WEATHER ALERT
The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024
Read full article: The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024O.J. Simpson’s “trial of the century” over the 1994 killings of his ex-wife and her friend bared divisions over race and law enforcement and brought an intersection of sports, crime, entertainment and class that was hard to turn away from.
Hush money, catch and kill and more: A guide to unique terms used at Trump’s New York criminal trial
Read full article: Hush money, catch and kill and more: A guide to unique terms used at Trump’s New York criminal trialDonald Trump’s New York criminal trial is full of terms you don’t typically hear in a courtroom.
Carl Weathers, linebacker-turned-actor who starred in 'Rocky' movies and 'The Mandalorian,' dies
Read full article: Carl Weathers, linebacker-turned-actor who starred in 'Rocky' movies and 'The Mandalorian,' diesCarl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, has died.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by customs over a luxury watch after arriving in Germany
Read full article: Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by customs over a luxury watch after arriving in GermanyArnold Schwarzenegger was stopped for hours by customs at Munich Airport after entering Germany with a luxury watch that was potentially to be auctioned at a charity event.
Charlize Theron encourages people to find ways to help through philanthropy at Town & Country summit
Read full article: Charlize Theron encourages people to find ways to help through philanthropy at Town & Country summitCharlize Theron remembers the moment her role in philanthropy clicked into place.
Richard Moll, who found fame as a bailiff on the original sitcom 'Night Court,' dies at 80
Read full article: Richard Moll, who found fame as a bailiff on the original sitcom 'Night Court,' dies at 80Richard Moll, a character actor who found lasting fame as an eccentric but gentle giant bailiff on the original sitcom “Night Court,” has died.
Late-night shows return after writers strike as actors resume talks that could end their standoff
Read full article: Late-night shows return after writers strike as actors resume talks that could end their standoffLate-night talk shows are returning after a five-month absence brought on by the Hollywood writers strike.
Winfrey, Maddow and Schwarzenegger among those helping NYC's 92nd Street Y mark 150th anniversary
Read full article: Winfrey, Maddow and Schwarzenegger among those helping NYC's 92nd Street Y mark 150th anniversaryOprah Winfrey, Rachel Maddow and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be among those appearing this fall at the 92nd Street Y, as the New York City cultural institution marks its 150th anniversary.
Netflix hypes ‘The Last Airbender,’ ‘One Piece’ at starry fan event
Read full article: Netflix hypes ‘The Last Airbender,’ ‘One Piece’ at starry fan eventNetflix gave audiences first looks at some planned and upcoming projects including “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” “One Piece” and the third season of “Bridgerton” at a fan event on Saturday.
Boris Johnson ends comeback bid — but promises another
Read full article: Boris Johnson ends comeback bid — but promises anotherIn the end, all of Boris Johnson’s bluster couldn’t hide the facts: He didn’t have the votes to win the Conservative Party leadership contest and stage a political comeback just weeks after being forced out as prime minister.
LA councilman's future uncertain amid racism scandal
Read full article: LA councilman's future uncertain amid racism scandalThe troubled Los Angeles City Council appears headed into a long power struggle, as two disgraced councilmen resist widespread calls for their resignation amid a racism scandal and state investigation.
UN chief: Governments' inaction on climate is 'dangerous'
Read full article: UN chief: Governments' inaction on climate is 'dangerous'The head of the United Nations has warned of a “dangerous disconnect” between what scientists and citizens are demanding to curb climate change, and what governments are actually doing about it.
California GOP looks to 2022 contests for House, Legislature
Read full article: California GOP looks to 2022 contests for House, LegislatureCalifornia Republicans are looking ahead to 2022 races for Congress and the Legislature, after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom soundly defeated an attempt to remove him from office in a recall election.
Here’s what a recall election is -- and how Schwarzenegger went from actor to governor as a result of one
Read full article: Here’s what a recall election is -- and how Schwarzenegger went from actor to governor as a result of oneThe state of California had a lot of the nation’s attention earlier this week when it held a recall election to determine if Gov. Gavin Newsom would remain in office.
