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Last-minute legal maneuver keeps Antioch cops from testifying about racism within their department — for now

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

MARTINEZ — On Friday morning, Antioch police officers were expected to answer questions under oath about racism within their own department for the first time since a cascade of scandals revealed prejudice and alleged criminality among their ranks, but a last minute legal maneuver prevented it.At a Friday court hearing, Superior Court Judge David Goldstein accepted a concession by the Contra Costa District Attorney admitting that Antioch officers who investigated a series of 2021 gang-related shootings had violated the California Racial Justice Act when they sent racist texts and memes to each other while discussing the case. The District Attorney’s concession eliminated the need for defense attorneys to call subpoenaed Antioch officers as witnesses, staving off potentially embarrassing testimony that could have revealed how prevalent racism is within the police department.But the door isn’t fully closed. Defense attorneys for the four accused men — 22-year-o...

Spanish soccer chief refuses to quit after kiss at World Cup, so women’s team refuses to play until he goes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

By Joseph Wilson | Associated PressBARCELONA, Spain — Less than a week after winning the Women’s World Cup, Spain’s national team players announced Friday that they will not play any more games unless the president of the country’s soccer federation steps down for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their victory.Luis Rubiales, who was also chastised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, has remained defiant despite immense pressure to resign. The kiss marred the title celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, and criticism has steadily mounted.Hermoso issued a statement Friday strongly rebuking Rubiales’ characterization of the kiss as consensual, while the 46-year-old federation president cast himself as the victim at an emergency meeting of the federation in Madrid.“I won’t resign,” he declared four times in quick succession, to applause from the overwhelmingly male audience.Several Spanish news media outlets reported Thursday th...

Brentwood extends ban on new smoke shops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

Brentwood’s ban on new tobacco smoke shops will continue for at least another year.The City Council unanimously agreed to the extension this week after hearing a number of students, health advocates and parents request it, as well as tougher rules regarding tobacco sales.Isabelle Kirske, senior health educator with the advocacy group Contra Costa Tobacco Prevention Program, told the council that “unless tobacco use rates decline, an estimated 441,000 of all California youth who are alive today will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases.”“Our goal is to change that,” she said.Kirske added that Brentwood had recently received an “F” on its tobacco policy scorecard from the American Lung Association for its lack of regulations.Moreover, Kirske said there are 44 tobacco retailers in the city, 37 of which are within a two-block radius of places where young people frequent, such as schools, parks and playgrounds. Of those, she counted 12 “significant retailers” – 10 to...

Top 5 Best Crypto Exchanges in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

Sponsored ContentAs we move toward the end of 2023, the buzz around cryptocurrencies is growing louder. Everyone’s talking about it and wants a slice of the pie. But where do you start? Choosing the right platform is like picking the right shoes for a marathon. From a ton of choices out there, five exchanges have made a mark. They’re top-notch, safe, and user-friendly. Let’s explore them.OKX: The Undisputed ChampionWhen it comes to the crypto arena, OKX is leading the race with remarkable prowess. Why? It’s about more than just the wide range of trading choices they offer. What makes them unique is their intuitive interface. In an industry where security is paramount, OKX has set a high standard. The platform’s dynamism ensures both novices and pros can easily navigate the crypto waters. Their relentless commitment to innovation ensures OKX is not just keeping up with the crypto trends but setting them.Coinbase: The People’s ChoiceClose on the hee...

US Open 2023: Here’s how to watch on TV, betting odds and more you should know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Get ready for the U.S. Open before play begins Monday with a guide that tells you everything you need to know about how to watch the year’s last Grand Slam tennis tournament, what the schedule is, what the betting odds are, who the defending champions are and more:HOW TO WATCH THE U.S. OPEN ON TV—In the U.S.: ESPN (ABC on Sept. 3)— Other countries are listed here.THE SINGLES SCHEDULE—Monday-Tuesday: First Round (Women and Men)—Aug. 30-31: Second Round (Women and Men)—Sept. 1-2: Third Round (Women and Men)—Sept. 3-4: Fourth Round (Women and Men)—Sept. 5-6: Quarterfinals (Women and Men)—Sept. 7: Women’s Semifinals—Sept. 8: Men’s Semifinals—Sept. 9: Women’s Final—Sept. 10: Men’s FinalMONDAY AND TUESDAYThe full schedules for Days 1 and 2 have not been released, but we do know who will play first-round matches on which day. So Monday will include Novak Djokovic in his first U.S. Open match in two years after being unable to enter the United States in 2022 because he...

Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson edges ever closer to Flo-Jo’s record in 200

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson edged a bit closer to breaking a world record that has sat in the books for a generation. While it didn’t happen Friday, there’s a sense it might happen soon.Jackson defended her world title at 200 meters in 21.41 seconds, a scant .07 off the mark Florence Griffith-Joyner set at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.Until two years ago, no other woman had cracked 21.6, so when somebody asked Jackson if she was disappointed not to break Flo-Jo’s mark, she scoffed.“For me to run 21.41 and you ask me if I’m disappointed — definitely not,” Jackson said. “It’s a personal best. So I am just grateful.”The victory came four nights after Jackson finished second in the 100. That one was nice, she said, “but the 200 is my baby.”Her 21.41 goes next to the 21.45 she ran to win worlds last year in Eugene, Oregon. She and Jamaican teammate Elaine Thompson-Herah are the only women other than Flo-Jo to run under 21.6, thoug...

MATCHDAY: Arsenal hosts Fulham, PSG plays Lens

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:ENGLANDArsenal and Brighton go for their third straight wins to open the Premier League season when they host Fulham and West Ham, respectively. While Arsenal is expected to be among the title contenders, Brighton is more of a surprise even if the team has become more of a force under the astute management of Roberto De Zerbi. Brighton has lost central midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo this summer yet still has scored four goals in each of its two victories so far. Everton has no points and no goals heading into a home match against Wolverhampton, which has also lost its opening two games. Manchester United, on three points, has been underwhelming ahead of hosting Nottingham Forest, while Brentford is at home to Crystal Palace and Tottenham travels to Bournemouth. ITALYAfter a goalscoring debut last week, Christian Pulisic will be hoping for more of the same in his first match at San Siro, when AC Milan hosts...

Yankees’ charter to Florida flown by father of New York pitcher Clarke Schmidt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees’ charter flight to Florida on Thursday had a familiar name in the cockpit.Captain Schmidt, as in Delta pilot Dwight Schmidt, the father of Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt.“It was a lot of fun,” Clarke Schmidt said before Friday night’s game at the Tampa Bay Rays. “I mentioned it to a few guys and then we got there, it kind of like spread like wildfire. It was kind of like interactive a little bit. A lot of guys got to see things they never got to see as far as like going up to the cockpit. Guys got to see some cool things.”Clarke Schmidt has flown with his father before but said it was first time he has been in the cockpit with him.Dwight Schmidt has occasionally been assigned to fly the Yankees.Yankees manager Aaron Boone volunteered to join the flight crew.“We were in Atlanta, I got to go on a flight simulator where he was my trainer,” Boone said. “That was pretty cool.”Clarke Schmidt said it was probably one of the team&...

New Nebraska coach Matt Rhule is having the time of his life ahead of opener against Gophers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A year ago, Matt Rhule was not in a good place. He was about to break training camp with the Carolina Panthers and dealing with a host of injury and personnel issues that hastened his firing five games into the season.Six days before his first game as Nebraska’s coach, he showed a sunny demeanor much like he has in previous meetings with the media since he arrived in Lincoln almost nine months ago.“I’m having the time of my life, I really am,” he said Friday. “So this is as happy as I’ve been in a really, really long time. My family’s here now. My girls are happy, my family’s happy, my wife’s happy, the son’s doing well. I really enjoy this team.”It’s been a whirlwind for the 48-year-old Rhule since Nebraska landed him as one of the splash hires of the 2022-23 coaching cycle.Rhule and his assistants have visited towns and cities across the state to immerse themselves in its passion for football and build relationships with high school coa...

Retired DC officer sentenced to 3 years in fatal shooting during library training

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:30:42 GMT

A retired D.C. lieutenant who fatally shot a trainee during an instructional exercise for library police officers last summer has been sentenced to three years behind bars.In June, 59-year-old Jesse Porter pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter while armed and unlawful discharge of a firearm in the death of 25-year-old Maurica Manyan at the Anacostia library in August 2022.The sentence handed down by Judge Anthony Epstein on Friday was the minimum under sentencing guidelines, sparking an angry, emotional outburst from members of Manyan’s family, many of whom gave wrenching victim-impact statements during Friday’s hearing.Prosecutors had asked for seven years.Earlier this year, Porter, a 33-year veteran of the D.C. police department, was indicted by a grand jury on a more serious charge of second-degree murder in Manyan’s death, but he was later offered a plea deal on the lesser offense — a move that was sharply criticized by the Manyan family.What happened in t...