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At Donald Trump’s civil trial, appraiser recalls Eric Trump’s ‘lofty’ views on property value

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

By JENNIFER PELTZ (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — The spotlight at former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial turned Thursday to his son Eric, with testimony and documents suggesting the scion envisioned a “lofty” value for a suburban golf course and was actively involved in appraisals he has said he doesn’t remember. The trial stems from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ claims that Donald Trump, his company and executives, including Eric Trump, fraudulently inflated asset values on financial statements given to lenders, insurers and others. The defendants deny the allegations, and the 2024 Republican presidential front-runner says the values actually were underestimated.About a decade ago, Trump’s companies sought appraisals of two of their properties in New York’s suburban Westchester County — the Trump National Golf Club and an estate known as Seven Springs, according to documents and testimony Thursday. At th...

Authorities investigating HazMat incident at L.A. City Hall

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

Authorities with the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police and LAPD's HazMat Units are investigating reports of an unknown white powder found in L.A. City Hall on Thursday.The calls came in just before 2 p.m. after the unknown substance was found in the first floor mail room.Two patients are being evaluated for unknown medical complaints, authorities said. Sky5 footage showed a large number of first responders at the scene.No evacuations were reported, but authorities shut down Los Angeles Street between Temple and First streets.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Women accused of stealing $1,800 worth of perfume from Ulta

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help in identifying two women accused of stealing over $1,800 worth of perfume from an Ulta Beauty store.The theft occurred at the Ulta location on 10th Street in Palmdale on June 20. Two women suspects were seen entering the store and leaving with over $1,800 worth of perfume. (LA County Sheriff’s Department) Two women were seen entering the store and walking away with over $1,800 worth of perfume without paying, authorities said. Authorities released surveillance photos of the women, both of whom appear to have distinctive tattoos on their arms and shoulders.Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chavez with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Palmdale Sheriff Station at (661)272-2482.Information regarding the incident can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 Tips,” or by visiting the...

Driver arrested in hit-and-run that injured girl, 12

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

A woman has been arrested for allegedly crashing into a 12-year-old girl who was walking to school in Santa Ana, and then fleeing the scene.The crash occurred at about 8:10 a.m. Wednesday morning in the 4400 block of West McFadden Avenue.According to Santa Ana Police, the girl was crossing McFadden when the driver of a blue, four-door sedan hit her and then drove away.Santa Ana Police impounding a blue sedan allegedly involved in a hit-and-run that injured a 12-year-old girl. Oct. 18, 2023. (Santa Ana Police)Police in Santa Ana are searching for a newer model dark-colored Honda sedan after it hit a young girl and failed to stop in Santa Ana, CA on Oct. 18, 2023. A 12-year-old girl was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking to school in Santa Ana, CA on Oct, 18, 2023. (KTLA)The girl sustained serious injuries but survived. She underwent two surgeries and was recovering at a hospital, officials said.On Wednesday night, officers served a search warrant at a home in the 3600 bloc...

Martinez refinery official apologizes to city council and residents after chemical releases

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

On a night when the city passed a resolution castigating the Martinez Refining Company for their performance over the last 12 months, the refinery’s manager issued a set of apologies and an acknowledgment that if the company doesn’t get its act together soon, the consequences could be dire.“We understand that not only being a good neighbor, but truly our license depends on our ability to operate in a safe and responsible manner,” said Daniel Ingram, manager of the Martinez Refining company. “We don’t take these issues lightly.”Ingram’s report included a more full accounting of the spent catalyst release last November, when residents woke up to a layer of fine white silt on their cars and window sills. The Martinez Refining Company, whose sprawling campus defines the east side of the city, said the release was “non-toxic,” “non-hazardous”, and “naturally occurring” spent catalyst dust used in the refining process.Related ArticlesEnvironment | Big federal dollars for ...

