Lakers-Warriors the most-watched NBA Conference Semifinals series in nearly 3 decades

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Lakers-Warriors the most-watched NBA Conference Semifinals series in nearly 3 decades A rivalry playoff matchup between multiple Hall-of-Famers on two of California's top money-making teams proved to be a ratings juggernaut for the NBA.On Monday the NBA announced that the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors was the most-watched Conference Semifinals series in 27 years. The six-game series, which ultimately ended in a Lakers victory, averaged 7.8 million viewers across each game broadcast on ABC, ESPN and TNT.The results aren't entirely surprising. Following Game 1 of the series, Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns TNT, announced that the first game of the series had set a new viewership record and was the most-watched game of its kind in the history of cable TV.Other than the obvious cross-state rivalry, the series also had other historical implications that factored into the high viewership.For one, it was the first time Lakers star LeBron James and Warriors phenom Stephen Curry met in the Western Conferen...

How you can get free coffee at California Dunkin' stores this summer

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

How you can get free coffee at California Dunkin' stores this summer Wanna score some free coffee from Dunkin'? The coffee chain announced this week that Californians can get a free medium coffee with any purchase every Monday now through June 26 by using the Dunkin' app and signing up as a rewards member.The free coffee is a temporary deal and must be redeemed in app before placing an order at participating California locations.The coffee and doughnut chain is also offering single-use deals to members who sign up for its rewards program now through the end of May. Offers include a $2 medium signature latte, free medium iced coffee, free medium Dunkin' refresher and a $2 ham and swiss croissant. Specific purchases may be required to unlock these deals and some exclusions may apply.For additional information about the free coffee promotion, visit the Dunkin's website and blog.Now the only question is: hot or iced?

US Virgin Islands subpoenas Elon Musk as part of lawsuit into Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking ring

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

US Virgin Islands subpoenas Elon Musk as part of lawsuit into Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking ring The US Virgin Islands has subpoenaed Elon Musk, requesting documents from the billionaire for the government’s lawsuit alleging JPMorgan Chase benefited financially from Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.The petition to serve the subpoena does not implicate Musk in any wrongdoing and merely indicates that he was a high-net-worth individual whom Epstein may have introduced to JPMorgan Chase.The court filing from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was posted Monday. The Virgin Islands’ government issued the subpoena on April 28 but had difficulty obtaining an address for Musk to locate and serve him, even hiring an investigative firm.“The Government contacted Mr. Musk’s counsel via email to ask if he would be authorized to accept service on Mr. Musk’s behalf in this matter but did not receive a response confirming or denying his authority,” the filing said.The subpoena is requesting all communications between Musk and JPMorgan regarding Ep...

Sale closed in Saratoga: $3.2 million for a five-bedroom home

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Sale closed in Saratoga: $3.2 million for a five-bedroom home 12468 Saratoga Avenue – Google Street ViewThe property located in the 12400 block of Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga was sold on May 1, 2023 for $3,222,000, or $2,557 per square foot. The house, built in 1950, has an interior space of 1,260 square feet. The property features five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garage, and one parking space. It sits on a 10,000-square-foot lot, which also has a pool.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:A 1,500-square-foot home on the 12400 block of Paseo Cerro in Saratoga sold in April 2023, for $1,850,000, a price per square foot of $1,233. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.In April 2023, a 2,579-square-foot home on Kosich Drive in Saratoga sold for $2,970,000, a price per square foot of $1,152. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Paseo Tierra, Saratoga, in December 2022, a 2,979-square-foot home was sold for $2,495,500, a price per square foot of $838. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Letters: Richmond council | Corrupt court | Israel defense | Amazon plastics

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Letters: Richmond council | Corrupt court | Israel defense | Amazon plastics Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Richmond council goodat undoing, not doingThis week marks one year since the Richmond City Council pulled the plug on development at Point Molate, claiming that they had saved the city from bankruptcy. Subsequently, they sold the 30% developable portion of Point Molate for $400 to Point Molate Futures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company managed by the Guidiville Rancheria of California.It is no secret that the City Council majority wanted to make all of Point Molate a park, although 70% of it has always been reserved for park use. They collaborated with state Sen. Nancy Skinner to obtain a $36 million state appropriation for “cleanup and acquisition.”A year later, nothing has happened — no park, no Bay Trail, no public access, no plan, and the historic buildings of iconic Winehaven are literally falling apart. The City Council is extraordinarily good at stopping projects but has no clue how to mak...

