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From human ashes to cellphones, what’s going on with concert fans lately?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

NEW YORK — From flinging bras to tossing flowers, concertgoers have long been a bit extra in showing adoration for their beloved artists — but a recent spate of artists being hit by weightier projectiles raises concerns about extreme fan culture and security.Country singer Kelsea Ballerini was the latest artist to be struck by a flying object, Wednesday evening at a Boise concert. In the moment caught on video, Ballerini is playing her guitar onstage when a bracelet hits her face and she takes a step back. Ballerini, clearly caught off guard, takes a moment before a brief intermission is called.“Hi, i’m fine,” she later said on Instagram. “Someone threw a bracelet, it hit me in the eye and it more so just scared me than hurt me.” Ashley Highfill, 30, was at the Idaho Botanical Garden show and said Ballerini seemed visibly upset. Highfill, who often attends concerts with her friends, said it’s become a normal occurrence to see fans throwing items onstage at concerts. “Stuff lik...

Orange County social media influencer who suffered aneurysm while pregnant improving

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

The family of an Orange County social media influencer who suffered an aneurysm while nine months pregnant is sharing an encouraging update.Jackie Miller James, a digital creator with nearly 85,000 Instagram followers, was about one week away from her due date when she suffered an aneurysm rupture that led to severe brain bleeding and injury in June.The new mom was rushed to the hospital by her husband, Austin, where doctors simultaneously performed an emergency C-section and brain surgery on her, and she was placed into a medically-induced coma.Her family provided an update on her condition through Instagram on Sunday.Jackie Miller James (GoFundMe)“We are beyond thrilled to share that your loving prayers for Jackie have been working. Jackie is awake and was recently transferred to one of the best neurological rehabilitation hospitals in the country,” a statement from the family said. “The doctors have been pleased with her latest tests, numbers and evaluations, noting that Jackie i...

Earlier spring could be 'catastrophic' for bird populations, UCLA researchers say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

As the world braces for rising global temperatures due to climate change, researchers at UCLA have found that bird populations might be among the most affected by the ever-changing seasons.A new study of North American songbirds found that birds are struggling to keep up with the earlier arrival of spring, which has been gradually appearing earlier in the calendar year, driven by rising temperatures from global climate change. As a result of spring arriving earlier than it had previously, songbirds are raising fewer young, UCLA researchers discovered. Why are there so many parrots in Los Angeles? Birds typically breed during the spring when the first green plants and flowers begin to appear, researchers said. The change in temperatures is accelerating when those plants appear and making it harder for birds to know when it's time to begin breeding. If birds begin breeding too early or too late in the season, they are unable to raise as many young as the weather can damage their eg...

Kailey Saenz Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on McCutchen Road [Bakersfield, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

10-Year-Old Girl Pronounced Dead in Traffic Collision Near Mountain Ridge DriveBAKERSFIELD, CA (July 3, 2023) – Friday afternoon, a two-vehicle crash in a Bakersfield intersection claimed the life of Kailey Saenz.Officers responded to the collision on May 12th, at around 4:19 p.m. between McCutchen Road and Mountain Ridge Drive.According to reports, a driver failed to stop at a stop sign while heading westbound on McCutchen Road. There, her vehicle crashed into another vehicle occupied by at least three people.Upon arrival, police discovered a female juvenile suffering from major injuries.The victim, identified later as 10-year-old Kailey Saenz, succumbed to her injuries a short while later, despite the life-saving efforts of the paramedics. Additionally, a young boy and a female driver from the same vehicle were hospitalized for treatment of moderate injuries.Meanwhile, a woman driving the first vehicle sustained minor injuries and declined medical transport. She also stayed ...

Driver Dies in Fiery Auto Collision on 101 Freeway [Studio City, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Fiery 2-Car Accident on Tujunga AvenueSTUDIO CITY, CA (July 3, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, one driver was fatally injured in a fiery auto collision on 101 Freeway.Officers responded to the scene around 3:02 a.m., on the eastbound lanes of Ventura (101) Freeway, just west of Tujunga Avenue.For reasons under investigation, the driver of a vehicle struck a construction truck and caught fire. Upon impact, the driver became trapped inside their burning vehicle.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced the driver dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identity.Emergency crews closed off the eastbound lanes of the freeway during cleanup and preliminary duties. Once available, further details will be provided. Those who witnessed the incident are encouraged to contact local authorities as soon as possible.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased victim. Thoughts are with them during this v...

