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US would bar full ban on trans athletes but would allow exceptions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

By Collin Binkley | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Schools and colleges across the U.S. would be forbidden from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes under a proposal released Thursday from the Biden administration, but teams could create some limits in certain cases — for example, to ensure fairness.The proposed rule sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities. If finalized, the proposal would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation enacted in 1972.It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however, and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.The proposal comes on the same day that the Supreme Court said a 12-year-old transgender girl in West Virginia can continue competing on her middle school track and cross-country teams while legal battles over the state’s transgende...

CHP: ‘Erratic’ driver survives 100-foot plunge onto Carquinez Strait shoreline

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

VALLEJO — A driver who was involved in several crashes during a Wednesday night journey survived an apparently deliberate 100-foot plunge in the vehicle onto the shoreline near the east end of the Carquinez Bridge, authorities said.The California Highway Patrol did not name the man, but said he is a San Pablo resident in his 30s.The CHP said officers in Solano County were notified about 7:11 p.m. Wednesday of a reckless Toyota Tacoma pickup driving eastbound on Interstate 80 west of Highway 4, approaching the Solano area. The CHP said the man driving the vehicle also owns the truck.A pursuit was never initiated, CHP officials said.Based on witness statements and surveillance cameras, the CHP said, the truck was traveling erratically and had been involved in several crashes, losing parts of the vehicle. No injuries were reported to others.The Toyota approached the Carquinez Bridge and entered Solano County, continuing the erratic driving, the CHP said.Near the toll plaza at the...

Tennessee’s GOP-controlled House ousts Democratic lawmaker

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

By Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise | Associated PressNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s GOP-dominated House on Thursday expelled the first of three Democratic members who were at risk of being thrown out of the Legislature for their role in a demonstration calling for gun control after the Nashville school shooting.The 72-25 vote to oust Rep. Justin Jones was an extraordinary move the chamber has used only a handful times since the Civil War.The House was also considering ousting Reps. Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson a week after the trio chanted back and forth from the chamber floor with gun-control supporters who packed the gallery. The protest happened days after six people, including three children, were fatally shot at The Covenant School in Nashville.Thousands of people flocked to the Capitol to support the three Democrats, cheering and chanting outside the House chamber so loudly that the noise drowned out the proceedings.The trio held hands as they walked onto the ...

Where to see 2023’s wildflower blooms in the Bay Area: Readers’ top picks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

We recently wrote about five places to observe 2023’s wildflower season, which due to torrential rains and previous wildfires, could be the best in the Bay Area (and possibly the entire state) in 20 years. Readers had opinions about their own favorite spots to enjoy the ongoing blooms – so without ado, here are five of them:“No way I’m telling you about my favorite wildflower spot in Sunol off of Welch Creek Road up Eagle View Trail to the bench at the lookout under the big oak tree. Do you think I want dozens of people out there enjoying the quiet, only broken by the ruffling of feathers of passing raptors? Or hikers smashing wildflowers that have burst forward after waiting for the rains to give them new life?” – JimA Venus thistle flower grows in Walnut Creek in the spring of 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)“Back entrance to Santa Teresa (County Park in San Jose) from Fortini Road and Edgewood (Park and Natural Preserve near Redwo...

SF Giants slug 5 more homers to clinch series win over White Sox, return home on positive note

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

CHICAGO — Returning home from a six-game opening road trip, the Giants will rejoice when their charter flight lands back in San Francisco at about 9 p.m. local time Thursday night. While it will be a quick turnaround to their Friday afternoon home opener, on the other side represents their longest time in their own homes, with their families, since the middle of February.“We’ve been on planes and buses and trains … five cities in eight or nine days,” manager Gabe Kapler lamented recently. “There’s been a lot of travel.”The Giants started in Scottsdale, flew to San Francisco, played an exhibition in Oakland, opened the season in New York and ended their trip in Chicago. It came to an end on a positive note Thursday, as the Giants turned in a five-homer explosion to back Alex Wood’s first start and beat the White Sox, 16-6, securing their first series win of the young season.Here are some observations:1. One turn through the Giants’ rotation, ...

