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Tom Smothers, one half of famed comedy duo, dies at 86

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

By Lisa Respers France | CNNComedian Tom Smothers, who with his brother performed as the singing comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, has died, according to a family statement shared by the National Comedy Center. He was 86.Dick Smothers, Tom’s brother and co-star of their “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” said his brother was at home at the time of his death related to cancer.Related ArticlesObituaries | All the things Taylor Swift made us care about this year Obituaries | ‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead in midst of drug probe, police say Obituaries | Kanye posts apology in Hebrew to Jewish community Obituaries | Actor Mike Nussbaum dies at 99; had roles in ‘Field of Dreams,’ ‘Men in Black’ Obituaries | Prince Harry accused Dominic West of ‘invading his privacy’ after actor revealed drunken antics on South Pole trek: report “Tom was not only the loving older brot...

Bay Area college basketball: Local teams have work to do if March Madness awaits in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

Nearly two months into the college basketball season and with conference play about to get started, NCAA tournament projections for Bay Area men’s teams are sketchy at best.Unless things change dramatically or someone emerges to earn an automatic bid by winning their conference tournament, the local teams could be shut out of the 68-team NCAA field for the first time since 2021.USF and Saint Mary’s are best positioned to perhaps land at-large bids, based on their current NET computer rankings. They begin play a week from now in the West Coast Conference, where No. 13 Gonzaga (9-3) looks like the favorite but is nowhere near as formidable as in recent seasons.Saint Mary’s has most consistently carried the Bay Area banner in recent years, securing NCAA berths the past two seasons and in four of the past six tournaments. USF ended a 24-year drought with a bid in 2022, but Cal hasn’t been since Jaylen Brown’s lone season in 2016 and Stanford’s wait is a year longer.San Jose State most r...

Wind Advisory in effect as rain approaches Bay Area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) --Rain is approaching the Bay Area and a Wind Advisory is in effect for the North Bay as the first of two rain systems is expected to hit Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday's rain will arrive in the North Bay and start to spread across the region through the day, the NWS said.The second is due to arrive on Friday through Saturday morning. "Two successive low pressure systems bring rain and dangerous coastal conditions to the Bay Area this week," said KRON4 Meteorologist Kyla Grogan. "The first system rolls in overnight Tuesday and impacts will be felt on Wednesday." High Surf Warning issued for Thursday along Bay Area coastline Wind Advisory in effect for North BayA Wind Advisory went into effect for the North Bay Wednesday morning and will last until 4 p.m., the NWS said. Gusts could reach as high as 40-50 mph. The NWS recommends securing loose objects -- like outdoor holiday decorations -- and exercising caution while driving hig...

Body found at Embarcadero BART Station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- There was a major BART delay at the Embarcadero Station in the East Bay direction on Tuesday due to a body being found on a train, BART confirmed to KRON4. The station was briefly closed, and trains were running through it while the situation was being resolved. The station has since reopened. The coroner's office was called to the scene to investigate. There is no indication of foul play, BART said. "The station just reopened so we’re recovering. A person who was deceased was found on a train, no indication of foul play," BART said. Calm before the storm: Officials urge storm prep as wet, unsettled weather returns In other commuter news, a car fire near the Caldecott Tunnel was snarling eastbound traffic. Drivers were advised to seek alternate routes.

California new laws for 2024: Workers get more paid sick days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

(BCN) -- California workers will be guaranteed five paid sick days a year starting Jan. 1, up from the three days that employers are currently required to provide, thanks to Senate Bill 616. The bill, authored by Long Beach Democratic Sen. Lena Gonzalez, also extends protections against retaliation to workers who are in a union, but excludes provisions that would have granted railroad employees access to unpaid sick leave.It was a significant, but partial victory for proponents, including advocacy groups for families and women and dozens of unions. They originally sought seven days, but the final version was reduced in negotiations during the legislative process. Wind Advisory in effect as rain approaches Bay Area The California Work & Family Coalition hailed the law -- one of several measures last session aimed at improving work-life balance -- as "a commonsense change."But trade associations representing various industries such as the California Grocers Association and Calif...

