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Key takeaways from AP’s look at the emerging wave of sports construction in the US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

A new round of stadium construction is underway for professional sports teams across the U.S., and taxpayers will be helping to pay the multi-billion-dollar tab. The wave of construction has seen teams chasing both repairs and luxurious additions. Some teams have sought new public funding for the projects — with mixed support — even while debt from the last round of renovations a couple decades ago is still being paid off.This year alone, The Associated Press tallied about a dozen stadium projects that were unveiled or already underway for Major League Baseball and National Football League franchises. That doesn’t include additional projects for professional basketball, hockey and soccer teams.Here’s a look at the emerging cycle of stadium projects and some of the motivations behind them. A NEW PROJECT PER MONTHAs 2023 began, work already was underway on multi-year stadium renovations for the New Orleans Saints football team and Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Then more...

Plans abounding for new sports stadiums across the US, carrying hefty public costs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

Standing on a portable stage erected at home plate of the Milwaukee Brewers ballpark, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers recently praised the professional baseball team as an “essential part” of the state’s “culture and identity” and “economic success.”With fanfare, Evers then signed off on $500 million in public aid for the stadium’s renovation, adding to a remarkable run of such blockbuster deals. This year alone, about a dozen Major League Baseball and National Football League franchises took steps toward new or improved stadiums. A new wave of sports facility construction is underway. One driven, in part, by a race to keep up with rivals and one that could collectively cost taxpayers billions of dollars despite skepticism from economists that stadiums boost local economies.Though the Brewers primarily cited a need for repairs, many of the other new projects are much more than that. In some cases, sports teams are even seeking a new jolt of public funding for state-of-the-art ...

Acquittals in Manuel Ellis’ death puts Washington state’s police accountability law in the spotlight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

A Washington state law aimed at improving police accountability is in the spotlight after three Tacoma officers were acquitted in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man who was shocked, beaten and restrained face-down on a sidewalk as he pleaded for breath. The measure approved by voters in 2018 was designed to make it easier to prosecute police accused of wrongfully using deadly force. Initiative 940, referred to as I-940, removed a requirement that prosecutors prove an officer acted with actual malice in order to bring a case — a requirement no other state had — and established that an independent investigation should be conducted after use of force results in death or great bodily harm, among other things.The nearly three-month trial of the three police officers — Matthew Collins, 40; Christopher Burbank, 38; and Timothy Rankine, 34 — was the first to be held under the 5-year-old law. The trial over Ellis’ death in Tacoma, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of Seattl...

Oversized Santa's takeover Northwest Hills neighborhood

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Residents living on Gnarl Drive in Northwest Hills have dubbed their street "Santa Clause Lane" and it's for good reason.Anyone driving down the road will be greeted with multiple oversize inflatable Santas as well as other fun Christmas decorations. Kayla Christie said a neighbor living down the street from her came up with the idea, and from there, the rest was history. Christie said she bought multiple inflatable Santas and handed them out to some of the neighbors as well. "We really dub it "Santa Claus Lane" now," Christie said. "Next year we will probably have a sign up that says "Santa Claus Lane." More and more of the neighbors, as they started coming up, really enjoyed seeing it and wanted to participate. It is just really fun and delightful."Ainsley Christie said she hopes to see this tradition continue for years to come. "I think it is really fun," Ainsley said. "I think it is funny that we are all kind of matching. Most of the time no one really drives do...

3.4 magnitude earthquake rattles Orange County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

Did you feel it? A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Orange County area on Friday night. The quake was reported at around 9:52 p.m. according to the United States Geological Survey.The epicenter of the quake was located around 1.8 miles southeast of Huntington Beach in a populated part of town.The temblor was measured at a depth of approximately 7.7 miles, according to the USGS.A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Orange County area on Dec. 22, 2023.  A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Huntington Beach area on Dec. 22, 2023. (USGS)No immediate reports of injuries or structural damage have been reported so far.Hundreds of earthquakes are recorded in California each year. Most are extremely minor, however, dozens measure over 3.0 magnitude. According to the California Department of Conservation, ...

