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Robotaxis wreak havoc in San Francisco. Don’t want them in your Bay Area city? Tough luck

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

Driverless, traffic-snarling robot taxis that just started transporting paying passengers in San Francisco are expected to expand to other Bay Area cities — whether local officials and residents want them or not.Just a day after state regulators allowed robotaxi leaders Cruise and Waymo to start taking paid fares with self-driving vehicles and no onboard human backup on Aug. 10, nearly a dozen robotaxis abruptly stopped and jammed traffic in the city’s North Beach neighborhood.A few days later, as Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, was perched at a sidewalk table at the scene of the North Beach snarl-up, a Cruise car behind him started a left turn onto busy, four-lane Columbus Avenue, then suddenly veered right to continue straight up Vallejo Street. Peskin turned to watch as the driverless car stopped 15 feet behind the stop line at Grant Avenue, paused a few seconds, then blew through the stop sign as it turned left.“To borrow the words ...

CSU tuition hike could be coming soon; most students have no idea

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

For Kaleb Casper, 18, the opportunity to go to college is a big one — for him and his parents who never had that experience. But their dream could soon get more expensive.A possible annual 6% hike in tuition across the California State University (CSU) system, which Casper was previously unaware of, could force him to increase his college debt. While he receives some financial aid, a quarter of his tuition still isn’t covered, so he’ll have to take out student loans, and he plans to work through college to help support himself.“It’s kind of scary because scholarships don’t just come out of nowhere,” said Casper, a freshman from Stockton who is focusing on environmental studies at San Jose State University. “I know my parents struggle a lot with keeping up with all my costs because I can’t obviously work full time … it’s hard for them and me.”The hike, which the CSU Board of Trustees is expected to vote on next month, comes ...

Bay Area home prices fall as mortgage rates spike. Could it last?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

Bay Area home prices are falling as mortgage rates climb to their highest levels in more than two decades, squeezing many house-hunters out of the market and keeping would-be sellers on the fence.The median price of existing single-family homes dropped 5.2% to $1.26 million across the region from June to July, according to the California Association of Realtors. The decline followed steady price gains most of the year as sales picked up during the traditionally busier spring and early summer home-buying seasons.But now, spiking mortgage rates are slamming the brakes on an already challenged local real estate market. On Thursday, Freddie Mac reported the average rate for a typical 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 7.09%, up from 6.96% last week, reaching the highest peak since 2002.“People are just not jumping into buying a home right now at these interest rates,” South Bay real estate agent Ramesh Rao said.Meanwhile, a 30-year fixed “jumbo” home loan — which is ...

Probation Department ignored red flags about gang member who killed 2 California police officers, OIG says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

Family members of a convicted gang member warned the Los Angeles County Probation Department that the probationer had become abusive, was using drugs and carrying a firearm more than a week before he killed two El Monte police officers and then himself in June 2022, according to a scathing report from the county Office of Inspector General.Justin Flores’ probation officer ignored a barrage of red flags that should have resulted in law enforcement taking him off the streets for violating his parole, the report found.“After review of Mr. Flores’ probation file, the Office of Inspector General finds the Probation Department failed to properly monitor Mr. Flores, failed to report his noncompliance, failed to act on pertinent information they received on Mr. Flores regarding allegations of domestic violence, gun possession and illegal drug use, and failed to make local law enforcement aware that Mr. Flores may be armed with a gun and dangerous,” the report states.The report found that th...

Interactive map: Risk of Tropical Storm Hilary flash flooding in Southern California

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

We are providing free access to this article. Please consider supporting local journalism like this by subscribing here.This map shows the likelihood that rainfall from tropical storm Hilary will exceed the National Weather Service’s flash flood guidance over the 24-hour period starting 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21. The data used for this map was issued by the NWS on Monday at 1:17 a.m. The service calls this outlook its “best attempt to forecast flash flooding from heavy rainfall.” What risk categories meanThis is how the the NWS Weather Prediction Center explains the categorizes in uses in its excessive rainfall forecast.A marginal risk means that “isolated flash floods are possible.” The floods would be localized and primarily affect places that can experience rapid runoff with heavy rainfall.A slight risk means “scattered flash floods are possible.” Under this category, floods are mainly localized, and most vulnerable are urban areas, roads, small streams and washes. Isolated sig...

