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Missouri judge orders end to GOP officials' standoff over proposed abortion rights ballot measure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights in Missouri will move forward after a judge on Tuesday broke a standoff between two Republican officials that had halted the process.Cole County Presiding Judge Jon Beetem ordered Attorney General Andrew Bailey to approve fellow Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick's estimated $51,000 price tag on the proposal within 24 hours.Bailey had refused to approve the price estimate, arguing that if the proposal were to succeed, it could cost the state as much as a million times more than that figure because of lost Medicaid funding or lost revenue that wouldn’t be collected from people who otherwise would be born.But Beetem said Bailey has “no authority to substitute his own judgment for that of the Auditor.” What to know about Missouri's gun laws “There is an absolute absence of authority to conclude the Attorney General is permitted to send the Auditor’s fiscal note summary bac...

NHL Insider: If this St. Louis-raised talent is traded, Blues could be a suitor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The last time the St. Louis Blues missed the playoffs prior to this year, they went on to win a Stanley Cup championship the following season. That's a tough order to fulfill again, but with the NHL offseason nearly a week underway, now is the time to think about moves that could help the team reach another level. Some are convinced it could start with a homegrown talent. RELATED - Cardinals-Giants set for June 2024 game at America’s oldest pro ballpark Clayton Keller, born and raised in the St. Louis metro, has spent the last seven seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. Last year, at age 24, he set career highs in goals (37), assists (49) and points (86), earning around 21 minutes of ice time per game. Keller is nearing the midway point of a contract that will pay him around $57 million over eight years. Given his age and recent progressions, it's a team-friendly contract that would likely make him untouchable in most settings. With some uncertainty facing his current...

Judge sees “reasonable belief” that Denver school board’s closed-door meeting violated law, will review recording

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

A judge will review a recording of the executive session Denver’s school board held the day after the shooting inside East High School, saying there is “reasonable belief” that members violated state statute by discussing or adopting policy behind closed doors. The Denver Post and five other Colorado news organizations are suing Denver Public Schools, alleging the Board of Education violated the Colorado Open Meetings Law when it met in an executive session — which is closed to the public — a day after the March shooting at East.The news organizations are seeking the public release of the recording of that meeting. Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen wrote in an order Tuesday that “(p)laintiffs have shown sufficient grounds exist to support a reasonable belief” that the board adopted a policy or position or engaged in a discussion behind closed doors that is not permitted by state law.He ordered DPS to submit a copy of the entire recording and minutes of...

Denver’s Civitas Resources signs deals for nearly $5B to move into Permian Basin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

Denver-based oil and gas company Civitas Resources has struck two deals totaling nearly $5 billion to move into the Permian Basin, the country’s leading shale-oil play.Civitas said Tuesday that it has signed agreements for a total of $4.7 billion with affiliates of Hibernia Energy and Tap Rock Resources, companies managed by the private equity firm NGP Energy Capital Management. Civitas called the deal transformative, giving it “a stronger, more balanced and sustainable enterprise.”Civitas, which currently operates only in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of northern Colorado, said in a statement that the new assets in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, will boost its production by 60%.“By acquiring attractively priced, scaled assets in the heart of the Permian Basin, we advance our strategic pillars through increased free cash flow and enhanced shareholder returns,” Chris Doyle, Civitas president  and CEO, said in a statement.The acquisition “in the heart of...

New study reveals 'fundamental issues' behind California's homeless crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

A new statewide study focusing on homelessness in California found that the homeless population is aging, disproportionately represents minority groups and is predominantly made up of people who lived in the state before becoming homeless.The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative conducted the study, considered the largest examination of homeless adults in nearly 30 years.The study was conducted from October 2021 until November 2022. Officials address the troubling rise of homelessness in Riverside County Researchers found that more than 171,000 people experience homelessness daily in California. The Golden State represents about 12% of the nation's population, has 30% of the country’s homeless population and nearly half of its unsheltered population, according to the report.While homelessness is a complex issue, many survey respondents said that the high cost of housing is one of the main reasons behind their situation.“The results of...