Does Martha Stewart’s Sports Illustrated cover promote unrealistic beauty standards for older women?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Does Martha Stewart’s Sports Illustrated cover promote unrealistic beauty standards for older women? Sports Illustrated’s decision to put 81-year-old Martha Stewart on the cover of its annual swimsuit issue should be an occasion for celebration, right?The longtime purveyor of unrealistic beauty standards, centered on young, lithe women, has given the spotlight to its oldest ever swimsuit model, ostensibly showing that a mature woman like Stewart doesn’t need to be invisible in American society. She, too, can be glamorous, beautiful, powerful and sexy. About her cover, the lifestyle entrepreneur regards it as a “historic” moment for  women’s empowerment, saying: “I want other women to feel that they could also be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.”Thrilled to be on cover of the @SI_Swimsuit issue! I hope this cover inspires you to challenge yourself to try new things. Pick up on newsstands May 18th! #SISwimsuit #SISwim23 @ruvenafanador pic.twitter.com/DsRgLr6crK— Martha Stewart (@MarthaStewart) May 15, 2023But should Sports Illustrate...

Letters: Coverup is worse | Speed cameras | Public safety | Uncertain link | High court effective | AI genie

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Letters: Coverup is worse | Speed cameras | Public safety | Uncertain link | High court effective | AI genie Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.S.J. coverup is worsethan strip club scandalRe: “San Jose must end coverup of strip club fiasco” (Page A12, May 14).Just like the Watergate scandal, the decision of San Jose to not disclose the details of the fire truck dropping off a stripper in front of the Pink Poodle is another example of a cover-up being worse than the action itself.Clearly, someone made a set of poor decisions with public resources. If the excuse that it is only a personal employee issue is left to stand, then any poor decision by public employees could be covered up by the same reasoning. This breeds mistrust in the government; leading to questions like: “What are they hiding?” and “Who is actually pulling the strings of power?”The Mercury News is right in suing for complete transparency of the incident. I hope they win this one quickly.Norman KlineSan JoseSpeeders should getwhat they deserveRe: “Gotcha! Proposed...

Fremont firefighters respond to rollover crash, driver hospitalized

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Fremont firefighters respond to rollover crash, driver hospitalized (KRON) -- Firefighters responded to a single car rollover crash just after 1 p.m. on Monday on Osgood Road, according to the Fremont Fire Department on Twitter. The driver, who was the vehicle's sole occupant, was entrapped as a result of the crash. Dashcam video captures driver pointing a gun at motorists on I-580 in San Leandro The driver was later extricated and transported to a trauma center for treatment. At this time, further details about the driver's condition are unavailable. It is not known whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.A photo from the incident showed the vehicle, a gray BWM, on its side while firefighters work to extricate the victim.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness HALETHORPE, Md. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mage is facing a fresh set of horses in the Preakness in a situation not seen in more than half a century, and he’s the early favorite to beat them.Mage was installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite at the post position draw Monday. He’s the only horse in the field of eight set to take part in the second race of the Triple Crown two weeks after running in the Derby.It’s the first Preakness since 1969 with just one Derby horse. Majestic Prince won each of those races 54 years ago, a feat Mage will try to duplicate.“Everyone has their own agendas for the rest of the year and the schedule, what races they want to run in,” co-owner Ramiro Restrepo said. “All we can really control is our house. The horse is doing great, which is the most important thing. That gave us the green light to run, and whoever they line up in there is who we’ve got to race. That’s all we can focus on.”Mage will face seven fresh horses in an attempt to kee...

Uruguay confirms Marcelo Bielsa as new coach to 2026 World Cup

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:27:37 GMT

Uruguay confirms Marcelo Bielsa as new coach to 2026 World Cup MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Marcelo Bielsa was confirmed as the new Uruguay coach on Monday to the end of the 2026 World Cup.The Uruguayan Football Association celebrated the arrival of 67-year-old Bielsa with a video and a series of memes mimicking the Argentine’s renown as a great tactitian.“Our public demands gameplay and emotions. The time has arrived,” the association said on Twitter.Bielsa’s first matches are likely in June, when Uruguay is scheduled to play friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba. South American World Cup qualifying will begin in September.Bielsa coached Argentina from 1998-2004. His team was eliminated at the group stage of the 2002 World Cup and won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He left the job for personal reasons.Bielsa also coached Chile from 2007-11.He’s also had spells at Españyol, Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lille. He has been out of a job since February 2022 when he was fired by Leeds.Uruguay went out of the group stage at t...