Dirt bikes, motorcycles take over San Francisco roads

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

(KRON) -- A large group of dirt bikers and motorcyclists took over San Francisco roads over the weekend.According to the California Highway Patrol, they have received reports of these events over the last several weekends throughout the Bay Area. Video above shows the bikers riding along the Embarcadero as well as through the Presidio Parkway Tunnel. Robber at UC Berkeley threatens mountain biker with knife: police The bikers are often seen performing tricks while driving on the road. CHP says they have been monitoring the activity.

Memorial to honor 4-year-old killed in crash near Oracle Park planned for Tuesday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

(KRON) -- Several organizations are planning a memorial on Tuesday to honor a four-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a car last week as she crossed the street with her parents in San Francisco. Robber at UC Berkeley threatens mountain biker with knife: police Flowers now lay at the crash site which occurred near Oracle Park. The memorial will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the plaza next to Caltrain at 4th and King Streets. Walk SF is asking people to bring strollers and stuffed animals to show their support.

Wales heads into Rugby World Cup with Lake and Morgan as co-captains

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales will head into the Rugby World Cup with co-captains, hooker Dewi Lake and flanker Jac Morgan getting the honor when the 33-man squad was announced on Monday.Ken Owens was ruled out because of a back injury, forcing coach Warren Gatland to pick a new captain for the tournament in France starting Sept. 8.Gatland has chosen to go with two captains. The 23-year-old Morgan isn’t a surprise, having led the Welsh in their most recent warmup game — a 52-16 loss to South Africa on Saturday.Wales, which has reached the semifinals in two of the last three World Cups, is in the same pool as Fiji, Portugal, Australia and Georgia. The team’s opening game is against Fiji in Bordeaux on Sept. 10.Seventeen of the squad have previous World Cup experience, with center George North set to appear in the tournament for the fourth time.Loosehead prop Corey Domachowski and tighthead Henry Thomas won their first senior caps for Wales this month.No. 8 Taulupe Faletau a...

German soccer could revisit a controversial investment deal, leading figures indicate

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The top men’s soccer clubs in Germany could reconsider a major investment deal that failed to go through last season, two leading figures have indicated.A controversial plan to sell a one-eighth share of the worldwide broadcast rights to investors for the top two divisions over 20 years was defeated in May when it fell four votes short of the required two-thirds majority of the 36 clubs. It had been reported the estimated deal, which sparked protests by fans, could have raised 2 billion euros ($2.18 billion).Comments, however, by Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, who also has a senior role with the league, and Eintracht Frankfurt supervisory board chair Philip Holzer suggested the investment deal — or something like it — could be revived.“Personally I can imagine the project again needs to be revised and redesigned,” Watzke told the Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper’s Monday edition. “Probably we should put together a s...

Pilot accused of destroying parking barrier at DIA with an ax says he hit breaking point

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:36 GMT

DENVER (AP) — A United Airlines pilot has been charged with criminal mischief for allegedly using an ax to destroy a barrier gate at an employee parking lot at Denver International Airport, telling authorities he was trying to help several drivers exit and "he just hit his breaking point.”Kenneth Henderson Jones, 63, is accused of repeatedly striking the metal parking arm with a long-handled ax on Aug. 2, knocking it off of its base and then fleeing on foot when a lot attendant confronted him. The employee told investigators he was able to grab the weapon from Jones during a scuffle near a security fence. The pilot then ran into a nearby field, where he was taken into custody by Denver police.According to a report by the Adams County Sheriff's Office, Jones told a deputy that about six vehicles were behind each of the parking lot's three exit gates, so he retrieved the ax from his parked car to help the drivers leave. How many countries can you fly to directly from Denver? “Kennet...