Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will compete for France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will compete for France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup For the second straight season, Rudy Gobert will enter Timberwolves’ training camp fresh off an international competition.After months of indecision, the center has committed to play for France at the FIBA World Cup, which takes place from late August to mid-September.Anthony Edwards is set to compete in the same tournament for the U.S. That will mark Edwards’ first major international appearance for the senior national team.Gobert, meanwhile, is a veteran of such competitions. The 7-foot-1 big man played for France in EuroBasket just last year, leading the Blues to a second-place finish.That tournament wrapped just prior to the start of Minnesota’s training camp. The Wolves managed Gobert’s workload to kick off team activities. Yet the center still didn’t look quite like himself physically until well into the season. Gobert also battled back spasms at the end of the campaign.Gobert was excited for this summer because he felt it’d be his “be...

South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights teens die after jumping off cliffs into Lake Superior

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights teens die after jumping off cliffs into Lake Superior SILVER BAY, Minn. — Two 18-year-olds died Sunday after jumping off cliffs into Lake Superior.Austin Henning, of South St. Paul, and Maximillion Williams, of Inver Grove Heights, drowned after jumping into the lake, according to Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler. A 911 caller reported the two were “struggling to swim” at Black Beach at 1:25 p.m. Sunday.“It was wavy and windy, and the water is cold. I don’t know what the temperature was, but it had to be fairly cold,” Stadler told the Duluth News Tribune. “So I know that played into the fact that once they got into the water, they struggled and were actually being pulled out away from the shore.”At the time of the drownings, wind speeds were up to 23 mph and waves 3-4 feet, said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jamie Rodriguez Ayala of the U.S. Coast Guard, who responded to the scene via boat from Bayfield, Wisconsin. The Coast Guard also sent a helicopter from Traverse City, Michigan.“...

Plan to address cancer drug shortage unveiled

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Plan to address cancer drug shortage unveiled CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- NEWS10 ABC has been following the cancer drug shortage affecting many in the Capital Region. With growing concern for other medications in short supply, NEWS10 has an update to the situation and what New Yorkers can expect going forward.In previous coverage, NEWS10 reported on a major cancer drug shortage and how cancer patients in our region were being affected by the short supply. Some were told their drug will change, and some were told to look elsewhere. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I just kept asking how this could be possible, that this could happen, you know. I just couldn't believe it,” Susan Dyson said. Back in May, Dyson alerted NEWS10 to the effects of the shortage. She was one of the first patients to be told she needed to look elsewhere for her medication.Since then, NEWS10 reported on action from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that would reverse their decision on the...

Jefferson Park restaurant duped feds out of $243K, landlord says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Jefferson Park restaurant duped feds out of $243K, landlord says A former restaurant owner in Jefferson Park has been accused by his one-time landlord of defrauding the federal government out of $243,000 in pandemic aid.Sarto’s was a highly regarded Italian restaurant at 2900 W. 25th Ave. from 2014 until its closure in October 2020. It was founded by Taylor Swallow, who had been a real estate consultant and lender before leaving the corporate world and opening the restaurant.Federal records show that in March 2021, five months after it closed, Sarto’s received a $243,297 loan through the Paycheck Protection Program — money that was supposed to be used to keep workers employed. The loan has not been repaid. The address that Sarto’s listed on its PPP loan application, 1766 W. 46th Ave., is a post office in Sunnyside.Jefferson Park LLC, which owns 2900 W. 25th Ave. and whose operating manager is businessman Ken Wolf, is still owed $98,000 in back rent from Sarto’s. The landlord says the PPP loan is just one example of Swallow’s schemes to enri...

Despite soaring mortgage rates, California home prices keep rising

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Despite soaring mortgage rates, California home prices keep rising Even with mortgage rates hovering around their 15-year highs, home prices in California edged higher for the fourth consecutive month in May, according to the latest data from the California Association of Realtors.The median single-family home price in the Golden State last month was $836,110, roughly $25,000 higher than in April and $100,000 over February, data shows.The San Francisco Bay Area ($1,300,000), Central Coast ($1,000,000) and Southern California ($800,000) continue to be the priciest, while the Far North region ($380,000) is the most affordable, CAR said.Home prices are still well below the all-time high recorded in May 2022 when the average California single-family home cost $893,200.Average Single-Family Home Prices in California RegionMay 2023April 2023May 2022Statewide$836,110$811,950$893,200Condo/Townhomes$635,000$634,000$675,000Los Angeles Metro$765,000$740,000$805,000Central Coast$1,000,000$1,020,000$995,000Central Valley$485,000$463,000$510,000Far North$380,000...

