California Governor Declares Homeless Crisis ‘a Disgrace’
SAN FRANCISCO — With tens of thousands of people living on the streets of California, the homelessness crisis has become the state’s defining issue. Gavin Newsom, the emergency had become so dire that he devoted his entire State of the State address on Wednesday to the 150,000 Californians without homes. “Let’s call it what it is: It’s a disgrace that the richest state in the richest nation, succeeding across so many sectors, is falling so far behind to properly house, heal and humanely treat so many of its own people,” Mr. Newsom told lawmakers in Sacramento. “Every day, the California dream is dimmed by the wrenching reality of families and children and seniors living unfed on a concrete bed.”Vulnerable to the charge that the problem has exploded under Democratic rule in California, Mr. Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, pleaded with — and at times admonished — legislators to take action. “The hard truth is for too long we’ve ignored this problem,” Mr. Newsom said.
Source:New York Times
February 20, 2020 00:00 UTC
Kid Actor From ‘Parasite’ Totally Loses It Watching His Oscars Win From Home
Jung Hyeon-jun may only be 10 years old, but he is already fulfilling his life’s purpose. The “Parasite” actor was too young to go to the Oscars earlier this month to witness the film’s historic Best Picture win, but his family captured his reaction as he watched the ceremony at home. “I thought it would be awesome to get it, and we actually won the award!” Jung told the Associated Press on the day of the win. I think I was born to receive an Oscar.” In the heartwarming video, an overwhelmed Jung is seen screaming and jumping up and down during the moment “Parasite” claimed the coveted title. PARASITE PARTY: 10-year-old #Parasite#기생충 star Jung Hyeon-jun might have been too young to go to the #Oscars – but he still enjoyed the excitement of the best picture win.
Source:Huffington Post
February 19, 2020 23:37 UTC
A housing bill died in Sacramento. Now L.A. business leaders are exploring their own plan
The ballot proposal is being discussed weeks after Sacramento legislators rejected Senate Bill 50, which would have allowed the construction of mid-rise apartments near job centers and mass transit, including in single-family neighborhoods. And developers would be required to include some percentage of affordable housing in most residential projects of 10 or more units, Neuman said. Renters’ rights activists have complained that the Atlas project will not offer any on-site affordable housing. City officials said Atlas had agreed to provide $2.5 million toward efforts to preserve affordable housing in Councilman Gil Cedillo’s Eastside district. In an interview, Neuman said he has spent decades working on the issues of homelessness and affordable housing, volunteering with the United Way and several other organizations.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 23:18 UTC
New York man arrested 3 times in 1 day; police say bail-reform law to blame
At 2:30 p.m., he was arrested again for an alleged assault and again released. "They just basically become a reactive instead of a proactive police department," said Nicholas Laviano, president of Troy's police union. Nolan is known to Troy police, Laviano said, adding that he has a criminal history 50 pages long. He had been arrested on suspicion of criminal mischief in January and released soon after. Charles Barry, 56, has been arrested six times since the law went into effect on Jan. 1.
Source:Fox News
February 19, 2020 22:18 UTC
Sanders soars past Biden, Bloomberg in national poll
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is the standout front-runner in the Democratic primary race, while former leader Joe Biden continues his downward spiral after big losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to new polling. Trump’s approval rating also hit a record of 51 percent among independents, the polling out Tuesday found. The survey shows Sanders leading the pack after his strong finishes in the first two early voting states at 27 percent support among Democratic primary voters – unchanged from January’s polling. But Biden, who previously led at 26 percent last month, fell to a distant second place at 15 percent. BLOOMBERG QUALIFIES FOR LAS VEGAS DEBATE WITH LAST-MINUTE POLLA similar poll out this week showed Bloomberg’s surge, which helped him qualify for Wednesday’s debate in Nevada.
Source:Fox News
February 19, 2020 21:45 UTC
This Is the TV Ad the Oscars Didn’t Allow On Air
A few months ago, the feminine hygiene brand Thinx ran its first television ad, called MENstruation, which depicted an alternate reality where men menstruate. CBS rejected the spot because of a tampon string that executives found too “graphic,” according to reporting in The New York Post. But 18 other networks, including Bravo, MTV, E!, TLC and NBC, ran the full advertisement. As for what kind of advertising ultimately did pass muster at the Oscars, where 30 seconds of advertising went for $2.6 million, the biggest winners were pharma and media entertainment and the career website Indeed. (The rejected Frida spot has been viewed over 3.7 million times online, but that is still far less than the 18 million women it would have reached during the Oscars.)
