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Rockies’ Kris Bryant: Fading star or simply a prolonged slump?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

Star power.That’s what the Rockies expected last spring when they signed outfielder Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract.But Bryant has not generated the statistics or the buzz the Rockies hoped for when they gave him the largest free-agent contract for a position player in franchise history. Nor has Bryant helped put fannies in the seats at Coors Field. The Rockies are averaging 27,236 fans per game, 17th in the majors. Last season, they averaged 32,467, ranking ninth.Bryant is 31 and the question must be asked. Is he simply in a prolonged slump or is he a fading star?Bryant entered Wednesday night’s game at Arizona as a Rockie in a hard place. He’d hit .114 (4 for 35) over his last 10 games and .205 (16 for 78) over his last 20. For the season, he was hitting .263 with a .719 OPS and an 87 OPS+.Tuesday night, Bryant led off the second inning with a bullet to center off Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen. The ball came off Bryant’s bat at 107.2 mph, B...

L.A. City Council votes to mandate air conditioning in all rental units

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to move forward with a plan to have mandatory air conditioning in all rental units in the city.The council unanimously voted on the plan in an attempt to address increased emergency room visits during heat waves.The motion would require that landlords or property managers install cooling units in rentals. It also calls on the city attorney and L.A.’s housing department to weigh in on options to amend the existing code to require ample cooling appliances in those properties, as well as possible funding sources.Many landlords, however, have expressed concerns over the proposal, saying it will be a financial burden and are urging the committee to pursue other options, like broadening access to cooling centers with free transit for renters.Some landlords feel they may have to sell their properties if the motion passes because they won’t be able to afford new installation.Wednesday’s vote is just one step in the process to get the motion pa...

Theater Icons John Kander, Bonnie Comley, and Stewart F. Lane Were Honored with the 2023 Chita Rivera Awards

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

Photo Credit: Annie Watt PhotographyThe 2023 Chita Rivera Awards honored esteemed individuals and productions for their outstanding contributions to the world of dance and theater. The recipients included John Kander, BroadwayHD founders Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Jeffrey L. Page, Stephen Hoggett, Robyn Hurder, Jess LeProtto, Maddie Love, Gaby Diaz, Ryan Steele, Andy Blankenbuehler, “13: The Musical,” “Everybody Dance,” as well as the ensembles of Bob Fosse’s “Dancin'” and “New York, New York.”At this year’s Chita Rivera Awards, the sold-out Skirball Center audience witnessed a remarkable moment as 90-year-old Chita took to the stage to honor her close friend and mentor, the 96-year-old John Kander, with the prestigious Chita Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award. The audience erupted in cheers, witnessing the deep mutual respect, admiration, and love shared between these icons of the dance and theater world. The Chita ...

FoxSoul brings the heat with new hit show N’Style Atlanta Uncut

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

Fans of the viral media platform N’Style Atlanta have cause for celebration, as the latest offering, N’Style Atlanta Uncut, is now streaming on FoxSoul. N’Style Atlanta Uncut brings viewers an unfiltered look into the world of fashion, beauty, and entertainment.N’Style Atlanta Uncut features celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes access to fashion shows, and insider information on the latest trends in beauty and fashion. The show is hosted by Founder and Executive Producer Carmen Simmons, who brings seven amazing women together to dominate the entertainment industry as we know it.“N’Style Atlanta Uncut is the show that Atlanta has been waiting for,” said Simmons. “We’re giving viewers an up-close look at what it takes to make it in the media and entertainment industry. The good, the bad, and the messy, along with exclusive interviews with some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry.”N’Style Atlanta Uncut ...

The Key to Moon Maison’s Success: How She Built a Strong Personal Brand

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

Moon Maison, Founder of Moon Maison Media LLC, also known as The World’s Sexiest Life Coach is a Healer, an Influencer, and a Sex Goddess. She was given two of these titles when she participated in an Ayahuasca ceremony in 2017. In fact, it was in a message given to her, and outlined by a cosmic consciousness that radiated love, light and peace.“There was a total immersion into sexual bliss and love..” Moon said about her spiritual encounter. She wasn’t sure if the message being dished out to her…was really meant for her, and asked, “are you sure? me?” Raw visceral love flowed through her in confirmation that, she better believe it…Moon Maison was a ‘Sex Goddess’, and not just of sex, but also love and healing.Which made sense in a strange, coming full circle kind of way.It was a tall order but who could argue with the logic spoken by a Spirit or God? Especially when the message aligned with everything she knew and learned, having done copious amounts of soul work up to that point.S...

