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Barabak: Election officials are quitting in droves. Why you should care

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

Election denialism is a losing cause.Studies of the vote in 2022 put the penalty at anywhere from 2% to 7%, depending on the office.In other words, Republicans who spread the Big Lie about massive fraud and a stolen 2020 election received significantly less support — in races for secretary of state, governor and Congress — than Republicans who refused to traffic in such nuttiness.But new research by a political reform group, Issue One, has given us something else to worry about: a troubling exodus of local election officials — those on the front lines fighting for truth, justice and the American way.In 11 Western states, including California, roughly 40% of the chief local elections officials are new to the job since 2020, the study found.In four states — Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah — the turnover exceeds 50%.Why does that matter?“It takes a long time to learn how to do what we do,” said Ryan Ronco, the elections chief in Placer County and head...

Tranquil midcentury beauty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

This stunning four-bedroom, three-bathroom Piedmont Pines home is a treasure.This carefully updated home showcases high vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows with deck access and a peaceful view. Built in 1956, it has been lovingly updated with a keen attention to craftsmanship and detail. This charmer offers two fireplaces and an abundance of natural light. Two primary suites have private decks and gorgeous updated bathrooms.The well-equipped, stylishly updated kitchen overlooks the front courtyard. A large family room with exterior access offers many possibilities.With vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan and a two-car garage, it’s a wonderful place to call home.Location: 6251 Girvin Drive, OaklandPrice: $1,295,000Open house: Oct. 15, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 6251GirvinDr.comContact: Nahid Nassiri (510) 851-5244  Lic. #00827680

France boosted by Dupont return in Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against South Africa

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Antoine Dupont will captain France in its Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against defending champion South Africa following a broken cheekbone, giving the host team a huge boost on Friday in its mission to deliver a first title and do it on home soil.Dupont sustained the facial fracture in a head-on-head tackle by Namibia’s Johan Deysel three weeks ago, putting his tournament in doubt and leading to major fretting in the French camp. The brilliant scrumhalf is widely acknowledged as the world’s best player.Dupont had surgery on the injury, was cleared for full-contact training at the start of the week, and was back in the lineup for a pivotal moment in the French campaign. France beat three-time champion New Zealand in the tournament’s opening game and victory over the Springboks, also three-time winners, would doubly confirm France’s title credentials.“I thought (my) competition was over,” Dupont said. “I had to wait for the tests, the appointment with the sur...

France star Dupont cleared to face South Africa in Rugby World Cup quarterfinal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

PARIS (AP) — After fearing a broken cheekbone ended his Rugby World Cup campaign, France captain Antoine Dupont reassured anxious supporters of the title-chasing tournament host on Friday: “I’m at the top of my game.”Dupont was picked to start in the quarterfinal against defending champion South Africa at Stade de France on Sunday, 3 1/2 weeks after a sickening collision of heads broke his face.“I feel very well. I haven’t felt any pain and that’s what reassured me,” Dupont said in his first public comments. “If I’m playing now it means that I’m feeling well and the doctor has validated my presence.”Dupont was cleared only on Monday by the surgeon who repaired him to resume full contact training, and he will wear a scrum cap at the surgeon’s request. “It doesn’t bother me or interfere with my vision,” Dupont said. “I wasn’t put under any pressure by the staff. We respected all the deadlines and what was important was how I felt.”When he was injured by an ille...

England boldly picks Marcus Smith at fullback against Fiji for Rugby World Cup quarterfinals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — England made the bold decision to start Marcus Smith at fullback for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Fiji on Sunday.Smith, typically a flyhalf, was handed his first international start at No. 15 for the pool match against Chile in what was regarded as an experiment.England coach Steve Borthwick is going with the same ploy for his team’s biggest match of the tournament, with Freddie Steward — who has been a solid option at fullback for the past two years — not even making the matchday 23.Steward is reliable under the high ball but that might not be important against Fiji, whose attacking game relies on its power runners and offloading more than up-and-unders and an aerial threat. That might explain Borthwick’s preference for Smith, who has more flair as a broken-field runner.Owen Farrell reverts to flyhalf, meaning George Ford drops to the bench.___England: Marcus Smith, Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Al...

