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Illinois budget includes nearly $5,000 pay raise for state lawmakers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – State lawmakers are expected to get a pay increase when Governor J.B. Pritzker signs the budget. It will be their second raise this year.“I just think it sends the wrong message at a time when people are struggling with inflation, the cost of living, cost of energy, of gasoline, of food, and medicine has all gone up,” State Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) said.In January, before the end of the previous session, lawmakers raised their salaries to $85,000 giving themselves about a 16% raise.Now, lawmakers’ base pay will go to $89,675 dollars per year once the governor signs the budget. This raise is technically required by state law. “The cost-of-living increase takes effect in relation to the fiscal year which is July 1, and it's tied to [the] federal index, which is calculated at that time,” Kent Redfield, UIS professor emeritus, said.It gives lawmakers an increase in their pay to keep up with inflation, but in previous years, they have passed on this ra...

Colorado bans betting on greyhound dog racing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

Greyhound betting in Colorado will soon be a relic of the past.Gov. Jared Polis on Friday afternoon signed HB23-1041 into law, which will prohibit wagering on dog races conducted at out-of-state race tracks.Colorado hasn’t seen a greyhound race since 2008 and in 2014 officially banned the sport.But betting on dog racing continued here at off-track betting venues, which simulcast races occurring in states where it remained legal. Colorado gamblers placed more than $22.3 million on greyhound racing last year — the fifth-highest mark in the country.Lawmakers told The Denver Post in February that the bipartisan bill closes a loophole that has allowed Coloradans to bet on a sport that the state alreadyhad outlawed. Bill sponsors called the industry “cruel and inhumane.”“The walls are closing in on the final remnants of this cruel industry,” said Christine A. Dorchak, president of Grey2k USA Worldwide, a nonprofit working to end greyhound racing, in a s...

CHP captures fleeing Prius in Woodland Hills associated with catalytic converter theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

The California Highway Patrol pursued an alleged thief from Ventura County to Woodland Hills Friday afternoon, eventually bringing the vehicle to a halt with a PIT maneuver.The vehicle, a dark-colored Toyota Prius, was associated with a catalytic converter theft in Camarillo, said Capt. Worthy of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.When deputies tried to pull the Prius over, the driver sped away. The CHP then took over the chase.The Prius spent parts of the chase on the 101 Freeway, regularly remaining above 80 mph and at times nearing 100 mph.The vehicle suffered rear damage that left its bumper hanging behind the car, though it remains unclear how that damage was caused.After a few minutes, the driver then pulled onto surface streets, namely Ventura Boulevard, where it weaved around traffic and blew through red lights.By about 2:10 p.m., the Prius was trapped by CHP vehicles, one of which conducted a PIT maneuver to bring the pursuit to a halt at De Soto Avenue and Ventura Bouleva...

Netflix shareholders speak. Company execs shrug

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

Businesses are fond of saying that shareholders are the owners of the company, suggesting that investors should have the last word on big corporate decisions.A vote this week by Netflix shareholders highlights how bogus this is.Owners of Netflix stock voted Thursday to reject fat, multimillion-dollar pay packages offered to Netflix's co-CEOs and other top execs.They did so at the urging of the Writers Guild of America, which is now picketing Netflix and other studios as contract talks drag on."While investors have long taken issue with Netflix’s executive pay, the compensation structure is more egregious against the backdrop of the strike," WGA West president Meredith Stiehm wrote in a letter to shareholders.She said that if Netflix has enough cash to shower an estimated $166 million on senior execs, it shouldn't be struggling to pay the estimated $68 million writers are seeking in their new contract.Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters are due to receive up to $40 million a...

L.A. General Medical Center seeking public’s help in identifying patient 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

The Los Angeles General Medical Center is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a patient who has been hospitalized since May 24. The patient is described as a 57-year-old African American man who stands at 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 203 pounds. He has black and grey hair, a black and grey beard and brown eyes. The Los Angeles General Medical Center is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a patient who has been hospitalized since May 24. (L.A. General Medical Center)He was picked up from East Cesar Chavez Street in Los Angeles. Anyone with information is urged to contact Cesar Robles at the Los Angeles General Medical Center Department of Social Work at 323-409-6884 or 323-409-5253. 

