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‘Smash-and-grab’ robberies fuel new laws, but critics question the need

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

By David Montgomery, Stateline.orgEven before Virginia lawmakers passed a tough new law against organized retail crime earlier this year, Bradley Haywood, a public defender in Arlington, Virginia, challenged the rationale. The idea that retailers in the state had lost billions to organized theft was a myth manufactured by retailers themselves, Haywood argued.Now the outspoken lawyer has fresh ammunition for his effort to repeal the law: The National Retail Federation earlier this month retracted its April assertion that nearly half of the $94.5 billion in merchandise that went missing in 2021 was stolen by retail rings. The true percentage was only a small fraction of that amount, about 5%.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Virginia is one of at least 14 states that enacted retail theft laws over the past two years in response to reports of highly organized theft rings invading stores across the country and fleeing, collectively, with billions of dollars in ...

Top 10 albums of 2023: Do you agree with our pick for No. 1?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

It was a fascinating year for new music.There was just so much to enjoy from so many different genres in 2023 — from Latin and country to mainstream pop and indie rock.The mix was bountiful, often breathtaking, and, at times, even dizzying. But it was certainly never boring.The depth and breadth of the musical riches was underscored once again as we put together our picks for the Top 10 Albums of 2023, knowing full well that we weren’t going to come anywhere close to being able to fit all that was worthwhile and deserving on the list.Yet, we pushed ahead anyway and the result is one that we believe nicely represents the year in music.Well, at least in terms of music that was actually released in 2023.We feel it necessary to point out that the new album we listened to the most in 2023 was SZA’s “SOS.” But that one came out at the tail end of 2022 and, thus, wasn’t technically eligible for this list. Sorry, SZA. We still think you’re great.With that caveat out of the way, let’s ...

Oakland PD officer killed in line of duty

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – There was a heavy police presence in Oakland along the Embarcadero Friday morning. An Oakland police officer was shot while on duty, according to a tweet from the San Francisco police union.(AIO Filmz)(AIO Filmz)"Our prayers are with the Oakland PD officer shot this morning while doing their job and all the officers at @oaklandpoliceca and OPOA," the police union said at 9 a.m.The current condition of the officer is unknown at this time.Video from the scene showed a white pickup truck with a shattered window and apparent bullet holes. A helicopter was seen circling the area, KRON4's Michael Thomas reports from the scene. The helicopter is no longer surveilling the area. There is no word on a suspect or threat.  Suspect nabbed for fleeing from cops, alleged possession of ‘ghost’ gun, drugs There has not been confirmation of any arrest. This is a developing story.

Police activity in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management alerted the public of a police activity between Eddy St. between Leavenworth St. and Jones St. in the Tenderloin neighborhood on Friday morning. The public is advised to avoid the area.According to the agency, emergency crews are on the scene. Major police activity in Oakland Expect traffic delays, consider alternate routes, and allow for additional travel time.This is a developing story.

Keystone Resort unveils 6-person chairlift, access to 555 acres of alpine terrain

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — This Saturday, Keystone Resort is opening its brand-new Bergman Express lift, unlocking access to over 550 acres of high-alpine terrain for snow sports enthusiasts.The lift will bring skiers and riders to the top of the Bergman and Erickson bowls. Colorado is home to one of the steepest ski trails in North America Chris Sorensen, vice president and general manager of Keystone Resort, called the Bergman Express a "gamechanger for skiers and riders at Keystone." He explained that the lift gives guests new access to terrain for a wide range of abilities, including experienced beginners.The Bergman Express lift is a high-speed, six-person chair lift at Keystone Resort. (Credit: Katie Young for Keystone Resort)"Now, the majority of our guests will have the opportunity to experience the amazing feeling of being on top of the world and adventuring into the high alpine,” said Sorensen in a release. “This project has taken a tremendous amount of work and would not have bee...

