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Catalina officials propose bold deer mitigation plan amid uncontrolled population growth; residents voice concern 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

The mule deer population is taking a toll on the ecosystem on Catalina Island, and officials have proposed a bold new plan to help save the island’s native animal and plant species. According to the Los Angeles Times, a plan put forward by the Catalina Island Conservancy that would use “helicopter-mounted sharpshooters” to kill the invasive deer has prompted some backlash.However, the group believes there’s no other choice. “The situation has become untenable for the deer and for the island’s ecology, leaving the island at a tipping point,” reads a statement on the Catalina Island Conservancy website. “After consulting with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, it has been determined that a strategic deer management program is required to implement the overall plan to revive the island’s ecosystem.” The deer are destroying native plants and habitats by trampling and destroying native plants and habitats, and due to them not having a natural predator, their population grew ...

Fire in a Crockett home leaves one dead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

A fire at a home in Crockett left one person dead, the Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department said on Sunday.The fire was reported just after 7 a.m. Sunday. Dispatchers received reports of heavy smoke and flames pouring from a home on Lillian Street. The fire was concentrated in the bottom story of the home, authorities said.The cause of the fire — which was contained just before 8 a.m. — remains unclear. The victim has not been publicly identified.

Newsom vetoes bill to give striking workers unemployment benefits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

Days after President Joe Biden joined a picket line of striking autoworkers in Michigan in an unprecedented public display of support, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have given unemployment benefits to striking workers in California — a blow to organized labor in a state that typically embraces it.“Now is not the time to increase costs or incur this sizable debt,” said Newsom in his veto statement over the weekend.Senate Bill 799 was backed by the Writers Guild of America, which recently reached a deal to end a months-long strike, and SAG-AFTRA, the union representing thousands of Hollywood actors that have been striking since July. And the veto comes as workers in fields from health care to hospitality increasingly turn to strikes in a bid to secure better wages and working conditions.And while the move leaves labor leaders frustrated with the governor, that’s a political calculation Newsom — who is widely expected to seek office beyond deep blue Calif...

Aaron Rodgers rejoins Jets teammates ahead of Sunday night game vs Chiefs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers arrived at MetLife Stadium in a golf cart holding crutches Sunday and joined his New York Jets teammates before their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The four-time NFL MVP attended a team meeting at the Jets’ hotel Saturday night, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce Rodgers had rejoined his teammates.Rodgers had been healing and rehabilitating at home in Malibu, California, after having surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. Rodgers was injured four snaps into his debut with the Jets on Sept. 11 against Buffalo.The 39-year-old Rodgers hinted earlier this week during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” he could make his first public appearance since the injury if he was cleared by doctors to travel.“You never know who you’re going to see at the game,” Rodgers said with a grin.It was un...

Raiders’ O’Connell makes first start at QB with 3 Chargers defensive starters inactive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell made his first NFL start against a depleted Los Angeles Chargers defense.O’Connell came into the game midway through the first quarter Sunday after the Chargers took the opening kickoff and went 87 yards, capped off by Justin Herbert’s 12-yard keeper for a touchdown. The Raiders went three-and-out on their opening series.O’Connell, who was selected in the fourth round of April’s draft, got the start with Jimmy Garoppolo in concussion protocol. The Raiders also have longtime veteran Brian Hoyer.Safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman along with linebacker Joey Bosa were declared inactive because of injuries. James and Gilman suffered injuries during last Sunday’s 28-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings.Bosa has been dealing with a hamstring injury the past three weeks and also sustained an injured toe last week.Backup cornerback Deane Leonard is also inactive because of a hamstring. Safety ...

