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Walters: How California’s budget process became a political quagmire

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

Drafting state budgets in California was once a fairly straightforward exercise in fiscal politics.The governor’s budget gnomes could fairly accurately predict how much tax revenue would be generated over the forthcoming fiscal year, particularly since most of it would come from taxes on retail sales, a stable base.An initial budget was issued in January and it would be revised in May after the April 15 deadline for personal income taxes provided more specificity. Legislative leaders of both parties huddled, sometimes with the governor, and a final budget emerged.Yes, there were some conflicts. Budgets took two-thirds votes of both legislative houses so the final product needed bipartisan support. Republicans, usually in the minority, would sometimes withhold votes until their demands were met.Over time, however, the budget process became a political quagmire, in part because the ideological divisions in the Capitol became more pronounced. As Democrats drifted to the left and Republ...

11 accused California gang members arrested on weapons, drug-trafficking charges during raids

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

Eleven accused gang members from the Los Angeles Harbor Area were arrested Wednesday, May 17, on suspicion of federal drug and weapons charges during morning raids by federal and local law enforcement, authorities said.The arrests, part of Operation Wipe Out, were the latest in a series of arrests and seizures stemming from an investigation into the Westside Wilmas and Eastside Wilmas street gangs that began in late 2020, U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Thom Mrozek said hours after the latest arrests during a press conference at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Station.The raids were carried out about 4:30 a.m. at multiple locations, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Haworth said. Seven of those arrested on Wednesday were accused of trafficking firearms and narcotics, including fentanyl.LAPD Capt. Brent McGuyre discusses the arrests of 11 accused gang members on suspicion of various crimes. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the Uni...

Disneyland lays out theme park expansion plans for next 30 years

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

Disneyland laid out long-term expansion plans to Orange County business leaders on Wednesday, May 17 that will extensively reimagine what the future of the Anaheim theme park resort district will look like over the next three decades.Disneyland resort President Ken Potrock spoke before the OC Forum at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel about the DisneylandForward proposal that envisions extensive theme park, retail and parking expansion within the resort district boundaries.“To put it simply, DisneylandForward sets the stage for significant and multi-decade investment in the future. This is the next generation of the Disneyland resort,” Potrock told the attendees. “When Disney invests, all boats rise and everyone benefits.”Rendering of a possible theme park expansion around the Disney-owned hotels west of Disneyland during an OC Forum luncheon at the Grand California in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)Rendering of a possibl...

California mom objects to teen daughter reading sexually explicit ‘Angels in America’ at school

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

A Temecula mother has complained that her 15-year-old daughter was made to read a sexually explicit play in drama class and is calling for a policy to prevent such instances in the future.Tracy Nolasco said her daughter, a Temecula Valley High School sophomore, had to read “Angels in America,” a Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tony Kushner. The play, set in New York City in 1985, explores the AIDS epidemic as well as religion, race, politics, and homosexuality.Nolasco on Tuesday night, May 16, told the Temecula Valley school board that the drama describes sexual activity, sexual violence and uses profanity and was inappropriate for minors, according to a video of the meeting. She added that the play also depicts unprotected sex and the taking of pills that cause hallucinations. Her daughter’s class also includes freshmen, Nolasco said.Temecula Valley Unified School District spokesperson James Evans said in a Wednesday, May 17, email that he learned of the allegation T...

Dog rescued from 15-foot-deep California sinkhole

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

San Bernardino County Fire Department crews on Wednesday afternoon rescued a large husky dog that was stuck in a sinkhole in San Bernardino, authorities said.It happened in the 100 block of East Mill Street, where San Bernardino Animal Control reported the dog was stuck.  Fire crews arrived to find a large husky 15 feet below the surface of a parking lot.They used a specialized camera to assess the situation and slip a rope around the dog to quickly hoist it to safety, the fire agency said in a statement.The dog appeared unharmed and was given to Animal Control staff for transport to a local veterinarian.It was unclear how long the dog was trapped in the hole.Related ArticlesPets and Animals | Man kills wrong bear near Yellowstone, faces a year in jail Pets and Animals | Why your favorite outdoor dining spot may be going to the dogs Pets and Animals | He was lost, speeding, drunk and then he tried to frame his dog, police say Pets and ...

Here are the restrictions on transgender people that are moving forward in US statehouses

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has highlighted efforts by Republican governors and statehouses across the country to embrace proposals limiting the rights of transgender people, signing new restrictions as he moves closer to a presidential bid.The restrictions are spreading quickly despite criticism from medical groups and advocates who say they’re further marginalizing transgender youth and threatening their health.Here’s what’s happening: FLORIDA’S RESTRICTIONSDeSantis on Wednesday signed bills that ban gender affirming care for minors, restrict pronoun use in schools and force people to use the bathroom corresponding with their sex assigned at birth in some cases. DeSantis also signed new restrictions on drag shows that would allow the state to revoke the food and beverage licenses of businesses that admit children to adult performances. The DeSantis administration has moved to pull the liquor licenses of businesses that held drag shows, alleging children were ...

Monro: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Monro Muffler Brake Inc. (MNRO) on Thursday reported earnings of $409,000 in its fiscal fourth quarter.On a per-share basis, the Rochester, New York-based company said it had profit of 1 cent. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 8 cents per share.The automotive repair chain posted revenue of $310.8 million in the period.For the year, the company reported profit of $39 million, or $1.20 per share. Revenue was reported as $1.33 billion.For the current quarter ending in June, Monro said it expects revenue in the range of $330 million to $335 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MNRO at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MNROSource

Ford recalls SUVs, some for a second time, to fix rear camera display

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling over 422,000 SUVs in the U.S. because the image from the rear camera may not be displayed.The recall covers certain Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators from the 2020 through 2023 model years, as well as 2020 through 2022 Lincoln Corsairs. All have 360-degree cameras.Some of the vehicles were recalled for the same problem earlier this year, but the remedy didn’t work.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents that the lack of a rear camera image can cut visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.Ford says it’s working with parts suppliers to identify the cause and develop a repair. Vehicles that were fixed under a January recall will have to be repaired again.Source

First 4 miles of I-66 ‘parallel trail’ now open to cyclists, pedestrians

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

The first section of the 66 Parallel Trail is available for people to enjoy. Once complete, the new shared-use path will span 11 miles in Fairfax County, Virginia.A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station on Wednesday, next to the new 18-mile trail which is planned to stretch into neighboring Prince William County.The initial four miles connects Cedar Lane to Chain Bridge Road, providing pedestrian and bicycle access between Vienna and Oakton. The entire trail, expected to be completed later this summer, will extend from Dunn Loring to Centreville, according to I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP).Because residents in the area did not want the trail built along their backyards, three of the newly opened miles of trail rest between a four- to 5-foot-high concrete soundwall and vehicle traffic, exposing users to noise and pollution and vehicles along Interstate 66.EMP, which operates the 66 Express Outside the Beltway lanes, is funding the trail...

Walmart boosts outlook after a strong first quarter and rising online sales

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:10:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart reported a strong first quarter as the nation’s largest retailer continues to draw budget conscious consumers in a challenging economic environment.The company, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, offered an upbeat outlook for the year.Walmart reported net income of $1.63 billion, or 62 cents per share for the three month period ended April 30. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $1.47 per share, far exceeding the per-share earnings of $1.32 that Wall Street was looking for, according to a survey by FactSet. That compares with $141.57 billion, or 74 cents per share, in the year ago period.Sales rose 7.6% to $152.3 billion, also topping estimates. Comparable store sales — those from established stores and online operating over the past 12 months — rose 7.4%, a bit slower than the 8.3% during the fourth quarter but still solid. It posted an 8.2% gain in the fiscal third quarter. Online sales rose 26% in the first quarter, an acceleration...