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Mill Valley Film Fest sets packed lineup, despite strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

While this year’s Mill Valley Film Festival might not draw as many A-list celebrities as in years past due to SAG-AFTRA strike limitations, Marin County’s annual glitzy showcase of buzzworthy indie films still offers an undeniable cinematic punch.So much so that the fest, which announced its program this week, will open next month with a boxing-themed drama “Day of the Fight,” actor Jack Huston’s B&W feature debut. Starring Michael Pitt, Ron Perlman and Joe Pesci, it receives a North American premiere on Oct. 5 after having premiered at the Venice Film Festival.The MVFF runs Oct. 5-15 at  venues in Mill Valley, San Rafael, Larkspur, Berkeley and San Francisco, with a lineup boasting 148 films representing 41 countries, including 56 premieres, 86 features and 62 shorts. Some 45% of all films in the 2023 Festival are directed by women.One again, the lineup is jammed packed with awards contenders — including two Academy Award submissions for best international feature (Chile’...

San Jose shocked — shocked — to find Big Business doesn’t care

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

A flood of Facebook comments followed the news posted this week by Raging Waters in San Jose that the water park had closed for 2023 and wasn’t reopening for 2024.The reactions covered a range of emotions. There were fond recollections of teenage summers, first jobs and first loves. There was shock at the abruptness of the announcement and sometimes surprise that San Jose even had Raging Waters. Some people, who conceded they hadn’t been there for years, wished they’d been told in advance so they could have had a last day. And there was anger that something people loved was being taken away, probably to be redeveloped — many seemed to suspect — into housing.The frustration was even leveled at San Jose city leaders. Where, commenters wondered, did the city expect people to go?The city probably expected people to go to Raging Waters, at least for the two remaining years on its lease at Lake Cunningham Park. From all accounts, the announcement also was a surprise to city le...

Pac-12 chaos: Washington State, Oregon State in holding pattern as their ADs offer insight into legal action

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun on Friday expressed deep frustration with the ongoing lack of clarity into Pac-12 assets and liabilities that are at the core of a legal dispute over control of the conference.Along the way, Chun addressed the state of leadership in the Pac-12.“There is none,” he said. “That’s why Washington State and Oregon State need to step in and provide it.”The presidents of the Pac-12’s two remaining schools filed legal action against the conference and commissioner George Kliavkoff on Friday.WSU’s Kirk Schulz and OSU’s Jayathi Murthy are seeking a declaratory judgment on the makeup of the Pac-12 board of directors and a temporary restraining order to prevent the 10 outgoing schools from voting on key strategic and financial matters.WSU and OSU have been attempting to gain a firm understanding of the Pac-12’s assets and liabilities since early last month, when five schools announced their departures. Since then, St...

Police looking for possible suspect at Mowry and Farwell in Fremont

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

(KRON) -- There's police activity in Fremont in the area of Mowry Avenue and Farwell Drive, according to the Fremont Police Department. People are being advised to avoid the area. Rifle painted like Nerf gun seized by San Leandro PD Fremont PD is assisting the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office with a pursuit, according to a spokesperson for the department. Officers are currently looking for a possible suspect in the area.Police had no additional details to provide.Earlier, law enforcement advised nearby Mattos and Azevada elementary schools to shelter in place due to the police activity, according to a post on the Fremont Unified School District website. That shelter in place was lifted at 2:17 p.m., according to the school district. Schools are resuming normal activities and will release students at their normal release time.There is no estimated time for when the area will be clear.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Suspects arrested for Woodside's Alice's Restaurant armed robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

(KRON) -- Two people were arrested in Woodside Thursday night for allegedly robbing a man of jewelry in a restaurant parking lot. San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Alice's Restaurant in Woodside at 11:05 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, for an armed robbery in the parking lot.A Redwood City resident had a knife brandished at him by the suspects, who allegedly stole his gold chains valued at $15,000, according to deputies. The 50-year-old victim suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene. Police activity at Mowry and Farwell in Fremont, drivers advised to avoid area The suspects, Jose Zaragoza Mendez and Jesus Zaragoza Mendez, fled the scene westbound on Woodside Road. However, deputies swiftly responded to the dispatch. Deputies located the suspects around Highway 1 and Highway 92. Jose and Jesus Zaragoza Mendez were found in a car reported stolen by the California Highway Patrol in Hayward.The two suspects surrendered and were booked at the San Mate...

