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Ex 'Drug Czar' talks FDA action against e-cigs, Texas law that punishes kids for vaping

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

(KXAN) -- Earlier this year, the U.S Food and Drug Administration announced it would crack down on the illegal sale of disposable e-cigarettes.“The FDA has started the process but sadly, what I'm concerned about are the number of kids that are dying until the FDA takes more aggressive action,” said Jim Carroll, the former director of the National Drug Control Policy.As “Drug Czar,” Carroll served as the principal advisor to former President Trump on drug policy for three years.“The Government needs to get these devices, not only off the shelves of stores, but they need to block these disposable vaping devices coming from China, from even getting into our country.”A recent analysis from the Associated Press found thousands of vapes are entering the U.S illegally.Carroll warned that some of the disposable vapes may contain the dangerous opioid fentanyl. “These disposable vaping devices, if they're coming into the country illegally, we have no earthly idea what's going on. Not only is ...

Ranked: Best colleges in the Capital Region for 2024

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2024 Best Colleges rankings. Colleges are ranked in different categories with the main ones being National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In the Albany area, 10 schools made any of these lists. Two colleges were left unranked: The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Maria College. These U.S. News rankings do not include community colleges.Here are the best colleges in the Capital Region.10. SUNY Empire State CollegeSUNY Empire State CollegeRanked 152-167 in Regional Universities North, 55-58 in Top Public Schools, 402 in Nursing, and 146 in Top Performers on Social MobilityLocated in Saratoga SpringsPublicTuition and fees: $17,540 (out-of-state), $7,630 (in-state)Undergraduate enrollment: 7,7359. The College of Saint RoseRanked 119 in Regional Univers...

AG's Office investigating fatal Fulton County officer-involved shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York Attorney General's Office is investigating the fatal officer-involved shooting from Johnstown on Sunday. State Police say 28-year-old Nathan Wood was shot and killed by a Johnstown police officer after police say he tried to attack the officer with a hammer. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Wood entered a home on Washington Street without permission. When the property owner who lives in the downstairs apartment told him to leave, Wood allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a hammer.Upon the arrival of Johnstown Police, Wood was confronted by an officer, but failed to follow police commands and reportedly proceeded to strike the officer with the hammer. The officer then discharged their firearm, striking Wood. Police say they recovered two hammers at the scene. WCSO: Lake George man arrested after driving stolen U-Haul Wood was taken to ...

Gas prices up more than 10 cents overnight, topping $6 per gallon in L.A. area

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

On Monday, rising gas prices neared an average of $6 per gallon in the Los Angeles area.It only took one more day for that benchmark to be eclipsed.On Tuesday, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was nearly $6.03 in the L.A. area, according to AAA.That's about 11 cents higher than Monday's $5.92.Gas prices also rose statewide, though not by as much as they did in the Southland.The state average price is $5.76, up about 7 cents from $5.69 on Monday.Nationally, however, gas prices actually dipped about a tenth of a cent, remaining right around $3.88 per gallon.Even with the higher prices in L.A. Tuesday morning, the all-time record for average gas price remains the $6.49 recorded last year on Oct. 5, 2022.

Disney to invest close to $60B to expand its parks and cruises

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

The Walt Disney Co. is nearly doubling its investment in its parks and cruise lines. That's what the company laid out in its securities filing on Tuesday morning for its Disney Parks, Experiences and Products branch.In the filing, it was revealed the company is set to spend $60 billion over the course of 10 years "by investing in expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks and cruise line capacity, prioritizing projects anticipated to generate strong returns, consistent with the Company’s continuing approach to allocate capital in a disciplined and balanced manner."This is the latest in money moves from the company.The Cinderella Castle is seen at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, July 14, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)Just last week, Disney was in "exploratory talks" about selling its ABC network and television stations, possibly to KTLA parent company Nexstar, Bloomberg reported.According to The Hollywood Reporter, the company held ...