Contra Costa County water district to end drought restrictions, surcharge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

One of the East Bay's largest water districts announced it will end several drought-related restrictions, including a surcharge intended to encourage water conservation. At its meeting Wednesday, the Contra Costa Water District board voted to end most water-use prohibitions approved in April 2022 and to drop the surcharge that went into effect that July. "We are in a much different situation as compared to April 2022 and accordingly, we have lifted several water use restrictions and ended the temporary drought surcharge," CCWD board president Ernesto Avila said. Rain set to return to Bay Area Thursday "At the same time, we encourage customers to continue efforts to use water efficiently as we adapt to the ever evolving water supply conditions," Avila said in a news release Thursday. The surcharge of 79 cents per 748 gallons of water, which amounted to a 15 percent increase on household water bills, will sunset at the end of April. A typical household uses about 260 gal...

Idaho’s Abortion Travel Ban Shows Dangers of GOP’s “Parental Rights” Agenda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

Demonstrators walk to the Idaho Capitol carrying anti-abortion signs on April 5, 2023.Photo: Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesThe dream of many far-right pro-natalists came true on Wednesday, when Idaho became the first state to restrict interstate travel for abortion. Abortion is already almost entirely prohibited in Idaho; the new law makes it illegal to help minors travel out of state to receive abortion care without parental consent.The legislation sits at the intersection of many of Republicans’ preferred sites of oppression today: the criminalization of pregnancy, extreme attacks on bodily autonomy, and the total decimation of young people’s liberty, all under the manufactured pretext of so-called parental rights.Idaho’s new law sets yet another grim precedent by bringing a whole new category of crime into being: “abortion trafficking.” The law defines “abortion trafficking” as anyone “recruiting, harboring, or transporting the pregnant mino...

Jordan Phillips rejoins Bills by signing 1-year contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is returning to the Buffalo Bills for a second consecutive season after signing a one-year contract on Thursday.Phillips expressed a desire to re-sign with Buffalo after completing his one-year contract last season. He had 20 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in 12 games despite closing the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. The 30-year-old previously enjoyed his role in Buffalo in 2018 and ’19, after he was released by Miami in October 2018, and claimed by the Bills on waivers.Listed at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds, Phillips has been a dependable run-stuffer playing alongside Ed Oliver in Buffalo. His 9 1/2 sacks in 2019 are the most by a Bills player since Lorenzo Alexander had 12 1/2 in 2016.Phillips was initially selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2015 draft, but grew unhappy with his limited playing time in Miami, which led to his release. He also spent the 2020 and ’21 seasons playing for Arizona.__...

Czech Republic beats Japan 2-1 in OT in women’s world hockey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Katerina Mrazova scored on a rebound on a delayed penalty at 3:16 of overtime to give the Czech Republic a 2-1 victory over Japan on Thursday in the women’s world hockey championship.Daniels Pejsova opened the scoring for the Czech Republic with 37 seconds left in the first period. Rui Ukita tied it for Japan at 3:14 of the third period. Blanka Skodova made 16 saves for the Czech Republic. Miyuu Masuhara stopped 26 shots for Japan.Japan dropped its second straight in Group A after falling 7-1 to the United States on Wednesday.Earlier in Group B, Celina Haider had two goals and two assists in Germany’s 6-2 victory over Sweden in Group B. In the night game, also in Group B, France faced Hungary.Franziska Feldmeier also scored twice for Germany, Laura Kluge and Svenja Voigt added goals and Sandra Abstreiter made 31 saves. Hilda Svensson scored twice for Sweden.Source

Harris promotes huge community solar deal in Georgia visit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:57:13 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Continuing its efforts to promote renewable energy, the Biden administration on Thursday announced what it says will be the largest community solar effort in U.S. history, enough to power 140,000 homes and businesses in three states.Vice President Kamala Harris announced the deal during a visit to the Qcells solar panel factory outside Atlanta. The South Korean company’s corporate parent, Hanwha Solutions Corp., said in January it will invest $2.5 billion to expand its Dalton, Georgia plant and build another plant in nearby Cartersville. Qcells projects it will supply about 30% of total U.S. solar panel demand by 2027, including making solar panel components usually manufactured outside the United States.A deal announced by Harris calls for Qcells and Virginia-based Summit Ridge Energy to deploy community solar projects capable of generating 1.2 gigawatts of electricity in Illinois, Maine and Maryland. Community solar projects allow people to tap into solar power g...