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An affirmative reaction: Focus on family income levels and end the legacy boost for connected kids

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

The Supreme Court has spoken, invalidating racial preferences in college admissions as was widely anticipated. The six-justice conservative majority deemed the boost that universities give some applicants purely on the basis of their ethnicity or skin color incompatible with the U.S. Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the laws.There is plenty we disagree with in the reasoning as articulated by Chief Justice John Roberts. He — and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, tapped for the court by George H.W. Bush in part, let’s be honest, because he is Black — gives too-short shrift to the educational benefits of diversity. Colleges seeking to give their students a well-rounded education and mint future leaders have very good reason to go out of their way to admit all types of people from different walks of life and backgrounds, including different racial backgrounds.We cannot, however, dispute that racial preferences that disadvantage Asia...

Lunds and Byerly’s workers poised to strike reach agreement with company

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Grocery workers who had been poised to strike last week instead “overwhelmingly” agreed to a two-year contract with Lunds & Byerlys that provides “historic wage increases and pay equity” to the 2,500 employees at 22 stores in the west metro, union officials announced Saturday night.Members of UFCW Local 663 will see average raises of $3.00 to $4.00 an hour by the spring of 2024, the union said in a press release.The workers on Tuesday had called off a planned holiday weekend strike after reaching a tentative agreement with corporate leaders to raise wages and preserve worker oversight of health care.The deal cemented Saturday affects full- and part-time employees.One full-time employee quoted in the press release said she was excited for her part-time colleagues.“They work hard and they deserve it,” said Anita Pitcher, a 45-year union member who works full time in the deli at the Maple Grove store. “They are a major part of this team — f...

Real World Economics: High court education decisions raise fairness questions

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Edward LottermanIt is likely that few people were surprised by the 6-3 Supreme Court decision released Friday quashing President Joe Biden’s attempt to forgive all or part of the student loans of some 27 million Americans.Elections have consequences, including the long-run composition of the Supreme Court. Among other factors, progressives bemoaning this decision who felt conscience bound to vote for Ralph Nader in 2000 or Bernie Sanders in 2016 need to look in the mirror.But putting my sympathies with beleaguered student borrowers aside, I stand with many others who were troubled by the Biden program. It stretched the U.S. Constitution’s clear requirement for congressional action to both “authorize” and “appropriate” any U.S. Treasury outlays to the breaking point. It strains credulity to accept that members of Congress who voted for the 2003 HEROS bill intended it to enable a $400 billion student loan forgiveness action two decades later. But that’s what Biden tried to do.Th...

Thousands of L.A. County residents could lose Medi-Cal coverage after pandemic rules expire

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Health officials are raising concerns now that thousands of Los Angeles County residents may lose their Medi-Cal access. According to L.A. Care – a publicly operated health plan in L.A. County – 40,000 residents could be removed from their programs now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, the federal government prevented states from removing people from their programs, which allowed people to keep their coverage without turning in paperwork to prove that they were eligible for the coverage. However, now the paperwork must be submitted to determine if you qualify.  Local hotel worker strike looms amid upcoming holiday weekend “The county sent the annual renewal packet out and requested information from [individuals],” said Medi-Cal Director of Product Management Karla Romero. “[If] they didn’t send it back in time, their Medi-Cal coverage will be discontinued.” The rollback has already pushed 1.5 million people...

LASD seeking public’s assistance in locating critical missing teenager in Palmdale 

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing teen from Palmdale. According to LASD, 17-year-old Eduardo Alvarez was last seen on Saturday around 4 p.m. in the 37400 block of Silk Tree Lane in Palmdale. Eduardo is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has brown curly hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue shirt and black pants. According to LASD, Eduardo may be driving this white newer model Toyota Camry. (LASD)He may be driving a white newer model Toyota Camry. According to his family, he has no history of running away, and they are concerned for his well-being. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Castle or the Palmdale Station Watch Commander at 661-272-2400. Anonymous information can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org 