Newsom expected to give Hollywood studios major tax break

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Newsom expected to give Hollywood studios major tax break Hollywood productions have filmed behind the confides of Southern California, and other states have long offered studios major incentives to shoot away from the Golden State.As unions are striking or are preparing to strike, Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to give studios a major tax break to keep productions in the state, while also boosting set safety.Newsom is expected to sign legislation that will give major Hollywood studios a tax break they’ve been asking for. The legislation extends a tax credit for productions in California to the tune of $330 million, made available every years through 2030.Last summer, Newsom’s office released a statement in support of the tax extension, saying it will “help ensure California’s world-renowned entertainment industry continues to drive economic growth with good jobs and a diverse, inclusive workforce.”It’s something that the studios and striking writers agree on, said John August, a screenwriter and Writers Guild of America negotiating committ...

California tax preparer sentenced to six years in federal prison for filing thousands of false tax returns

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

California tax preparer sentenced to six years in federal prison for filing thousands of false tax returns A tax preparer from the Inland Empire was sentenced to six years in federal prison for knowingly filing thousands of tax returns that caused the IRS to lose more than $3 million, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.Andrew Zepeda Hansack, 40, of Riverside, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson, who describes Hansack’s crimes as “one of the most serious offenses he has encountered while on the bench,” according to a news release. California lawyer to plead guilty in multi-million fraud scheme Hansack pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return on Feb.27. The judge presiding over the case imposed the statutory maximum sentence for each of the two counts.In addition to the six year prison sentence, Hansack has also been ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and about $3.3 million in restitution.Beginning in 2015, Hansack knowingly filed tax returns that included false itemized deductions for medical expens...

2-month-old girl, mother found safe after alleged kidnapping in Lancaster; suspect still outstanding

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

2-month-old girl, mother found safe after alleged kidnapping in Lancaster; suspect still outstanding A 2-month-old girl and her mother have been found after they were allegedly kidnapped by their father and husband in Lancaster Sunday. The suspect has not been apprehended. Sabrina Sanchez, 31, and her baby daughter Itzel Sanchez had last seen around noon when they were said to be abducted by 25-year-old Efrain Sanchez-Jimenez, the husband of Sabrina and the father of Itzel, the California Highway Patrol tweeted. Efrain Sanchez-Jimenez (left), Sabrina Sanchez (center) and Itzel Sanchez are seen in this image provided by the California Highway Patrol.Sanchez-Jimenez, who is believed to be armed with a handgun, allegedly sexually assaulted a family member before the kidnapping, authorities said. Authorities said he had threatened to murder his wife and daughter.Authorities are searching for a silver Buick Lucerne with Colorado license plate number AUI-X94.Both were found safe by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said in an update ...

“As Much As I Love You” Features Sami Siteman’s Serene Ode to Affection

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

“As Much As I Love You” Features Sami Siteman’s Serene Ode to Affection Sami Siteman is a singer-songwriter from Agoura Hills, California. Her music, which can be accessed on all streaming platforms, showcases a fusion of pop, country, and singer-songwriter genres with meaningful lyrics and catchy melodies. Siteman’s music emanates her passion for songwriting.Sami’s inclination towards music began at a very young age, stemming mainly from often singing with her father, who also shares a deep appreciation for music; by 12, she started writing songs. She took piano lessons from 11 to 18 and taught herself to play the ukulele when she was 19. In the past six and a half years, Sami has been living her dream of being a musician, releasing two EPs, including “What I Should Have Done” and “All the Ways That This Could Go,” and many singles, for a total of 19 songs. She plans to release more pieces, her most recent being “Break It” (May 2023).Currently, she is geared up to demonstrate her talent with the release of her ...

Jennifer Lawrence Transcends Silly Setup in No Hard Feelings

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:19 GMT

Jennifer Lawrence Transcends Silly Setup in No Hard Feelings No Hard Feelings, starring a fearless Jennifer Lawrence, features a healthy budget, a unique location (Montauk, New York), discernible characters, a plotline in which said characters learn something about themselves, and it takes place on planet Earth. This is what theatrical films used to look like before we lost them to the malaise of streaming and the Marvel/DC takeover. But Gene Stupnitsky’s comedy is only sporadically funny and you wish he pushed the envelope a little further instead of being satisfied with a sluggish third act. Like hungry dogs in a kettle, the audience chews on every savory human moment, even if there isn’t enough meat on the bone.Lawrence, who also produced the Sony Pictures-backed vehicle, plays Maddie, an embittered bartender and Uber-driver who pours every cent she makes into the house her mother left her after she died. She could care less about cultivating a relationship with anyone, especially men, who she basically uses for libidinous purposes. She on...