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Ex-SDSU punter Matt Araiza files defamation lawsuit against accuser

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Former San Diego State and Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza has filed a defamation lawsuit against the student who accused him of sexually assaulting her at an off-campus house party in October 2021.The complaint, which was filed with the court on Friday, alleges that the accuser -- known as Jane Doe -- knowingly made false statements about Araiza to San Diego police and media outlets with claims about how she was gang raped at the party while she was underage.The San Diego County District Attorney's office opted not to pursue criminal charges in the case. However, a civil lawsuit against Araiza and two of his former teammates remains ongoing. Judge sends mom accused of DUI in deaths of kids on SR-78 back to jail Araiza has denied the allegations, but he did admit to having consensual interactions with Doe at the house party. A nearly 200-page transcript of a meeting between prosecutors, Doe and her counsel on Dec. 7, 2022, his complaint says, clears him of wrongdoing...

'Barbie-mania' in San Diego: Check out these activities to join the hot pink craze

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Since Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" hit the big screen, "Barbie-mania" has taken the world in a bright-pink storm. Whether it's adding "Dreamhouse"-style flourishes to one's home or wearing a cute fuchsia ensemble to head to a pink-themed meal, people have been embracing the perfectly plastic world depicted in the long-awaited film outside the theater.San Diego is no different. Here are some local events and other pink-filled activities for all the Barbies and Kens -- or Allans -- looking to revel in the moment or celebrate their inner child. Mattel theme park to bring Barbie World to life Sidebarbie WorldEnter the world of Barbie at one of San Diego's longest Downtown nightclubs, Side Bar. Nestled in the Gaslamp, the nightclub will be hosting the event, "Sidebarbie World," transforming the posh space into a lively Malibu Barbie paradise complete with specialty cocktails, life-size Barbie photo opportunities, DJs and more.While it's a coincidence the blockbuster film came o...

Trump lawyer calls indictment an ‘attack on free speech and political advocacy.’ Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Follow along for live updates on the Justice Department’s indictment of former President Donald Trump over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The charges focus on schemes by Trump and his allies to subvert the transfer of power and keep him in office despite his loss to Joe Biden. ___WHAT TO KNOW— Trump has now been indicted for the third time. Here’s where all the investigations stand— Trump also was indicted in June on charges that he illegally hoarded classified documents— Mar-a-Lago’s property manager is the latest Trump staffer ensnared in his legal turmoil— Special counsel Jack Smith has a long career of confronting corruption___Trump lawyer calls indictment an “attack on free speech and political advocacy”Donald Trump’s attorney John Lauro called the latest indictment of the former president “an attack on free speech and political advocacy.”Lauro said in an interview on CNN Tuesday night that it is “an effort t...

As Jagmeet Singh tours Atlantic Canada, New Democrats look to flip Liberal seats

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is touring Atlantic Canada in an effort to highlight affordability issues — and flip two Liberal seats in the next federal election. Singh said voters who are increasingly struggling with the cost of living are dissatisfied with the federal government, while selling his party as the true caretaker of working-class Canadians.The NDP has pushed for affordability initiatives through its confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals, including dental care, a one-time rental supplement and the doubling of the GST rebate.Singh views them all as wins.“We’re making a real difference, but it’s not enough for me to just push government,” Singh told reporters in St. John’s, N.L., on Tuesday. “I want to be the one calling the shots and make sure that decisions are made in the interests of working people.”The party is looking to flip St. John’s East in Newfoundland, a seat that used to be a stronghold for the N...

1 dies, 8 others seriously hurt in tour bus rollover at Grand Canyon West

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

GRAND CANYON WEST, Ariz. (AP) — One person was killed in a tour bus rollover involving over 50 people Tuesday in northern Arizona near the Grand Canyon West Skywalk, authorities said.The bus rolled over just before 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, according to the tribal police department. Grand Canyon West is run by the tribe but has no operational ties to Grand Canyon National Park, which is managed by the National Park Service.The rollover involved 57 people; one person died and eight others were flown to hospitals. An undisclosed number of others with less critical injuries were driven for treatment, tribal emergency officials said in a statement. The name of the person who died and details on the injured were not immediately released.A private tour operator and a visitor’s personal vehicle collided near the Grand Canyon West parking lot, tribal officials confirmed. They declined further comment, citing their ongoing investigation.The Ariz...

