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Large stretches of California are without maternity care as hospitals close labor wards

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Kristen Hwang, Ana B. Ibarra and Erica Yee | CalMattersEl Centro Regional Medical Center delivered the last baby at its 67-year-old maternity ward in early January. Then it closed its obstetrics department, leaving just one other hospital to deliver the approximately 2,500 babies born every year in Imperial County.A month later and 625 miles north, Sonoma County residents lambasted the health system Providence for its decision to cease labor and delivery services at Petaluma Valley Hospital despite promises to keep it open through 2025.Last month, Tri-City Medical Center in northern San Diego County and Centinela Hospital in Inglewood joined the growing list of hospitals nixing their labor and delivery wards.These closures are among the latest in an accelerating trend: At least 46 California hospitals have shut down or indefinitely suspended labor and delivery since 2012, according to a CalMatters analysis of hospital records submitted to the state. This includes seven hospitals ...

Pac-12 football: Our inaugural coaching Hot Seat breakdown of the 2023 hiring cycle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

The 2023 coaching carousel has started to spin and should reach full speed within weeks as schools act before the transfer portal opens in early December and recruiting peaks with National Signing Day in the middle of the month.In the Pac-12 footprint, changes in conference affiliation could impact decisions, as well.Welcome to the Hotline’s inaugural Hot Seat ratings of the 2023 hiring cycle, in which we assess the status of each school’s head coach from two angles: The likelihood of a school-initiated dismissal; and the chances of a voluntary departure.The ratings will be updated regularly until the carousel stops spinning. When that will be, we cannot guess.(Note: Compensation figures taken from USA Today’s invaluable salary database.)Here we go …ArizonaCoach: Jeff Fisch (third season)Seat heat: Sub-zeroNitty gritty: Fisch has worked wonders in Tucson, turning an 1-11 team (in 2021) into a contender for the Pac-12 championship. His use of the transfer port...

Ukraine implicates 3 Giuliani allies in Russia meddling plot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

By Nathan Hodge, Victoria Butenko and Marshall Cohen | CNNA sitting Ukrainian lawmaker who helped Rudy Giuliani smear Joe Biden during the 2020 US presidential campaign has been jailed on suspicion of treason, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday, in a statement accusing him of carrying out a Russian disinformation operation.The statement did not name the lawmaker, but a source with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed it was investigating Member of Parliament Oleksandr Dubinsky on suspicion of treason. The statement said the lawmaker “carried out information-subversive activities in favor of the Russian Federation” intended to destabilize and discredit Ukraine.The SBU has also implicated two former Ukrainian officials in the pro-Russia scheme: ex-lawmaker Andrii Derkach and former prosecutor Kostiantyn Kulyk, who coordinated closely with Giuliani and other allies of former President Donald Trump to peddle false information about Biden and his family’...

All lanes reopen after protesters block Bay Bridge Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- All westbound lanes across the full span of the Bay Bridge have reopened after protesters shut down Interstate 80 traffic heading to San Francisco during the Thursday morning commute. The protesters stopped their cars on the bridge, east of Treasure Island Road, and threw their keys into the Bay before chaining themselves together and to the bridge, according to California Highway Patrol. APEC updates: Protesters block Bay Bridge, Biden calls Xi ‘dictator’ Around 50 to 60 protesters on the bridge were arrested and processed by responding CHP officers before being led to awaiting buses, according to KRON4's Will Tran. Approximately 250 officers are on scene, according to CHP.During a news conference, the CHP said that protesters abandoned their vehicles on the Bay Bridge and threw the keys into the Bay. Fifteen vehicles have been towed from the bridge as of 9:45 a.m., and the CHP estimates another 5 to 15 more vehicles will need to be towed.Protest organizer...

Jury reaches verdict in David DePape's federal trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A jury reached a verdict for the federal trial of David DePape, the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco house, asked "Where's Nancy?" and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer when police arrived.Jurors found the 43-year-old Richmond man guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official, and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties. It took the jury less than two full days of deliberations to decide on DePape's guilt. DePape is now facing a possible life prison sentence for his failed attempt at kidnapping the U.S. House Speaker on October 28, 2022. After DePape realized that Pelosi was not home and police officers were at the front door, he beat Paul Pelosi with a hammer before the officers could stop him, trial evidence showed. David DePape cries while testifying at his federal trial on Nov. 14, 2023. (Courtroom sketch by Vicki Behringer) The jury...