Source:New York Times
February 19, 2020 21:33 UTC
Who’ll wait tables and build houses? Britain’s new immigration plan triggers outcry
That reversal comes as Britain abandons a cornerstone of its membership in the bloc, free movement among what had been its 28 nations. Johnson’s harsh approach also mirrors that of President Trump, who favors an immigration system that would essentially exclude the poor and unskilled. “No more musicians getting their big break... No more care workers looking after aging Brits. “Cutting off the supply of prospective care workers under a new migration system will pave the way for more people waiting unnecessarily in hospital or going without care,” the U.K. Homecare Assn. Under the plan, immigration would be slashed from its current level of more than 200,000 people a year, although the government has not set a new target.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 21:33 UTC
Whitney Houston’s hologram revue sounds great, looks lifelike and is still super creepy
The concert on a recent afternoon was a preview of a splashy touring production set to launch Tuesday in Sheffield, England. Whitney Houston, in hologram. “‘Oh, Whitney didn’t raise her hand past this certain point,’” Robinson recalled hearing with a laugh. And Base brought on Timothy Snell, who like Robinson had experience working with the real Houston, to design the hologram’s virtual outfits. “It’s been eight years since her passing, and it’s been very difficult trying to proceed with projects,” Pat Houston told reporters after the preview.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 21:11 UTC
‘West Side Story’ Stalemate: Bernardo’s Staying. So Are Protesters.
But the show has made it clear that Mr. Ramasar is staying. “There is zero consideration being given to his potentially being terminated from this workplace,” it said in a statement last week. The director, Ivo van Hove, is known for his experimental work. And the #MeToo-era demonstrations outside are also similarly and strikingly of the moment, as they reflect the continuing debate over what sort of careers should be left to the men accused of sexual misconduct. and Aziz Ansari have begun to re-establish their professional lives, while other public figures accused of more severe acts have seen their prospects buried — likely for good.
Source:New York Times
February 19, 2020 21:00 UTC
Humanity’s methane problem could be much bigger than scientists thought
Fossil-fuel production may be responsible for much more atmospheric methane than scientists previously thought, according to new research published today in the journal Nature. Conventional wisdom has held until now that fossil sources emit roughly 50 million tons of methane. This allowed scientists to establish a pre-industrial level for natural methane emissions. The largest component of natural gas, methane makes up about 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The new work widens a debate that stems from two opposing methods researchers use to measure methane: ice-core research and local monitoring of methane sources.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 20:39 UTC
Etsy Accelerates AI Experimentation Thanks to Cloud
The speed of innovation is so much faster now,” Mr. Fisher said. It wasn’t cost effective to buy extra computing power that would likely remain idle in hopes of running future tests, Mr. Fisher said. They care about us having the best marketplace, with the functionality and features they want,” Mr. Fisher said. Because of the cloud, Etsy can now run various search experiments with more data to inform the algorithms. In some cases, buyers could interpret negative reviews as “honest feedback,” Mr. Fisher said.
Source:Wall Street Journal
February 19, 2020 20:37 UTC
California’s homelessness crisis is ‘a disgrace,’ Newsom says in State of the State address
Gavin Newsom delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature in Sacramento on Wednesday. “I don’t think homelessness can be solved — I know homelessness can be solved,” Newsom told lawmakers. In Wednesday’s State of the State address, Newsom tried to send a message that his second year in office would have a much clearer focus, with combating homelessness being his administration‘s top priority. According to opinion polls, homelessness is the top issue that residents want the governor and state Legislature to address. Since taking office, Newsom has taken full advantage of the state’s good fortune.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 20:12 UTC
'Year of the Rabbit' caps off Matt Berry mania on American TV
At 45, Matt Berry, the British comic actor and (mostly) serious musician, is having a bit of an American moment. (Though his most recent album, 2018’s “TV Themes,” is just that — a collection of covers of ’60s and ’70s British TV themes.) I’m aiming higher.” (Though Berry has described his intent with “Rabbit” as “pure escapism,” a feminist theme runs through the first season.) Freddie Fox, left, and Matt Berry in “Year of the Rabbit.” (Ben Meadows / IFC)“That’s what I grew up surrounded by and that’s what affected me and frightened me and inspired me,” Berry says. Like a Berry character, the music can come across as majestic and hilarious at the same time.
Source:Los Angeles Times
February 19, 2020 20:03 UTC
A man who drove a school bus for 55 years will be laid to rest in a school bus casket
He was a school bus driver from 1949 to 2005. It's painted yellow with black hinges, with the same lettering that appeared on Davis's 1949 school bus. Well-known Grand Meadow bus driver dies https://t.co/x7FUIPj727 — Post Bulletin (@PB_News) February 18, 2020Davis loved it. The model is fitting for long-time drivers: Another bus driver of 50 years , David Wright of Tennessee, was laid to rest in a school bus-styled casket in August. He cheered for the Grand Meadow School sports team.
Source:CNN
February 19, 2020 20:03 UTC
Kentucky teen dies in apparent animal attack
Kentucky teen dies in apparent animal attack Kentucky State Police say a teenager appears to have died from an animal attackHINDMAN, Ky. -- A Kentucky teen appears to have died from an animal attack, police said. The body of the 13-year-old boy was found Tuesday on a mountainside behind a residence in rural Knott County, Kentucky State Police said in a statement. Knott County Coroner Corey Watson pronounced him dead from suspected injuries stemming from an animal attack. An autopsy performed at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort Wednesday morning determined the cause of death to be from injuries consistent with an animal attack. Authorities weren't able to identify what type of animal was responsible, but they were still investigating.
Source:ABC News
February 19, 2020 20:01 UTC