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SAG-AFTRA Strike: AI Holding Up Contract Negotiations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

Hollywood studios made its “last, best and final” offer to the actors union and after taking a weekend to review it, there seem to be key issues remaining.The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) said they and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) were still far apart on “essential” issues, including the use of AI in relation to actors.“Please know every member of our TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee is determined to secure the right deal and thereby bring this strike to an end responsibly,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement Monday. “There are several essential items on which we still do not have an agreement, including AI. We will keep you informed as events unfold.”The actors have been on strike for more than 100 days, putting a freeze on major film and TV production associated with the AMPTP.On Oct. 10, Hollywood writers represented by the Writers Guild of Ameri...

Nicholas Cooper Killed in Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Crash on State Route 395 [Lind, WA]

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

31-Year-Old Pedestrian Pronounced Dead after Being Struck by VehicleLIND, WA (November 7, 2023) – Early Monday morning, police were dispatched to a pedestrian crash that killed Nicholas Cooper.The fatal incident happened on October 30th around 3:30 a.m. in the southbound area of State Route 395 near milepost 81.According to the Washington State Patrol, an officer was traveling along the area when he found the body of 31-year-old Cooper lying on the roadway.Furthermore, the authorities responded to the scene and pronounced Cooper dead. He was believed to have been struck by a vehicle, which left the scene.Consequently, the authorities blocked the southbound lanes of the highway for additional investigation.Any witnesses about the incident are encouraged to call Detective Lewis Stevens (509) 904-5102 or email him at [email protected]. No other information has been released by authorities at this time, additional details will be released as they become available to the pub...

Presents for Being Present: 15 Holiday Gifts To Help Reduce Stress and Encourage Self-Care

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

Photo Source: Adobe StockAs the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with excitement and anticipation. It’s a time of celebration, reunions, and joyful moments with loved ones. However, it’s also a season notorious for its stress-inducing qualities. Between the gift shopping, family gatherings, and end-of-year work commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.That’s why we’re here to help you discover a selection of 15 holiday gifts that can make a world of difference in promoting self-care. These thoughtful presents are designed to help you and your loved ones unwind, relax, and prioritize your well-being during this bustling time of year.1. Jones Road Beauty: Effortless BeautyPhoto Source: Jones Road Beauty In a world filled with beauty standards and high expectations, there’s a growing movement that champions the simple and authentic beauty that resides within all of us. Enter the captivating trend known as no makeup makeup from brands li...

Raye and Her 21st Century Blues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

Raye and Her 21st Century Blues: English pop & soul artist Raye wrote songs and produced for other artists (Beyonce, Rihanna, Little Mix and many more) before she decided to take her own steps into solo stardom. Like Cat Power, Raye’s latest album was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London — My 21st Century Symphony. Hence this is her My 21st Century Blues World Tour. “Raye has performed My 21st Century Blues as direct support for SZA, Kali Uchis, and Lewis Capaldi’s respective sold out 2023 world tours,” reads the press release. “The second installment of her headline world tour continues with 45 dates across North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia including upcoming stints in Nashville, Atlanta, St. Louis, Seattle, Vancouver, and more before wrapping in Los Angeles on November 7th.” The opening act is Absolutely.“A No. 2 album in the UK, My 21st Century Blues was a decade in the making and marked RAYE’s debut as an independent artist,” it continues. ...

At-home DMV test now available for California teens applying for a driver’s license

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

With online options extended to under-18 applicants, teens no longer have to go to a California DMV office to take the knowledge test.The online knowledge test, formerly available only to adults, can now be selected by teenagers filling out the online driver’s license application, the Department of Motor Vehicles said. The option has also been extended to people moving from out of state who need to take the test.The consent of a parent or guardian is required for online test interactions with an under-18 applicant. The test is proctored, so it requires a computer with a webcam — not a tablet or a phone — and it can only be taken between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.The test for under-18 applicants is 46 questions, and a passing score is 38 or better. An applicant is allowed three tries; anyone who fails the at-home test twice must go to a DMV office for the final try.Once the online application is filed and the test is passed, the applicant must go to a DMV office to...