APEC updates: Bay Bridge lanes reopen, Biden calls Xi 'dictator

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting entered its sixth day, protesters took to the Bay Bridge to shut down all westbound traffic moving from Oakland into San Francisco.With widespread street closures in effect, San Francisco has been transformed by the conference, which is expected to draw 20,000 people and 22 world leaders to the city. APEC street closures: How to navigate traffic, closures, and tow away zones Follow our live blog for the latest updates on protests, road closures and more.APEC San Francisco 2023 live updates:Thursday, Nov. 1611:52 a.m. -- All lanes on Bay Bridge openAll lanes on the Bay Bridge have reopened after being shut down by protesters earlier, the CHP has confirmed.11:12 a.m. -- Two westbound lanes of bridge back openTwo westbound lanes of the Bay Bridge have reopened after being shut down by protesters just before 8 a.m. Thursday. CHP officials say they hope to have all lanes reopened in 30 to 60 minutes.10:30 a.m. -- ...

Elon Musk no longer listed as speaker at APEC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

(KRON) -- Tech billionaire Elon Musk was set to speak at the Asia-Pacific Economic Coalition CEO summit Thursday but has since been removed from the list of speakers.APEC CEO Summit representatives told KRON4 that Musk had a schedule change that prevented him from coming. "We’re thankful for his offer to join the session remotely, however it was agreed among all speakers that participation would be in person. We look forward to Elon joining us at a future APEC CEO Summit."Musk was supposed to speak on the future of AI with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff but has been replaced by John Kerry, according to the APEC program. The session, “A Summit Spotlight 1:1 Conversation on AI and the Future,” will feature Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. It is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.The news came after Musk publicly agreed with a Tweet saying the Jewish community was pushing hate against white people amid the war in Gaza.Musk responded to a tweet fr...

Arkansas looks to get back on track against Florida International

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

Florida International (4-7) at Arkansas (3-7), 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)Line: Arkansas by 29 1/2, according to  FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Arkansas leads 1-0.WHAT’S AT STAKESam Pittman’s job will be about the only thing on the line for Arkansas. The Razorbacks were eliminated from bowl eligibility last week in a 48-3 loss to Auburn. During a week in which two other disappointing teams fired their coaches — Mississippi State and Texas A&M — Pittman almost certainly needs to beat the Panthers to give himself a shot to make it past Thanksgiving.KEY MATCHUPKJ Jefferson vs. Jacolby Criswell. Both are Arkansas quarterbacks, so it isn’t a matchup of opposing sides. But Jefferson’s disappointing season, largely hampered by high sack totals, resulted in his being pulled for his back-up, Criswell, in the third quarter of the Auburn game. Jefferson, a preseason All-SEC second-team selection and a senior, remains Arkansas’ best quarterback, but Criswell’s results against the Tigers were s...

Stroud, Texans look to extend winning streak to three games when they host Arizona

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

ARIZONA (2-8) at HOUSTON (5-4)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS.OPENING LINE: Texas by 4 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.AGAINST THE SPREAD: Arizona 5-5; Houston 5-4.SERIES RECORD: Cardinals lead 3-2.LAST MEETING: Cardinals beat Texans 31-5 on Oct. 24, 2021, in Arizona.LAST WEEK: Cardinals beat Falcons 25-23; Texans beat Bengals 30-27.CARDINALS OFFENSE: OVERALL (25), RUSH (9), PASS (31), SCORING (25).CARDINALS DEFENSE: OVERALL (22), RUSH (28), PASS (11), SCORING (28).TEXANS OFFENSE: OVERALL (6), RUSH (25), PASS (2), SCORING (10).TEXANS DEFENSE: OVERALL (21), RUSH (8), PASS (24), SCORING (17).TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Cardinals minus-3; Texans plus-4.CARDINALS PLAYER TO WATCH: TE Trey McBride had the best game of his career in last week’s win, catching eight passes for 131 yards. The second-year player was the first Cardinals tight end to have more than 100 yards receiving since 1989. The 6-foot-4, 246-pounder is quickly emerging as one of the team’s best playmakers and is third on the team ...

Its NCAA appeal denied, No. 18 James Madison turns to surging Appalacian State in home finale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:30 GMT

James Madison has plenty to play for in its final home game.The No. 18 Dukes (10-0, 6-0 Sun Belt) have a 13-game winning streak and senior day ceremonies before the game — and also no chance at an automatic bowl invitation.Say what?The NCAA’s rejection of the school’s request for a waiver of a rule barring programs stepping up to the Bowl Subdivision from auto-qualifying for a bowl for two years came Wednesday night, and history suggests the disappointment felt by the Dukes, their coaches and a raucous crowd will be evident on the field.Coach Curt Cignetti has said he doesn’t expect a scene like last year when in similar circumstances the Dukes beat Coastal Carolina 47-7, blared “We are the Champions” over the P.A. system and Cignetti said he wished they’d scored 65.Appalachian State (6-4, 4-2) will arrive at Bridgeforth Stadium with designs on ending the Dukes’ perfect season, then needing help from them a week later to possibly emerge as the East Divi...