Baker Mayfield has 3 TD passes, ailing Derek Carr ineffective as Buccaneers top Saints 26-9

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes for Tampa Bay, Derek Carr’s surprise return from a shoulder injury did little to help New Orleans’ anemic offense, and the Buccaneers beat the Saints 26-9 on Sunday.Mayfield completed 25 of 32 for 246 yards including TDs to Cade Otten, Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins as the Bucs (3-1) took over first place in the NFC South.Starting one week after spraining his throwing shoulder at Green Bay, and after only limited work in practice the past week, Carr struggled to move New Orleans’ offense, which had accounted for just four touchdowns in the first three weeks and did not add that total in Week 4.Carr finished 23 of 37 for 127 yards and was sacked three times in a second straight loss for the Saints (2-2), who were hoping for a boost from Alvin Kamara’s return from a three-game suspension.Kamara touched the ball 24 times with 11 carries and 13 receptions, but finished with just 84 yards from scrimma...

Record Women’s Super League crowd of 54,115 sees Liverpool win at Arsenal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A record Women’s Super League crowd watched Liverpool pull off a shock 1-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday. There were 54,115 fans at the Emirates Stadium for the season-opener, which was settled by a goal from Miri Taylor early in the second half.Taylor slotted in a cross from Missy Bo Kearns in the 48th minute to stun the Gunners’ home support.Liverpool held off plenty of Arsenal pressure but Jonas Eidevall’s side, which was knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers last month, could not find a way back into the match.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSource

Stroud throws for 306 yards, two TDs to lead Texans over Steelers 30-6; Pickett leaves with injury

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Rookie C.J. Stroud had another big game Sunday, throwing for 306 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Houston Texans to a 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.It’s the second straight win for the Texans (2-2) and their first at home since beating the Chargers on Dec. 26, 2021. Houston’s 24-point win marked its largest margin of victory since a 57-14 win over Tennessee on Oct. 1, 2017. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, continued his strong start and he threw a TD pass to get things going in a first half where the Texans built a 16-0 lead. Sunday was his second 300-yard passing game and he has thrown six touchdown passes with no interceptions in his first four games.Kenny Pickett threw for 114 yards with an interception and struggled to move the offense before leaving late in the third quarter with a knee injury. The loss ends a two-game winning streak for the Steelers (2-2) and will likely increase the pressure on third-year offensive coordinator Matt Cana...

Georgia Tech’s Key demotes Thacker as defensive coordinator following loss to Bowling Green

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech coach Brent Key shook up his defensive staff on Sunday, a day after the Yellow Jackets gave up 38 unanswered points in a 38-27 loss to underdog Bowling Green.Andrew Thacker, who had been Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator since 2019, will no longer lead the defense. Thacker will coach safeties and Kevin Sherrer was promoted to defensive coordinator, the school announced in a statement.The move by Key came after he said “it’s on me to make changes to get this thing fixed” following Saturday’s home loss. Key described the loss as ”an embarrassing display of football” and “as epic of a failure as you can possibly have.”The Yellow Jackets were favored by 22 1/2 points in the game.“Our performance on defense this season hasn’t met the standard that we expect at Georgia Tech,” Key said in the statement.“While the responsibility for that does not fall on any one individual – in fact, as the head coach, that responsibility begins w...

Justin Jefferson’s 2 TDs, D.J. Wonnum’s 51-yard fumble return lift Vikings over Panthers 21-13

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:51 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and D.J. Wonnum returned Bryce Young’s fumble 51 yards for a momentum-changing touchdown, and the Minnesota Vikings held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 21-13 on Sunday for their first win of the season.Cousins overcame two interceptions, including one that was returned 99 yards for a touchdown by Sam Franklin, and finished with 139 yards passing. Jefferson beat a Carolina secondary playing without three starters for 85 yards on six catches.Alexander Mattison ran for 95 yards and Harrison Smith had three sacks for the Vikings (1-3), including the one that led to Wonnum’s score.Bryce Young was 25 of 32 for 204 yards for Carolina.The winless Panthers (0-4) find themselves in a tremendous hole. Of the 164 teams that have started 0-4 in the Super Bowl era, only the 1992 Chargers went on to make the playoffs.The momentum of the game turned late in the third quarter when Smith raced into the Carolina...