Facts about the Declaration of Independence you may not know

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

(KTAL/KMSS) – As children, Americans are taught about a fateful day in July when 56 people approved the Declaration of Independence to initiate the escape from the reign of King George III, but there are key facts about that day in 1776 that are overlooked or misunderstood, including the date of the signing itself. Independence Day is could "technically" be July 2 or August 2nd The Continental Congress actually voted to declare independence on July 2, through what is known as the Lee Resolution, however, the Declaration was edited, finalized and adopted on July 4. In 1941, July 4 became the day the nation collectively would celebrate its independence. However, it wasn't until August 2nd that the document was signed by the larger group of founding fathers. There may have been an obvious reason for John Hancock's large signatureJohn Hancock’s bold signature has inspired patriotic lore, with one popular telling explaining that he wanted the British to be able to "read his name withou...

Man in critical condition after being shot while driving in Oakland

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

OAKLAND — An 18-year-old man who was shot while driving in East Oakland Saturday was in critical condition, authorities said.The man was found  just before 4 p.m. Saturday inside a car that had crashed into a parked vehicle in the 1400 block of 85th Avenue.Authorities said the man was shot while he was driving and was able to continue to where he crashed.Exactly where the shooting happened has not been confirmed, authorities said.Police have not released a motive yet for the shooting and have not made any arrests.Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the shooter.  Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3326 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572. 

Summer BBQ at Milpitas senior center has island vibe

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Milpitas Recreation and Community Services hosted a colorful annual Summer BBQ with a Hawaiian flair on June 24 at the Milpitas Barbara Lee Senior Center.About 70 guests were decked out their best aloha attire and checked in for the event to receive Hawaiian leis and a souvenir Tiki glass.The tables were decorated in a luau theme, ornamented by pineapples. The barbecue featured Hawaiian rice and other delicacies, capped off by Hawaiian shave ice. The Hui’llima Dancers provided entertainment—singing, playing ukulele and dancing—and led a dance class for guests to join in and perform.The event was also a birthday party for Marie Kaiser, who turned 102 in May. The former registered nurse and educator now lives in the Milpitas Calaveras Hills. To this day, Kaiser is actively running a business with her daughter Dr. Arlene Kaiser, a professional speaker, teacher and author.Her age didn’t prevent Kaiser from joining her family and friends on the dance floor when local DJ Oh Henry played r...

Motorcyclist dies in Oakland traffic collision

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

OAKLAND — A 44-year-old motorcyclist died Saturday after he had a collision with an SUV in East Oakland, authorities said.The name of the man killed, an Oakland resident, has not yet been released.The collision happened just before 3 p.m. Saturday in the 1600 block of 90th Avenue.Police said that based on witness statements and video from the area that was recovered, the motorcyclist was riding northbound on 90th Avenue at a high rate of speed when he crossed over a double yellow line while failing to stop at a posted stop sign at Walnut Street.The motorcyclist then struck a Mercedes SUV which was making a legal U-turn at the intersection, police said.The motorcyclist, who police said was not wearing a helmet, was ejected onto the roadway. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.The Mercedes driver remained at the scene, police said.Police said it is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were also factors in the collision.The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with...

Magical Bridge Playground hosts inclusive story times

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:43:57 GMT

Free inclusive story timesThe Magical Bridge Playground at Fair Oaks Park, 540 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is hosting free inclusive story times are for all children, with and without disabilities, twice a month through November.All story times run 11-11:30 a.m. on the following dates: Friday, July 14; Thursday, July 20; Thursday, Aug. 17; Friday, Sept. 1; Thursday, Sept. 21; Friday, Oct. 6; Thursday, Oct. 19; Friday, Nov. 3 (weather permitting); and Thursday, Nov. 16 (weather permitting)This program is recommended for children up to age 5 and their caregivers, but everyone is welcome. Registration is not required. For more information, call 408-730-7350.Slurry sealing on Mary AvenueTraffic control measures will be in place along Mary Avenue between Homestead Road and El Camino Real July 7-14 while the road is being will be slurry sealed in segments. These measures will be in effect Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., along Mary and Reed avenues until the work is completed in mid-August.The contra...