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Bay Area moms seek to block bill to decriminalize hallucinogens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

Three Marin County moms who lost children to psychedelic use are keeping a close eye on the Legislature this week.The women, who formed a coalition to block proposed legislation that would decriminalize the personal use of hallucinogens, are closely watching the fate of Senate Bill 58.Proposed by Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, the bill would decriminalize the personal use and “social sharing” without financial gain of mescaline, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, psilocybin and psilocin. The legislation would also decriminalize facilitated use of these substances after the state Health and Human Services Agency convenes a workgroup to recommend a framework to govern their therapeutic use.RELATED: Psychedelics have 3 paths to going mainstream in California. Here’s what you need to knowOn Friday, Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, will decide whether the legislation moves to the Assembly floor for a vote or gets held ove...

Scotts Valley head-on crash claims lives of San Jose couple

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

SCOTTS VALLEY — A two-vehicle Mount Hermon Drive crash left a San Jose couple dead and a juvenile in critical condition Wednesday evening.The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased adults as Laurie E. Bryant, 58, and Steven L. Bryant, 62.The adults, traveling in a gold sedan, collided head-on with a white commercial van shortly before 5 p.m., in the stretch of road between Skypark Drive and Lockhart Gulch Road. The van’s occupant was not injured, according to Scotts Valley Police detective Sgt. Meredith Roberts. The female child, who was in the sedan, was taken to an out-of-county trauma center for care, but was expected to survive, Robert said. Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | San Jose man killed in crash after truck driver runs red light, CHP says Crashes and Disasters | Map: Two wildfires merge in Northern California’s Smith River complex Crashes and Disasters | SUV slams into disabled Jeep in latest fata...

Sharma: Ramaswamy’s luck will run out in Trump’s GOP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

There were two Indian Americans on the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee last week. This is not as unusual as it sounds. Three European prime ministers — of Portugal, Ireland, and the U.K. — are of Indian descent. Indians in the West set off few alarm bells among most white voters: They are not associated with religious extremism, or geopolitical rivalry, or identity politics.Indian Americans lead multiple large U.S. companies as well; notably, there are far fewer Chinese-American CEOs. We pride ourselves on being the model for all other model minorities.There’s success, though, and then there is emulating success. Should we be surprised when one of our tribe excels at the latter, too?And that brings us to the 38-year-old entrepreneur and GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, which is what you get when you let being a model minority define who you are.Ramaswamy’s anti-woke opinions are, I suspect, genuine and deeply held. I can see how they could emerge organically from his backgr...

Leubsdorf: Vice President Harris finding her political bearings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

The campaign to rehabilitate Vice President Kamala Harris’ image is well under way, suggesting the Democrats have finally recognized the potential problem her low public standing poses for President Joe Biden’s re-election.“Why Vice President Harris Is Invaluable for 2024,” headlined a nine-page memo from Biden-Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez and Becca Siegel, the campaign’s chief data operative. They argued her stress on issues important to core Democrats outweighs any popular shortcomings.“ICYMI: Vice President Kamala Harris Takes on Gun Safety Reform and Critical 2024 Role,” headed another release, citing an array of articles about her recent appearances.Actually, the campaign to spotlight Harris coincides with signs that she has found more of her political bearings, though it’s not yet apparent in the polls. Serving as the administration’s spokesperson on abortion, gun control and racial issues suits her a lot better than her initial assignment on immigratio...

Glowing bioluminescent waves return to California coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

The bright blue, glowing waves are back off Southern California’s coastline, lighting up dark beaches for the past week to the delight of beachgoers who scout out the unusual sight.The bioluminescent waves – caused by a dinoflagellate algae that turns the ocean red during the day but glows when agitated at night – have been documented in Oxnard and Malibu, in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, and off San Diego’s coastline in recent days.“It’s kind of sporadic along the coast, it’s not an insane algae bloom but enough where it’s in multiple spots,” said Mark Girardeau, who runs the website Orange County Outdoors and has been documenting the bioluminescent phenomenon the past few years, including several times this week. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mark Girardeau (@markgirardeau)The latest occurrence Girardeau spotted was on Wednesday, Aug. 30, when he and fellow photographer Patrick Coyne scoured Laguna Beach’s coastline. Earlier in the week, it had been spotted off of...