Kevin Costner’s estranged wife gives up fight; warring couple settle divorce: report

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

After losing key court rulings all summer in her highly contentious split from Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner has reportedly agreed to give her her effort to challenge their prenuptial agreement and to settle their divorce.“In what may be the most shocking turn of events this year,” the divorce war between Costner and Baumgartner is over because the warring ex-spouses have agreed to settle, TMZ reported Tuesday.Yes, Baumgartner’s surrender may be “shocking,” but it wasn’t improbable,TMZ said, considering that Costner’s legal team had already won a series of legal skirmishes, particularly when it came to child support.The former model and handbag designer demanded a whopping $248,000 a month in child support, saying such an amount was necessary to maintain their three children in the luxury lifestyle to which they had become accustomed. Costner’s team, headed by top celebrity divorce attorney Laura Wasser, pushed back, saying that...

Los Gatos residents get to know the people in their neighborhood

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

The annual Cancer CAREpoint Garden Party was held last month at Nestldown thanks to Mark and Barbara Beck, who provided the venue. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all: the Becks, our volunteers who created a fabulous event and our sponsors and supporters who generously gave over $1.1M to care for cancer patients, survivors, family members and caregivers in our community,” executive director Dawn Hogh said. “As Ruth (Slyngstad) so eloquently shared, you have given the gift of time to people impacted by cancer, and we are so grateful for your support. No one should face cancer alone.” Cancer CAREpoint provides personalized support services and programs for anyone impacted by cancer in the Bay Area. Slyngstad spoke of her cancer battle and about being grateful for the support of family, friends and Cancer CAREpoint. www.cancercarepoint.orgThere’s nothing like a block party to get to know your neighbors. For the past 25 years (with a timeout for the pandemic), folks on Matilija Dri...

California homebuying pace plunges 32% to a record low

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

Soaring mortgage rates have iced California homebuying to a record low.Look at what my trusty spreadsheet found when peeking at stats tracking August purchases and pricing for single-family existing homes from the California Association of Realtors. The Federal Reserve’s inflation battle – using high interest rates as the cooling agent – plus stubborn pricing is scaring off numerous house hunters.California houses were bought at an average 271,800-a-year pace during the 12 months ended in August. How listless has this lengthy slump been?Sales are off 32% vs. the previous 12-month period.It’s 38% below the 33-year average.It’s the slowest 12 months of homebuying in a database that dates to January 1990.This breaks the previous low set in the early days of the Great Recession in April 2008. Yes, THAT slow!This past year’s sales drop hit every corner of the state with near conformity. Southern California buying is off 33% followed by the Bay Area, Central Valley and Central Coast, all ...

Heisman Watch: Penix, Sanders surge in our breakdown of the top Pac-12 candidates

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

Welcome to our weekly look at the Pac-12’s leading Heisman Trophy candidates via a power ranking of the top players in the conference. Consider this one Heisman voter’s view of the conference hierarchy, which is packed with contenders for the first time in forever.The rankings are based on a subjective assessment of individual performance, value to the team and quality of competition. And yes, we consider defensive players.Three games down, and Michael Penix Jr.’s pursuit of the Heisman Trophy is unfolding exactly as Washington hoped, with as many boxes checked as touchdowns thrown.Here we go:— Big wins and gaudy stats? Check.The Huskies are 3-0, ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press poll and rapidly amassing media attention. (UW is No. 1 in the Yahoo! and ESPN rankings this week.) Meanwhile, Penix leads the nation in passing yards (444 per game) and is second in touchdowns.— Brilliance on big stages? Check.Washington just ventured into Big Ten territory and blasted...

Sexual harassment lawsuit against California Treasurer Fiona Ma by employee she fired will go to trial

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:39:24 GMT

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ | Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO  — A civil lawsuit brought against California Treasurer Fiona Ma by a high-ranking former employee who alleges Ma made sexual advances toward her before firing her can go to trial, a judge ruled Thursday.Judith Blackwell, the former head of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, alleged sexual harassment, racial discrimination and wrongful termination in the lawsuit, which was filed in July 2021, six months after she was fired. Ma has said the allegations are without merit and filed a motion to dismiss the case.The lawsuit alleged that Ma often rented hotel rooms and a home in Sacramento for staff to stay in after working late. Blackwell said that while sharing rooms, Ma called her into her bedroom several times, exposed her nude backside and climbed into Blackwell’s bed with her at least once.Ma’s motion for dismissal said the incidents were not sexual in nature and instead typical of what happens when people share a li...