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California regulators could decide oil profits penalty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he wants state regulators to decide whether to impose the nation’s first penalty on oil companies for price gouging, pivoting after months of negotiations with legislative leaders failed to reach an agreement on a bill aimed at reining in the state’s notoriously high gas prices.Gas prices in California are always more expensive than the rest of the country because the state has higher taxes and fees than other states and requires a special blend of gasoline that is better for the environment but more expensive to make. But last summer, the average price for a gallon of gas in California was more than $2.60 higher than the national average — a difference state regulators said could not be explained simply by taxes and fees. Meanwhile, oil companies recorded supersized profits.Newsom, a Democrat, responded by asking state lawmakers to pass a law that would impose hefty fines on oil companies if their pro...

Maui businessman sued for $2M after grounding luxury yacht

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — A business owner whose luxury yacht ran aground and leaked diesel fuel into waters off the Hawaiian island of Maui last month is being sued for more than $2 million in damages by a trust that sold him the vessel. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on Monday seeks at least $1.45 million for the loss of the yacht, which was supposed to be paid off over the course of 15 years, The Maui News reported. It also seeks at least $500,000 for salvage work and at least $500,000 for environmental damages. Kevin and Kimberly Albert, trustees of the Albert Revocable Trust in New Mexico, filed the lawsuit against Jim Jones, his company Noelani Yacht Charters and the ship captain. It says Jones and his company used the vessel “in a grossly negligent manner” for a personal trip without seeking the approval of the trust. The 94-foot yacht Nakoa ran aground in Honolua Bay on Feb. 20 after its mooring line snapped. Private contractors towed the ship out to sea, ...

Japan, S. Korea to mend ties at summit amid regional threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will seek to overcome disputes over history and quickly rebuild security and economic ties when they meet later Thursday for the first summit in Japan between the two nations in more than a decade.Japan’s invitation for Yoon to visit followed South Korea’s announcement of a local compensation fund for Korean victims of wartime forced labor by Japanese companies that would not require Japanese contributions. The summit underscores their shared sense of urgency to form a united front on North Korea and China with their mutual ally, the United States.Hours before Yoon departed for Tokyo, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed in open waters off Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. The launch was seen as a protest by the North of the summit and ongoing training between the U.S. and South Korean militaries.The missile launch could increase momentum for T...

UN: South Sudan must halt fighting, move faster to elections

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday demanded an immediate end to all fighting in South Sudan and pushed for swift progress by the government to ensure that delayed elections are held peacefully and freely in December 2024.The council resolution, which was approved by a vote of 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining, also extended the more than 17,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan until March 15, 2024.Last week, U.N. special envoy for South Sudan Nicholas Haysom, who heads the peacekeeping mission, called 2023 a “make or break” year for the world’s newest nation, which has been beset by civil war. Haysom told the council it’s possible the country can keep its commitment to hold elections in 21 months but only if there is political will. Most people would argue that at this stage that the political environment doesn’t exist “in which the country can withstand a robust political competition,” Haysom said.There were high hopes when oil-rich Sout...

Bears adding former Panthers QB PJ Walker, likely Justin Fields backup, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are adding another former Carolina Panther to their roster in free agency.According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bears have come to an agreement with free agent quarterback PJ Walker, likely cementing him as Justin Fields' backup at Soldier Field.Last season, Walker played 6 games in Carolina — making 5 starts — and threw for 731 yards through the air with 3 TDs and 3 INTs.Walker signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017 after coming out of Temple University as their program's all-time leading passer.Two years later, Walker found himself on the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL for their inaugural 2020 season. At the conclusion of the year, Walker finished first in passing yards (1,338) and passing TDs (15) before signing a 2 year deal with the Panthers in 2020.Of note, Walker arguably made the throw of the year last season to none other than wide receiver DJ Moore, the other now former Panther recently acquired by Chicago. What ...