Review: Rolling Stones’ new ‘Hackney Diamonds’ album sparkles

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

By Jocelyn Noveck | Associated PressNear the end of the exultant “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” the penultimate track on The Rolling Stones’ terrific new album “Hackney Diamonds” (yes, NEW), we hear what sounds like a vocal contest between two up-and-comers: one Mick Jagger and one Lady Gaga.“Oh yeah!” they sing, with escalating urgency. “Come on!” Are they tussling here? Actually, Jagger has confirmed there were competitive juices flowing as they completed the track.To which we say, let the games continue! The competition is emblematic of the joyous energy that infuses the Stones’ first collection of original music in 18 years, out Friday. It’s their best new work in decades — tight, focused, full of heart and swagger.Related ArticlesMusic | Review: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ among greatest concert films of all time Music | Review: Where was the ‘real Peter Gabriel’ during San Francisco concert? Music | Mi...

Jordan vows to stay in speaker race as tensions erupt inside GOP meeting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

(CNN) — Tensions are boiling over among House Republicans on Thursday afternoon as the conference searches for a viable path forward with Rep. Jim Jordan so far vowing to stay in the race to be the next speaker despite substantial resistance. Jordan affirmed Thursday that he is still running for the speaker’s gavel and said he plans to talk to House Republicans who have opposed his candidacy in two floor votes. The Ohio Republican faces an uphill battle to win over holdouts, however, and is under growing pressure from within the GOP conference to drop out. A closed-door GOP conference meeting on Thursday turned heated, multiple sources told CNN, with some members railing against Jordan, and one swearing at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who led the rebellion against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose ouster has led to the more than two week leadership vacuum.There was also debate during the meeting over whether Republicans should support a resolution to temporarily exp...

Newly appointed Sen. Butler will not seek re-election

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

By Michael R. Blood | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Newly appointed California Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler announced Thursday she will not seek election to a full term in 2024, avoiding what would have been a costly and bruising race for the seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein.Butler — who was named earlier this month by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to complete Feinstein’s remaining term — said in a statement she made the decision after considering “what kind of life I want to have, what kind of service I want to offer and what kind of voice I want to bring forward.”“Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go,” Butler added. “It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me.”Her candidacy would have complicated an already crowded race tha...

49ers safety Gipson speaks on controversial hit; Moody copes with misses; Bosa eyes Cousins

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

SANTA CLARA – Tashaun Gipson Sr. said Thursday he puts the 49ers’ first loss of the season “on my shoulder. It’s just a terrible feeling.”About that shoulder …Gipson is still awaiting word on whether he’ll be fined – or if officials were incorrect – regarding his shoulder-to-shoulder hit on Browns receiver Elijah Moore. That unnecessary roughness penalty on a third-down incompletion bailed out the Cleveland Browns’ go-ahead drive in their 19-17 upset.Moore was airborne at the Browns’ 34-yard line when his and Gipson’s right shoulders collided, while P.J. Walker’s errant pass sailed incomplete.“It was a bang-bang play. But once you watch the replays, in slow motion, it makes it worse,” Gipson said. “As a competitor, you look and say, ‘What else would I do differently?’ I don’t know.”Gipson made what he called “a conscious effort” to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact, not just for Moore’s sake but his own.“The league is about protecting players. I don’t think I did anything v...

Burt Young dies at 83; Oscar-nominated actor played Paulie in ‘Rocky’ films

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:53:05 GMT

By Andrew Dalton | Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Burt Young, the Oscar-nominated actor who played Paulie, the rough-hewn, mumbling-and-grumbling best friend, corner-man and brother-in-law to Sylvester Stallone in the “Rocky” franchise, has died.Young died Oct. 8 in Los Angeles, his daughter, Anne Morea Steingieser, told the New York Times on Wednesday. No cause was given. He was 83.Young had roles in acclaimed films and television shows including “Chinatown,” “Once Upon a Time in America” and “The Sopranos.”But he was always best known for playing Paulie Pennino in six “Rocky” movies. The short, paunchy, balding Young was the sort of actor who always seemed to play middle-aged no matter his age.When Paulie first appears in 1976’s “Rocky,” he’s an angry, foul-mouthed meat packer who is abusive to his sister Adrian (Talia Shire), with whom he shares a small apartment in Philadelphia. He berates the shy, meek Adrian for refusing at first to go on a Thanksgiving-night ...