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U.S. approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

WASHINGTON — The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine much like getting a yearly flu shot.There’s still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations Tuesday on who most needs the updated shots. Vaccinations could begin later this week, and both the COVID-19 and flu shot can be given at the same visit.A third vaccine maker, Novavax, said its updated shot is still being reviewed by the FDA.COVID-19 hospitalizations have been rising since late summer although –- thanks to lasting immunity from prior vaccinations and infections –- not...

Broncos pass rush remains ineffective in loss to Las Vegas Raiders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

Sometimes old habits die hard.That was true for the Broncos’ pass rush against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon.With the opportunity to start the season on the right foot, Denver struggled to generate pressure on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — continuing a run of poor production that dates back to the trade of Bradley Chubb to Miami after Week 8 last season.The Raiders faced third-and-7 with a one-point lead and two minutes left in regulation when Denver blitzed six defenders. But as had been the case all game, the pass rush failed to get home. Instead, Garoppolo stepped up in the pocket and scrambled eight yards for a first down, solidifying a 17-16 victory on Sunday.The Broncos finished the game with zero sacks and only three quarterback hits.“I do not feel like (Garoppolo) dropped back much early on,” outside linebacker Randy Gregory said. “I know for me that probably messed me up a little bit. As a pass rusher, you would like to get more opportunities for one-on-one rush...

Two Denver deputies suspended for not stopping jail shower assaults

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

Two Denver sheriff’s deputies will be suspended for 10 days for not stopping assaults on two inmates in the showers at the Denver County Jail in September 2022.Deputies Alana Majors and Samone Walker violated the department’s rules on “Full Attention to Duties” when they failed to see two inmates being attacked in the showers on surveillance video, according to decision letters issued by the Denver Department of Public Safety in August.Majors and Walker were tasked with watching video feeds of the facility and conducting regular rounds as part of their duties.Majors and Walker both told city officials they did not see any altercation among inmates during the time of the assaults.Descriptions of facility surveillance video detail how an inmate, PM, went to clean the showers just after 11 a.m. and was followed and attacked by other inmates. Six minutes later, an inmate identified as JH entered the showers and was also attacked.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Denve...

Jewish groups sue California school district

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

A coalition of groups representing the Jewish community has filed a lawsuit against the Santa Ana Unified School District alleging the school board adopted anti-Semitic curriculum, and did so without allowing for adequate input.Plaintiffs in the 86-page suit, which was announced on Monday, include the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. The suit claims SAUSD violated the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law, and is demanding the court block the controversial curriculum.Among their claims is that SAUSD has allowed Ethnic Studies courses to include teachings that equate Israel with “settler colonialism,” and call Zionism “a nationalist, colonial ideology” that calls for the expansion of the Jewish state in “historic Palestine by any means necessary.”When they were developing the curriculum, plaintiffs allege, the school board committee discussed how to “address the Jewish question” – meaning potential ...

Man rescued 6 miles off coast after kayak capsizes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

A 49-year-old man from Los Angeles had to be rescued some six miles out to sea, off the Ventura County coastline over the weekend, officials announced on Monday.  Blair Boyle told first responders with the Ventura County Aviation Unit that he paddled his kayak to Anacapa Island Saturday morning and that when he was returning to Oxnard Harbor, he accidentally overturned the kayak.  “He attempted to right the kayak several times but was unsuccessful before using his cell phone to call for help,” a joint news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department said.  At 2:20 p.m., fire officials received a 911 call requesting assistance in locating Boyle. A Ventura County helicopter was dispatched with a search and rescue team after receiving Boyle’s approximate GPS coordinates. A sheriff’s boat and a fire department boat were also dispatched to help locate the kayaker. “Ventura County Copter 9 responded to the area of the GPS coordinates and immediately loca...

