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Questions on artificial intelligence and a budget deficit await returning California lawmakers

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers return to work on Wednesday for the start of an election-year legislative session dominated by decisions on artificial intelligence and the state’s struggling budget.The budget is a big issue every year in California, which is the nation’s most populous state and has an economy larger than that of all but four countries. But this year, lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to figure out how to cover an estimated $68 billion deficit — a shortfall that is larger than the entire operating budgets of many states.And with California companies at the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom, a number of state lawmakers are eyeing new rules to govern the use of the technology before it can dominate daily life — much like social media has.The California Legislature is scheduled to convene Wednesday afternoon, giving lawmakers a week to settle in before Newsom sends over his first budget plan. Cutting the budget i...

Things to know about Minnesota’s new, non-racist state flag and seal

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Love it, hate it or yawn at it, Minnesota is set to get a new state flag this spring that echoes its motto of being the North Star State, replacing an old flag that brought up painful memories of conquest and displacement for Native Americans.During the monthslong selection process, some publicly submitted designs gained cult followings on social media but didn’t make the final cut. They included: a loon – the state bird – with lasers for eyes; a photo of someone’s dog; famous paintings of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; and an image of a rather large mosquito.Instead, the flag design adopted in December includes a dark blue shape resembling Minnesota on the left, with a white, eight-pointed North Star on it. On the right is a light blue field that to those involved in the selection process symbolizes the abundant waters that help define the Land of 10,000 Lakes.The new state seal features a loon amid wild rice, to replace the image of a Native Americ...

State tax cutting trend faces headwinds from declining revenues and tighter budgets

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Income, sales, property and gas taxes: Almost every U.S. state cut at least one such broad-based tax as budget surpluses soared over the past three years. Some states made permanent tax reductions. Others passed one-time rebates or temporary suspensions. One way or another, whether red or blue, all states save Alaska and Nevada joined in. Though even more tax cuts are likely, the trend may be slowing as 2024 legislative sessions begin. That’s because the pandemic-era revenue surge fueled by federal spending and inflation now is receding and, in some states, even reversing into negative numbers. “Next year will likely be a return to normal for state budgets,” said Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies for the National Association of State Budget Officers. “Funds will be more limited. States will have to make decisions on what areas they prioritize.” California, where financial swings are felt more sharply than most st...

Several Midwestern cities are going to be counted again like it’s 2020

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

Four years after the last census, almost a dozen small communities in the Midwest are going to be counted again in hopes of getting a new grocery store or more state funding to build roads, fire stations and parks.Eleven small cities in Illinois and Iowa are the only municipalities so far to have signed agreements with the U.S. Census Bureau for a second count of their residents in 2024, the first year the special censuses can be conducted, in a repeat of what happened during the 2020 census. With one exception, city officials don’t think the numbers from the original count were inaccurate. It’s just that their populations have grown so fast in three years that officials believe they are leaving state funding for roads and other items on the table by not adding the extra growth to their population totals. Some also believe that new results from a second count will open up their community to new businesses by showing they have crossed a population threshold.“We anti...

Nathan MacKinnon’s overtime goal caps Avalanche comeback against Islanders

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

The Colorado Avalanche have three of the best players in the world, but this team looks even more formidable when that trio gets a lot of help from their friends.Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin both had big nights to get the Avs to overtime, then the “Big Three” took care of it from there. Nathan MacKinnon scored 32 seconds into overtime and the Avalanche fended off the pesky New York Islanders 5-4 for its fifth win in six outings Tuesday night at Ball Arena.“I thought we played great,” MacKinnon said. “I thought we had a great start. I thought it was honestly a couple unlucky breakdowns … but I thought we really outplayed them for 60 minutes.”MacKinnon’s goal, which was set up by Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, came after Nichushkin drew a penalty late in regulation. It was a three-point night for MacKinnon and Makar, while Rantanen added two assists.Nichushkin’s two goals and Drouin’s two points helped the Avs rally ...