Snoop Dogg postpones Hollywood Bowl concert in solidarity with WGA strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

Snoop Dogg is showing he's down for those taking part in the current WGA strike.The Long Beach, California, native has rescheduled his upcoming shows at the Hollywood Bowl in solidarity with those taking to the picket lines. "DOGGYSTYLE 30th ANNIVERSARY POSTPONEMENT," the caption to his video on Instagram read. "Due to the ongoing WGA strike and the DGA and SAG/AFTRA negotiations, we have decided to postpone the shows scheduled for June 27 and June 28 at the Hollywood Bowl. We stand in solidarity with the unions and are hopeful that the AMPTP will negotiate fair deals as soon as possible and everybody can get back to work."The new dates are Oct. 20 and 21.The concert was in celebration of the 30th anniversary of his debut album "Doggystyle" and will also feature Snoop's longtime collaborator Dr. Dre. Currently, the WGA strike has been underway for one month, with no end in sight. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA's board have asked its members to vote for a strike when the union begins its talks...

Los Angeles: Gareth Gallagher’s New Book Reveals the Naked Truth of the Events Industry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

Image credit: Gareth GallagherFor twenty-five years he planned everything. The man behind the curtain at some of the most prestigious events around the world always put the event first. In the face of danger, death, and disasters, no matter what the show had to go on. Until Eventually Gareth couldn’t.After two and a half decades traveling all around the world putting service above self, his health may as well have been some long-lost bag at some long-forgotten airport. While planning events on the highest mountaintops, Gareth Gallagher felt like he could not get any lower. He turned clients’ dreams into reality, but could not escape a dark reality of his own.Even in the best of times, planning such events is extremely demanding and taxing. High stakes, high stress, you only get one shot and it can not go wrong. The pressure cooker of events management, having to be ‘always on’ from start to finish, takes a toll. When you go to a restaurant you never see the chef sit down at a ...

From Istanbul to Hollywood: Elif Balci’s Meteoric Rise in Film Marketing Production

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

In the heart of Istanbul, a vibrant city that bridges the East and West, a young, ambitious dreamer was setting her sights far beyond the ancient architecture and bustling markets. Today, Elif Balci, that very dreamer, has successfully journeyed from Istanbul’s cobblestone streets to the glittering lights of Hollywood, leaving an indelible mark on the film industry as a Production Coordinator at the prestigious agency, Tiny Hero.There’s a specific journey each individual embarks on, a roadmap of experiences that paves their way toward success. For Elif, this journey began in 2018 when she left her home in Istanbul to attend college in the U.S. That leap of faith presented her with an incredible opportunity that would ultimately shape her career trajectory.One pivotal day, she received an email from a professor who also served as her mentor. It was about an opportunity to participate in the judging process for the 2021 Clio Entertainment Awards. Recognizing the potential,...

Anna Severino’s Journey from Young Mother to E-commerce Guru

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

In the sprawling world of e-commerce, there are a few trailblazers whose stories stand out, fueling the dreams of aspiring entrepreneurs. One such story is that of Anna Severino, a dynamic woman who charted a remarkable journey from a young mother to a successful businesswoman and e-commerce expert, a story that not only inspires but also redefines the definition of success, transcending societal norms and personal constraints.Anna’s life seemed destined for a familiar pattern. After becoming a mother at a young age, she juggled parenting her newborn baby while earning a degree. However, conventional 9-to-5 job opportunities felt restrictive to her spirit. Anna knew there was more to life—a calling that wouldn’t force her to compromise on her child’s upbringing. She yearned for financial freedom and the chance to shape her own path.Armed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she established a brand in the health and wellness sector. She successfully expanded it acr...

Police identify suspect sought in Oakland 4-year-old’s shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:30 GMT

OAKLAND — Police on Friday released the name and photo of a man sought in connection with the shooting of a 4-year-old girl Wednesday night in her East Oakland home.The girl, who was wounded in the leg, remains hospitalized in stable condition.The Oakland Police Department asked the community for help locating 19-year-old Lamarion Griffin of Oakland. Griffin is wanted in connection with the shooting of a four-year-old child that occurred on May 31, 2023, just before 9:00 p.m. in the 3400 block of 68th Avenue. (Courtesy Oakland Police Department) Police identified the man they are seeking as Lamarion Griffin, 19, of Oakland.Police did not say if they believe Griffin is the actual shooter or if he has any connection to the home where the girl lives.The shooting happened about 9 p.m. Wednesday in a residence in the 3400 block of 68th Avenue.Police have not said if the gun was recovered or what investigators believe led up to the shooting.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland ...