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Officials: DNA tests drop Lahaina fire death toll to 97

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

By Jennifer Since Kelleher and Rebecca Boone | Associated PressWAILUKU, Hawaii — Authorities in Hawaii have adjusted the number of deaths from the deadly Maui wildfire down to at least 97 people.Previously officials said they believed at least 115 people had died in the fire, but further testing showed they had multiple DNA samples from some of those who died. The number of those who were missing also fell from 41 to 31, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said.John Byrd, laboratory director with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, said during a press conference Friday afternoon that the current number of dead should be considered a minimum, because it’s possible that toll could rise.Determining the death toll from the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina has been especially complicated because of the damage caused by the fire and the chaos as people tried to escape, officials said. In some cases, animal remains were inadvertently collected along with human remains.So far, 74 of the dec...

Organized labor notches wins on California bills awaiting Gov. Newsom’s signature

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

The dust has cleared from the state legislature’s traditional last-minute lawmaking marathon, and organized labor emerged with a fistful of notable wins that would provide unemployment benefits to striking workers and raise minimum pay for health care and fast food workers.The bills’ passage on Thursday, the last day of the legislative session, comes at a time when labor has been flexing its muscles nationally with worker strikes on the rise, notably the ongoing walkouts by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA in the entertainment industry and, starting this week, the United Auto Workers stoppage against the Big Three U.S. automakers. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Oct. 14 to sign the bills into law.“It was probably the most productive session we’ve had,” said Jean Cohen, executive officer of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council in San Jose, adding that lawmakers moved 13 of their sponsored bills to the governor’s desk.But it remains to be seen ...

MItt Romney, like his father, fears the GOP has lost its way

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

By Mead Gruver and Jonathan J. Cooper | Associated PressMitt Romney’s announcement this week that he will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate came with a distant echo of his father’s departure from politics five decades ago.Mitt and his father, George Romney, at one time were top Republican contenders for the presidency, but fell short of the White House. Both ended their careers in elected office with a sense their party had lost its bearings. And both called for a more humane party, one that prioritizes civility and principle over resentments and score-settling.In eras 50 years apart, George and Mitt Romney found themselves isolated in a GOP increasingly uninterested in their brand of genteel, country-club conservatism. In following a path forged by his father, sometimes with eerie similarities, Mitt Romney became the latest in a line of prominent establishment Republicans who pushed back against Donald Trump’s vision for the party, only to become isolated. ...

Two fatally shot at Oakland memorial for man recently killed by Martinez officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

OAKLAND — Two people were shot and killed in a parking lot of an event center, after leaving a memorial for a 22-year-old man who was recently shot and killed by Martinez police, authorities said.The victims, identified as San Francisco resident Taivale Tautalatasi, 29, and Richmond resident Angela Cummings, 40, were standing in a parking lot on the 90 block of Linden Street in Oakland when at least one gunman opened fire on the crowd, striking Cummings in the head and hitting Tautalatasi at least once.Cummings died in the parking lot. Tautalatasi — who was taken to Highland Hospital by a friend — survived for several days, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.Police have not identified a suspect in the double slaying, but say they’re investigating a possible gang motive. Investigators haven’t said whether Cummings or Tautalatasi were intended victims. No arrests have been made.At least one person fired back at the shooter, authori...

Petaluma woman arrested for punching, strangling dog: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

(KRON) -- A Petaluma woman was arrested after she was seen punching and strangling her dog Thursday night, according to the Cotati Police Department. Police say she was strangling the animal with a leash.Officers were dispatched and made contact with the suspect. However, she refused to identify herself as the suspect police received a call about. The woman, 54, also resisted arrest.The suspect was ultimately arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail, police said. She was charged with felony cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor of obstructing/resisting an officer. Dogs from Oakland’s ‘Warriors House’ in need of new home The dog victim of the incident was taken to the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter "to be properly cared for." Cotati police did not release the suspect's name.

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office arrest sexual assault suspect in Redwood City

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

(KRON) –  A sexual assault suspect was arrested in Redwood City on multiple charges Friday.  San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office detectives began an investigation after receiving a report of a sexual assault of a minor in March. San Mateo detectives identified 66-year-old Sergio Emelio Perez-Juarez as the suspect during the investigation.  1 dead in stabbing near San Jose State, person of interest in custody According to San Mateo police, deputies contacted Perez-Juarez in Redwood City. Perez-Juarez was later arrested and charged with lewd act upon a child, forcible lewd act upon a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and rape by force or fear. Perez-Juarez was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility. If anyone has information on this crime or crimes involving Sergio Emelio Perez-Juarez, please contact Detective R. Cousenes at (650)-363-4066 or [email protected].

Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Qualifying

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

FridayAt Maple Grove RacewayMohnton, Pa.Qualifying after two roundsTop Fuel1. Justin Ashley, 3.687 seconds, 335.57 mph; 2. Brittany Force, 3.689, 336.57; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.696, 331.45; 4. Steve Torrence, 3.698, 332.43; 5. AntronBrown, 3.716, 329.50; 6. Shawn Langdon, 3.728, 331.12; 7. Austin Prock, 3.728, 329.83; 8. Tony Schumacher, 3.737, 328.54; 9. Leah Pruett, 3.743,327.90; 10. Doug Foley, 3.755, 322.11; 11. Clay Millican, 3.761, 325.45; 12. Mike Salinas, 4.201, 199.29; 13. Josh Hart, 4.219, 198.90; 14. Dan Mercier, 7.474,92.33.Funny Car1. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.874, 334.90; 2. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.879, 329.34; 3. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.887, 330.07; 4. Ron Capps,Toyota GR Supra, 3.888, 335.65; 5. John Force, Camaro, 3.898, 334.32; 6. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.901, 322.04; 7. Alexis DeJoria, GR Supra, 3.915,331.04; 8. Blake Alexander, Mustang, 3.915, 327.03; 9. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.916, 328.78; 10. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.923, 327.90; 11. CruzPedregon, Cha...

MATCHDAY: Man United looks to forget off-field issues. Milan derby in Serie A

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:ENGLANDAfter a slew of off-field issues at the start of the season, Manchester United needs to focus on results as it returns to action with a home game against Brighton in the Premier League. Issues regarding Mason Greenwood, Antony and Jadon Sancho have cast a shadow over the opening weeks of a campaign that has seen United lose two of its first four games. Brighton beat United home and away last season, so there is the potential for another setback for manager Erik ten Hag. Wolverhampton hosts Liverpool in the early kickoff, while league leader and defending champion Manchester City travels to West Ham. Newcastle has lost its last three games in the league and hosts Brentford in the late game. ITALYSerie A returns with a bang after the international break as the Milan derby features the only squads with perfect starts. The match at the San Siro also features the league’s top scorers so far: Inter Milan striker Lautaro Mart...

Deion Sanders makes most of rival coach's comments about sunglasses and hat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — When Jay Norvell threw shade at Deion Sanders for wearing sunglasses during interviews, Coach Prime responded by handing out some of his signature shades.Sanders passed out pairs of Prime 21 sunglasses to his players during a team meeting — “I just want to see how y'all look in 'em. You look good!” — and then gave some to the hosts of ESPN's “First Take” and “The Pat McAfee Show” to wear on set Friday. Are Colorado sports on a winning streak? “College GameDay” is broadcasting this weekend from Boulder, where Sanders has led the Buffaloes to a No. 18 ranking and a 2-0 start after taking a 1-11 team and bringing in more than 80 new players. They kicked off the season with an upset at TCU over the national runners-up and then walloped Nebraska last weekend.Before big games at Oregon and against USC, Colorado hosts Colorado State (0-1) on Saturday night, and during his weekly radio show, Norvell took a swipe at Sanders' habit of wearing his cap and sunglasses du...

Trump says he discussed pardoning himself but dismissed option

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:51 GMT

(CNN) — Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that he discussed pardoning himself in the final days of his presidency but dismissed the option to do so.“I could’ve pardoned myself. Do you know what? I was given an option to pardon myself. I could’ve pardoned myself when I left. People said, ‘Would you like to pardon yourself?’ I had a couple of attorneys that said, ‘You could do it if you want.’ I had some people that said, ‘It would look bad if you do it, because I think it would look terrible,’ ” Trump told NBC News.“I said, ‘The last thing I’d ever do is give myself a pardon,’” the former president said.While Trump wasn’t charged with any crimes while in office, he has since been indicted four times. He faces a total of 91 charges in four criminal cases – two federal and two state cases – in four different jurisdictions.The front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker that it is “very unlikely” that he would pardon himself if he wins a se...