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McManus: Biden’s budget was an opening bid. Where’s the GOP plan?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

President Joe Biden unveiled his $6.8 trillion budget proposal last week, and it drew the customary jaded responses: a work of fiction. A party platform with price tags. And, of course, dead on arrival.All true. But from Biden’s standpoint, the budget rollout was a resounding success that served two purposes.It put the president where he wants to be as he prepares an expected reelection campaign, with one foot in his party’s center and one in its progressive left.Biden gave centrists a promise to cut future deficits by almost $3 trillion and shore up Medicare’s deteriorating finances.But he also asked for more funding for child care, elder care and fighting climate change, and said he’d pay for the whole package by raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy.In a campaign-style speech at a union hall in the swing state of Pennsylvania, he said his budget was designed to “give working-class folks a fighting chance.” Expect to hear more of that as...

Opinion: Let’s talk about guns and basic safety precautions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

Two years ago, I proposed that the Gilroy City Council approve an ordinance to help prevent gun-caused death and injury. The measure didn’t violate the Second Amendment and banned not a single gun. It was defeated 5-2.Last year I introduced a similar measure. Again, it was defeated 5-2. There was a difference this time, though: I was initially prevented from even describing the measure to my fellow council members. In a small victory, the city attorney ultimately said that taking a few minutes to outline my proposal was probably OK.What was the idea that caused the divisiveness? It’s an ordinance mandating that any firearm within the city limits be stored securely – i.e. in a gun safe, unloaded and separate from ammunition. The Santa Clara County Health Department recommended passing such ordinances in a report on gun violence last year. Several cities and school districts around the state and country have approved such proposals. Gov. Gavin Newsom even signed bill into law in 2022 ...

Elias: California’s fentanyl death rate likely rising due to mislabeled pills

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

Here’s a stunning figure from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration: Six of every 10 counterfeit pills sold in this country now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, a 50% increase from four out of 10 in 2021.Related ArticlesLocal Opinion | Elias: California’s transit budget cut makes sense in light of numbers Local Opinion | Elias: Six other states ganging up on California over Colorado River water Local Opinion | Elias: California’s slavery reparations plan won’t sell if it lacks credibility Local Opinion | Elias: Reconfigure California’s ‘fruit stops’ to check for illegal guns That means when the 2022 death rate statistics from this very strong and very often faked and polluted opioid come in, they are likely to be far higher than the 5,722 who died in California in 2021, the last full year for which figures are available. In that same year, the national toll topped ...

The 10 most expensive homes reported sold in Oakland in the week of March 6

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

A house in Piedmont that sold for $4.9 million tops the list of the most expensive real estate sales in Oakland in the past week.In total, 11 real estate sales were recorded in the area during the last week, with an average price of $2 million. The average price per square foot was $920.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 6 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $875,000, single-family home in the 600 block of Jean StreetThe property in the 600 block of Jean Street in Oakland has new owners. The price was $875,000. The house was built in 1925 and has a living area of 856 square feet. The price per square foot is $1,022. The house features 1 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms.9. $950,000, detached house in the 700 block of Santa Ray AvenueThe 1,643 square-foot single-family house in the 700 block of Santa Ray Avenue in Oakland has now been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in February and the total ...

Bay Area atmospheric river updates: Flood Advisory in effect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

(KRON) -- Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to disturb Tuesday's morning commute. The excessive rainfall from the latest storm could bring the potential for heavy flooding as well as downed trees and power lines. The rain is expected to dry up by Wednesday and Thursday before some more shower for St. Patrick's Day weekend, according to KRON4 meteorologist John Shrable.The National Weather Service also issued a High Wind Warning for the entire Bay Area effective Monday night through Wednesday morning. Peak gusts in the valleys are expected to reach between 40 and 50 miles per hour while coastal gusts are expected to reach between 55 to 70 miles per hour.Preparing your home or business for the next round of rain is crucial as the next storm approaches. Find sandbags near you and stay updated with KRON4.com.Tuesday, March 145 a.m. -- Flood Advisory in effect for North BayThe National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for the North Bay effective until 5 p.m. Tuesday. Ex...

