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Opinion: Protect Californians, wildlife from groundwater contamination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

More than a decade ago, UC Davis released a groundbreaking report about the growing human health threat from groundwater contamination. It revealed that hundreds of thousands of Californians rely on polluted groundwater to meet their household needs. More than a million are at risk.The problem is now well understood. Yet for over a decade, the California Water Resources Control Board has failed to take meaningful action.That’s why a coalition of Latino, farmworker, environmental and fishing organizations filed suit in October challenging the water resources board and Central Coast Regional Water Board for continuing to allow agricultural pollution to contaminate drinking water supplies and ecosystems. The case is focused on the Central Coast, but a successful outcome may help force action by regional water boards statewide.The Salinas Valley is a hot spot for agricultural contamination, although the problem is widespread in the Central Valley and elsewhere. In recent years, local gr...

Barabak: DeSantis-Newsom red vs. blue state debate was a dud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

The prodigiously hyped debate between Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis was never going to be more than a diversion, a brief sideshow running parallel to the main attraction — the actual campaign for the White House.California’s Democratic governor is not a candidate for president, as he has oft stated and reiterated several more times Thursday night.Florida’s governor is running for the Republican nomination, but doing so poorly that he stooped to participate in a publicity stunt, dressed up as a national policy forum, that fairly reeked with the smell of DeSantis’ desperation.Even by those meager standards, “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” as Fox News breathlessly promoted the cable TV throwdown, proved a dud.“You’re nothing but a bully,” Newsom taunted.“You’re a bully,” DeSantis shot back.And so it went, for more than 90 excruciating minutes — at least on those occasions when the two weren’t tal...

DC United releases Northern Va. product Andy Najar, 8 other players to start rebuild

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar (14) runs upfield with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)(AP/Terrance Williams) D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar (14) runs upfield with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)(AP/Terrance Williams) D.C. United declined the contract options for nine players, including Northern Virginia product Andy Najar, but will continue contract negotiations with free agent Donovan Pines as the club begins rebuilding its roster for next season.The MLS side enters the offseason with onl...

Legia Warsaw fans appear in court after charges filed from violence before Aston Villa game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Police have filed charges against the Legia Warsaw fans who were arrested for violent disorder outside Villa Park on Thursday night before a Europa Conference League game against Aston Villa.All but one of the 46 men arrested were due to appear on Saturday in a special court set up in Birmingham to begin hearing the cases, West Midlands Police said.“We are continuing to review CCTV and body-worn video footage to identify further suspects in what was an appalling and violent public disorder,” police said in a statement Saturday.Most of the defendants are from Poland and a “small number” are UK residents, police said. They range in age from 21 to 63.Two of the men were charged with assaulting police officers, and one was charged with possession of a knife. The rest were charged with a public order offense. One man had been bailed to appear in court at a later date.Five police officers sustained minor injuries. Two police dogs and two police horses are also r...

Record Temperatures Possible this Saturday as Heat and Humidity Returns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

This time of the year, South Florida can experience a flip flop in weather conditions, with a cool down occurring earlier this week but temperatures have now returned above average this weekend ahead of our next cold front.In Miami, the record high of 86F today can even be tied!Expect partly sunny to partly cloudy skies this Saturday across South Florida paired with a light, southeasterly breeze and only the chance for seeing a stray shower. Highs will reach the mid 80s.Sunday will be fairly similar with times of sunshine and clouds although rain chances will be higher at a 30% chance courtesy of more moisture in place being drawn in by a southerly wind. Lots of dry time is still ahead so this rain chance shouldn’t disrupt your outdoor plans too much. Otherwise it will remain relatively hot with highs in the mid to upper 80s. There will also be the chance for areas of morning fog.One more day of heat is on the docket for our Monday before a weak front crosses through late in t...

