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The San Jose Sharks have issues. Here are five they hope to resolve during training camp

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

The San Jose Sharks’ task of trying to replace three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson is a little bit like a bleary-eyed parent trying to assemble their child’s intricate new toy on a hectic Christmas morning.Where does one even begin?Karlsson, traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins last month, did just about everything for the Sharks last season as he became the first defenseman in 31 years to score at least 100 points in a season.As the Sharks stumbled to a 22-44-16 record, Karlsson had a season for the ages as he led the team in assists, overall ice time, power-play points, and power-play ice time. He fueled breakouts, held his own on defense, played all 82 games, and provided underappreciated leadership.Finding ways to make up for Karlsson’s absence will be job No. 1 for the Sharks this month as they get ready to begin their first training camp in five years without No. 65.“You’re losing a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman and a guy that’s got elite offensive abilit...

Vacant Oakland structures, previously fire-damaged, hit by new blazes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

OAKLAND — Two vacant structures previously damaged by fires — an East Oakland warehouse and a West Oakland house — were both ravaged by new blazes Monday night and Tuesday morning, officials said.No injuries were reported in either fire.The cause of both fires is under investigation. Officials said they believe squatters had roles in both fires.The two-alarm warehouse fire, in the 4200 block of East 12th Street near High Street, erupted about 8:27 p.m. Monday. Some 30 firefighters brought the blaze under control by about 8:50 p.m. A damage figure was not available.Authorities said the building, which used to house a foundry and manufacturing operation, had suffered a previous fire but the exact date was not immediately known.Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said based on the damage from the fires, city building officials had red-tagged the building, meaning it is unsafe for occupancy.An early morning fire damaged a boarded up two-story Victorian home along the 800 block ...

Review: ‘Toxic’ in San Jose a flawed, but wrenching, look at school shootings

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

Late in the City Lights Theater Company world premiere production of “Toxic,” former student Jessie takes her fellow high school alums through a harrowing moment when she witnessed a popular teacher gunned down just feet from where she now stood. The recollection is a crushing reminder of how innocent lives can shatter in a split-second.It’s a brilliant morsel delivered with loads of vicious, raw details that are all too commonplace in today’s America, in which young students are forced to live with the trauma of code red drills due to the staggering failure by those in power to curtail the epidemic of gun violence at our schools and elsewhere.But despite instances where the cast of 11 actors share their agency, “Toxic” feels unfocused, diving and darting through lots of hot-button topics but never really remaining in one place long enough to parse timely truths about our current, repugnant reality.Playwright Kit Wilder’s intention of crafting an explosive narrative often buckles un...

Companies chop more than 100 East Bay workers as job cutbacks widen

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

SAN RAMON — Two companies have disclosed plans to chop well over 100 jobs in a new round of employment cutbacks affecting workers in the East Bay, official state notices show.The job cuts are affecting workers in San Ramon and Emeryville, according to the WARN notices filed with the state Employment Development Department.Amyris, a biotech company that tumbled into a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a massive restructuring; and Rodan & Fields, a multi-level marketing company, each have revealed decisions to eliminate scores of jobs in the East Bay.In both instances, the WARN notices filed with the state EDD described the layoffs as permanent.Rodan + Fields is cutting 76 jobs at 3001 Bishop Drive in San Ramon, a company WARN notice filed with the state EDD shows.The layoffs for Rodan + Fields are slated to take effect on Oct. 14.“Rodan + Fields has undergone a reorganization of its business operations resulting in job eliminations,” the company stated ...

