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Jasper Wu killing: Alameda County DA withdraws special-circumstances allegations against defendants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

OAKLAND — In a major shift on an already-contentious case, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price decided this week to withdraw special-circumstances allegations against the men accused of killing a 23-month-old toddler during a freeway shooting nearly two years ago on Interstate 880.The decision to no longer pursue those sentencing enhancements means the two remaining defendants in the case, Ivory Bivins and Trevor Green, would no longer be eligible for life in prison without the possibility of parole, if convicted of murder in the November 2021 killing.The move marks a distinct reversal from Price’s predecessor, former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, who filed the special circumstances allegations while decrying the fatal shooting of 23-month-old Jasper Wu as a “horrible tragedy” that was “unthinkable” for the Bay Area. Along with removing the chance for parole, special circumstances allegations also make defendants eligible for the dea...

Police: Richmond, Virginia, gunman targeted graduating teen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

By Sarah Rankin and Denise Lavoie | Associated PressRICHMOND, Va. — A gunman who opened fire minutes after a high school graduation in Richmond, Virginia, targeted an 18-year-old graduate he had a long-running dispute with, police said Wednesday.Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father, Lorenzo Smith, 36, were both killed Tuesday in the shooting, which sent hundreds fleeing in panic outside the state capital’s city-owned Altria Theater after the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School. Five other people were wounded in the shooting.Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards said the shooting suspect, Amari Pollard, 19, knew Jackson and the two had been embroiled in a dispute for more than a year. Edwards said the nature of the dispute is still being investigated.“This was targeted at one individual … that’s what we know at this time,” Edwards said during a news conference Wednesday.Pollard was arraigned Wednesday morning on two counts of second-degree mur...

President Biden coming to Bay Area this month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- President Joe Biden will be visiting the San Francisco Bay Area this month, according to an official release from the White House. The president will travel to the Bay Area on Monday, June 19 and remain in the area until Wednesday, June 21. SF leaders consider pause on cannabis shop applications The White House declined to release any additional details about the president's visit. President Biden was last in the region earlier this year, when he traveled to parts of California's Central Coast to visit areas devastated by severe storms this winter.First lady Dr. Jill Biden will be in the Bay Area a week ahead of the president when she will host a reception for the Biden Victory Fund in San Francisco.

Two charged with murder after Napa girl overdoses on fentanyl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

(KRON) -- The Napa County District Attorney filed murder charges against two Santa Rosa men who allegedly sold fentanyl to a Napa teenager. Monica Flores, 17, was found dead in the bedroom of her Napa home by her family on May 25, 2022.Charges filed against Alan Jazeel Martinez, 22, and Luis Fajardo Melgoza, 20, mark the first time in Napa County law enforcement's history that suspected fentanyl dealers were charged with murder for an overdose death, according to prosecutors. Martinez and Melgoza were also charged with selling a controlled substance to a minor; transportation for sale a controlled substance; possession for sale of a controlled substance; conspiracy to commit a crime; and child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death.Further, the District Attorney opted to charge the defendants with the following aggravatingfactors: violence, cruelty, viciousness, or callousness; vulnerable victim; inducing others to participate in a crime; inducing a minor to participate ...

Semi-truck full of garbage overturns on I-680 in Sunol, delays expected 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

(KRON) -- A semi-truck that appears to have been full of garbage has overturned on northbound I-680 in Sunol, according to the California Highway Patrol. The truck overturned near Andrade Road, causing delays.The CHP is recommending using I-880 northbound to 238 or 580 as an alternate route. The estimated time of reopening for 680 is unknown. A photo from the CHP shows the truck on its side with garbage spilling out onto the roadway, blocking several lanes."Thank you for your patience and please drive safely," the CHP tweeted.

The Feds Have Thousands of Stadium Lights on the Border. Switching Them On Would Devastate Desert Ecosystems.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

The tallest panels of border wall between the U.S. and Mexico stand about three stories high. On the ground, the partitions have a long and troubled record of blocking natural waterways and severing wildlife migration corridors, but the environmental impacts don’t stop there.When the sun goes down, the wall’s ecological footprint expands up and out, with lights reaching into the sky and illuminating cross-border habitats. Most of that illumination is concentrated near population centers and ports of entry, but with the flip of a switch, that could easily change.According to a new survey, federal contractors have placed nearly 2,000 stadium-style lights in southern Arizona alone in recent years, imperiling some of the most ecologically complex and celebrated public lands in the United States. Join Our Newsletter Original reporting. Fearless journalism. Delivered to you. I'm in ...

With Saudi-PGA deal, once-shunned crown prince makes dramatic move to extend kingdom’s influence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — After years of isolation over his human rights abuses, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is elevating his standing in the United States in part by diving into American sports, business and culture. And no example has been as striking as his bold entry into professional golf — the favorite sport of presidents and millions of other Americans.Tuesday’s surprise announcement of a commercial merger between Saudi Arabia’s $650 billion sovereign wealth fund, the PGA Tour and the European tour in the short run looks to end a messy legal battle between Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf and the PGA.But for the Saudis, it’s much more than a major business deal. It’s the latest and perhaps most dramatic move by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to wield his kingdom’s oil wealth in reshaping his country’s economy and advancing Saudi influence regionally and around the world, while muting critics. Prince Mohammed has assumed much of the duties and leadership of his aged father,...

Colts keep Rodgers out of practice as NFL investigates gambling allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. did not practice with his teammates Wednesday, two days after the team said it was aware of an NFL investigation into gambling allegations about one of its players.Neither the Colts nor the league have publicly identified Rodgers as the target of the investigation.On Monday, Rodgers issued a statement on Twitter saying he made an “error in judgment.” The post came hours after media reports linked him to the investigation.Coach Shane Steichen would not say whether Rodgers will remain out until the matter is resolved. “It’s an ongoing investigation with the NFL right now,” Steichen said. “Beyond that I won’t have much to say.”He repeated the same comment to most of the questions that were asked about Rodgers and the gambling issue.Linebacker E.J. Speed told reporters league officials spoke to Colts players about gambling a few days ago. Steichen said the meeting was part of the league’s annual presentation to all...

Former Loudoun Co. priest sentenced to 8 years for sexual abuse of minor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

A former Loudoun County priest has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing a minor nearly 40 years ago.On Tuesday, Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares announced Scott Asalone, a former priest at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Purcellville, has been sentenced to prison on a charge of felony carnal knowledge of a minor.“Today’s sentencing brings long, overdue justice to the brave victim who came forward and told their story. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute child offenders and I encourage anyone who has been a victim of clergy abuse to contact the Virginia State Police or local law enforcement,” said Miyares in a statement.Asalone was convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1985 when he was 29.In 2020, when charges were first brought, D.C. Council member David Grosso came forward and identified himself as the victim in an interview with The Washington Post.In an interview with WTOP after Asalone was convicted in Dec...

Arlington’s AES acquires largest planned solar power and storage project in US

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:12:42 GMT

Photovoltaic farm as a renewable energy source. Pure energy in the countryside.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Shaiith) Photovoltaic farm as a renewable energy source. Pure energy in the countryside.(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Shaiith) Arlington, Virginia-based global utility owner AES Corp has acquired a major solar power project under construction in California, as it moves more of its business to renewable energy.AES acquired the 2-gigawatt Bellefield project in Kern County, California, from developer Avantus LLC for an undisclosed sum.It calls the Bellefield project the largest solar-plus-storage project currently under construction in the country. It is expected to come online in phases from 2025 to 2026, with enough...