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Opinion: How California can give Latinos a bigger voice in government

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

One of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s primary responsibilities is appointing individuals to fill vacancies within state boards and commissions. However, his office lacks a public system to check whether these appointees reflect the communities they are meant to serve.Regrettably, these seats often fail to mirror the diversity inherent to California, particularly when it comes to the underrepresentation of Latinos. Despite making up 39% of the population, Latinos remain marginalized within these appointments, and lack of transparency around data on the governor’s appointments obscures the true extent of this underrepresentation.There is a promising solution before us. Senate Bill 702, authored by state Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, would require the office of the governor to create and publish an annual report on the demographic composition of all appointees made that year to state boards and commissions. This report would offer the transparency needed for targeted advocacy to diversify ...

Builders want to see buyers’ wish lists

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

Homebuyers may wonder how new-home builders determine which features and amenities are best to incorporate into upcoming home plans, master-planned communities and lifestyle amenities.Each new release seems to include exceptional elements. And buyers may not have even considered some of the items important. At least not until they see how the builder can incorporate them.Fortunately, new-home buyers are in luck, given the features of today’s new construction homes in California. And the future new-home buyer whose next home hasn’t even been built or even had its foundation poured may be in even greater luck.That’s because the further out construction is, the more choices on home specifications the buyer has. In some cases, builders may still welcome input about floor plans and design features. That’s especially true with coming-soon communities or master-planned communities that have yet to introduce their next phases.But perhaps there’s a construction or design feature you wish wou...

New Zealand keen to fix the basics in second Rugby World Cup match

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

TOULOUSE, France (AP) — New Zealand should rack up a pile of points against Namibia on Friday in the Rugby World Cup.It has more important needs, though.New Zealand’s set-piece has been unsteady in its last two matches — both historic defeats to France and South Africa — and coach Ian Foster wants his side to start fixing its foundations.The All Blacks are traditionally quick to repair issues, so after the record-sized thrashing from South Africa last month, they were expected to make a statement against France in the World Cup opening match in Paris last Friday. But the same issues persisted, and New Zealand lost a pool game for the first time in tournament history.It has three more pool games — Namibia, Italy, Uruguay — to get its mojo back in time for an expected quarterfinal against probably South Africa or Ireland.“We still want to play (an attacking game) but we also know in those big games that you’ve got to get some basics right,” Foster said.NEW ZEALAND vs NAMIB...

First human case of West Nile virus in Maryland discovered in the Eastern Shore

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

The first human case of the West Nile virus in Maryland has been discovered, state health officials announced on Wednesday.According to the Maryland Department of Health, an adult from the Eastern Shore region tested positive for the virus. The person is currently receiving treatment and is recovering from the infection.The virus is usually transmitted from mosquitoes that feed on infected birds but can also spread “through organ donation, blood transfusion, breastfeeding or from pregnant mother to fetus,” officials said in a release. While most do not develop symptoms, the disease can attack the nervous system, causing those infected to develop a fever, rash, body aches or vomiting.It is not the first trace of the West Nile Virus in Maryland this year. In July, mosquitoes carrying the virus were found in two parts of Anne Arundel County. State officials reported last year an adult in the Baltimore metropolitan area tested positive for the virus.The virus was first detec...

El espeleólogo estadounidense Mark Dickey dice que “definitivamente seguirá explorando cuevas”

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

(CNN) — El espeleólogo estadounidense Mark Dickey, rescatado este martes de una de las cuevas más profundas de Turquía tras una operación internacional, dice que “definitivamente seguirá explorando cuevas” y que le encantaría volver a visitar la cueva en la que quedó atrapado.“Definitivamente continuaré explorando cuevas. Hay riesgos en toda vida y en este caso, la emergencia médica que ocurrió fue completamente imprevista, desconocida y única, pero se puede sufrir un accidente automovilístico. Innumerables personas resultan heridas en sus baños, en sus propias bañeras y duchas. ¿Por qué dejaría de explorar? Sinceramente, la espeleología es uno de los deportes más seguros que existen”, dijo Dickey este jueves durante una conferencia de prensa en Mersin, en el sur de Turquía.Dickey había sido parte de un grupo de investigación en una misión de exploración en la cueva de Morca, ubicada en la Cordillera de Tauro en el sur de Turquía, cuando, según los informes, comenz...

