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Could the California High-Speed Rail be completed in the next 5 years?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

California High-Speed Rail, the most ambitious public transportation project in the state's history, is still miles away from being completed, despite decades of discussion and nearly ten years of construction. Progress has kicked up in recent years as environmental hurdles were cleared, and the High-Speed Rail Authority hopes to have the Central Valley segment, which will connect Merced to Bakersfield, completed by 2030 (give or take).But what would it take to get the entire project — Bay Area to Los Angeles — completed even sooner? Maybe as soon as 2028 in time for the Olympics?That's what industry experts and activists met to discuss Wednesday evening during an online forum hosted by Streetsblog, an urban planning news and information website that focuses on transit and public safety.Dusk side view of a high-speed train (California High-Speed Rail Authority)While it might sound like a pipe dream, those in attendance for Wednesday's roundtable discussion argue it could be done, al...

15 dogs found in Gardena casino parking lot up for adoption

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

A total of 15 dogs that were inside a car impounded from a Gardena casino over the weekend are now up for adoption.The car was impounded on Aug. 13 and the dogs were taken to South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Los Angeles.The owner said the dogs lived in the car with her and they are unhoused.The dogs -- 10 females and 5 males -- are between 2 months and 2 years old and appear to be terrier and Chihuahua mixes.Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehicle that was impounded from a Gardena casino are seen in a photo provided by spcaLA on Aug. 17, 2023. Pups found in a vehi...

Police seek shooter in Boyle Heights attack

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

A man is dead after a reported shooting in Boyle Heights Thursday morning, and police are looking for the attacker.The shooting was reported in the 500 block of South Lorena Street a few minutes after 10 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.Three to four gunshots were heard coming from inside an apartment, and a woman was heard screaming, police said.When officers arrived, they found a man believed to be 35 years old unconscious and not breathing.An ambulance was requested, but no further information about the victim has been made public.Police are looking for the shooter, though they did not provide information about any potential suspects.No further information was available. Isabel Ochoa contributed to this report.

Five Hospitalized after ATV Accident on Forest Service Road 6S36 [Madera County, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

Rollover Crash near Oakhurst Left Five People InjuredMADERA COUNTY, CA (August 17, 2023) – Sunday afternoon, an ATV accident on Forest Service Road 6S36 left five people with injuries.According to the news report, the crash occurred around 3:30 p.m., just north of Oakhurst in Madera County.Officers from the California Highway Patrol also responded to the scene. However, the circumstances that led up to the incident remain under investigation.Deputies said two people were transported to a local hospital via air ambulance. Meanwhile, the three other patients refused medical treatment for minor injuries from the responders.At this time, the identities of those involved in the incident remain undisclosed by the authorities.Moreover, both directions of the roadway were temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.No further details regarding the ATV Accident have been released to the public. Investigators are encouraging anyone with additional information about...

Karen Cartagena Arrested Following Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Fourth Street [San Francisco, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

Pedestrian-Auto Collision near King Street Fatally Injures 4-Year-Old GirlSAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 17, 2023) – Police arrested Karen Cartagena following a deadly pedestrian crash on Fourth Street early Tuesday evening.Officers responded to the fatal incident around 5:15 p.m. on 4th and King Streets, one block away from Oracle Park’s home-plate entrance.Upon arrival, police discovered a 4-year-old girl and her father at the scene suffering from life-threatening injuries. Authorities also found the involved vehicle pinned against a pole.Tragically, the young girl was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Her name has not been released by the authorities.The San Francisco Police later identified the involved driver as 71-year-old Karen Cartagena. Police arrested Cartagena for three counts of failure to yield to a pedestrian and vehicular manslaughter.At this time, the San Francisco Police Department is asking everyone with additional information about the pedestrian crash to co...

