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Voting begins in Ohio with abortion rights on the line

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

By Julie Carr Smyth | Associated PressCOLUMBUS, Ohio — In-person voting for a November ballot measure over abortion rights began Wednesday in Ohio, the latest state where voters will decide the issue after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure last year.Ohio is the only state to put an abortion rights question before voters this fall, making it a testing ground for messaging ahead of the 2024 elections when it’s expected to be on the ballot in more states and a major factor in races up and down the ballot.Election officials throughout the state are generally predicting heavier-than-normal turnout for an off-year vote because of the high-profile campaigning over Issue 1, a constitutional amendment that seeks to enshrine abortion rights.Mary Weiss was among the voters who entered an early voting center in Toledo during the first day of early in-person voting ahead of Election Day on Nov. 7.“Women should have total control over their own bodi...

Hayward: Woman gets probation, mental health treatment in attempted child abduction at knifepoint

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

OAKLAND — A woman who allegedly brandished a knife at a mother and yelled “give me your kid” has been sentenced to probation and mandatory mental health care as part of a plea deal with Alameda County prosecutors, court records show.Barbara Lopez, 35, pleaded no contest to assault with a deadly weapon — a charge that can apply to people who brandish weapons at others — in exchange for prosecutors dropping an attempted kidnapping charge against her. On Sept. 19, she was formally sentenced to two years probation and ordered to continue with her mental health care program, court records show.Lopez was charged last March after she allegedly accosted a Hayward resident who was walking with her 4-year-old son and brandished a pocketknife at the woman. The victim was able to flag down a passing motorist, who stopped and gave the woman a ride out of there. Lopez was arrested after police identified her as the suspect and searched the area for her.Almost immedia...

Israel-Hamas conflict adds dangers for Ukraine’s war effort

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

Natalia Drozdiak and Courtney McBride | (TNS) Bloomberg NewsRussia is set to benefit from the Israel-Hamas conflict, as Israel’s requests for U.S. military aid risk diverting weapons and focus from Ukraine while the rising price of oil bolsters Moscow’s economy.U.S. and NATO allies have rebuffed concerns about their ability to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the aftermath of Gaza-based militant group Hamas’s attack on Israel, which already receives billions in aid from Washington every year.Yet there’s a clear understanding in the Kremlin that the war between Israel and Hamas will work to Russia’s favor, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. The conflict may, at the very least, work to distract U.S. and European attention from the war in Ukraine, the people said, even while Russia has concerns about its escalation.President Vladimir Putin’s objectives “will be achieved faster” if a U...

Over $17K of merchandise from Lululemon, Victoria's Secret recovered in suspected SF fencing operation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Over $17,000 worth of merchandise from Victoria's Secret and Lululemon was recovered, the San Francisco Police Department said Wednesday. The items are linked to a suspected fencing operation in the Mission District. Three suspects were arrested in connection to the incident. SFPD reports approximately $17,880 worth of merchandise was recovered from those two retailers. Banana Republic opens new flagship store in Downtown SF SFPD posted a photo of the items in the suspected fencing operation in the area of 15th Street and Mission (see below). (San Francisco Police Department)(San Francisco Police Department)Case numbers for the arrest are #230720529 and #230720557, per SFPD. No other information was available.

Banana Republic opens new flagship store in Downtown SF

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Weeks after Banana Republic closed one of its San Francisco locations, the retail giant announced that it has opened a new flagship store in the city. The 3,500-square-foot store is located at 152 Geary Street in San Francisco's Union Square shopping district. It is across the street from Nieman Marcus and blocks from both the Powell and Montgomery BART stations. Starbucks to close seven San Francisco locations The new location will sell clothes, accessories, furniture and more. “As we embark on the next chapter in the BR story as a premium lifestyle brand, we remain driven by a desire for exploration and connection. Our Banana Republic Geary Street store is our brand’s pinnacle flagship, showcasing our continued transformation in our historic hometown," said Sandra Stangl, the president and CEO of Banana Republic.The new store replaces Banana Republic's old location at 2 Embarcadero Center, which closed on Sep. 23. Another Banana Republic at 2 Folsom St. ...