4 Ways to Increase Your Home Equity

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

As of 2022, the rate of homes currently occupied by owners is at 65.9%. This number is at an all-time high since 2011. With the number of homeowners currently on the rise, this means that there will be more prospective buyers in the future. This also means that homeowners should start to pay closer attention to the housing market, which will directly impact your home’s equity. Home equity is the monetary difference between your home’s current estimated market value and what you owe on your mortgage. Whether you’re a prospective buyer or a curious homeowner, here are four ways you can improve your home equity: Start strong with a large down payment.This one is short and sweet, though it does require a bit of money management. Increasing your down payment will put more equity directly into your home. This will also allow you to get a good foothold on paying off your mortgage. Buying a home worth $200,000 and paying $15,000 will bring your home’s equity to $15,000. Pay your mortgage.It...

Ex-Gov. Christie expected to launch 2024 bid next week

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

By Jill Colvin | Associated PressNEW YORK — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to launch a Republican presidential campaign next week in New Hampshire.Christie, who also ran in 2016, is planning to make the announcement at a town hall Tuesday evening at Saint Anselm College’s New Hampshire Institute of Politics, according to a person familiar with his thinking who spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm Christie’s plans.The timing, which was first reported by Axios, comes after several longtime Christie advisers started a super political action committee to support his expected candidacy.The Associated Press had previously reported that Christie was expected to enter the race “imminently.”Christie has cast himself as the only potential candidate willing to aggressively take on former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the nomination. Christie, a former federal prosecutor, was a longtime friend and adviser to Trump, but brok...

Inman: Brandon Aiyuk, 10 other things to stand out at 49ers’ practice

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

SANTA CLARA – Brandon Aiyuk delivered a clear message Wednesday, for those who forgot his 1,000-yard emergence last season or those who didn’t witness his fabulous receptions in a sun-splashed practice this last day of May.“I’m about to take off,” Aiyuk said.Aiyuk caught a pair of 40-yard passes – one each from Trey Lance and Sam Darnold – to remind everyone of his potential as a No. 1 wide receiver.That said, he realizes he’s been overshadowed by Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey – and Aiyuk even tweeted in March how he managed to tally 1,000 yards as the “fourth option in a run-first offense.”1k as the 4th option in a run first offense I’m as real as it get word to Lil baby and est gee! I’m ready to stand on business every time. Year 4 — BA (@THE2ERA) March 21, 2023“That’s been my whole life. But I feel it’s supposed to be that way,” Aiyuk said of being overlooked. “That’s what keeps me going, that’s what keeps me motivated, keeps me angry, in a sense.”The...

California has investigated Catholic priest sex abuse for years. Victims want answers on what they found

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

After Pennsylvania authorities issued a bombshell report in 2018 detailing widespread sexual abuse of children and coverup in the Roman Catholic church, California’s attorney general invited victims here to share their stories. The next year, the state subpoenaed half of California’s Roman Catholic dioceses.What California authorities have learned since remains a mystery.And for victims of long-ago abuse seeking justice in the courts while the state’s dioceses increasingly seek bankruptcy protection, the silence is a growing aggravation — especially as other states, notably Illinois and Maryland, recently issued their own reports, revealing a devastating past of abuse by hundreds of clergy of thousands of children.“The public deserves to know what you have already uncovered,” SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in a letter Wednesday to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We urge you to release a report, or at lea...

Oakland hit with class-action lawsuit over ransomware attack

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:42:09 GMT

OAKLAND — The massive ransomware attack that exposed reams of sensitive personal data stored by the city is now the subject of a class-action lawsuit by city employees who say their information wasn’t properly protected.It’s the latest development in a torturous saga for Oakland’s city government that began when online hackers infiltrated the city’s data systems, which critics say had been left vulnerable to attack by inadequate security measures, in January.Since then, ransomware group Play has dumped hundreds of thousands of web pages worth of home addresses, driver’s license information, medical data, social security numbers and more onto the dark web, where they can be accessed by anyone with the correct software.The lawsuit, filed in late April by police services technician Hada Gonzalez, seeks monetary damages and attorney’s costs from the city, plus a requirement for Oakland officials “to protect, including through encryption, all data coll...