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Defiant Sen. Menendez, D-N.J., rejects calls to resign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

By Deepti Hajela and Mike Catalini | Associated PressUNION CITY, N.J. — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey defiantly pushed back against federal corruption charges on Monday, saying nearly half a million dollars in cash authorities found in his home was from his personal savings, not from bribes, and was on hand for emergencies.Rejecting rising calls for him to resign, he said he believed that he’d be cleared.“I recognize this will be the biggest fight yet, but as I have stated throughout this whole process, I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be the New Jersey’s senior senator,” Menendez said at Hudson County Community College’s campus in Union City, where he grew up.He did not respond to questions and did not address whether he will seek reelection next year.Addressing allegations in the indictment unsealed Friday that authorities found cash stuffed in envelopes and cloth...

6 drivers arrested after Petaluma PD’s DUI saturation patrol

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

(KRON) -- The Petaluma Police Department disclosed six drivers were arrested Sept. 23 following the department’s DUI saturation patrol. As part of the Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant, Petaluma officers specifically patrolled in search of impaired drivers between the hours of 4:00 p.m. through 2:00 a.m. on Sept. 23. Executing officers arrested five drivers for allegedly driving under the influence. San Jose pedestrian killed in traffic crash According to Petaluma police, in this operation, a total of 82 drivers were stopped. Fifteen were evaluated for intoxication and five were arrested for driving impaired, police said. Two of the drivers that were arrested for alleged DUI were driving without a California Drivers License. One of the drivers allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .28 percent, which is over three times the legal limit. The sixth alleged DUI driver was arrested by routine patrols. The Petaluma Police Department encourages ...

4th largest Powerball jackpot helps raise nearly $54m for California schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

(BCN) -- Excitement over the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in the game's history is helping California raise millions of dollars for its public schools, California Lottery said Monday. The jackpot, which has been growing for over two months, now stands at an estimated $785 million for Monday night's draw. There have been 28 consecutive drawings without a top-prize winner.Thanks to ticket sales statewide, the California Lottery said it has raised an estimated $53.8 million for public education."We're right back in this thrilling environment - that feeling when the jackpot is creeping towards a billion dollars," California Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker said in a statement Monday. "It's exciting not only because someone in California could once again hit it big, but also for those who benefit from the Lottery, which are public schools." California gas prices go up 14 cents in the past week A California ticket has won each of the top three Powerball jackpots in history, all o...

San Jose pedestrian killed in traffic crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

(KRON) -- A pedestrian was killed Monday morning after a collision involving a vehicle in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood, police said.The San Jose Police Department is investigating a fatal collision involving a man and a vehicle at Willow Street and Meridian Avenue. Authorities responded to the crash at 6:21 a.m. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased, police said.This incident marks the city’s 22nd pedestrian death and 37th fatal traffic collision of 2023. Man rescued after falling off cliff at Lands End People are advised to avoid the area as traffic will be impacted for several hours during the investigation.

Man in mobility scooter struck and killed in San Jose Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

(KRON) -- A pedestrian in a mobility scooter was fatally struck by a vehicle in San Jose Friday morning, according to the San Jose Police Department.On Sept. 22 at 10:31 a.m., San Jose PD responded to the 2000 block of Fruitdale Avenue at Princess Anne Drive after a fatal collision involving a vehicle and a man, police said. Investigators said that a man in a mobility scooter was crossing Fruitdale Ave. outside of any marked crosswalk when they were struck by a 2017 Nissan sedan.The pedestrian was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the collision. The identity of the man who was killed has not been released at this time.The Nissan’s driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said. Fatal pedestrian collision in SF escalates call for safer streets This incident marked the city’s 21st pedestrian death and 36th fatal collision of 2023.San Jose police ask anyone with information in this investigation to contact Detective...