Incoming storm to bring rain, snow, big waves and dangerous marine conditions to SoCal

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

As the first in a series of cold weather storms arrives in Southern California, hazardous marine conditions, minor coastal flooding, rain and snow are predicted, the National Weather Service reported. Widespread light rains, anywhere from 0.25 to 0.75 inches, are likely overnight tonight. The rain is expected to pass by 10 a.m. Wednesday, though temperatures will struggle to reach 60 degrees.  A winter weather advisory will go into effect at 3 a.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, according to NWS.  Mountain areas above 5,000 feet are forecast to see 3 to 6 inches of snowfall. Higher elevations may see as much as 8 inches. Snow levels could drop to around the 4,000-foot mark, possibly impacting traffic on the 5 Freeway through the Tejon Pass.   KTLA 5 Interactive Weather Radar Map “The winds are definitely going to be an issue even though we don’t have a wind advisory,” KTLA 5 Meteorologist Very Jimenez said.  Gus...

Long Beach residents can receive $25,000 toward their first home purchase

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

First-time homebuyers in Long Beach can receive a grant of up to $25,000 toward the purchase of their home.The city’s First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program is designed to “assist low- and moderate-income families traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth,” officials said.Eligible applicants must fulfill these requirements:Be over 18 years oldAnnual household income cannot exceed 200% of the L.A. County Area Median IncomeCurrent Income Limits as of January 2024*Number of persons in household12345678200% of Los Angeles County AMI$137,500$157,100$176,800$196,400$212,100$227,800$243,500$259,200Be a first-time homebuyer — defined as someone who has not owned a principal residence in the past three yearsBe a first-generation homebuyer — defined as someone whose parents or guardian never owned a home during the homebuyer’s lifetime or who lost the home to a foreclosure or short sale and does not own a home...

Warriors end losing streak with a win Orlando Magic behind Steph Curry’s 35 point night

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Steph Curry scored 36 points in the Warriors’ 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and moved the Warriors to a 16-17 record.All five of the Warriors scored in double figures for the first time this season. Curry turned a cold start into a 12-point second quarter and 17-point second half. He shot 12-from-20 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3. Jonathan Kuminga had 19 points going 7-of-14 from the field with six rebounds and four assists. Klay Thompson had 15 points, Chris Paul had 12 and Trayce Jackson-Davis had 10.Gary Payton II suffered a left hamstring strain mid-way through the third quarter. He fell to the ground on a non-contact play and threw his headband as he exited for the locker room immediately. This was Payton’s second game back from a calf strain that sidelined him for a month.Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Warriors have meeting to address chemistry: ‘We ...

Today in History: January 3, Alaska becomes the 49th state

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

Today in HistoryToday is Wednesday, Jan. 3, the third day of 2024. There are 363 days left in the year.Today’s Highlight in History:On Jan. 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state as President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation.On this date:In 1777, Gen. George Washington’s army routed the British in the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey.In 1861, more than two weeks before Georgia seceded from the Union, the state militia seized Fort Pulaski at the order of Gov. Joseph E. Brown. The Delaware House and Senate voted to oppose secession from the Union.In 1868, the Meiji Restoration re-established the authority of Japan’s emperor and heralded the fall of the military rulers known as shoguns.In 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the United States was formally terminating diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba.In 1967, Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald — the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy — died in a Dallas hospital.In 1977, Apple...

Caitlin Clark hits long 3-pointer at the buzzer, scores 40 as No. 4 Iowa beats Michigan State 76-73

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:18 GMT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Caitlin Clark knew her shot at the buzzer was going in, even though she launched it from the Hawkeyes logo near midcourt. So did her coach.“Caitlin has ice in her veins,” Iowa’s Lisa Bluder said. “Everybody knows it.”Clark proved it again with her long 3-pointer as time expired, giving her 40 points and the No. 4 Hawkeyes a 76-73 victory over Michigan State on Tuesday night.Clark, the nation’s leading scorer, was 14 of 34 from the field and went more than 14 minutes without a point in a stretch in the second and third quarters. The Hawkeyes were able to get her the ball in the final seconds — though a long way from the basket — as Clark took the pass from Hannah Stuelke and hit from 30 feet as the buzzer sounded.“Honestly, when it left my hand, I knew it was going in,” Clark said. The Hawkeyes (14-1, 3-0 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to 11 games behind Clark and Stuelke, who had 15 points.Michigan State (11-3, 1-2) had tied the game at 73 ...