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Opinion: The white privilege behind Jill Biden’s runner-up White House invite to Iowa

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

Editor’s note: After Louisiana State University beat the University of Iowa for the women’s college basketball championship on April 2, 2023 – winning by 17 points – first lady Jill Biden floated the idea of inviting both the winning and losing teams to the White House to celebrate because Iowa “played such a good game.” The idea drew a sharp rebuke from LSU star forward Angel Reese, who dismissed the idea as a “joke.” Jill Biden then backed off the idea.As I argue in my book “From Exploitation Back to Empowerment,” race and racism are embedded in all aspects of U.S. institutions and social life. The fact that the majority of players on the national championship LSU Tigers were Black women – and unapologetically outspoken and confident Black women at that – compared to the majority white runners-up Iowa Hawkeyes, cannot be ignored.Sports, as I have found in my research, often thrusts Black athletes into situations where they must confront societal inequalities such as racism, ...

New California bill proposes 'relocatable' housing units for unhoused

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

A new bill proposed in the California legislature wants to explore a new solution to housing the state's unsheltered individuals: relocatable housing units.The bill was proposed by California Sen. Josh Becker (D-San Mateo), and would lay down the groundwork for moveable "opportunity housing units" to be placed on vacant, unused land.Senate Bill 634 was authored in concert with Becker's team, nonprofit housing developer DignityMoves, and two other organizations aiming to reduce homelessness in California.The problem with housing California's homeless, according to the bill's authors, is the cost and time required to buy land and build permanent structures. In a press release issued by DignityMoves, the nonprofit argues that cities and counties are working hard to meet the challenges set by the state to meet housing requirements, but traditional obstacles slow down the process. Meanwhile public entities have "thousands of parcels of excess land not currently being used," the orga...

L.A. County officials ask for help identifying woman hospitalized for days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

LAC+USC Medical Center officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman who has been hospitalized for days.The woman, who has been at the hospital for two days, is described as being 34 years old and 5 feet 5 inches tall with an average build. She has long wavy strawberry blond hair and blue/green eyes.The woman also has a tattoo of a connected yellow sun and baby blue moon on the lower right abdomen, official said.Anyone who has information about the woman, or knows how to contact her family members or loved ones is asked to call Yen Sau, a licensed clinical social worker at the hospital, at 323-409-4860.

Starbucks Pink Drink coming to grocery stores nationwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

The popular Pink Drink and Paradise Drink from Starbucks, along with other famous drinks from the coffee shop, will soon be available in grocery stores nationwide, the company announced Wednesday.The drinks will be available in convenient bottles and canned packaging at grocery stores nationwide starting next week, a news release said. SpaghettiOs releases new flavor aimed toward millennials “We are excited to launch the new ready-to-drink Starbucks Pink Drink and Paradise Drink on store shelves nationwide, offering our customers another way to enjoy these delicious and refreshing beverages,” Chanda Beppu, a Starbucks official, said in a statement.Other Starbucks drinks that will be available in grocery stories include:Frappuccino Mini chilled coffee drinksDoubleshot Energy CaramelEspresso AmericanoWhite Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino chilled coffee drink A photo of the new Starbucks drinks coming to grocery stores nationwide. (Starbucks) The Pink Drink was added to Starbucks me...

SF Giants’ all-or-nothing offense comes up empty in loss to White Sox

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

CHICAGO — The Giants, despite their propensity to swing and miss early this season, won’t be mistaken for a team without plate discipline. Facing White Sox strikeout artist Dylan Cease on Wednesday, they watched five ball fours go by and chased him by the fifth inning.But even the most patient team needs a timely hit every now and then.Despite a constant parade of base runners, the only damage the Giants were able to muster until the ninth inning in a 7-3 loss Wednesday came on a second-inning solo shot from J.D. Davis, an offensive output that stood in stark contrast to Chicago’s four runs on nine hits in five innings off Logan Webb to hand him his second loss in as many starts.Through the first five games of the season, the Giants have mastered the three true outcomes.More than 40% of their plate appearances have ended in strike three or ball four, and 14 of their 22 runs have been generated by the long ball. Their all-or-nothing approach has resulted in maddening extr...