Bid for Jay-Z and Beyonce's bidet and other appliances on eBay

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

If you're looking to "upgrade" your home, you can do so with some appliances formerly used by Beyonce and Jay-Z.Eric Ramos of Eric’s Architectural Salvage L.A. told TMZ he's selling items like sconces, exterior lights and a large metal doorframe from a home the power couple rented. Even a bidet is up for grabs with the asking price of $2,400.Ramos' business touts itself as a "green reuse architectural salvage company.""We work with top developers when they’re renovating these amazing houses," he told KTLA. "In 30 years we have reclaimed items from the houses of Frank Sinatra, Gregory, Peck, Dean Martin, Nicolas Cage, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Jay-Z Beyoncé- just to name a few. Although it’s fun to get Hollywood's famous reused items, at Eric's Architectural Salvage of L.A. our ultimate goal is to save and reuse items from all homes in order to keep them from being thrown into a landfill."The couple reportedly rented the Holmbly Hills mansion in 2015. The former owners reportedly so...

Investing in Business vs. Investing in People: Prabhav Sharma’s Holistic Approach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

The dichotomy of investing in businesses versus investing in people has stirred a crucial debate in the investment world. Many experts believe in a singular approach, focusing either on business aspects or on the executive management team. However, investment expert Prabhav Sharma has championed a holistic approach, effectively straddling both these paradigms in his investment strategy.On the one hand, Sharma values business investment methods that focus on assets, technology, and market research. He firmly believes in allocating capital based on multiple factors such as growth, margins, financial projections, competitive advantages, expansion plans, and exit strategy. This approach, over time, has the potential to provide substantial financial returns to investors, thereby proving to be a reliable path for wealth generation.Unleashing the Power of Human CapitalHowever, Sharma doesn’t stop at conventional business investment. An equal, if not more significant, part of his stra...

OgCrains drops beautifully intricate new track ‘Helen Keller.’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

West Coast rapper’s new track embraces the sacred and the profane. For those who haven’t been watching the West Coast rap scene lately, hip-hop artist OgCrains has been blazing a formidable trail for himself, with powerful new release after powerful new release.The San Diego-born rapper – who now splits his time between the West Coast and his current base in North Carolina – has dropped a flurry of singles in recent years which have generated over a million streams, including ‘West Coast Vibes,’ ‘Who Am I,’ and ‘What A Sight.’The artist’s latest single, ‘Helen Keller,’ might be his most impactful yet. With beats that veer from gentle strings to pummelling basslines, the song’s lyrics offer a freewheeling insight into Og’s decadent lifestyle, complete with everything from braggadocios to confrontational rap battle-esque bars to the occasional dose of tongue-in-cheek humor.First shared in May, ‘Helen Keller’ has already racked up over 50,000 streams and has become a summer...

Jeffery Briggs, Lauren Nystrom Hospitalized after Motorcycle Crash on Highway 101 [Atascadero, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

Motorcycle Accident near San Ramon Exit in Atascadero Left Two People HurtATASCADERO, CA (June 20, 2023) – A motorcycle crash along Highway 101 left Jeffery Briggs and Lauren Nystrom hospitalized Thursday night.The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. in the southbound lanes of U.S. 101 near the San Ramon exit.According to the investigators, a 1998 Harley-Davidson driven by 37-year-old Jeffrey Briggs experienced mechanical failure. Subsequently, Briggs and his 25-year-old passenger, Lauren Nystrom of Templeton, were thrown off the motorcycle.Responding medical personnel transported Briggs to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Additionally, paramedics also rushed Nystrom to the hospital after suffering a significant head injury.Authorities ruled out drugs and alcohol to be a factor in the incident. Atascadero Officials are encouraging anyone with further information about the motorcycle crash to contact them as soon as possible.Motorcyclists rar...

Bay Area classical music scene heads for red-hot festival season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:58 GMT

Operas, new works and Baroque favorites presented indoors and al fresco — the classical music season heats up for summer. Here are some of the top attractions.San Francisco Opera: A classic, a rarely performed masterpiece, and a new work recalling iconic artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera — San Francisco Opera’s summer festival has thrills for every opera lover. With Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly,” Richard Strauss’s “Die Frau ohne Schatten” (The Woman Without a Shadow), and Gabriela Lena Frank’s “El ultimo Sueño de Frida y Diego” (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego) in rotation, it’s an exciting lineup. Be sure to check the company’s website for pre- and post-show events.Details: Through July 1; War Memorial Opera House; $26-$410; sfopera.com.Festival Opera: Under Zachary Gordin, the Walnut Creek-based company starts the season with two outdoor concerts, 6 p.m. June 22 in Orinda Community Park and 6 p.m. Aug. 6 in Walnut Creek’s Civic Park. The mainstage event is “Carmen,...