Bayer Leverkusen visits Bayern Munich with perfect Bundesliga starts on the line for both

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Despite being so early in the season, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will return from the international break with a big game on the line.The only two with perfect records in the Bundesliga will meet in Munich on Friday. Leverkusen has racked up 11 goals in three wins and leads Bayern on goal difference. The defending champions, meanwhile, had to fight back to earn a 2-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach in their last game.Leverkusen has impressed with wins over Leipzig, Gladbach and Darmstadt and its strong start to the season has stoked hopes that Bayern finally has a rival that could potentially end its decade of dominance.The Bavarian powerhouse has won every title since 2013.Both teams are being led by new signings in attack — Bayern with England record scorer Harry Kane, and Leverkusen with Nigeria forward Victor Boniface. Together they have been involved in 10 goals for their teams so far.Granit Xhaka is directing play for Leverkusen following his arrival fro...

Driver nearly hits 20 children while leaving Aurora park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — Aurora police have identified an 18-year-old driver who allegedly drove toward 20 kids who were on their way to school Tuesday morning.A nearby security camera captured the SUV leaving Aqua Vista Park, located at 18700 E. Wagon Trail Cir., at around 8:30 a.m. Footage shows the driver nearly hitting one child crossing the street. The car accelerated toward the child who had to run onto the sidewalk.Thankfully, the child was not hurt. US 85 crash kills child who was sitting in someone’s lap Aurora Police said the video does not show the driver speeding near another group of children. According to police, the man nearly hit 20 children before speeding away. However, the kids were able to run onto the sidewalk and were not hit.After police released the video and images of the driver, they received several tips from the community. They were able to identify the driver and the vehicle. Police have made contact with the 18-year-old man. Police did no...

New gun law creating 3-day waiting period goes in effect soon

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Starting Oct. 1, anyone purchasing a firearm in Colorado must wait three days in most circumstances before they can receive it.This is when House Bill 23-1219, which was passed in April and signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, goes into effect.Anyone who violates the law may face a fine of up to $500 for the first offense, and a fine between $500 and $5,000 for any further violations.Gun waiting period: A few exceptionsThere are two situations in which this law does not apply. For one, there is no waiting period when the gun is an antique firearm or a curio or relic. Failing to obey Colorado’s new roundabout law could cost you $70 Also, people in the armed forces being deployed in the next 30 days can sell their guns to family members, spouses or people with whom they share close family-like bonds without waiting three days.Lawsuit filed, withdrawn over gun waiting periodIn April, the pro-gun organization Rocky Mountain Gun Owners filed a lawsuit against Polis rega...

Denver weather: Rain, cooler temperatures to end week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's weather forecast has wet conditions and cooler temperatures for Thursday and Friday ahead of sunshine and more seasonal temperatures by the end of the weekend. Weather today: Afternoon showers, cooler Thursday will start dry. But as a cold front moves through the area, it will bring a cool northerly shift in wind and increasing clouds. Get ready, the sun will soon set before 7 p.m. By the afternoon, rain showers will fill in across the state as high temperatures get capped in the lower 70s. Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on Sept. 14Weather tonight: Soggy, coolMore rain is in the forecast overnight Thursday. Low temperatures will fall near 50 degrees, which is right in line with normal for this time of year. Pinpoint Weather: Overnight lows for Sept. 14.Looking ahead: Cool and wet Friday ahead of weekend sunshineFriday will start off with more showers. It will be an even cooler day with highs only reaching the mid-60s. 5 Colorado restaurants receive...

MEPs to grill Dutch climate commissioner pick Wopke Hoekstra on October 2

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:42 GMT

STRASBOURG — EU lawmakers will grill Wopke Hoekstra, the former Dutch deputy prime minister who is in line to be the EU’s commissioner for climate action, on October 2, a spokesperson for the European Parliament confirmed Thursday.The fiscal hard-liner will face a grueling three-hour ordeal in front of lawmakers from the environment, industry, foreign affairs and development committees in Strasbourg, who will likely be eager to probe his lack of experience in climate policymaking and the fact he worked for oil giant Shell.The following morning, MEPs will also subject Commission Executive Vice President Maroš Šefčovič to questions about his expanded portfolio as Green Deal chief in another three-hour hearing. This will come just days after Slovakia holds an election where Šefčovič’s social democratic Smer party — and its controversial pro-Russian populist leader Robert Fico — are on track to win.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has li...