Democrats could change 'weaponized' California recall system
Read full article: Democrats could change 'weaponized' California recall systemHours after California Gov. Gavin Newsom beat back a recall election that could have removed him, his fellow Democrats in the state Legislature said they will seek changes to make it more difficult to challenge a sitting governor.
GOP pushes unfounded fraud claims before California recall
Read full article: GOP pushes unfounded fraud claims before California recallRepublicans led by former President Donald Trump are raising unsubstantiated claims that California's recall election against Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is rigged.
New this week: 'Cry Macho,' McCreery and 'The Morning Show'
Read full article: New this week: 'Cry Macho,' McCreery and 'The Morning Show'This week’s new entertainment releases include new music from Lindsey Buckingham and Scott McCreery, as well as the return of Clint Eastwood, who has gone back to his Western roots with “Cry Macho,” starring as a former rodeo star hired to bring a young man in Mexico back to his father in the U.S. Fans of TV's “The Morning Show” will also get to see Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Billy Crudup kick off Season 2.
Can Larry Elder build 'movement' from California recall?
Read full article: Can Larry Elder build 'movement' from California recall?In two months, Larry Elder went from conservative talk radio host to leader of the Republican field in the California recall election that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Claims against Elder: Will they harm him in Calif. recall?
Read full article: Claims against Elder: Will they harm him in Calif. recall?A day after facing allegations that he emotionally mistreated a former fiancee, Republican Larry Elder scheduled two weekend rallies and showed no outward signs of altering the course of his campaign in the California recall election that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California's recall ballot is set, but GOP strategy isn't
Read full article: California's recall ballot is set, but GOP strategy isn'tCalifornia's recall ballot is finally set, but the state Republican party is still determining its best strategy for winning back the governor's office in one of the nation's most Democratic states.
VYPE 411: Ryan Flores of Baytown Sterling Baseball
Read full article: VYPE 411: Ryan Flores of Baytown Sterling BaseballRyan Flores recently won the VYPE Houston Public School Baseball Player of the Year Fan Poll! Flores had a great season for the Rangers and is headed to San Jacinto College next season. VYPE caught up with Flores for the 411 on the star from Baytown Sterling.
Former California cop leads GOP dream of Newsom recall
Read full article: Former California cop leads GOP dream of Newsom recallThe man behind the effort to remove California Gov. Gavin Newsom from office is a retired county sheriff's sergeant who grew frustrated in 2019 with the governor's policies.
EXPLAINER: Why is California Gov. Newsom facing a recall?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why is California Gov. Newsom facing a recall?Newsom is facing the possibility that he could be removed by voters in a recall election later this year, in the midst of his four-year term. Gavin Newsom is facing the possibility that he could be removed by voters in a recall election in the midst of his four-year term. Here’s how it works:WHAT IS A RECALL ELECTION? Unpopular Democratic Gov. The second question would be a list of replacement candidates to choose from, if voters recall the governor.
Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose enters California recall election
Read full article: Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose enters California recall electionFILE - In this Oct. 8, 2014, file photo Republican Doug Ose speaks during a debate in Sacramento, Calif. Ose says he's entering the recall election aimed at ousting Democratic Gov. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)LOS ANGELES – Former Republican congressman Doug Ose announced Tuesday he’s entering the recall election aimed at ousting California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a day after the Democratic governor began raising money to defend his seat in a likely election this year. There were 135 on the ballot in the state's 2003 recall election that removed former Democratic Gov. So far, no prominent Democrat has entered the recall election.
Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81
Read full article: Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81FILE - Actor Yaphet Kotto appears on his wedding day in Baltimore, Md. Kotto, the commanding actor of the James Bond film Live and Let Die and as Lt. Al Giardello on the 90's NBC police drama "Homicide: Life on the Street, died Monday, March 15, 2021 at age 81. Kottos wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post. (AP Photo/John Gillis, File)NEW YORK – Yaphet Kotto, the commanding actor who brought tough magnetism and stately gravitas to films including the James Bond movie “Live and Let Die” and “Alien," has died. Kotto’s wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post.