Tech firm Block and a Black cultural group open downtown Oakland market

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

OAKLAND — Tech company Block Inc. has teamed up with Black Cultural Zone to open Uptown Market, a retail hub that’s poised to bring a lively mix of shops and food to downtown Oakland.The new commercial center is located on the ground floor of Block’s Uptown Station office building in downtown Oakland at 1955 Broadway.“Uptown Market is a way for us to support local businesses,” said Ahmed Ali Bob, Global Impact Lead at Block. “Block is an active member of the Oakland community. We have identified where we can make the most impact. Our support of the Black Cultural Zone is one way to have an impact.”The new downtown Oakland market is offering visitors a place to shop and get food and beverages. The market is located in Uptown Station, a historic office building that for decades was a well-known Sears department store.“Uptown Station is a historic landmark that is well-recognized in Oakland and that has fond memories for Oakland residents...

Blue Shield California ditches CVS for Amazon and Mark Cuban’s drug company

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

By Tami Luhby and Jordan Valinsky |  CNNNew York  — A major California health insurer is shaking up the prescription drug pricing system as it seeks to lower the cost of medication for its 4.8 million members.Blue Shield of California will no longer use CVS Health’s Caremark as its pharmacy benefit manager and instead will partner with several companies, including Amazon Pharmacy and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. The insurer expects to save up to $500 million in annual drug costs once the multi-year plan is fully implemented.Pharmacy benefit managers are companies that negotiate rebates from drug manufacturers to insurers. They have come under fire from other players in the health care industry and from Congress because of their opaque practices. In particular, critics are concerned about how the companies are compensated and how their practices could drive up drug costs for consumers. Top benefit managers are part of large health care businesses that also own big insurers.High...

Drive-by shooting targets group walking in San Pablo, strikes home with residents inside

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

SAN PABLO — Four people walking together and five people inside a residence escaped injury during a drive-by shooting Monday, and officers arrested a 21-year-old Richmond man in the aftermath, police said.Police identified the suspect shortly after the shooting and arrested him while serving a search warrant at his residence, San Pablo police Det. Bryan Biama said in a video statement released by the department. Officers serving the warrant also found the gun used in the shooting in the suspect’s room, Biama said.The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, criminal gang involvement and weapons violations, Biama said. Police did not disclose the area of the man’s residence.He was not listed in custody on the Contra Costa County jail inmate list early Thursday.Video surveillance cameras in the area captured the shooting in the 1300 block of 23rd Street about 12:10 p.m. on Monday. The separate surveillance videos show a dark-colored car drive past a group o...

$100,000 in handbags stolen in mob robbery at California shopping center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

A group of suspects ran into a temporary Gucci store in Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza, grabbed an estimated $100,000 of handbags and ran out to waiting cars in the parking lot Wednesday evening, Aug. 16, authorities said.Costa Mesa police were searching for five to 10 suspects who hustled into the store just after 7:15 p.m. while the store was open and customers were inside, Sgt. Jose Morales said.RELATED: 5 men charged in $1.1 million takeover robbery of San Ramon jewelry store appeared to get help from insider law enforcement source, feds sayThe suspects didn’t use any weapons and there were no reported injuries, the sergeant said.The store, at a temporary location while the primary store is under construction, is close to multiple exits, Morales said.Police were on scene within minutes, Morales said.The specific number of handbags stolen and the direction in which the suspects fled from the store was unclear.The theft was the latest in a string of mob robberies at retail stores,...

Marijuana smell and safety concerns ignite disputes over public smoking

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:21 GMT

By Kevin Hardy, Stateline.orgCarl Sack is no fan of marijuana.He tried smoking once in high school and hasn’t touched it since. And he doesn’t just dislike the clouds of pot smoke he encounters around Duluth, Minnesota — he hates them.“I can’t stand to be around the stuff,” he said.But he’s still adamantly opposed to local efforts to ban the public consumption of marijuana, which became legal for recreational use on Aug. 1. Sack is among several residents asking the Duluth City Council to reject a proposed ban on marijuana consumption in city parks.“At a time when we’re finally getting rid of the racist war on drugs at the state level, the city of Duluth shouldn’t be the one to take up the mantle of this shameful and failed public policy,” he told the City Council last month.Many Minnesotans were surprised to learn the state’s legalization law didn’t outright ban public consumption. While existing tobacco rules already prohibit indoor smoking in most places, state law allows smoking...