Boy, 12, died after collapsing in heat at California middle school, family says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

Yahshua Robinson, 12, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, after what the Lake Elsinore Unified School District called “a medical emergency” at Canyon Lake Middle School in Lake Elsinore. (Via GoFundMe) A 12-year-old boy who died after a “medical emergency” at Canyon Lake Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 29, collapsed during PE class amid what a family member called “the sweltering heat.”Yahshua Robinson’s name was released late Wednesday, Aug. 30, by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He died at 12:25 p.m. at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta, the release states.Yahshua collapsed during PE activities at school, and “became unresponsive, a tragedy we believe was brought about by the sweltering heat,” states a GoFundMe page organized by Robinson’s aunt, Amarna Plummer, that is seeking donations for the family.“Despite the response and care of medical professionals, Yahshua tragically succumbed to cardiac arrest at the hospital,” the post states.A statement issued on be...

911 tapes from Cook’s Corner convey terrified pleas, as victims groan in pain and beg for help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

“My buddy just got shot. We’re at Cook’s Corner … he can’t breathe.”With gunshots blasting in the background, callers pleaded on cellphones for rescuers to hurry.In 911 recordings released Thursday by the Orange County Fire Authority, the callers scrambled for help as a retired Ventura Police sergeant unleashed a hail of bullets at the Trabuco Canyon roadhouse grill and biker bar on Aug. 23. Three were killed and six were injured, including the gunman’s wife.In one call, a dispatcher asked who the shooter was.“Some old man,” came the reply. “He was in the bar. He came out shooting everybody. I’m sure other people are hit.”As the caller spoke, his friend, Mike, could be heard groaning in pain and struggling to breathe.“You’re all right Mike, just hang in there,” the caller told him. “They’re coming, Mike, they’re coming.”“Mike” had been shot in the left side of his body. The dispatcher told the caller to get a rag and hold it to his friend’s chest, applying pressure. Help was on the ...

U.S. Open: John Isner’s 17-year career ends in 5-set thriller

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

By HOWARD FENDRICH | AP Tennis WriterNEW YORK — John Isner rested his chin on clasped hands, the words coming slowly, the tears welling in his eyes, as he spoke during a news conference at the U.S. Open on Thursday, his last day as a professional tennis player.“It’s been a huge part of my life. It’s tough to say goodbye. It’s not easy,” the 38-year-old American said. “But eventually, this day would come. It’s hard to prepare for the emotions of it.”As career-ending days go, it would be hard to come up with a more appropriate way for Isner to bow out than a pair of final-set tiebreakers – one in singles, one in doubles – and, while he would have preferred a victory or two, of course, he did appreciate the raucous crowd support and standing ovations he was showered with at each defeat.The 6-foot-10 Isner announced the week before play began at Flushing Meadows that this Grand Slam tournament would mark his farewell, and the guy who long was his country’s best male player bowed out in ...

Modern architectural design

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

This stunning Hiller townhome offers the perfect blend of elegance, natural light and convenience.This property features vaulted ceilings, great views and space for a home office. This spacious home features three bedrooms and two-and-a-half beautifully appointed bathrooms designed to provide comfort and style.Upon entering, you’re greeted by vaulted ceilings that create an open and airy atmosphere. The versatile floor plan allows for a guest or in-law suite plus a home office or entertainment area. Natural light fills every corner of this home, highlighting the modern finishes and creating a warm and inviting ambience.The updated kitchen boasts quartz counters, providing a sleek and sophisticated look. The dining area is ideal for hosting intimate gatherings and the fireplace adds a cozy touch on chilly evenings. With hardwood floors and new carpet, this townhome offers both durability plus comfort.Situated in a prime location, you can explore the charming shops, cafes and res...

The Congolese military is accused of a deadly crackdown on a religious sect, killing at least 43

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:43:32 GMT

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — More than 40 people died and dozens were injured in clashes in the Congolese city of Goma between protesters from a religious sect and the armed forces, national authorities said.Congo’s communications ministry said the violence led to 43 deaths and 56 injuries, raising the preliminary death toll of seven announced by the army on Wednesday.Dozens were being treated for severe injuries in nearby hospitals, and nearly 160 people were arrested during the unrest on Wednesday, the communications ministry said late on Thursday. The protest was organized by a sect called the Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith Towards the Nations and known colloquially as Wazalendo. Its supporters were demonstrating against the regional East African Community organization and the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, called MONUSCO, which is in the process of being drawn down by the end of the year.Goma’s Mayor Faustin Napenda Kapend had banned the protest on Aug. 23 soon after it was an...