California governor lays groundwork to fight expected recall
Read full article: California governor lays groundwork to fight expected recall(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Standing alone in center field of an empty Dodger Stadium, California Gov. “Let’s call this recall what it is: a partisan political power grab," said Democratic Assemblyman David Chiu of San Francisco. The GOP has only 24% of registered California voters, but organizers say they are attracting Democrats and independents. Ad“There are a lot of Democrats who are frustrated,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon conceded after Newsom's speech. Normally, the State of the State is delivered to a joint session of the Legislature from the Capitol in Sacramento.
EXPLAINER: How can California voters recall Gov. Newsom?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: How can California voters recall Gov. Newsom?It comes about a year after his first coronavirus stay-at-home order and as he faces a potential recall election. Gavin Newsom is facing the possibility that he could be removed by voters in a recall election in the middle of his four-year term. Unpopular Democratic Gov. WHY IS THERE A RECALL DRIVE AGAINST DEMOCRATIC GOV. The second question would be a list of replacement candidates to choose from, if voters recall the governor.
John Travolta selling $5M oceanic mansion with 20 bedrooms
Read full article: John Travolta selling $5M oceanic mansion with 20 bedroomsFILE - In this Aug. 22, 2019 file photo, actor John Travolta attends the LA premiere of "The Fanatic" at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles. The Maine mansion that Travolta shared with his late wife, actor Kelly Preston, has been put up for sale. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)ISLESBORO, Maine – The Maine mansion that actor John Travolta shared with his late wife, actor Kelly Preston, has been put up for sale. Built in 1903, the 10,830-square-foot home has 20 bedrooms and sits on a 48-acre estate along the ocean. Travolta became a Hollywood star in the 1970s and was nominated for an acting Oscar for his 1977 performance in “Saturday Night Fever.” He was nominated again for his role in 1994′s “Pulp Fiction.”
GOP infighting in post-Trump era threatens California recall
Read full article: GOP infighting in post-Trump era threatens California recall(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)LOS ANGELES – California Republicans eager to recall Democratic Gov. The head of the state Republican Party, Jessica Millan Patterson, is being challenged at a GOP convention this weekend by longtime conservative activist Steve Frank, who says the state party is attempting to silence conservative voices. Ad“This is California’s version of the national battle for the soul and the future of the Republican Party,” said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego. But “just when the Republican Party in California is showing signs of life, it’s deciding to cannibalize itself,” Kousser added. For long-suffering California Republicans, party infighting could divide their ranks and make it more challenging to oust Newsom.
Political storms swirl around California's Newsom amid virus
Read full article: Political storms swirl around California's Newsom amid virusGavin Newsom has gone from a governor in command to one lurching from one political crisis to the next. Some Democrats are now starting to whisper about the need for a backup plan should voters decide the first-term governor needs to go. Newsom last week called the idea that he's making decisions based on politics “nonsense," but he's otherwise sidestepped commenting on the recall. Gray Davis, for lessons as they debate whether its worth standing behind Newsom or finding an alternative. Dan Newman, Newsom's political strategist, said he's not worried about the party turning on Newsom and that facing the ire of voters is part of the job.
California: OK to use Moderna vaccine after illness reports
Read full article: California: OK to use Moderna vaccine after illness reports(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California on Wednesday said it’s safe to resume using a batch of Moderna coronavirus vaccine after some people fell ill and a halt to injections was recommended. About 330,000 doses from the lot had been distributed to nearly 300 providers in California this month. More than 4 million doses had been shipped and about 1.5 million had been administered as of Tuesday, according to figures from the state public health department. “The chief obstacle we are facing is not enough doses,” said Roland Pickens, director of San Francisco’s public health care system, at a supervisors’ hearing Wednesday. The total of 694 new deaths is second to the record 708 reported Jan. 8, according to the state Department of Public Health.
