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WGA West report calls for government regulation of 'anti-competitive practices'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

Studio heads will be holding a joint call on Friday to discuss their next move in the ongoing writers' strike, reports Variety.This comes after the WGA and major studios spent a third day this week at the negotiating table. The big issues that remain are around streaming residuals and protections from Artificial Intelligence.The WGA West released a report on Thursday that called for more government regulation of, what it calls, "anti-competitive" practices of big studios. Members of the Writers Guild of America, WGA picket outside CBS Television City in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that already is leading most late-night shows to air reruns. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)According to the report, Disney has reduced film output and shut down competing studios...

Toni De Vera Dies in 2-Car Accident on Interstate 215 [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

62-Year-Old Driver Pronounced Dead after Red-Light Collision near Aliante ParkwayLAS VEGAS, NV (August 18, 2023) – Monday morning, Toni De Vera was killed in a 2-car accident on Interstate 215.Police responded to the scene around 4:50 a.m., near North Aliante Parkway.Investigators say the driver of a blue Acura SUV failed to stop at a red light at the intersection. As a result, the SUV struck the right side of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup-truck.Medics arrived and transported both drivers to a nearby hospital with significant injuries. Due to the extent of injuries sustained, crews later pronounced the Acura driver, 62-year-old De Vera, of Las Vegas dead.Officers also say Vera was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. An active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Toni De Vera. May you fi...

Larry Wheet Dead, James Carter Arrested after DUI Collision on 75th Avenue [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

56-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Accident near Thomas RoadPHOENIX, AZ (August 18, 2023) – Late Sunday evening, Larry Wheet was killed and James Carter was arrested after a DUI collision on 75th Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene just after 10:00 p.m., near Thomas Road on August 13th.Per reports, 40-year-old Carter was driving east when he struck Wheet who was crossing mid-block. Paramedics arrived and transported 56-year-old Wheet to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.Meanwhile, Carter remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Following preliminary duties, officers say he showed signs of impairment. As a result, police charged Carter with DUI and aggravated DUI.In addition, officers say Carter had two young children inside the vehicle.At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway. Once available, more details will be provided.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet ...

San Jose: Valley Christian Schools staff member allegedly paid students for sexually explicit photos, videos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

SAN JOSE — A 43-year-old staff member at Valley Christian School in San Jose was arrested on Thursday after he paid students for sexually explicit photos and videos, according to police.Police said in a news release Friday that Todd Baldwin, a Morgan Hill resident, was accused of possessing explicit digital media of minors on Wednesday. On Thursday, a search warrant was served at his office and home. Baldwin was then arrested on suspicion of felony possession and distribution of child sexual material.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Three more ex-employees accuse Lizzo of ‘abuse of power,’ praise the dancers who are suing the singer Crime and Public Safety | Defense: Jury may feel San Jose State trainer deserved to be fired for touching female athletes. But is he a criminal? Crime and Public Safety | Lawyers for SJSU trainer accused of sex abuse called an expert witness. Then the judge ruled. Crime and Public Safet...

This San Diego high school has never fielded a football team. Its first one will be made up of all girls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

By John Maffei | The San Diego Union-TribuneThe CIF-San Diego Section added girls flag football as a fall sport in April.At one school, interest was immediate.“We sent out an information form to our students and we were hoping maybe 20 would show some interest,” Our Lady of Peace Athletic Director Kevin Soares said. “But we got 40-plus returns, so the response has been great.”Now the Pilots are starting from scratch. An all-girls Catholic high school located in Normal Heights, OLP has no history of tackle football. The Pilots have no fields to play on, either. They’ve been practicing at local elementary schools — Tuesday’s workout was at St. Therese Academy, 20 minutes away from their campus — and plan to play all their games on the road.Still, there’s no denying the passion for the non-contact, 7-on-7 sport. OLP plans to field both varsity and JV teams this season.“We look at this as a great opportunity for our young ladies,” Soares said.San Diego, CA – August 15: Our Lady of...

