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Leubsdorf: Vice President Harris finding her political bearings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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 09:11:46 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...

Emergency services leave South Africa fire scene. Now comes the grisly task of identifying bodies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:46 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Emergency services teams have left the scene of one of South Africa’s deadliest inner-city fires and pathologists faced the grisly task Friday of identifying dozens of charred bodies and some body parts that have been transported to several mortuaries across the city of Johannesburg.That will establish whether the death toll of 74 rises following Thursday’s predawn blaze at a derelict downtown apartment building that was inhabited by mainly homeless people and others who found themselves marginalized in one of Africa’s biggest cities.Emergency services personnel conducted three searches through all five stories of the building and believe that all bodies and body parts have been removed from the scene, Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe said. Radebe said the building — now a burned out shell — has been handed over to the police and forensic investigators, who will conduct their own searches.The remains of some of the victim...

Muere Jack Sonni, exguitarrista de la agrupación británica de rock Dire Straits, a los 68 años

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:46 GMT

(CNN) — Jack Sonni, exguitarrista de la banda británica de rock Dire Straits, murió en las últimas horas, según anunció el grupo en las redes sociales.“#JackSonni Descanse en paz”, escribió la banda en X, antes conocido como Twitter, este jueves junto a una fotografía en blanco y negro del guitarrista. Tenía 68 años.Sonni, que nació en Indiana, Pensilvania, conoció a los miembros fundadores de Dire Straits y guitarristas David y Mark Knopfler mientras trabajaba en una tienda de guitarras en Manhattan en 1978, según un post en blog de Dire Straits, que fue compartido por la banda en las redes sociales.Muere Bob Barker, expresentador de “The Price Is Right”, a los 99 añosLos Knopfler habían fundado la banda el año anterior con el bajista John Illsley y el batería Pick Withers.Conocido cariñosamente como “el otro guitarrista” —etiqueta que aceptó en la biografía de su propio sitio web—, Sonni empezó a tocar con la banda, incluso en el álbum “Brothers...

Labor Day weekend forecast: Cool start with temperatures climbing for the holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:11:46 GMT

Friday is expected to start off cool but gradually warm up for the Labor Day weekend as the D.C. region gets ready to celebrate the unofficial end to summer.Temperatures are expected to start in the 50s and lower 60s on Friday but climb to at least 80 degrees for most of the D.C. area on Saturday. By Labor Day, it will be in the mid-90s.“It will be very hot for this time of year,” said 7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans. “Humidity will increase but it won’t be as high as July.”But Friday’s temperatures are starting as the coldest since late May or early June, Evans said. While the temperatures are expected to warm on Friday, they will drop again into the 50s Friday night and overnight into Saturday before jumping up the holiday weekend.On Sunday and Monday, temperatures are expected to get even hotter, with feels-like temperatures edging near the triple digits.“A lot of sunshine, not expecting any rain in that forecast,” Evan...