Czech parliament’s lower house approves government plan to keep ballooning deficit under control

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech parliament’s lower house on Friday approved dozens of measures proposed by the government designed to keep the ballooning budget deficit under control.Czech citizens are a step closer to paying more for beer and medicine while businesses will face higher corporate taxes.In the 200-seat house, 108 lawmakers from the ruling coalition voted in favor of the plan, while 86 opposition members were against.When the government introduced the package in May, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the proposed cuts, tax increases and austerity measures are necessary because the pace of the debt rise is “threatening.”Fiala said Friday the measures should reduce the budget deficit by 97 billion Czech crowns ($4.2 billion) next year and by 150 billion ($6.5 billion) in 2025.As a result, the deficit of 3.5% of the gross domestic product expected for this year should drop to 1.8% next year and to 1.2% in 2025. The package still needs approval from the upper house, the Senate, where...

Denver weather: Pinpoint Weather Alert Day for freeze warning

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver weather will stay cool and breezy Friday ahead of a freeze warning in effect. Friday is a Pinpoint Weather Alert Day with the first freeze of the season occurring overnight. Time to prepare your sprinkler system before the first freeze Pinpoint Weather advisories in Colorado on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 (KDVR) Weather today: Cool with sunny skiesTemperatures start out Friday morning in the upper 30s and lower 40s.Slowly, temperatures on Friday will rise into the middle to upper 50s under mostly sunny skies. Pinpoint Weather forecast in Colorado on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 (KDVR) Weather tonight: First hard freezeA freeze watch is set to go into effect late Friday through Saturday morning. During this time, temperatures will fall below freezing, making it the first hard freeze for the Denver area. First freeze in Denver: How to protect your plants from the cold Pinpoint Weather Friday night forecast in Colorado on Oct. 13, 2023 (KDVR) Looking ahead: Slow...

Hamas calls for worldwide protests prompting increased security measures in South Florida

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

In response to a call by Hamas leaders for a global “Day of Rage” on a holy day for Muslims, South Florida is stepping up security measures despite no specific credible threats. The call for worldwide protests has raised concerns and prompted heightened vigilance across the region. “We’re going to have a police presence throughout October 13th because of the threat,” said Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun of Skylake Synagogue. “We are asking everyone to be extra vigilant, cautious, and open up your eyes and ears.”Skylake Synagogue Hebrew School in North Miami Beach is among the institutions taking precautionary steps in response to the call for protests on a significant religious day. “To call on his believers — his followers — to sacrifice blood and soul to kill innocent people, on a day that is designated in the Muslim faith to prayer. It’s uh, I mean I think, it’s overwhelming,” expressed Rabbi Yeshurun. Rabbi Yoni ...

Alaska Airlines has created a coffee that it says tastes better in the sky

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

New York (CNN) — Drinking bad coffee is just one of the many downsides of flying. Alaska Airlines thinks it has a solution.Alaska has created a custom blend with Portland-based roaster Stumptown to make a coffee that’s immune from the altitude-changing effects that airborne-served coffee typically creates, including tasting bitter and weak.The custom coffee, a first for a major airline, will exclusively be served on every Alaska flight, including its regional carrier Horizon Air, by December 1.Taste and smell are inextricably combined and people’s sense of smell is significantly altered in the sky. Food and drinks taste different because pressurized cabins lower blood oxygen levels, which reduces the ability of olfactory receptors (i.e. the ability to smell). The extremely dry air of the cabin, with its humidity levels lower than that of the Sahara Desert, also affects the nose.To combat those effects, Alaska turned to Stumptown’s Holler Mountain, a medium-dark blend, for the base, ...

Oklahoma judge could be removed for her text exchanges during a murder trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:18:51 GMT

(CNN) — An Oklahoma judge may be forced to step down for allegedly exchanging over 500 text messages with a bailiff in which she mocked trial participants and talked offensively about the state’s attorneys while she presided over a murder trial in June, according to a petition filed Tuesday.Texts cited in the filing described Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom making fun of attorneys, jurors and witnesses and showing bias against state prosecutors while also showing bias in favor of the defendant and complimenting the defense attorney, the filing claims.The petition came after a probe into the judge’s phone use by the Council on Judicial Complaints.Soderstrom’s attorney did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.According to the petition, Soderstrom was presiding over a first-degree murder trial. The defendant was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter, a verdict that Soderstrom accepted, and imposed a four-year sentence, time served, resulting in no ad...