California Democrats see backlash after recall 'coup' claims
Read full article: California Democrats see backlash after recall 'coup' claimsState Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks led a group of Democratic officials who described the effort to remove Newsom as a coup and claimed, without evidence, that those involved were far-right extremists. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool, File)LOS ANGELES – California Republicans on Wednesday seized on a bungled Democratic attempt to link the proposed recall of Gov. The criticism came as the Republican Party of Orange County launched a new round of fundraising appeals for the recall, saying Democrats were attempting to enflame political tensions at a time of national strife. “Linking a legal and constitutionally appropriate (California) recall attempt to the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and ongoing coup attempt is worse than a bad PR call. Unlike a coup, typically a violent and illegal attempt to seize power, recall elections are authorized under state law.
Arnold Schwarzenegger compares US Capitol mob to Nazis
Read full article: Arnold Schwarzenegger compares US Capitol mob to NazisSchwarzenegger compared the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol to the Nazis and called President Donald Trump a failed leader who will go down in history as the worst president ever. “The broken glass was in the windows of the United States Capitol. But the mob did not just shatter the windows of the Capitol, they shattered the ideas we took for granted," he said. “President Trump sought to overturn the results of the election — and of a fair election," Schwarzenegger said in the video. “And to those who think they can overturn the United States Constitution, know this: You will never win,” Schwarzenegger said.
The Latest: Trump orders US flags lowered to honor officers
Read full article: The Latest: Trump orders US flags lowered to honor officersTrump cites Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood. ___4 p.m.Citigroup is pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year in light of Wednesday’s deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had already ordered flags at the Capitol lowered to half-staff in Sicknick’s honor and calls were growing for President Donald Trump to do the same at the White House. Trump supporters who were angry over his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. Toomey was interviewed Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.”___12:15 a.m.President Donald Trump is facing growing Democratic momentum to impeach him a second time.
California governor taps new senior staff amid tough stretch
Read full article: California governor taps new senior staff amid tough stretchMyers, a former press secretary to President Bill Clinton, became a senior adviser to California Gov. She joins Jim DeBoo, a California consultant well-versed in the quirks of the state capital and statewide political campaigns, as a senior adviser to the governor. Beyond Myers, Newsom's new additions include DeBoo as senior adviser, making official on Jan. 1 a role he has informally held. Observers say adding him to Newsom's staff signals a desire for sharper political thinking and better connections with the state Legislature, but it could raise questions about special interests' access to the governor. Angie Wei, a Newsom adviser and former chief of staff for the California Labor Federation, is his new legislative affairs secretary.
Georgia secretary of state wins praise from Schwarzenegger
Read full article: Georgia secretary of state wins praise from SchwarzeneggerATLANTA – Georgia’s secretary of state has received death threats over his handling of last month’s election, but he's found a fan in Arnold Schwarzenegger. The call was organized by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger explained to Raffensperger that the institute plans to bestow Democracy Action Hero awards next week over Zoom. The institute has received more requests for polling center grants from Georgia than from any other state and has invested $1.4 million in grants for polling sites in the state, Schwarzenegger said. He thanked Raffensperger for not standing in the way of opening more polling sites, saying election officials in some states have rejected their efforts.