Donald Trump at least gets big hands in disputed courtroom sketch, quips Fox News host

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

It looks like the Trump family and their allies have learned something from Harvey Weinstein about how to put on the best defense possible in a high-profile court battle: Beg the courtroom sketch artist to make you look more attractive and, in Trump’s case, to give you “sizable hands.”The disgraced Hollywood mogul asked artist Jane Rosenberg to give him more hair as she covered his rape trial in 2020, and Donald Trump Jr. recently asked the same artist to “make me look sexy” at his family’s civil fraud trial, which is taking place in New York City, as Insider reported.Now, a Fox News host is urging former President Donald Trump to demand that a better sketch artist draw him as he appears at the trial, saying that the image produced Monday by artist Elizabeth Williams for the Associated Press, and disseminated to the media, was “a travesty.”The GOP's frontrunner for president was in court again today.(Sketch by Elizabeth Williams &#...

Oakland police officer shoots and kills person near City Hall

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

OAKLAND — An Oakland police officer shot and killed a person early Tuesday morning near City Hall, according to authorities.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Berkeley officers shoot, kill person during response to reported car burglary Crime and Public Safety | Police release video of fatal September shooting at Toyota service center in Albany Crime and Public Safety | Police fatally shoot woman who they said had BB gun at California bus stop Crime and Public Safety | Leaked video shows Antioch cops fire dozens of shots at man as he runs away Crime and Public Safety | Driver who crashed into Chinese consulate in SF tried to stab a responding officer before being fatally shot Kim Armstead, a public information officer with the department, confirmed that police responded to the 300 block of Frank Ogawa Plaza after receiving a gunshot-detection alert just before 4 a.m. Tuesday. Upon arrival, the off...

How one Napa vineyard might have saved millions of dollars by using birds as pest control

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

NAPA — On a damp and gray Friday at Bouchaine Vineyards, Rebecca Rosen looked up, noticed the handful of ravens circling above her and lobbed an insult.“Jerks!” she yelled.They flew together, swirling and squawking as she walked to the trunk of her Tesla Model S and pulled out the box.There, she hides her ammo: a 6-year-old Harris’ hawk named Rocky, a 17-year-old falcon named E.B. and a 4-year-old spectacled owl named Hootbert, whose only job is to perch himself on a chair and let some tipsy wine tasters snap a photo.Rocky is the real threat. Rosen pulled him out of the box, removed his hood and loosened his strap. Free at last, Rocky soared to the roof of the Bouchaine tasting room and perched high enough to scan the vineyard. His mere existence is enough to irritate the ravens.Armed with long legs, a wingspan of almost 4 feet and an air of unspeakable confidence, Rocky has an aura that demands respect. The raven family knows it; they met one of Rocky’s siblings just last wee...

One dead after Oakland shooting involving an officer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

(KRON) – A shooting involving an Oakland Police Department officer that occurred Tuesday is being investigated. Oakland police responded to a ShotSpotter activation on the 300 block of Frank Ogawa Plaza on Nov. 7 sound 4:00 a.m.  One dead after Berkeley police shooting Upon arrival, officers located an individual suffering from a gunshot wound(s), police said. According to police, officers began providing medical treatment to the individual, but the individual was pronounced on scene.The officer involved in the shooting was not physically injured.According to OPD’s preliminary investigation, officers learned the ShotSpotter activation is connected to the officer-involved shooting.The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, per policy, according to OPD. According to OPD, the Oakland Police Department, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, and the Community Police Review Agency are all investigating the fatal officer-involved shooting.

Police incidents on BART declined 60% since May, according to data cited by transit agency

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:51:22 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The number of incidents on trains involving the BART Police Department has declined more than 60% since May, according to data cited by the transit agency Tuesday. The drop, which BART calls "dramatic," occurred between May and October.According to BART:The number of BART PD incidents fell from 374 in May to 295 in OctoberThe number of BART trains impacted by BPD incidents declined from 1,144 to 694 from May to OctoberTotal train minutes lost due to BPD incidents fell from 9,878 in May to 6,380 in October Traffic on SF Bay Bridge will be impacted by APEC summit The decline in police incidents comes amid a new initiative to improve safety on BART. During that time period, BART changed the schedule to emphasize shorter trains to boost safety, boosted patrols and launched other initiatives."These numbers paint a picture of how our commitment to rider safety is paying off," said BART General Manager Bob Powers. "Fewer delays due to BPD incidents not only shows ...