Delays on northbound 680 due to traffic collision

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KRON) -- Northbound 680 near Castlewood Drive in Pleasanton was shut down due to a traffic collision Tuesday morning. A semi-truck jackknifed in the road around 4:10 a.m. creating delays, according to the California Highway Patrol incident page.As of 5:50 a.m., lane 3 was reopened. Expect delays or take 84 as an alternate route.Wet weather may impact Tuesday morning's commute. Make sure to slow down and plan for extra travel time.This story is developing and will be updated.

From 60s to snow in Denver? Here's what we know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It is March in Colorado and the weather is going to be like a roller coaster ride.The Pinpoint Weather team says that highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the 60s in Denver. Then, on Thursday, highs will drop into the 30s. How much snow could Denver see in March? Could it snow?Meteorologist Travis Michels said light rain is possible after sunset on Wednesday. The rain will change over to snow on Thursday morning and last through the late morning.Michels said that because of the warm temperatures and initial rain, the impact of the storm looks to be minimal for the Denver metro area. Interactive Radar: Track the weather where you live However, 1 to 3 inches of total snow accumulation is possible for Denver.Pinpoint Weather: Snow totals by March 16.As the storm gets closer, the Pinpoint Weather team will update the forecast with the newest data. Be sure to download the Pinpoint Weather App. It has special features that include:Interactive Radar: Zoom in to an...

US futures up, inflation still high, putting Fed in a spot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

U.S. futures held steady following a report that inflation eased slightly last month but remains elevated, posing a challenge for the Federal Reserve at a delicate moment for the financial system.Even though prices are rising faster than the Fed wants, some economists expect the central bank to suspend its yearlong streak of interest rate hikes when it meets next week. With the collapse of two large banks since Friday fueling anxiety about other regional banks, the Fed may, at least in the short term, focus more on boosting confidence in the financial system than on its long-term drive to tame inflation.Futures for the Dow were up 0.8% before the bell Tuesday, while futures for the S&P rose 1%.The government said Tuesday that prices increased 0.4% last month, less than January’s 0.5% rise. But excluding volatile food and energy costs, core prices rose 0.5% last month, slightly higher than January’s 0.4% gain. The Fed is particularly focused on the core measure as a gauge of unde...

Hollywood PD conducting investigation following crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

Hollywood Police Department officers are conducting an investigation at 59th Avenue and Thomas Street where a crash took place. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning and authorities have since blocked off the area with police tape as they search for clues.Video footage showed that a sign was knocked down from some sort of impact and police officers continuing their search for evidence. Investigators also measured tire marks left behind on the street and put out several evidence markers.Details are still emerging about the incident and it is unclear whether anyone sustained injuries.As the investigation continues, the Hollywood Police Department has advised commuters to seek alternative routes in the vicinity of 59th Avenue and Thomas Street. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and speak with authorities. Drivers are also reminded to exercise caution when driving in the area ...

MPs ‘disappointed’ as Sunak declines EU deal grilling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:02 GMT

Rishi Sunak has been warned not to duck parliamentary scrutiny of his post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland, after the British prime minister declined a committee grilling.The House of Commons European scrutiny committee — headed up by senior pro-Brexit Tory MP Bill Cash — confirmed Tuesday that Sunak, who has been in the United States, had opted not to appear at a session planned for Tuesday or commit to a future date.They’re urging the British government to give lawmakers “meaningful input” into the so-called Windsor Framework inked between Brussels and London.Sunak has promised that MPs will get a vote on the framework, which is still awaiting final sign-off by the two sides, and aims to put to bed months of wrangling between the U.K. and the European Union over post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland. The agreement is currently being scrutinized by Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, which is boycotting power-sharing in the region over objec...