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California police can no longer ask common question at a traffic stop starting in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

(KTLA) — Potentially millions of California drivers have been asked the same simple question by an officer after being pulled over: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"However, starting in January 2024, officers cannot start the interaction with that question and instead must state the purpose of the traffic stop before asking any other questions. The same goes for any stops conducted on a pedestrian. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2773 in the fall of 2022 and it goes into effect on Jan. 1. According to the text of the law, the only time that officers can skip stating the reason for the stop is if the officer deems it necessary "to protect life or property from imminent threat." ‘That ’70s Show’ actor Danny Masterson begins lengthy sentence at California prison The law was created to reduce "pretextual stops," in which an officer stops a vehicle or pedestrian for something minor with the intent of searching the driver and vehicle to determine if a larger crime is evident, such as exp...

Pierce Brosnan cited for alleged incident at Yellowstone National Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

(WJW) – Actor Pierce Brosnan will have to appear in court over an incident that allegedly happened at Yellowstone National Park.According to a court document obtained by People and CNN, the James Bond actor was cited for entering protected areas of the park in early November.Brosnan has been accused of "foot travel in all thermal areas and [within] Yellowstone Canyon," as well as "violating closures and use limits." The docket, filed in U.S. District Court in Wyoming, lists the charges as a petty offense, according to People and CNN. National parks can ban you from visiting: Here’s how Brosnan, 70, has been ordered to appear at the Yellowstone Justice Center on Jan. 23. It's unclear what exactly prompted the charges; representatives for Brosnan have yet to comment on the incident.Officials with Yellowstone National Park didn't immediately respond to Nexstar's request for additional information. Gypsy Rose Blanchard released from prison Yellowstone National Park is well-known for...

APD: Female recruitment increasing 'faster than anticipated' under Chief Henderson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department pledged in 2022 to work toward having women make up 30% of the police force by 2030. It's called the "30x30" initiative. "With a consistent effort passionately supported by Chief Robin Henderson, we have increased the numbers faster than anticipated," APD said in an email response to our questions about the progress of the initiative. "The Austin Police Department will remain steadfast in advancing the representation of women in policing for the foreseeable future." Chief’s Run features 25 APD cadets graduating next week Below is a breakdown of the female recruitment numbers spanning from the class that graduated in November 2022 to the current cadet class still going through the academy.APD provided female recruitment data broken down by cadet class applicants and hires. (Credit: APD)"The most recent class, which started in September, started at 29% female," APD said. "The four classes prior showed a combined average of 16% f...

City working to reduce crashes at south Austin intersection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin is moving on to the next phase of a project at South Congress Avenue and Stassney Lane, adding safety improvements and mobility upgrades to one of the city's most dangerous intersections. South Congress Avenue between William Cannon Drive and Ben White Boulevard is listed as one of the 13 roadways in the High Injury Network. In the past four years there have been eight serious crashes at or near the intersection of Congress and Stassney that resulted in three deaths. Austin city leaders approve agreement to fund fix for ‘high-crash’ intersection Planned improvements The city said it is planning to add more left-hand turn lanes to both sides of Congress Avenue while also raising concrete medians. The project will come with expanded bike and walk paths along with restriped, high-visibility crosswalks to help with mobility and pedestrian safety. The project will also come with improved signal infrastructure and six new Capital Metro bus stops. Wor...

Travel Alert: Closures on I-87 scheduled for January 6

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Thruway Authority is alerting drivers that on January 6, 2024, at 7 p.m., the northbound lanes of the Thruway (1-87) from exit 17 in Newburgh to exit 18 in New Paltz will be fully shut down to all traffic for at least 12 hours. The closure will allow for a portion of the damaged Brookside Road overpass in New Paltz to be removed over the northbound lanes, weather permitting. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The Plattekill Service Area will be closed as a result. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes while the operation takes place.