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
Read full article: Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
Top California air, climate regulator hopes to run Biden EPA
Read full article: Top California air, climate regulator hopes to run Biden EPAFILE - In this Sept. 18, 2019, file photo, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, with California Gov. Nichols, 75, ends her second tenure as chair of the California Air Resources Board next month, a job that’s made her the top air and climate regulator for the nation’s most populous and economically influential state. Critics of California’s climate approach say the state's policies have left low-income communities behind. Her current stint on the air board began in 2007 under then-Gov. The state won the power decades ago to implement its own emissions standards as smog choked Southern California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger feels ‘fantastic’ after heart surgery
Read full article: Arnold Schwarzenegger feels ‘fantastic’ after heart surgery(AP) – Arnold Schwarzenegger says he is feeling “fantastic” after his recent heart surgery. The 73-year-old “Terminator” actor and former California governor said on social media Friday that he had a new aortic valve implanted in his heart. “Thanks to the team at the Cleveland Clinic, I have a new aortic valve to go along with my new pulmonary valve from my last surgery,” he wrote. The actor underwent heart surgery in 2018 to replaced a pulmonary valve that was originally installed in 1997. “I feel fantastic and have already been walking the streets of Cleveland enjoying your amazing statues,” he said.
Schwarzenegger: Use stimulus funds to invest in clean-energy
Read full article: Schwarzenegger: Use stimulus funds to invest in clean-energyArnold Schwarzenegger is seen on a giant video screen during his online broadcasted speech as part of the 'Austrian World Summit' at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)VIENNA – Government stimulus programs designed to keep countries afloat during the coronavirus pandemic offer “a tremendous opportunity” to build a clean-energy economy, actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday. Schwarzenegger called on governments not to “invest in the past,” saying that “forward-looking decisions” are needed now as trillions are being poured into rebuilding economies around the globe. “These funds are so massive they’re capable of remaking societies; we have a tremendous opportunity here,” Schwarzenegger said while speaking by video link from Los Angeles to the Austrian World Summit in Vienna, an offshoot of his climate initiative. “When you hear that government plans to spend stimulus money bailing out fossil fuels, we must ask ourselves: if investors aren’t supporting those declining companies, why should taxpayers?” Schwarzenegger said.
California governor demands probe of power blackouts
Read full article: California governor demands probe of power blackoutsThe governor warned that customers could again lose power as early as 3 p.m. Monday as spiking temperatures strain the state's power grid. The situation we are in could have been avoided.The state Public Utilities Commission did not respond immediately to a request for comment. The ISO instituted a second, but shorter, rolling outage Saturday evening that cut power to more than 200,000 customers. The last time a California governor faced power outages, he was successfully recalled. California also still faces the threat of power outages to prevent wildfires.
'Building bridges': How Bass became a leading VP contender
Read full article: 'Building bridges': How Bass became a leading VP contenderCalifornia Congresswoman Bass has emerged a leading contender to be Democrats' vice presidential candidate. Allies say her reputation as a bridge-builder would make her a strong partner to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Enter Karen Bass, who became Assembly speaker that May, the first Black woman to hold the role. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee appeared with Bass for the first time at a fundraiser on Thursday. With Karen Bass' comments about Fidel Castro, it will be served up on a silver platter."
Kelly Preston, actor and wife of John Travolta, dies at 57
Read full article: Kelly Preston, actor and wife of John Travolta, dies at 57LOS ANGELES Kelly Preston, who played dramatic and comic foil to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire to Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins, died Sunday, husband John Travolta said. Travolta said in an Instagram post that his wife of 28 years died after a two-year battle with breast cancer. It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer, Travolta said. Preston and Travolta were married at a midnight ceremony in Paris in 1991 while the couple were expecting their first son, Jett. Travolta and Preston met while filming 1988s The Experts.They last starred together in the 2018 film Gotti, with Travolta playing John Gotti and Preston playing the crime bosss wife, Victoria.
Thunberg has hope for climate, despite leaders' inaction
Read full article: Thunberg has hope for climate, despite leaders' inactionClimate activist Greta Thunberg during a radio statement at the 'Sveriges Radio' in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, June 14, 2020. The 17-year-old has become a global figurehead of the youth climate movement since she started her one-woman protests outside the Swedish parliament in 2018. To Thunberg's disappointment, her message doesn't seem to be getting through even to those leaders who applaud her work. Thunberg asks her audience on Swedish radio station P1. The climate and sustainability crisis is not a fair crisis, Thunberg says.