Politicians urge Taylor Swift to postpone LA concerts in solidarity with striking hotel workers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s lieutenant governor and other elected officials on Tuesday urged Taylor Swift to postpone her Los Angeles concerts as a way to stand in solidarity with striking hotel workers. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and dozens of state and local politicians signed an open letter telling Swift that her tour makes the region’s hotels money, with some properties “doubling and tripling what they charge because you are coming.”Meanwhile, the letter said, many housekeepers and other hotel workers can’t afford to live close to their jobs and some sleep in their cars and risk losing their homes.“Hotel workers are fighting for their lives. They are fighting for a living wage. They have gone on strike. Now, they are asking for your support,” they wrote. “Stand with hotel workers and postpone your concerts.”Starting Thursday, Swift is scheduled to perform six sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles. Her representatives didn’t immediately respond to a...

Sao Paulo police kill 14 people in raid as they investigate the slaying of an elite officer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — The death toll from an ongoing raid in Sao Paulo state has climbed to 14, as law enforcement agents sought to strike at the people they blame for killing an elite squad officer last week. The sprawling operation has raised questions about the use of lethal force by police.Sao Paulo Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas, who on Monday had said 10 people were killed, on Tuesday announced the increased tally. News website G1 said the revised figures make the raid the most deadly in Brazil’s most populous and wealthiest state since 2006.De Freitas, a former minister of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro and deemed by many politicians as his potential heir, said he is proud of his policemen involved in the statewide raid, which is expected to finish on Aug. 28. The operation is also seeking the arrests of the killers of elite policeman Patrick Bastos Reis, who was shot dead on Thursday.“Those who decided to turn themselves in were arrested,” the governor said when asked about ...

CPD: 3 hospitalized following Lawndale shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

CHICAGO -- Three men have been transported to a local hospital after being shot on the South Side Tuesday night.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the 1300 block of South Springfield Avenue in the Lawndale neighborhood just after 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday.CPD reports that all three men hospitalized were shot in the leg. Two men, 31 and 32-years-old, were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, but a 33-year-old man remains in critical condition.No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing. No further information has been made available.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

20 tons of chocolate go up in flames when semi-truck catches fire in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

(KTXL) -- A semi-truck carrying 40,000 pounds of chocolate went up in flames on Monday morning in Northern California's Placer County, according to CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer. At around 4:30 a.m., crews responded to the area of Interstate 80 and Highway 174 near Colfax for reports of a commercial vehicle fire.When crews arrived on scene they found a fully involved fire in the trailer of the semi-truck and were able to keep the flames from spreading into the surrounding forestland. ‘Scared to stop’: Google Maps car leads Indiana police on 100-mph chase, crashes into creek Footage from KCRA showed large heaps of chocolate melting in the heat, dripping off the wreckage of the vehicle and rocks along the side of the road.Such fires can be especially tough to extinguish, according to Danish transport company DSV. "Chocolate, or more so cocoa, is highly flammable. If it catches fire, the blaze is difficult to extinguish since cocoa powder contains 10 to 20 percent fat and has a huge s...

Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 100 acres, 40% contained

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:10:37 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — First responders said they're working Tuesday afternoon to evacuate homes as a "precautionary measure" because of a wildfire burning near Bastrop State Park. The fire, which is now called the Powder Keg Pine Fire, is estimated at 100 acres and is 40% contained as of 8 p.m., according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.Additionally, the Austin Fire Department said it and other Travis County ESDs sent multiple units as mutual aid to to the fire.Smoke seen from Bastrop County fire Aug. 1, 2023. (KXAN ReportIt photo)Smoke from Bastrop wildfire Aug. 1, 2023 (KXAN ReportIt Photo)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)First responders said the houses affected by the evacuations are located between Harmon Road and Pine Hill Loop in Bastrop. It's unclear how many homes are impacted at this time. Neighbors are advised to contact the county hotline at (512) 303-4300 for more information. I...