The New York Times sues OpenAI, Microsoft over the use of its stories to train chatbots

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft seeking to end the practice of using its stories to train chatbots, saying that copyright infringements at the paper alone could be worth billions. The paper joins a growing list of individuals and publishers trying to stop OpenAI from using copyrighted material. In the suit filed Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, the Times said OpenAI and Microsoft are advancing their technology through the “unlawful use of The Times’s work to create artificial intelligence products that compete with it" and "threatens The Times’s ability to provide that service.” Wind Advisory in effect as rain approaches Bay Area OpenAI and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Media organizations have been pummeled by a migration of readers to online platforms and while many publications have carved out a digital space online as well, artificial intelligence technology has threatened to upen...

Commanders name Jacoby Brissett as starting quarterback against the 49ers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) passes against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)(AP/Adam Hunger) Washington Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) passes against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)(AP/Adam Hunger) The Washington Commanders are making a quarterback change. Head coach Ron Rivera said on Wednesday that Jacoby Brissett will start in place of Sam Howell for the Commanders’ Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers.This switch comes after Howell was benched for...

Reagan National Airport sets record after Bethesda woman caught with loaded gun in carry-on

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

Transportation Security Administration agents at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, caught another passenger with a handgun at a security checkpoint on Christmas Eve — setting another record for most guns caught at the airport in a single year.A woman from Bethesda, Maryland, had a loaded handgun in her carry-on bag while trying to get on her  Dec. 24 flight, TSA said in a release.The 9 mm handgun, loaded with six bullets, was taken by officers with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department and the woman was cited on weapons charges, the release said.TSA said that this was the 39th gun caught at the airport this year. The previous single-year record for number of firearms stopped at the airport was 30, the release said. That record was set in 2021.Just last month, a woman from Springfield, Maryland, was caught trying to go through one of Reagan National’s security checkpoints with a loaded handgun during the rush of Thanksgiving travel.̶...

Short-handed No. 19 NC State, Kansas State looking to cap stellar seasons in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 19 North Carolina State (9-3) vs. Kansas State (8-4), Dec. 28, 5:45 p.m. Eastern, (ESPN).FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Kansas State by 2 1/2.Series Record: First meeting.WHAT’S AT STAKENorth Carolina State finished the season on a five-game winning streak that included victories over Atlantic Coast Conference rivals Miami and Clemson without starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong. The Wolfpack recorded the 14th nine-win season in program history and their second in four seasons. Kansas State is looking to win its fourth bowl game in six seasons and is appearing in a bowl game in the state of Florida for the first time.KEY MATCHUPNorth Carolina State’s rushing attack vs. Kansas State’s run defense. The Wolfpack ranked 11th in the ACC in total offense, leaning heavily on their defense to win games. With some major absences on that side of the ball, NC State is going to have to find a way to break through against a defense that was third-stingie...

No. 19 NC State, Kansas State excited for opportunity to finish on winning note in Pop-Tarts Bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:08:42 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — When it comes to college bowl games these days, storylines often are as much about who’s not playing rather than who actually is going to be on the field.With many stars choosing to opt out of postseason trips in favor of entering the transfer portal or preparing for the NFL draft, matchups like Thursday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl between No. 19 North Carolina State and Kansas State essentially become showcases for younger players and those older ones relishing an opportunity to take the field one more time.“I am going to enjoy one last ride with my teammates,” Kansas State All-American guard Cooper Beebe said. “There is a lot to enjoy and I’m excited to see a lot of these young guys step out for the first time and see what they can do.”The Wildcats (8-4) will be missing several key players, including quarterback Will Howard, who entered the transfer portal. They will also be without second-leading rusher Treshaun Ward and safety Kobe Savage.That l...