Massive fire guts Los Angeles home leaving 1 dead, 2 critical

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

One person is dead and two others are in critical condition after a fire raged through a home in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles Thursday morning. The fire was reported at a one-story, single-family home in the 700 block of South Street Louis Street near Hollenbeck Park shortly before 4:30 a.m. Arriving firefighters found the home fully engulfed and were initially forced into a defensive mode, a Los Angeles Fire Department news alert stated.It took more than 50 firefighters 25 minutes to finally extinguish the flames. Crews determined that five people had been inside the home at the time of the fire. One person, who made it out of the home and was located on a porch, was "beyond medical help and determined deceased on scene," the news alert stated. Two patients were pulled out of the fire and transported in critical condition, according to the Fire Department. Massive surf to peak along Southern California coast Thursday Two other occupants were found outside the ho...

Dangerous surf to peak along Southern California coast Thursday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

Residents and beachgoers are being warned about the dangers of a massive swell that is expected to reach its peak along the Southern California coastline Thursday.The high surf and flooding dangers are of particular concern in Ventura County and at Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service. Waves of 10 to 15 feet with sets to 20 feet are expected along the Ventura County coast. A high surf warning and coastal flood warning are in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Saturday. “Most dangerous conditions are expected later today (Thursday),” KTLA’s Omar Lewis said.Beachgoers are being urged to use caution as high surf hits the Southern California Coast Thursday. (National Weather Service Los Angeles)Surf near Point Conception and Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches will reach 7 to 12 feet with sets between 15 and 20 feet, according to the Weather Service. “We’re all excited,” said Manhattan Beach resident Rub...

Kratom vs. Cannabis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

View the original article about Kratom vs. Cannabis at Real Tested CBD.If you’ve been shopping around CBD stores, vape shops, or delta-8 dispensaries, you’ve probably run across kratom. Indeed, many hemp vendors nowadays put kratom front-and-center in their advertising. Since kratom is so prominent in the CBD and delta-8 market, you may assume it has something to do with the cannabis plant.Although many kratom proponents believe this drug shares many traits with hemp products like CBD, the two are not the same. In fact, kratom is an entirely different plant species with a unique chemistry. New customers must understand they can’t use kratom interchangeably with the delta-8 or CBD products listed on Real Tested CBD.So, What Is Kratom Exactly?Since kratom is so often found in cannabis shops (and has the same “k-sounding” beginning), many people confusingly think it’s a variant of the cannabis species. Honestly, kratom has a lot more to do with coffee than cannabis.Technically, kratom ...

Danny Masterson sent to California prison to serve sentence for rape convictions, mug shot released

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

DELANO  — “That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson has been sent to a California state prison to serve his sentence for two rape convictions.Authorities said Wednesday that the 47-year-old Masterson has been admitted to North Kern State Prison, and they released his first prison mug shot. The photo shows him wearing orange prison attire, with long hair and a beard.In June, Masterson was convicted of raping two women in his Los Angeles home in 2003. In September, a judge sentenced him to 30 years to life in prison. His wife, actor Bijou Phillips, filed for divorce in the weeks that followed after a marriage of nearly 12 years.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am gets serious: No Hollywood celebrities or exhibition events Crime and Public Safety | Tatum O’Neal and two brothers shut out of Ryan O’Neal’s funeral, one brother says Crime and Public Safety | New Melania Trump mystery: She skips...

7 terrific Bay Area things to do over New Year’s weekend, Dec. 29-Jan. 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:44 GMT

Whether you’re aiming to ring in 2024 at home or on the town, we have some great ideas to add to your weekend plans. So let’s get to it, shall we?As always, be sure to double check event and venue websites for any last-minute changes in health guidelines. Meanwhile, if you’d like to have this Weekender lineup delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning for free, just sign up at www.mercurynews.com/newsletters or www.eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.1 SEE & HEAR: Great shows are all overWhether you’re looking to rock out or laugh your fool head off (both solid objectives, in our book), this weekend offers lots of options. And if you’re still formalizing your New Year’s Eve plans, here’s a handy roundup of who’s playing where to ring in 2024.2 COOK & EAT: Get a head start …It’s a resolution a lot of us make every year — we’ll cook at home more and we’ll eat healthier. Well, Orinda cookbook author and former...