Family searches for missing L.A. County boy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

Authorities are searching for a missing boy who was last seen in Lancaster earlier this week.The boy was identified as Adrianne Maurice Sorto, 14, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.He was last seen on Dec. 18 in Lancaster at around 3 p.m.Loved ones said Sorto has a history of running away and is a child with High-Functioning Autism. He has a possible destination in the area near 23rd or 25th Street in L.A., authorities said.Sorto is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and around 120 pounds. He has brown eyes and long black hair tied up in a bun. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Adrianne Maurice Sorto, 14, in a photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.His loved ones have not heard from him since and are concerned for his well-being. They’re hoping the public may have spotted him.Anyone who may have seen Sorto is asked to call the LASD’s Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466. Anonymous can be submitted to "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or...

Toxic chemicals found at former dry-cleaning site in Richmond

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

RICHMOND, Calif. (KRON) – The Contra Costa County Department of Health says it found cancer-causing chemicals in the soil near a former dry-cleaning business in Richmond. Officials are working on taking more samples to see if it’s doing any harm to the air. It is scary news for people living in the neighborhood. A high concentration of perchloroethylene, or PCE, a chemical known to cause cancer, has been found in their soil.The first sample was found near Barrett Avenue and 20th Street across from a building that housed multiple dry cleaning businesses between 1960 and 2001. Campers must now enter a lottery to stay at this Bay Area campground: How it works “We’re working as quickly as we can to assess the situation and to take the steps necessary to make sure they’re protected,” said Todd Sax, the deputy director of site mitigation for the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).His agency has been investigating 112 former dry cleaning facilities as part of a new i...

White supremacist gang member from Sacramento pleads guilty to murder

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

(FOX40.COM) --  A Sacramento member of a white supremacist gang pled guilty to murder in aid of racketeering after a long-running investigation into the California Aryan Brotherhood, according to the United States Department of Justice.The Aryan Brotherhood (AB) is known as the oldest and most notorious racist prison gang in America. It was formed in California in the 1960s and spread through federal prison systems throughout the United States. Man arrested in Mexico in connection with 2019 homicide in San Joaquin County On Wednesday, Brant Daniel, 49, of Sacramento, pled guilty to the murder of an inmate at Salinas Valley Prison on Oct. 29, 2016, as a part of an AB-related killing. Specifically, Daniel admitted that he murdered the victim because they failed to carry out a hit assigned by an AB member. The failed hit led to the loss of "valuable drugs" that belonged to Daniel and his gang. In his plea, Daniel said that he willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation...

Campers must now enter a lottery to stay at this Bay Area campground: How it works

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

(KSWB) — California has implemented its first lottery system for campsite reservations at a state park in San Francisco after a bill that enacted changes to make it easier for campers to book a spot was signed into law earlier this year.The State Parks Department announced on Tuesday that the highly sought after Steep Ravine Cabins at Mount Tamalpais State Park, about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, has implemented the pilot program, allowing people to apply for a free reservation drawing.The drawing was one of the components of Assembly Bill 618, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) to make amendments to the state's campsite reservation system that would free up spots for campers that would otherwise go unused and ensure equitable access to coveted sites. Reservations for Yosemite National Park are coming back for 2024 Under the bill, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, State Parks would also be directed to implement a lottery system...

Jordan Poole honored with emotional tribute in return to Chase Center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Jordan Poole was an integral part of the Warriors' 2022 NBA championship run, but he was traded away just over a year later. In his first game back at Chase Center since being traded last offseason, Poole was given a warm welcome on Friday. Brock Purdy rookie card sold for record $186K The Warriors honored Poole with a 40-second video tribute Friday as he was being introduced in the starting lineup. The video highlighted some of the best plays Poole made when he wore a No. 3 Warriors jersey from 2019 to 2023. Poole looked up at the Chase Center jumbotron -- seemingly fighting back tears as he reminisced on the highest of highs any NBA player can experience in their career like when he helped the Warriors win a championship.Warriors fans greeted Poole with a huge ovation. Dub Nation thanked Poole for his major contributions during his four years with the organization.However, when Draymond Green punched the now-Wizards guard in practice before the 2022-23 se...