bullying by coach

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

After representing New Zealand at the 2010 and 2011 World Championships, Sophia Batchelor was pursued by several top U.S. college programs including Cal.In 2012 Batchelor and her mother took a recruiting trip to Berkeley. The Golden Bears had just won back-to-back NCAA championships under Teri McKeever, their third national team title in four years. That same year McKeever became the first–and still only–woman to serve as head coach of the U.S. Olympic swim team.Cal put Batchelor and her mother up in the historic Fairmont Claremont Hotel & Spa at the foot of the Berkeley Hills. Later on a tour of campus, McKeever showed the pair a board that lists Cal swimmers who have competed in the Olympic Games, the coach pointing specifically to Lauren Boyle, a Golden Bear swimmer who had participated in three Olympics for New Zealand.“I make Olympians,” McKeever told the women, according to Batchelor.Shortly thereafter Batchelor accepted an athletic scholarship offer from Cal, ...

Remains of missing Oakland man found in barrel in Castro Valley

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

OAKLAND — The remains of a man missing from Oakland since December 2021 have been found in a barrel in rural Castro Valley and police are investigating his death as a homicide, authorities said.Eric Gregory was 45 when he disappeared. He was last seen Dec. 19, 2021 in East Oakland.His remains were found April 10 in the 10000 block of Cull Canyon Road in Castro Valley.The discovery of the remains was initially investigated by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. But once Gregory’s identity was determined, the investigation was transferred to Oakland police.The final results of an autopsy to determine his exact cause of death are pending, but Oakland police said there was significant trauma to Gregory’s body and the death had been classified as a homicide.A motive for the killing has not been determined. No arrests have been announced. Before his disappearance, Gregory was known to frequent Oakland’s San Antonio and Eastlake areas.Police and Crime Stopper...

Highway 4 will close in both directions this weekend for trail work

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

Drivers on Highway 4 in Brentwood will find both directions of the highway closed this weekend as Caltrans connects two sides of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will span over the road.The overcrossing, located south of Lone Tree Way and north of Sand Creek Road, will connect the two ends of the Mokelumne Trail that were separated by the expansion of Highway 4 in the early 2000s.Bicyclists and pedestrians were first promised a connection of Mokelumne Trail in 2003 when the highway cut it off along with Marsh Creek and Delta de Anza trails. However, two of the three were connected, but not the Mokelumne Trail. By connecting the two sides of the Mokelumne Trail, the bridge will offer safe access for cyclists and pedestrians for commuting and recreational travel, according to officials.Weather permitting, the freeway between Lone Tree Way and Sand Creek Road will be closed in both directions between midnight Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday, according to Caltrans officials.Detours wil...

Key Lake Tahoe-area campgrounds won’t open for Memorial Day due to heavy snowpack

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

Popular State Parks campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe region will not open in time for Memorial Day because of lingering snow and damage from the winter’s near-record snowpack.California State Parks campgrounds at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park along the southwest side of the lake, Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City, and Plumas-Eureka State Park 65 miles northwest of the lake had been scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend May 26 to May 29, the unofficial start of summer.State Parks said Wednesday that the campground at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point will instead open June 14, and those at Tahoe State Recreation Area and Plumas-Eureka will open June 16.The campground at Grover Hot Springs State Park near Markleeville south of the lake is to open June 2. Emerald Bay State Park’s Eagle Point Campground is to open June 16.Donner Memorial State Park’ campground might still open as scheduled May 26, but one or more loops may be delayed because of s...

Oakland fire chief to retire, leaving city without another department head

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

(KRON) -- Oakland Fire Chief Dr. Reginal D. Freeman is resigning from his job next month to retire, KRON4 has confirmed. In an email obtained by KRON4, Freeman said he was retiring from the fire service on June 22 and has accepted a "C-Suite position in the private sector.""This has been a painful and very difficult decision but one that was made collectively as a family," Freeman said. "I am so proud of each and every one of you and all that you do. It has been my absolute honor to serve alongside you and thank you for making me better." Oakland man charged with murdering woman over traffic noise Freeman's retirement will leave Oakland short of another major department head following Mayor Sheng Thao's firing of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong earlier this year.Freeman was first appointed as fire chief by the City of Oakland in April of 2021. Prior to that, he served as Fire Chief for the City of Hartford, Connecticut and as a civilian Fire Chief in Iraq for the U.S. Depar...

Victim in 580 shooting in Oakland identified

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:08:19 GMT

A 34-year-old Oakland man was identified Wednesday as the victim of a shooting last month on Interstate Highway 580 in Oakland, according to the Alameda County coroner's bureau. Claudio Martinez was shot late at night April 12 on Highway 580 near Lakeshore and Lake Park avenues. The shooting was reported at 11:55 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Oakland man charged with murdering woman over traffic noise Martinez exited the freeway and was located nearby and pronounced dead, CHP officials said. The freeway was closed for about three hours as CHP officers investigated the shooting. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.