White Sox closer Hendriks, formerly of A’s, completes final round of chemo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has completed his final round of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Hendriks posted a video Wednesday on Instagram of him ringing the “victory bell” and a lengthy note thanking his medical team, wife, family, friends and fans.“These past 5 months have been both the quickest and slowest of my life,” he wrote. “Being able to ring this victory bell has been one of the most emotional things I’ve ever done.”Hendriks said his life “changed forever” five months ago.Related ArticlesOakland Athletics | A’s outlast Guardians on Kemp’s walk-off single Oakland Athletics | 30 American ballparks in one monumental road trip Oakland Athletics | Athletics’ Sears, Guardians’ Kwan dispel notion of baseball’s prototypes Oakland Athletics | A’s can’t slow down Cleveland’s offense as losing streak reaches three Oakland Athletics | ...

Man shot in West Oakland

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

OAKLAND — A man was shot Wednesday afternoon inside a parked vehicle in West Oakland, authorities said.The man was in stable condition with a wound to his lower leg.The shooting was reported about 12:07 p.m. Wednesday in the 2400 block of Wood Street.Police said initial reports were that the man was shot while inside a parked vehicle. It was not immediately known if he was shot by someone else in the vehicle or someone shooting from outside.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Proceedings continue for East Bay man charged with killing 2 Crime and Public Safety | Antioch shooting under investigation Crime and Public Safety | Oakland’s ransomware crisis worsens as city confirms largest leak yet Crime and Public Safety | Teen charged as a juvenile in shooting that killed two Berkeley brothers Crime and Public Safety | East Bay resident, ski-masked suspects exchange gunfire after attempted vehicl...

Pedestrian fatally hit on Highway 4 on-ramp identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

Authorities on Wednesday identified a homeless person who died after being hit by a vehicle on a Highway 4 on-ramp last month.The fatality happened on March 30, when 50-year-old Brian Posch walked on the eastbound on-ramp at Lone Tree Way in Brentwood, the California Highway Patrol said. The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office publicly released Posch’s identity.The crash happened about 3:30 a.m. and involved a red Toyota Camry, the CHP said. The driver stayed at the scene and spoke with police; no arrest was made. That driver was not injured.The CHP said Posch was walking in the roadway when the crash happened. He died at the scene.Posch is one of four people to die in collisions on Highway 4 this year.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | One-car crash marks 2023’s fourth fatal wreck on Highway 4 Crashes and Disasters | Pedestrian killed in South San Francisco hit and run Crashes and Disasters | Friends ask support for...

London police investigating death of SF drag performer Heklina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

(BCN) -- The San Francisco nightlife community and others reacted to the sudden death of longtime drag performer Heklina, 55, whose death in London, England was first reported on social media late Monday. Heklina, whose legal name was Stefan Grygelko, according to state court documents, was performing for several weeks at London's Soho Theatre with friend Peaches Christ, also known as Joshua Grannell. London's Metropolitan Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 9:47 a.m. local time Monday to a residence at Soho Square for a report of an unresponsive person, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a police spokesperson. The death is being treated as "unexpected" and is under investigation. San Francisco tech executive killed in stabbing near SoMa An autopsy has not yet been completed to determine the cause of death as of Wednesday morning. "I am shocked and horrified to bring this news to you," Grannell wrote on his Facebook and Twitter accounts Mo...

Third Street Bridge repairs continue after barges crashed into it during recent storm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:59 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A big storm last month sent runaway barges crashing into the Third Street Bridge near Oracle Park, and crews with the San Francisco Department of Public Works were working on the bridge Wednesday morning. 4.5 magnitude earthquake strikes Northern California So far, DPW has been able to remove a section of the buckled wooden sidewalk, and steamfitters were able to remove the east-side rail of the bridge, both heavily damaged by the collision, a spokesperson confirmed to KRON4. Some of the beams on the bridge were bent and will also need to be removed. The east side of the sidewalk has been barricaded off for safety.A test lift of the drawbridge is in the works after those damaged pieces are removed. The goal will be to test the lift mechanisms as well as their alignment to ensure everything is functioning properly.KRON On is streaming now.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-co...