Biden’s EPA launches crackdown on planet-warming methane

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled sweeping new regulations targeting methane emissions from the oil and gas sector on Saturday, a significant milestone for President Joe Biden’s strategy for curbing the pollution driving up the Earth’s temperatures.The rule’s 3 a.m. rollout was timed to coincide with the ongoing U.N. climate talks in Dubai, where the U.S. has sought to play a leading role in global efforts to reduce emissions of the powerful planet-heating gas. But its biggest test will be in the legal arena at home, where conservatives on the Supreme Court have slapped down regulations the justices viewed as White House overreach.EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a statement called the rule a “strong action” that “significantly” curbs methane pollution.“We’ve crafted these technology standards to advance American innovation and account for the industry’s leadership in accelerating methane technology,” he said.The U.S. is also hos...

US targets oil and natural gas industry’s role in global warming with new rule on methane emissions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Saturday issued a final rule aimed at reducing methane emissions, targeting the U.S. oil and natural gas industry for its role in global warming as President Joe Biden seeks to advance his climate legacy.The Environmental Protection Agency said the rule will sharply reduce methane and other harmful air pollutants generated by the oil and gas industry, promote use of cutting-edge methane detection technologies and deliver significant public health benefits in the form of reduced hospital visits, lost school days and even deaths. Air pollution from oil and gas operations can cause cancer, harm the nervous and respiratory systems and contribute to birth defects.EPA Administrator Michael Regan and White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi announced the final rule at the U.N. climate conference in the United Arab Emirates. Separately, the president of the climate summit announced Saturday that 50 oil companies representin...

Four Patriots who should take on bigger roles vs. Chargers in Week 13

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

Even if you’re ultimately rooting for the Patriots to lose and improve their draft position, give the Patriots credit for switching things up this week.It appears the Patriots are making a switch at quarterback ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the Chargers.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots new starting QB must depend on cast of disappointing receivers New England Patriots | Patriots-Chargers injury report: Keenan Allen questionable, two Pats WRs out New England Patriots | Patriots missing two WRs at final practice before Chargers game New England Patriots | Bill Belichick shares what he’s seen from Bailey Zappe in practice New England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: Will Malik Cunningham get another shot in Week 13? Here are four players who could take on bigger roles this week against a team the Patriots have beaten in seven straight contests.QB Bailey ZappeThe second-year pro ...

Iran says an Israeli strike in Syria killed 2 Revolutionary Guard members while on advisory mission

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard stated through its website that two of its forces stationed in Syria were killed in an Israeli airstrike Saturday.The report on the Guard’s news portal identified the two members as Mohammad Ali Ataei Shourcheh and Panah Taghizadeh, and said they were carrying out an advisory mission in Syria. It did not elaborate on their rank, or the area where they were killed.Syrian state media, quoting an unnamed military official, said Israeli airstrikes hit several areas on the outskirts of the capital Damascus early Saturday. The strikes resulted in only “material losses,” the report added.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition war monitor, said the strikes hit the southern Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, where “there are military forces working with the Lebanese (militant group) Hezbollah.” It said the strike killed two Syrian citizens and two foreigners and wounded five others.This latest deve...

In Mexico, a Japanese traditional dancer shows how body movement speaks beyond culture and religion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:28 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — When music requires her to cry, Japanese traditional dancer Naoko Kihara barely alters her expression. It’s her arms and torso that move like a slow-motion wave.“Expression is minimal because we cry with our body,” said Kihara, wrapped in her white and navy kimono, on a recent day at her dancing studio in Mexico, where an estimated 76,000 Japanese descendants live.“It is the dance that is speaking, interpreting, since we do not smile, shout or laugh.”Kihara won’t reveal her age, but she’s been practicing Japanese traditional dance for almost 24 years. Born in Brazil from Japanese parents who later moved to Mexico City, she carries on the legacy of Tamiko Kawabe, her mentor and pioneer of Hanayagi-style dance in the country.For Latin American audiences, Kihara said, Japanese traditional dance might be hard to embrace.Unlike the fast-moving interpreters of samba and salsa — widespread in Brazil and Mexico — Hanayagi dancers move quietly and gently, performing just a...