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BART approves labor agreement, police officer salaries to increase

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

(BCN) -- The BART Board of Directors unanimously approved a labor agreement on Thursday that will increase police officer salaries by 19 percent in an attempt to fill 28 vacant positions and put officer salaries on par with neighboring agencies. The cost of these raises, agreed to by the BART Board of Directors and the BART Police Officers Association, will total around $8.54 million, according to a BART press release. These added expenses come as BART faces a $93 million budget deficit in 2025 and has warned of service cuts and layoffs without additional funding. Fatal shooting closes Powell Street BART station entrance BART police officer pay was found to be around 20 percent lower than other regional police agencies and the agency has struggled to fill vacancies in recent years. With these pay increases, the BART Police Department looks to spend less on overtime pay, increase hiring and retention as well as recruit more experienced officers from other departments. ...

A bipartisan bill aims to protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

(CNN) — Journalists could soon enjoy greater protections under federal law.A bipartisan group of US senators and congressmen united this week to reintroduce the Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act, or as it is more commonly known, the PRESS Act.The legislation, which passed the House last year but did not get a vote in the Senate, would safeguard journalists in two important ways. First, it would prevent the government from compelling reporters from being forced to disclose their sources. Second, it would ensure that important data held by a third party, such as a phone or internet company, cannot be seized without notice and providing the ability to challenge the move in court.“The PRESS Act is the strongest federal shield bill for journalists we’ve ever seen,” Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, said in a statement. “Its definition of journalist is broad, its exceptions are narrow and targeted, and it restricts subpoenas directe...

Carrie Fisher’s white Princess Leia gown worn in ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ up for auction

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

(CNN) — The archetypal white gown that Carrie Fisher wore while playing Princess Leia in 1977’s “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” could be yours to own, if you have a couple million dollars to spare.Propstore Auction, billed as a vendor of entertainment memorabilia that sells props and collectibles through live and online auction platforms, has the “original screen-matched ceremonial dress” listed on their site and estimates it could sell for up to $2 million when bidding closes on June 28.The site also lists the dress as a “historically significant piece” that “is the only Princess Leia costume known to still exist from the original film.”Costume Designer John Mollo created the gown for Fisher’s legendary character Princess Leia. He went on to win an Oscar in 1978 for his work on “A New Hope.”According to Barneby’s Magazine, Propstore Auction founder Stephen Lane said many collectors in the industry feared the garment was lost forever, and that collectors had been on the hunt for ...

Military hikes aim to create connection, highlight suicide prevention

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

Hikes planned for this weekend across the nation, including D.C., aim to connect U.S. military members and prevent suicide.Tens of thousands of military members have gathered over the years for the Irreverent Warriors silkies hikes.“Our mission statement is very clear, we bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide,” said hike coordinator Matt Johnson with the D.C. chapter of Irreverent Warriors, a nonprofit organization that works to combat veteran suicide.Saturday’s hike, which begins by the Navy Yard Metro station, is one of 90 taking place across the country. Each one is between four and 10 miles, paced at two to three miles per hour.Johnson said there have been nearly 30,000 confirmed military suicides so far, and the eight-mile hike is about creating connections — without the competition.“We need to be there to take care of our own, and this is one way that we do that,” Johnson said.Vete...

Kingston student recognized at Albert College Convocation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

BELLEVILLE – Albert College recognized 42 graduates, including a Kingston student, at its 166th Convocation celebration on Saturday, June 17. Grade 12 graduates were recognized with top awards and celebrated their many accomplishments this year, in addition to receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The students hail from Canada as well as 9 countries – Nigeria, Mexico, China, Bermuda, Jamaica, Germany, Palestine and Cyprus. Local students are from Belleville, Prince Edward County, Kingston and Toronto, among others.Sarena Sandhuwas recognized as one of Albert’s academic leaders. A five-day boarder at the school, she held the role of Active Citizenship Prefect, was involved with this year’s drama production and was a leading member of the ACT (Activism, Community service, Team building) committee. In athletics, she was a member of the volleyball, field lacrosse, and field hockey teams and received the coach’s award for each. She is this year’s recipient of the ...