GM’s Cruise robotaxi collides with San Francisco firetruck, injuring passenger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

By Dana Hull | BloombergA Cruise robotaxi collided with a firetruck late Thursday in San Francisco, injuring the vehicle’s passenger.The autonomous-driving company, a subsidiary of General Motors Co., reported the crash in a series of social media posts Friday.“One of our cars entered the intersection on a green light and was struck by an emergency vehicle that appeared to be en route to an emergency scene,” the company posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The accident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, Cruise said.“Our car contained one passenger who was treated on scene and transported via ambulance for what we believe are non-severe injuries,” the company said.The incident raises questions about why the vehicle did not know to stop for an emergency vehicle, and why it did not notice through traffic while crossing an intersection.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Pilots made errors before crash near Lake...

San Ramon woman shot in West Oakland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

OAKLAND — A 35-year-old San Ramon woman was wounded Thursday night in West Oakland in an apparent shootout between other people, authorities said.The woman, who authorities said was hit in the buttocks by a stray bullet, was in stable condition at a hospital on Friday.The shooting, in which police said dozens of rounds were fired, happened about 9:42 p.m. Thursday in the 2400 block of Chestnut Street.The woman was part of a group gathered outside on Chestnut Street.Police said at least one person standing about a block away on Chestnut Street began shooting at the group. At least one person in the group began shooting back, authorities said.The woman was the only person wounded. Police do not believe she was an intended target. She got a ride to a hospital from other people.At least one residence and some parked vehicles were also hit by bullets but no other injuries were reported, authorities said.A motive for the shooting is under investigation. No arrests were announced.Pol...

Mailbag: Kliavkoff’s current role and final grade, options for the ‘Pac-4’ schools, the Knight view and a few words on our coverage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

The Hotline mailbag published weekly. Send questions to [email protected] and include ‘mailbag’ in the subject line. Or hit me on Twitter: @WilnerHotlinePlease note: Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.What grade do you give George Kliavkoff for his first two-plus years as Pac-12 commissioner? — @Jalex0077How does Kliavkoff still have a job? — @benwilkinsonLet’s address the second question first: He remains employed because the conference needs someone to handle day-to-day operations for the upcoming competition year.Also, because his buyout likely would approach $10 million, assuming he signed a five-year deal in 2021 for about $3.5 million annually.If they have to pay him anyhow, why not let Kliavkoff oversee operations?He is not heavily involved in strategic matters for the remaining schools, according to sources. Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State are plotting their paths, individually and collectively, without ...

Why a twisted hunk of metal that used to be a Ferrari just sold for nearly $2 million at a Monterey auction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

By Peter Valdes-Dapena | CNN BusinessA hulk of dented, torn and scorched metal that was, decades ago, a Ferrari race car just sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Monterey, California for $1.9 million.While that may be surprising, it’s not quite as horrible an investment as it looks, especially if the buyer is after something more than money: racing history and, for the new owner, a shot at a glory all their own.One of only 13 made, this 1954 Ferrari Mondial Spider Series I wasn’t one of Ferrari’s fabled V12 models but a an entirely different design. The four-cylinder car was designed for driving on twisting tracks with lots of curves and few straightaways, where a smaller, lighter engine was desirable.A winning designFerrari won world championships in 1952 and 1953 with cars of this one’s design, hence its name “Mondial” or “World.”Known by its chassis number, 0406 MD, it was originally built with a body by the famed Italian design firm Pinin Farina. (The company name would later be ...

Big Fremont tech and research park is grabbed by California buyers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:18:52 GMT

FREMONT — A big tech and manufacturing complex in Fremont has been bought in a deal that suggests Bay Area real estate still maintains islands of strength despite a wobbly economy.Clipper Court Commerce Center has been bought for $103 million, according to the buyer, CIP Real Estate.The complex is leased to an array of tech and advanced manufacturing companies.Newmark commercial real estate brokers Steven Golubchik and Edmund Najera helped to arrange the property purchase. The transaction was completed on Aug. 16, documents on file with the Alameda County Recorder’s Office show.The 14-building commerce center’s tenants include Hyundai, BASF, Hyundai, Kaeser Compressors, Advantive Technologies, Clearink Displays and CTEMS. according to the buyer and information on Google Maps.The complex totals roughly 352,300 square feet. The seller was a group affiliated with Los Angeles-based Canyon Partners, an investment firm, state business records show.Related ArticlesReal Es...