Chargers’ Mike Williams tore his left ACL during Sunday’s win, MRI reveals, says AP source

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee.A person with knowledge of the injury told The Associated Press an MRI on Monday morning confirmed the injury. The person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the club had yet to reveal the extent of the injury publicly.Williams suffered the injury late in the third quarter of Sunday’s 28-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The seventh-year receiver had a catch for an 11-yard gain when the injury took place.Surgery has not been scheduled since the swelling needs to go down.Williams had seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown during the game. He had 19 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown this season.Williams missed four games last season because of an ankle injury and then was sidelined for a playoff game after a back injury in the regular-season finale at Denver.Keenan Allen is the Chargers’ top receiver, but Joshua Palmer and fir...

New Maryland laws go into effect Oct. 1: Spousal defense, hate crimes, firearms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

A Maryland law that prohibited prosecution of a person for rape or other sexual crimes against their legal spouse will be repealed next week — one of hundreds of new Maryland laws set to take effect on Oct. 1.Known for years as spousal defense, the new law eliminates the defense, and allows prosecution if “the person in committing the crime uses force or threat of force and the act is without the consent of the spouse.”Other new laws will allow victims of hate crimes — and other protected classes — to sue the person or group who committed the offense against them, for hate crimes committed after Oct. 1.As of Oct. 1, people with concealed-carry permits in Maryland will be banned from bringing firearms to a number of public places, including schools, health care facilities, polling places, stadiums, museums, venues that serve alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption. The restriction also applies to private property, unless the owner has granted permission.Exemptions wil...

Pitt left tackle Goncalves out for the season, QB Jurkovec’s status uncertain for Virginia Tech

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh will have to find a way to recover from its worst start since 2017 without left tackle Matt Goncalves.Coach Pat Narduzzi announced Monday that Goncalves is done for the season after sustaining a lower-body injury in a loss to West Virginia on Sept. 16.Goncalves, a third-team All-ACC selection as a junior in 2022, is the third starting offensive lineman to deal with a serious setback this season. Ryan Jacoby tore his ACL during training camp and is done for the year and Jake Kradel is out indefinitely.Branson Taylor will move from right tackle to left tackle to replace Goncalves.The Panthers (1-3, 0-1 ACC) play at Virginia Tech (1-3) on Saturday night with uncertainty at quarterback.Senior Phil Jurkovec left Saturday night’s loss to No. 15 North Carolina late in the first half with an undisclosed injury. Narduzzi said Monday he’s unsure if Jurkovec will be available against the Hokies. Jurkovec was injured when he was hit high by North Carolin...

Tornado-damaged Pfizer plant in North Carolina restarts production

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP) — A major Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in North Carolina that makes critical supplies for U.S. hospitals has restarted production about 10 weeks after it was heavily damaged by a tornado, the company announced Monday.Getting a majority of manufacturing lines at the Rocky Mount facility back up and running is a “proud achievement,” Pfizer said in a statement. Full production across the facility’s three manufacturing sites is expected by the end of the year.Parts of the massive plant’s roofs were ripped open and pallets of medicine tossed around when the tornado touched down on July 19. But most of the damage was to a storage facility for raw materials, packaging supplies and finished medicines, rather than its medicine production areas, Pfizer said. No employees were hurt.The plant produces anesthesia and other drugs as well as nearly one-fourth of the sterile injectable medications Pfizer supplies to U.S. hospitals, the company said.Thirteen medicin...

EU member states weaken proposal setting new emission standards for cars and vans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:42 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union member countries have watered down a proposal by the bloc’s executive arm aimed at lowering vehicle emissions.The European Commission had proposed last year updated pollution standards for new combustion engine vehicles that are expected to remain on European roads well after the 27-nation bloc bans their sale in 2035, with the aim of lowering emissions from tailpipes, brakes and tires.The Commission hoped that new guidelines would help lower nitrogen oxide emissions from cars and vans by 35% compared to existing exhaust emission regulations for pollutants other than carbon dioxide, and by 56% from buses and trucks. But several member states and automakers pushed for a weaker legislation and agreed Monday on a diluted compromise put forward by the rotating presidency of the EU currently held by Spain.Member states instead decided to keep existing emissions limits and test conditions for cars and vans, and to lower them only for buses and heavy co...