New drug being laced with fentanyl making it even deadlier

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The Drug Enforcement Administration is sounding the alarm about a new drug, xylazine, now laced with the already-deadly sedative fentanyl.Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer traditionally used by veterinarians. Its side effects can include rotting flesh and wounds.The DEA hosted a press conference on Thursday warning about dealers trying to make it more appealing for young people to try. Officials said some of the pills are stamped with popular logos like Tesla or TikTok. COVID is now rarer in Colorado than before it was declared a national emergency The DEA said last year 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of the pills it seized contained xylazine.“Just like an individual might not know they're getting fentanyl, which is bad enough, now an individual might be getting fentanyl plus xylazine,” said David Olesky with the DEA Rocky Mountain Division. “We've already seen 109,000 people die just related to fentanyl, and now we're adding xylazine more and more to the mix.”An a...

Denver has one of the worst housing shortages in US

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver has one of the nation's highest shortages of housing, according to a new report from Zillow. The report pinpoints how many housing units each of the 100 largest U.S. cities needs in order for families to afford homes appropriate for their situations. The number of families in the U.S. has grown far faster than the rate at which new homes are being built. Between 2015 and 2021, there were 6.3 million new housing units built. However, the number of families and new households grew even more.The Great Recession put a sudden stop to the housing construction wave that was happening into the 2000s, but there are other factors that tighten the housing supply even further. Denver ranked one of worst-run cities in the country Over 10 million homes could be occupied, but are instead simply sitting vacant. There were 15.6 million vacant homes in 2021, but only 3.7 million of them were available for rent or for sale.Between the lack of construction and the presence of ...

Nets GM Sean Marks on Cam Johnson’s free agency: ‘Expect the unexpected’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

Nets general manager Sean Marks said the front office “should expect the unexpected” in regards to Cam Johnson’s pending restricted free agency.Coming off a career year and an impressive playoff stretch, Johnson is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Nets retain first right of refusal on any competing offer sheet.If he signs an offer sheet from another team, the Nets can match the offer within 48 hours to retain his services and keep him in town. Free agency begins Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m.Marks was once the GM of a Nets team that resorted to exorbitant offer sheets tendered to restricted free agents in an attempt to poach b-list talent from rival teams. They did it twice in the summer of 2016, making offers on both Portland’s Allen Crabbe and Miami’s Tyler Johnson that ultimately crippled each team’s ability to add other free agents to the roster.The shoe is on the other foot, and Mark...

Nets use both first-round NBA draft picks instead of trading for a star: ‘Our timeline — we’re going to compete’

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

Nets general manager Sean Marks said his team’s timeline to compete in meaningful playoff games remains the same — even after he and his front office used both the 21st and 22nd picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft to add one-and-done college rookies to the roster.The timeline to compete — and compete for a championship — has been a topic of conversation ever since the organization detonated a legitimate contender at the trade deadline with the pair of trades that sent Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Western Conference. When the dust settled, the Nets identified “The Twins” Mikal Bridges and restricted free agent Cam Johnson as franchise cornerstones.But now what?Fresh off a first-round sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets were expected to be aggressive in improving a roster with tons of depth yet a glaring need for a star scorer. Their most aggressive trade package to do so would have included one or both of Brooklyn’s...

‘There’s a camaraderie we have.’ For Chicago Cubs fans who made the trek to London, the trip is unique — and bittersweet.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:22:52 GMT

For longtime Chicago Cubs fan Marci Watts, the London Series represented the perfect 55th wedding anniversary gift for her parents, who are diehard St. Louis Cardinals fans.The teams’ rivalry and a trip to London created the perfect union for the family’s split allegiance. Watts grew up in the Peoria area, which is well known for its divided fan support between the Cubs and Cardinals. Her best friend was a Cubs fan and despite her parents, Wayne and Sharen Cinotto, supporting the Cardinals, Watts gravitated toward the lovable losers and fell in love with Wrigley Field when making trips to the city with her friend’s family during the 1970s.“It’s become a family tradition to argue about them,” Watts told the Tribune on Thursday from the team’s fan rally at Horse and Guardsman pub. “I didn’t even realize until I was older, in my teens, that I was doing something that was interesting, shall we say.”However, those travel plans i...