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Kelly Clarkson responds to toxic workplace allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

Kelly Clarkson has responded to a Rolling Stone report accusing her daytime talk show of being a toxic workplace.Clarkson issued a statement on her Instagram page Saturday. She addressed the allegations after 11 current and former employees complained about being overworked and underpaid on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and also called their work “traumatizing to their mental health” in the magazine’s Friday report.In the report, the anonymous employees called Clarkson “fantastic” but said show producers were “monsters” who made their lives “hell.”Clarkson said she loves her team.“To find out that anyone is feeling unheard and or disrespected on this show is unacceptable,” she said in the post. The talk show host said she wants to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.“As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team is moving, but also our new team in NY is comprised of the best and kindest in the business,” she said. “...

U.S.-Mexico border sees orderly crossings as new migration rules take effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The U.S.-Mexico border was relatively calm as the U.S. ended its pandemic-era immigration restrictions and migrants adapted to new asylum rules and legal pathways meant to discourage illegal crossings.A full day after the rules known as Title 42 were lifted, migrants and government officials on Friday were still assessing the effects of new regulations adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration in hope of stabilizing the Southwest border region and undercutting smugglers who charge migrants to get there.Migrants are now essentially barred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they did not first apply online or seek protection in the countries they traveled through. Families allowed in as their immigration cases progress will face curfews and GPS monitoring. Those expelled can now be barred from reentry for five years and face possible criminal prosecution.Across the river from El Paso, Texas, in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, many migrants watched their cellphones in...

The new Tinder? Striking writers look for love on the picket lines

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

As striking Hollywood writers protest working conditions and pay, some are also looking for love while on the picket line. This week, the two collided outside Universal Studios. An event called "Strike Up a Romance" was organized by "Family Guy" writer Jaydi Samuels Kuba, who also runs a matchmaking business. The event doubled as a picket line for members of the Writers Guild of America and as a singles' mixer."We get to go out, picket like we're supposed to, and maybe meet the love of our lives," writer Matt Altman told Now This News. He added. "Isn't every story about love in the end?""For us, this was just a fun opportunity for writers just to meet each other without the pressures of having to have crazy work hours," organizer Kuba told Reuters.The singles' mixer was allegedly inspired by married couples who met during the last WGA strike. The WGA has been on strike since May 2, after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producer...

Man dies after being shot by own gun in South Los Angeles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

A man is dead after he was struck by fire from his own gun during a struggle with police in a traffic stop in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South Los Angeles Friday night, officials said.The unidentified man was pulled over by the Los Angeles Police Department near East 74th Street and South Central Avenue at about 10:30 p.m., according to Officer Jader Chavez.During the traffic stop, officers spotted a gun in the vehicle, Chavez said.When police tried to prevent the gun from being fired, it discharged, striking the man, Chavez added.He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.No officers were injured during the incident. Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.

Mother delivers own baby thanks to 911 dispatcher's help

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

A Missouri mother safely delivered her own baby boy in a car thanks to the help of a Pike County 911 dispatcher.Christie Rosenstengle welcomed baby Reece into the world on May 11 in her and her husband's car. It was about 1:30 a.m., and Rosenstengle's husband, Kaleb, was driving them to the hospital when Rosenstengle said it was time."As soon as we were about to pull off in Eolia, I said my water's going to break... You have to stop. Stop the car. Pull over."On the other end of the phone was a Pike County 911 dispatcher Faith Cooper."The operator, she was fantastic," Rosenstengle said. "She asked us 'How far apart are her contractions?' Like, trying to help us establish if we needed to pull over if we needed to keep going."Her contractions were less than 3 minutes apart."She taught Kaleb through helping me deliver the baby, and he's done it before," Rosenstengle said. "But it was cool to have her there as a reassurance to know that he was doing everything he should have been doing."...

Milpitas nonprofit launches plan to support foster youth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley last month announced its strategic plan for fiscal years 2024–2026. The Milpitas-based nonprofit provides resources for youth in the foster care system.“We aim to advocate for a responsive, equitable service system for all child-welfare involved families, children and youth in our county,” Frederick J. Ferrer, CEO of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, said in a statement. “The overrepresentation of Latino children in the system is proof that our work goes beyond child welfare; this is also a social justice issue that requires thoughtful reform and advocacy.”Child Advocates brought board members, staff and consultants from MIG, Inc. together to develop the three-year plan, which prioritizes reaching every youth, serving deeply and effectively, and advocating for all.These priorities will guide our work … bringing us steps closer to making our vision a reality: every foster child thriving,” Ferrer said.The nonprofit launched its new strategic plan at ...

Prep roundup: Bellarmine walks it off in regular-season baseball finale

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

NEW: PREP SPORTS MAILBAGThe Bay Area News Group is introducing a high school sports mailbag in May. Get your questions in as soon as possible. Our debut edition is an open forum. Got questions about spring sports playoffs, coaching changes, an early peek at football season, etc.? Send them to [email protected]. Please include “mailbag” in the subject line.BaseballBellarmine 8, Hollister 7The last regular season hit of Vincent Matesso’s Bellarmine career was a memorable one. Facing a full count, a runner on third and with the scoreboard tied, the senior hit a slow-rolling infield single down the third-base line. Nate Escalda sprinted to home plate, and Hollister’s catcher was just a split-second late on the tag. Bellarmine won the non-league game 8-7 and finished its regular season 17-12-1.Bells win 8-7 in the B7 over Hollister on senior day! #GoBells pic.twitter.com/idzP1P00XY— Bellarmine Athletics (@BCPSports) May 13, 2023Bellarmine’s Chris Ruddell and Lucas Li...

Artists show their handiwork in new exhibit in Milpitas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

The new exhibit at Dove Art Gallery in Milpitas is a hands-on experience of a different kind.The artwork in “Creative Hands” highlights hands and feet in various states of creative endeavor. Professional, emerging and student artists have works on display.San Jose artist Laurie Barna is exhibiting several works, including a watercolor painting titled “Slipping Through Our Fingers.” Part of her “Liberty Series” of over 100 artworks, Barna portrays the ease with which American liberties can erode. Another artwork titled “The Journey” takes a more personal view of the artist and her struggle to overcome life’s unexpected turns.Milpitas artist Mythili Kattupalli is exhibiting an acrylic painting titled “Hope.” Her artwork depicts both hope and distress as numerous hands reach out for a limited supply of COVID vaccine. The painting is among Kattupali’s recent artworks providing a visual study of the isolation experienced during the pandemic.Artist Carol Manasse is exhibiting an original ...

Former Cupertino mayor appointed to high school board

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

Sinks appointed to school boardFormer Cupertino Mayor Rod Sinks has been appointed as a Fremont Union High School District trustee to fill the vacancy created by the death of trustee Roy Rocklin. The district’s board of trustees approved Sinks’ appointment May 8; he’s set to be sworn in on Tuesday, May 16, at what will be his first board meeting.As the provisional appointee, Sinks will fill the remainder of Rocklin’s term, which ends after the November 2024 election is certified.Sinks served on the Cupertino City Council from 2011 through 2020. Prior to his government service, he led two high tech start-ups. He is the immediate past president of the Cupertino Rotary Club and served as chair of the Bay Area Quality Management District in 2020 and as president of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County in 2018. He helped found Silicon Valley Clean Energy and served as its first chair.For more information, visit www.fuhsd.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/board-meetings.Regnart Creek...

Wind symphony plays ‘Music and Muses’ in Saratoga May 21

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

Wind symphony concertThe San Jose Wind Symphony is auditioning new conductors following Maestro Edward C. Harris’s announcement that he’s retiring this month after 20 years at the helm.The four finalists are all getting the chance to step up to the podium this season to program, rehearse and conduct a San Jose Wind Symphony concert. On May 21, Dr. Danielle Gaudry will take her shot with “Music and Muses,” a program of music that was inspired by other art forms. The concert is set for 3 p.m. at the McAfee Performing Arts Center, 20300 Herriman Ave.Dance is represented by Arturo Marquez’s “Conga Del Fuego Nuevo, ““Terpsichorean Dances” by Jodie Blackshaw and Florence B. Price’s “Three Negro Dances.” Literature is represented by “Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre based on Rudyard Kipling’s poem, and Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, ”Contre Qui, Rose,” is put to music by Morten Lauridsen.The program also features Norman Dello Joio’s “Scenes from the Louvre,” “Ballet Parisien...