2 Killed, 5 Injured in 2-Car Accident on State Route 3 [Yreka, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

Two Pronounced Dead after Two-Vehicle Collision near Forest Mountain SummitYREKA, CA (July 3, 2023) – Saturday evening, two victims were killed and five were hurt in a 2-car accident on State Route 3.Police responded to the scene around 9:25 p.m., just south of Forest Mountain Summit.Officers say the driver of a Ford pickup-truck was traveling on a curve when they drifted onto the right gravel shoulder.As the driver attempted to swerve back onto the road, the vehicle spun out before eventually hitting the front of a passing Honda Pilot.The driver of the Honda and three juvenile passengers suffered major injuries, while a fourth child had minor injuries. They were immediately transported to Fairchild Medical Center for treatment.Meanwhile, crews pronounced the driver the passenger of the Ford dead at the scene. Although, authorities have not yet released their identities.At this time, officials withheld the names of all parties involved. Officers also continue to investigate th...

Photos: Tahiti Fete wraps up 4-day celebration in San Jose

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

Tahiti Fete of San Jose, said to be the biggest Tahitian dance competition in the U.S., just wrapped up its 26th celebration.This year’s event featured dancers from the United States, Europe and Mexico. Tahia Cambet School of Dance traveled from France, while Kawailehua Hula Ohana danced in their home city of San Jose. In total about 50 groups performed during the four-day event.Polynesian and Tahitian vendors were outside the auditorium selling arts and crafts, and Tahitian language and dance workshops were offered at San Jose Civic and the San Jose Marriott Hotel.Pua Tokumoto, who started the festival as a one-night celebration at the Civic Center, has seen it grow into a four-day affair.The festival​, which began​ in 1990 at San Jose Civic​,​ ​returned to its first home after moving to San Jose State, then being on hiatus for a few years. Tahiti Fete highlights Polynesian culture, primarily Tahitian, and helps build camaraderie among dance groups.Dancers from Makamae Melia ...

Senegal’s president says he won’t run for a third term

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

By Babacar Dione | Associatd PressDAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese President Macky Sall declared Monday evening that he will not run for a third term in next year’s elections, ending years of uncertainty over his political future that had helped fuel deadly opposition protests last month.Top opposition leader Ousmane Sonko already had called for more demonstrations around the West African country in the event Sall had instead announced his intention to run again in February.In a speech carried live on his official Facebook page, Sall maintained that Senegal’s constitution would have allowed his candidacy despite having already been elected to a second term in 2019.“Even if I have the right, I felt that my duty is not to contribute to destroying what I have built for this country,” Sall said. “I had said that the 2019 mandate was my last mandate. I know that this decision will come as a surprise to all those who have a friendship with me. Senegal is more than...

Cal State proposes regular tuition hikes to forestall budget gap

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

Multiple years of tuition increases are likely heading to California State University students as the 23-campus system seeks desperately needed cash to afford its academic mission.The institution on Thursday published its proposal to begin raising undergraduate and graduate school tuition by 6% annually starting in the fall 2024 academic year.For undergraduates, that would mean an increase of $342 in the first year. However, nearly 60% of Cal State’s students would be unaffected by the tuition hikes because they receive state financial aid.Tuition for those who pay would rise steadily, from $6,084 in the first year of the hike to $7,682 by 2028-29.The series of hikes has no end-date; instead, the proposal said Cal State leaders would reassess the plan after five years.The system’s Board of Trustees will hear the sweeping proposal at the July 11 meeting, and, according to the agenda, vote on whether to approve the tuition increases in September. Board members could choose to change t...

The Battle of Gettysburg remembered 160 years later

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:45 GMT

One of the bloodiest battles in American history is being remembered 160 years later. The Battle of Gettysburg, in addition to its ferocity, is known as a major turning point in the Civil War.On July 1, 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Union Maj. Gen. George Meade and their forces violently clashed around the small Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg.Lee had just been victorious a month earlier in the Battle of Chancellorsville and decided to take the 75,000 man Army of Northern Virginia north of the Mason-Dixon Line, hoping to force negotiations to end the fighting.Maj. Gen. George Meade had just taken command of the 90,000 man Army of the Potomac and was ordered to keep his forces between Lee and Washington D.C.The three-day long engagement resulted in 50,000 casualties.“This was a huge moment, sometimes actually referred to as the high watermark of the Confederacy, and the Union victory there had a tremendous impact on the outcome of the war,” said Mary Koik with the Am...