Denver among WalletHub's top 10 cities for New Year's Eve

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Among many things that Denver is the best for, WalletHub recently did a study and determined that the Mile High City is among the best places to ring in the new year.The study compared 100 of the biggest cities in the U.S. based on 26 key elements of an "epic New Year's Eve celebration," including firework laws, nightlife options and affordability. 8 things to do on New Year’s Eve weekend Denver was ranked as No. 9 for the best cities to have an epic celebration without breaking the bank."The last thing you want to do in the final hours of 2023 is wreck your finances over one night of festivities," the WalletHub report reads.Here are the top 10 cities for NYE, according to WalletHub:Orlando, Fla.San DiegoNew YorkLas VegasAtlantaMiamiLos AngelesChicagoDenverWashington, D.C.While Denver was among the best, Aurora was ranked 94th overall. However, regarding affordability, Aurora was ranked at No. 12 while Denver was ranked at No. 46.Denver made its way up the overal...

91% Of Americans Fail at New Year’s Resolutions – Here’s How To Succeed in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

According to a recent Forbes Health/One Poll survey, more than half of Americans abandon their new year’s resolutions within the first three months.Every year, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, millions of Americans make promises to themselves – promises of change, self-improvement, and newfound habits. These promises, known as New Year’s resolutions, pledge a fresh start and a better future.Yet, beneath the excitement and optimism lies a stark reality: only 1% of people who make resolutions stick to them all the way until the end of the year — and of that, only 6% manage to actually change their lives long term. It’s a statistic that should give pause – one that reveals a common pattern of aspiration turning into frustration, often faster than we can say “Happy New Year.”Just under one in 10 (8%) say their resolutions last a month, 21.9% report two months, 22.2% report three months and 13.1% say they’ve kept their resolutions four months whole months, in the past.Why...

Suspect wanted for murder of woman in Lawrence arrested in Texas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

Authorities say a 53-year-old man wanted for the murder of a woman in Lawrence has been taken into custody.The Essex District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that Santana Guerrero Temporo was arrested in Texas on a Fugitive from Justice charge.According to the DA’s office, Temporo was wanted for the Dec. 25 murder of Diosmary Mejia, 21, who was found dead after police were called to a basement apartment on Salem Street in Lawrence for a well-being check earlier in the week.Family members said Mejia had been living in Lawrence for roughly one year after immigrating to the US from the Dominican Republic. She had two children back in the Dominican Republic and was working to send money back to them.Family members told 7NEWS they believed Mejia was trying to leave a troubled relationship at the time of her murder.“Maybe she wanted to leave him,” the victim’s former stepmother Nelly Perez told 7NEWS. “Because, her suitcase was already packed with all her clothes.”...

My favorite hotels in 2023 — and why they were worth the price

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

By Nikki Ekstein, Bloomberg NewsIf we thought 2023 would be a year of normal travel after a prolonged period of disruption and uncertainty, boy, were we wrong. Still, amid all of this year’s natural disasters, social unrest and geopolitical conflicts, hotels reclaimed their ability to serve as beacons of pure comfort: They largely overcame the labor and supply chain crises and returned to full-service operations.They again became capable of making us feel pampered and truly cared for during challenging times. And in fact, with 2023 also seeing the first-ever editions of the World’s 50 Best hotels list and a similar ranking by La Liste — each recognizing the industry’s global hospitality standard bearers — discussions about hotels this year were often celebratory.We certainly paid a pretty penny for that service, as nightly rates continued to soar to previously unthinkable heights.Related ArticlesTravel | Travel: Taking a superyacht to tour the Galapagos Islands in luxury ...

Ohio’s GOP governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes in girls’ sports

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:39:12 GMT

By SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON and JULIE CARR SMYTH (Associated Press/Report For America)COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a measure Friday that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors, casting the action out of step with many in his own party as thoughtful, limited and “pro-life.”He simultaneously announced plans to move to administratively ban transgender surgeries until a person is 18, and to position the state to better regulate and track gender-affirming treatments in both children and adults.The vetoed bill also would have banned transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports.At a news conference, DeWine said he is proposing a hybrid approach to gender-affirming care that he hopes can win the support of legislative Republicans — who have the votes to override his veto, if they choose — as well as serve as a national model to states, as gender-affirming care restrictions enacted ac...