Man Hurt in Pedestrian Crash on Bullard Avenue [Fresno, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

37-Year-Old Man Hurt in Pedestrian Crash near First StreetFRESNO, CA (September 11, 2023) – Saturday afternoon, an elderly man was hospitalized after a pedestrian crash on Bullard Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m., at Bullard Avenue and First Street.Per reports, a young driver was turning onto First Street from Bullard Avenue in the west. A pedestrian was struck by the driver as they entered the intersection.Medical responders arrived and transported the 70-year-old male pedestrian to a hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.At this time, the factors that caused the incident were not yet known and the police are still conducting a thorough investigation.When driving, it is vital to always be alert for pedestrians and other vehicles. This is especially true when you are driving through a residential area, an intersection, or a parking lot. Also, always drive within the posted speed limit. These are set and enforced to reduce accidents and save...

Oil lobby pressure dooms state bill aimed at curbing refinery pollution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

A bill that would have tripled the fines paid by oil refineries for emitting toxic pollutants, like those released last year in Martinez, has stalled in the California Legislature.The bill would have served as a way to hold companies accountable for incidents like the one last November in which residents woke up to a layer of fine white dust on their gardens and cars from a toxic chemical release by the Martinez Refining Co. Instead, the bill, AB 1465, was unceremoniously pushed to 2024 after Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner sent it to the “inactive file” last Thursday. Skinner’s senate district includes cities in Alameda County and Contra Costa County along the 880 corridor, but not Martinez.Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat who sponsored the bill, requested the delay. “Over the past week it became apparent that we were going to need more time to work on AB 1465 with our sponsor, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and with opposition groups who engaged u...

Don’t be fooled — sackless Nick Bosa made his presence felt for SF 49ers against Steelers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

For as much angst that went into the holdout of edge rusher Nick Bosa and his potential availability for the regular season opener Sunday, it couldn’t have gone much better than it did for the 49ers in their blowout road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.First, when Bosa agreed to terms last Wednesday and got to the team facility, it provided a shot of adrenaline and enthusiasm for the entire team as they went through final preparations for what turned out to be a 30-7 victory.In the game itself, the ripple effect of Bosa’s arrival was felt not only by the 49ers but by the Pittsburgh offensive line, which was hit by wave after wave of defensive linemen as coach Kris Kocurek shuttled nine players in and out to keep them fresh.Bosa wound up playing 35 snaps — only tackles Javon Hargrave (42) and Arik Armstead (41) played more — with two tackles and had none of their five sacks of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett.Yet according to Pro Football Focus rankings, ...

Letters: Common sense | Limiting dialogue | Plastic pollution | Hurting military | Trump disqualified | Televise trials

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.We should agree oncommon sense safetyRe: “Progressives have accountability problem” (Page A6, Sept. 8).A letter writer had an interesting response to the East Bay Times’ op-ed on car thefts. He blames progressive thinking for the article, which points out that the rise in car thefts could be due to Kia and Hyundai vehicles’ lack of theft protection systems.The article simply stated that the rise may be because those cars are easier to steal. Of course, stealing is wrong, and the fault of the thieves. But just as with making cars easier to steal, making guns easier to get is one cause of the increase in gun violence. Gun manufacturers shouldn’t be blamed for making guns, but they should be held responsible for lobbying to prevent practical limits to buying them.Common sense would argue for preventing car thefts, and for preventing unstable people from owning guns. Both progre...

Letters: Mishandling traffic | Religious policy | Hormones’ influence | Oppose EATS | Article distracts | Research spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:48 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Bend has mishandledincrease in trafficRe: “To see the future of California, look to Oregon” (Page A13, Sept. 10).Before packing their bags to move to Bend, Ore., Californians need to know that Joe Mathews told us only half the story.In the course of making a twice-yearly auto trip to my place in Eastern Washington over the past 40 years, I’ve seen how Bend has failed miserably in addressing the increase in traffic. A beltway designed to eliminate traffic on Highway 97 through downtown is clogged with traffic during commute hours because it was constructed with stoplights at cross streets. The section of 97 between Bend and Redmond is a dangerous four-lane highway with no center median, which is jammed with heavy traffic most of the day.It is great that Bend has constructed a beautiful new high school. However, if I were betting on a liveable future, I’d place my money on Mathew...