San Mateo man arrested for allegedly stabbing coworker

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

(BCN) -- A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a coworker in San Mateo on Tuesday afternoon, according to police. Robert Ridenour was arrested following the stabbing reported at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 36th Avenue and Hacienda Street, San Mateo police said. Gilroy man murdered ex-girlfriend to cover up rape: court documents Officers arrived and found the victim with stab wounds on his leg and arm. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Police said Ridenour, a San Mateo resident, remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Investigators learned that he got into an argument with the victim, then grabbed a knife and allegedly stabbed him. Many other coworkers witnessed the attack and separated the two before calling the police. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Mateo police at (650) 522-7700.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Black student suspended over his hairstyle to be sent to an alternative education program

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

After serving more than a month of in-school suspension over his dreadlocks, a Black high school student in Texas was told he will be removed from his high school and sent to a disciplinary alternative education program on Thursday.Darryl George, 18, is a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu and has been suspended since Aug. 31. He will be sent to EPIC, an alternative school program, from Oct. 12 through Nov. 29 for “failure to comply” with multiple campus and classroom regulations, the principal said in a Wednesday letter provided to The Associated Press by the family.Principal Lance Murphy said in the letter that George has repeatedly violated the district’s “previously communicated standards of student conduct.” The letter also says that George will be allowed to return to regular classroom instruction on Nov. 30 but will not be allowed to return to his high school’s campus until then unless he’s there to discuss his conduct with school admin...

Bills turn focus on healthy players ready to step in and fill holes on injury-depleted defense

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Norman wouldn’t be back in Buffalo for a second stint if not for a rash of injuries depleting the Bills’ defense.What the veteran cornerback, however, made clear on Wednesday is he would not have signed to Buffalo’s practice squad a day earlier if he didn’t still regard the Bills as contenders, however banged-up they might be.Difficult as it will be to replace linebacker Matt Milano (lower right leg), cornerback Tre’Davious White (torn right Achilles tendon) and tackle DaQuan Jones (torn pectoral muscle), Norman placed his faith in Buffalo’s deep and disruptive defensive front as being a difference-maker.“Listen, man, regardless of anybody coming in or out, this defense is menacing,” said the 35-year-old Norman, who patiently bided his time this summer in waiting for the right opportunity in extending his career to a 12th season.“I mean, they got some grown men up front and nobody wants anything to do with them,” he added, referring to a defensive fron...

Conor McGregor back in testing pool but USADA says it’s splitting with UFC

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Former UFC champion Conor McGregor’s return to action helped trigger a split between the league and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which has been testing the league’s mixed-martial arts fighters for the past eight years.McGregor announced on social media this week that he is returning to the USADA testing pool — a step the 35-year-old fighter must take before returning to the octagon for the first time since suffering a leg injury in July 2021. McGregor was expected to fight Michael Chandler in December, though the timing of their meeting has been in flux because of the testing rules.USADA requires any athlete who has been out of action to submit to six months’ of testing and provide at least two negative tests before returning.In a statement Wednesday, USADA CEO Travis Tygart said the agency had been ‘clear and firm’ about those requirements applying to McGregor, who during the summer went on social media and said that because of the t...

No. 21 Notre Dame hopes to rebound from 2nd loss while renewing rivalry with No. 10 Trojans

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:15:21 GMT

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — History suggests No. 21 Notre Dame may already be out of the college football playoff picture.Still, coach Marcus Freeman insists there is plenty for the Fighting Irish to achieve this season.Notre Dame’s new quest will take place Saturday with an opportunity to face longtime rival No. 10 Southern Cal and reclaim the Jeweled Shillelagh the team lost last season after holding it for four straight years.“The best thing about this week is we have to get back to work and get prepared for a great opponent in USC coming in here Saturday night,” Freeman said. “We expect it to be an electric atmosphere, a great environment and a great opportunity for this program to use the adversity we faced this past week and to use it as energy and motivation.”Saturday’s game closes out a journey in which Notre Dame (5-2) has faced four ranked, undefeated opponents, all in prime time. They lost at home to Ohio State, rallied to win at Duke and then suffered a potential...