France beats New Zealand 27-13 in Rugby World Cup opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France overcame conceding tries at the start of each half to beat New Zealand 27-13 in an intense opening match of the Rugby World Cup on Friday, ending the All Blacks’ run of 31 straight wins in the pool stage.Prolific right winger Damian Penaud’s try 15 minutes into the second half regained France the lead it never let go. Fullback Thomas Ramos punished All Blacks errors from the tee. He finished with 17 points from six of eight goalkicks.Mark Telea scored after just 93 seconds to give New Zealand a stunning start at Stade de France, and then again three minutes into the second half.But Penaud’s try and Ramos’ accurate boot took the score out of reach of New Zealand, and France finished with an opportunity try by replacement Melvyn Jaminet to pad the scoreline and feed the belief that Fabien Galthié’s side has real hope of a first World Cup title after losing three finals.France did a lap of honor to thumping music after stretching its ho...

Zac Gallen shines as Arizona Diamondbacks beat Chicago Cubs 1-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Zac Gallen pitched a three-hitter for his second career complete game, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Friday for their third straight win.Rookie Corbin Carroll accounted for the game’s only run with a two-out RBI single in the eighth inning against Mark Leiter Jr. Seiya Suzuki nearly made a terrific catch in right field, but the ball hit the grass in front of his glove and the out call by first base umpire Stu Scheurwater was overturned in a video review.“That’s a good team. We ran into a tough situation today,” Cubs starter Jameson Taillon said. “September baseball is meant to be close games and every inch matters.”Arizona (74-68) won for the fourth time in five games and moved within two games of Chicago for the No. 2 spot in the NL wild-card standings.Gallen (15-7) struck out nine and walked one after he dropped his previous two outings. Making his 111th career start, he got a celebratory dousing from Carroll and other teammates as he...

Elon Musk’s social media site X sues California over content moderation law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Elon Musk’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter has sued the state of California over a law requiring social media companies to publish their policies for removing offending material such as hate speech, misinformation and harassment. The first-of-its-kind legislation was signed into law a year ago by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. In a lawsuit filed Friday against state Attorney General Robert Bonta, X Corp. challenged the “constitutionality and legal validity” of the law, saying it violates the First Amendment. Assembly bill 587 requires social media platforms to post their content moderation policies — which they already do — and twice a year submit a report to the state on how they address hate speech, racism, misinformation, foreign political interference and other issues. The law, “compels companies to engage in speech against their will, impermissibly interferes with the constitutionally-protected editorial judgments of companies such as X Corp.” and has pressures ...

Prospects for more legalized gambling in North Carolina remain uncertain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Prospects that another large expansion of gambling in North Carolina will be included in a state government budget appeared dimmer this week as the House’s top leader said there weren’t enough Republicans on board with the idea. The GOP-controlled General Assembly is more than two months late on approving a spending plan through mid-2025. Votes on a final state budget could come next week.House and Senate Republicans are weighing whether that final budget should permit additional commercial casinos to be operated in the state, and legalize and regulate video gaming terminals. House Republicans met privately earlier this week to gauge interest for gambling options within the budget. In an email late Wednesday to those colleagues, Speaker Tim Moore wrote that there weren’t enough of them to pass a state budget on their own that includes more gambling. “To be clear, we will not pass a budget that does not have 61 Republican votes,” Moore wrote, re...

Picking Koepka from LIV Golf was easy for US Ryder Cup captain Johnson. Because everyone wanted him

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

ROME (AP) — When U.S. captain Zach Johnson got his Ryder Cup team together for the first time for a training camp at the Marco Simone course outside Rome on Friday, there was no need for a pep talk about team unity with Brooks Koepka coming in from the renegade LIV Golf tour.That’s because it was just about unanimous: Everyone wanted the five-time major champion. Even if he did go chase the riches of the Saudi-backed LIV circuit.“The only thing that was said about Brooks with the guys — specifically the top six that made the team on their own merit — was, ’We want Brooks Koepka to play for Team USA,” Johnson said.Nine of the 12-man American team played Marco Simone for the first time. Koepka was on hand but three players were missing.“Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay have family matters that definitely supersede what we’re doing,” Johnson said.While Spieth’s wife is about to give birth, Schauffele and Cantlay had “prior family commitments,” Julius Mason of ...