3-vehicle crash on eastbound I-580 in Oakland blocking lanes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

(KRON) -- There is a severe traffic alert on eastbound Interstate 580 west of 35th Avenue in Oakland, according to the California Highway Patrol. A traffic collision is blocking right and left lanes as of 12:05 a.m.The crash involved three vehicles, according to the Oakland Fire Department. One person was trapped and required extrication. They have been transported to the hospital, the department said.The impact of the collision caused one of the vehicles to ignite in flames. The fire spread into nearby vegetation. As of 11:26 a.m., all fire was extinguished.(Photo: Citizen app)Motorists are being advised to expect delays and to use alternative routes.There is no estimated time to fully re-open eastbound I-580.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Newcastle marks return to Europe’s elite with 0-0 draw at dominant Milan in Champions League opener

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Newcastle marked its return to Europe’s elite with a 0-0 draw at AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, despite being completely dominated at San Siro.A combination of good saves by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and wayward finishing by Milan saw the visitors pick up a point in the club’s first Champions League match in 20 years.“Hopefully we can grow from this into the tournament,” Newcastle coach Eddie Howe said. “I praise the players for their defensive qualities that they showed today. We know we can do better with the ball but hopefully that will come.“I thought (Pope) was outstanding today … he was a huge part of our success last year and no doubt he’ll be vitally important to us again this year.”Milan, which reached the semifinals last season, should have put the match to bed in the first half and the seven-time champion will perhaps rue its missed opportunities, with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund also in Group F.“We completely controlled...

How PrEP can provide up to 100% protection against HIV

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

This content is sponsored by MedStar Washington Hospital Center.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.2 million people in the U.S. had HIV at the end of 2021. Although HIV infections have decreased in recent years, progress is not necessarily equal.Dr. Rachel Scott, a practicing obstetrician/gynecologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, said various factors affect HIV infections.“There [are] so many issues in terms of gender inequity, and inequities related to race and economics that play into HIV acquisition in this country and around the world,” Dr. Scott said. “We tend to see more HIV among marginalized — or historically marginalized communities. So communities of color, disenfranchised communities and communities with lower socio-economic and educational status.”Dr. Scott said in some ways, contracting HIV can have less to do with how many partners or risk factors you have, but rather the geographic prevalence and where you live.“We put so m...

3 hurt in Loudoun Co. crash involving overturned semi that caught fire

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

Authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, are looking for anyone who witnessed a serious crash Monday evening involving a semi-truck that overturned and caught on fire after being struck by another vehicle.Three people were hurt in the crash that happened on southbound Route 28 near Sterling Boulevard shortly before 7 p.m., according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.The driver of a black Nissan Altima was traveling south on Route 28 when he crashed into the semi, causing it to overturn, and then crashed into a Toyota Prius, the sheriff’s office said.The driver of the Altima was later identified as 18-year-old Jose A. Padilla Espinosa. He was arrested for having forged tags and driving without insurance.The sheriff’s office said that the driver of the semi-truck was pulled out and taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Padilla Espinosa and the driver of the Prius were also taken to hospitals but were released.Padilla Espinosa is currently held with...

Israeli military raid kills 3 in West Bank. Officials say 4th man killed by Israeli fire in Gaza

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli troops raided the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank late Tuesday, killing three people and wounding some 30 others, according to Palestinian health officials. A fourth Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in separate unrest in the Gaza Strip, officials said.The bloodshed in Jenin was the latest in a deadly wave of fighting in the West Bank, where the Israeli military has stepped up its activities over the past year and a half in what it says is an effort to crack down on Palestinian militants. Tensions now appear to be spreading to Gaza.The Israeli army gave few details about the operation in the camp — a stronghold of Palestinian militants where the army often carries out deadly raids. In July, Israel launched its most intense operation in the West Bank in nearly two decades, leaving widespread destruction in the camp.The army said it carried out a rare strike with a suicide drone during the operation, but gave no further information. Palestini...

Wisconsin Republican leader blocks pay raises in continuation of DEI fight

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:14:50 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly is blocking pay raises for University of Wisconsin employees unless the university cuts diversity, equity and inclusion spending by $32 million — a move that comes amid the Democratic governor’s calls for lawmakers to spend even more on higher education.The fight in Wisconsin reflects a broader cultural battle playing out across the nation over college diversity initiatives. Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas both signed laws this year banning the use of diversity, equity and inclusion measures in student admissions and staff employment decisions at colleges and universities. Similar bills were proposed in about a dozen Republican-led states.In June, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature cut funding to the UW System by $32 million, which was the amount Republicans identified as going toward so-called DEI efforts at UW’s 13 campuses over two years.At the same time it cu...