Las Vegas Vietnam veteran scammed out of nearly $34,000 by phone tricks, coercion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- Ernest Harris III finds small joy in balancing his checkbook online every morning. The small joy has become a daily routine for the 75-year-old man since he and his wife moved to Las Vegas in 2000 and his time as an army combat medic in the late 1960s.“Due to my occupation in Vietnam, I was exposed to Agent Orange,” Harris told Nexstar's KLAS Wednesday morning, detailing the tactical herbicide proven to cause certain cancers and illnesses, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.He said the exposure left him battling a plethora of medical problems. He additionally has difficulty walking, breathing, and sleeping. Retired teacher and daughter scammed out of $200K while trying to buy home Now, in between dry coughs and gasps for air, he’s fighting a new battle: getting his money back.Harris explained how, one February morning, his computer locked him out and displayed a message stating it would shut down for up to 48 hours. Unlike other pop-ups, he say...

At least 7 people injured after tree branch falls unexpectedly at San Antonio Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas-- At least seven people were injured after a tree branch at the San Antonio Zoo unexpectedly fell Wednesday, according to a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson.The incident happened shortly after noon, according to a San Antonio Zoo spokesperson.San Antonio Zoo security and EMT team quickly responded and began treating guests, the zoo spokesperson said. Additionally, the San Antonio Park Police, San Antonio Police and SAFD responded within minutes.It was not immediately clear how serious the injuries were for the seven people injured, and the incident remained under investigation Wednesday.

2,000+ acre industrial park raising concerns from neighbors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - A more than 2,000 acre industrial park in parts of San Marcos and Martindale is inching closer to breaking ground on construction. The project for the massive acreage is called The San Marcos Air Rail and Truck Terminal (SMART). Developers said they chose the location because of the dramatic growth in the Austin-San Antonio I-35 corridor. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: San Marcos boom: thousands of jobs could soon be coming to city But neighbors are concerned about how it will impact those who call that area home. Annie and Noah Donovan live right across the street from part of the SMART Terminal land. The Donovan's moved into their home less than two years ago. Now, with the industrial park coming, they are considering moving out. (Photo: KXAN's Sarah Al-Shaikh)"Do we sell? Do we move because of something like this?" Noah said. The development agreement was originally approved by the City of San Marcos back in 2019. Developers are now asking to annex parts of...

Wolves drop fifth straight at home, fall to Celtics 104-102

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

Target Center continues to be a not-so-friendly confine for Minnesota.Wednesday’s 104-102 loss to the Celtics marks the Timberwolves’ fifth-straight home loss. Minnesota hasn’t won in Minneapolis since Feb. 5.Wednesday’s loss wasn’t for a lack of effort. The Wolves and Celtics engaged in a defensive slugfest flush with physicality. Scoring was at a premium thanks to poor shot-making and two teams without easy defenders to target for offense.Minnesota still managed to move the ball well, finishing with 27 assists on its 37 makes. The Wolves weren’t as stagnant as they’ve been recently against top-tier defenses. But they simply couldn’t get enough shots to fall.Anthony Edwards found a nice balance offensively, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The guard found his offense within the flow of what Minnesota was generating.In the first half, though, Edwards was the only player producing. His teammates were just 9 for 3...

State girls basketball Class 4A quarterfinal: Eden Prairie 78, Centennial 57

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:00 GMT

Four Eden Prairie players tallied double-digit point totals and four others recorded at least six as the Eagles cruised to victory, topping Centennial 78-57 in a Class 4A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Williams Arena.Ella Hardwick and Annika Anderson led the way for Eden Prairie (21-9) with 12 points apiece while Rae Ehrman and Molly Lenz finished with 10 each. The Eagles built a 19-point halftime advantage and coasted the rest of the way.Marisa Frost had a game-high 21 points for Centennial (19-11), which held stead in the second half after the Eagles ran away with the first. Emma Walsh added nine points and Autumn McCall had seven points and seven rebounds.Third-seeded Eden Prairie will face second-seeded St. Michael-Albertville in the semifinals at 8 p.m. on Thursday.Related ArticlesHigh School Sports | State girls basketball: Alexandria outshoots Hill-Murray in Class 3A quarters High School Sports | Class 4A girls basketball state quarterfinal: Thompson&...