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Trump in court as accountant takes stand in NY fraud trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

By Michael R. Sisak, Bobby Caina Calvan and Jennifer Peltz | Associated PressNEW YORK — On notice to mind his out-of-court commentary, former President Donald Trump returned to his New York civil fraud trial Wednesday as his lawyers questioned an accountant who prepared financial statements at the heart of the case.New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit accuses Trump and his business of exaggerating his wealth in those statements, which went to banks, insurers and others.With accountant Donald Bender on the witness stand, state lawyers has sought to show that Trump and others at his company had full control over the preparation of the financial statements. Bender testified Tuesday that the Trump Organization didn’t always supply all the information needed to produce the documents.Trump denies any wrongdoing, and his defense continued Wednesday to fault Bender for any shortcomings in the statements. Attorney Jesus M. Suarez pointed out that the accounting firm t...

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

By Sarah Jane Tribble, KFF Health NewsA federal program to combat the alarming rates of rural women dying from pregnancy complications has marked a first: It’s supporting an organization that serves predominantly Black counties in the Deep South.The news came Sept. 27, three months after KFF Health News’ reporting raised questions about why a federal Health Resources and Services Administration program targeting rural maternal mortality hadn’t sent a grant to serve mothers in majority-Black rural communities.Non-Hispanic Black women — regardless of income or education level — die of pregnancy-related causes at nearly three times the rate of non-Hispanic white women.The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health in Madison, Mississippi, was one of two winners in the latest round of an initiative administered by HRSA. Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, New Hampshire, was the other winner, according to an agency announcement.“Very happy to see Mississippi,” said Peiyin ...

New Medicare Advantage plans tailor offerings to Asian Americans, Latinos and LGBTQ+

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

By Stephanie Stephens, KFF Health NewsAs Medicare Advantage continues to gain popularity among seniors, three Southern California companies are pioneering new types of plans that target cultural and ethnic communities with special offerings and native-language practitioners.Clever Care Health Plan, based in Huntington Beach, and Alignment Health, based in nearby Orange, both have plans aimed at Asian Americans, with extra benefits including coverage for Eastern medicines and treatments such as cupping and tui na massage. Alignment also has an offering targeting Latinos, while Long Beach-based SCAN Health Plan has a product aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. All of them have launched since 2020.While many Medicare Advantage providers target various communities with their advertising, this trio of companies appear to be among the first in the nation to create plans with provider networks and benefits designed for specific cultural cohorts. Medicare Advantage is typically cheaper than trad...

WNBA expected to approve Bay Area expansion this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

The Bay Area is one step away from being awarded a WNBA team.The NBA Board of Governors is set to vote this week on the Warriors’ bid for a WNBA expansion team, according to league sources. All signs point to the vote being in favor of Warriors owner Joe Lacob, sources said.USA Today reported that a formal announcement could come as soon as Thursday, just four days before the WNBA Finals tip off between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.The Bay Area would be adding a professional women’s basketball team just months after the National Women’s Soccer League announced expansion to the region, with Bay FC set to begin play at San Jose’s PayPal Park next summer.The WNBA team is expected to practice at the Warriors’ Oakland facility and play at Chase Center. With an announcement imminent, the team could be up and running in time for the 2025 season.The news comes a week after a report that the Warriors and WNBA were closing in on a deal, and a Warriors ...

San Ramon police use golf cart to arrest alleged fraudster on the links

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

(KRON) -- A man who police said victimized golfers at a local golf course was arrested for fraud-related charges, the San Ramon Police Department announced Tuesday.One victim recently reported to police that they were promised high-end golf clubs from the suspect for $2,000 but were defrauded out of their money, San Ramon PD said. Investigators were able to identify the suspect and said he frequented local golf courses and played with people he would later victimize.(San Ramon PD)(San Ramon PD) New scam targets people who post lost pets on social media, officials warn San Ramon police officers located the suspect while he was at one of the courses and used a golf cart borrowed from the pro shop to visit him on the 8th hole. The suspect was taken into custody on the links for fraud-related charges as well as outstanding warrants for similar crimes in other counties, San Ramon PD said.

New scam targets people who post lost pets on social media, officials warn

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

(KRON) -- Scammers have been trying to extort money from people who have posted about their lost animals online by claiming to be an employee of Oakland Animal Services, the agency said Wednesday. OAS said a person who claims to be an employee is contacting people and telling them their lost animal has been found, but is severely injured.The unknown caller than reportedly tells people they must pay a large fee to cover the animal's medical bills. Thieves targeting drivers at gas stations, East Bay police agency warns "This is a scam. OAS would never ask for money over the phone," the agency said in a news release.Oakland Animal Services is asking that the community share this information to help prevent people from becoming victims of the scam. “We understand that anyone who has lost a pet is feeling especially stressed, making them so vulnerable to a cruel scam like this,” said Ann Dunn, Director of Oakland Animal Services.OAS said that if it were to contact someone about a lost ...

New Costco Wholesale coming to Newark

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

NEWARK, Calif. (KRON) – Costco has announced it will be opening a membership warehouse in Newark, California on Oct. 26.“We are thrilled to be bringing Costco’s low warehouse prices to the residents of Newark,” said Warehouse Manager Jose Salas. “They have been asking us to open here for a long time, and we already have made an impact on the local job market. We look forward to contributing to the community in many ways.” Starbucks to close seven San Francisco locations The 152,000-square-foot warehouse will be located at 350 NewPark Mall Road, next to the NewPark Mall right off Interstate 880. Prior to this location, Newark residents would have a 4 to 14-mile drive to either Fremont, Hayward, or San Jose to shop at a Costco.There will be 400 to 450 employees at this location.Hours of operations will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On the weekends Costco will be open from 9 a.m. through 7 p.m.

BART service recovering between San Bruno, SFO

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

(BCN) -- BART service is recovering after an equipment problem on the tracks caused major delays for trains Wednesday morning between San Bruno and San Francisco International Airport.The transit agency initially issued an alert shortly after 6:45 a.m. about the problem, which was causing delays of 20 minutes or more for trains in both directions through the area. 20,000 Kaiser health care workers on strike in the Bay Area BART did not specify what equipment was causing the delays, but said shortly before 8 a.m. that service was recovering with residual delays.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Street closures, transit detours in DC for ‘Open Streets Georgia Avenue’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

Three miles of Georgia Avenue will be closed to vehicles on Saturday for the District Department of Transportation’s Open Streets event that encourages residents to walk, run, bike and play along the Northwest street.The route will feature free workout classes, musical performances, community yoga, roller derby lessons and many more events. Check out DDOT’s website for the full schedule.Open Streets is meant to encourage community, healthy lifestyles and sustainable modes of transportation, with bike repair clinics, bike mechanics classes and even bike decorating being offered at the event. DDOT will also be giving away 170 free bikes in a raffle. District residents can apply through the Open Streets webpage.Georgia Avenue will be closed off from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Oct. 7, from Missouri Avenue to Barry Place NW. Traffic will be redirected to North Capitol Street, 13th Street NW and Bryant Street NW. Here is a map of the vehicle detour plan released by DDOT.Buses oper...

El presidente electo de Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, pide a la OEA que intervenga en la crisis política en el país

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:16:05 GMT

(CNN Español) — El presidente electo de Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, pidió a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA) que intervenga en la crisis política en su país, donde el Ministerio Público ha allanado instalaciones del Tribunal Supremo Electoral y confiscado actas de votación alegando supuestas irregularidades por parte de la institución y sus magistrados.Arévalo, quien se encuentra de gira en Estados Unidos, participó este martes en un foro en el Wilson Center, en Washington. Durante su intervención, dijo que —a su juicio— en Guatemala hay “lo que parece un golpe de Estado en cámara lenta” y “un ambiente político muy tenso”.El presidente electo también consideró “inaceptable” la actuación del Ministerio Público contra el Tribunal Supremo Electoral y pidió que la OEA intervenga en el conflicto.Nueva jornada de protestas en Guatemala por allanamientos al Tribunal Supremo Electoral“Representa una alteración seria del orden c...