Source: Former partner says Hunter Biden sold ‘illusion’ of access

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Source: Former partner says Hunter Biden sold ‘illusion’ of access By Zachary Cohen and Kara Scannell | CNNDevon Archer told the House Oversight Committee on Monday that his former business partner, Hunter Biden, was selling the “illusion” of access to his father, according to a source familiar with the closed-door interview, the latest development in the Republican-led congressional investigations into the president’s son.The source also reiterated that Archer provided no evidence connecting President Joe Biden to any of his son’s foreign business dealings.After the interview concluded, a second source told CNN that Archer did affirm to the committee that Hunter Biden was selling the “illusion” of access to his father, but later clarified that the president’s son was actually selling the illusion of access to Washington, DC, and knowledge of how it worked.Republicans and Democrats have both sought to highlight portions of Archer’s hourslong testimony in a way that fits their competing political agendas.Matthew L. Schwartz, managing partner of Boie...

Police typo leads to guns drawn on family in Texas

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Police typo leads to guns drawn on family in Texas By Rebekah Riess | CNNThe Frisco, Texas, police chief issued an apology on Friday after a family from Little Rock, Arkansas, who were headed to a basketball tournament in Grapevine, was mistakenly pulled over in a “high-risk stop,” after a Frisco officer ran the car’s plates as being from Arizona, instead of Arkansas, leading police to believe it was stolen, according to body camera video and information released by police.On July 23, a Frisco police officer saw a black Dodge Charger with an out-of-state license plate leave a hotel and ran a check of the vehicle’s license plate. According to a news release from Frisco Police, when entering the information, the officer mistakenly entered the plate as being from Arizona, instead of Arkansas, causing an incorrect registration return and leading the officer to believe that the vehicle was possibly stolen.The officer then initiated a “high-risk traffic stop” on the Dallas North Tollway and waited for backup officers to arrive, the releas...

Letters: Inherently incompatible | AI dystopia | Brakes on population | Assess resources | Deserving better | Crisis of selfishness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Letters: Inherently incompatible | AI dystopia | Brakes on population | Assess resources | Deserving better | Crisis of selfishness Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Bikes and hikinginherently incompatibleRe: “‘Flow Trail’ proposal highlights headwinds” (Page A1, July 10).This article about mountain biking in regional parks illustrates the inherent incompatibility of the sport with peaceful trail use by hikers, equestrians, disabled individuals and multicultural family groups.For decades, park district rules have allowed bike use on hundreds of miles of fire roads. But that is not sufficient access to satisfy the vocal cyclist lobby.The high school mountain bike teams quoted extensively in the article presumably wish to “sharpen their skills” on downhill trails, with banked curves to speed around and jumps to hop over.The park district assiduously avoids posting signs that advise everyone that the bike speed limit is 15 miles per hour. This is easily exceeded on now-ubiquitous e-bikes.One cyclist decries “Berkeley grumps” who seek to lim...

Scaramucci, SCOTUS megadonor Crow give to Christie Super PAC

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Scaramucci, SCOTUS megadonor Crow give to Christie Super PAC By Melissa Holzberg DePalo | CNNAnthony Scaramucci and a GOP megadonor who paid for luxury trips for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas are among the donors to the super PAC supporting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s 2024 presidential bid.The Tell It Like It Is PAC reported receiving nearly $5.9 million in the first half of 2023, according to a report it filed Monday with Federal Election Commission. It only reported receiving contributions between May 30 and June 30 in this filing. Christie formally announced his presidential campaign on June 6.Harlan Crow, a Republican real estate magnate, contributed $100,000 to Christie’s PAC. Crow has made headlines recently for providing luxury travel for and engaging in private real-estate deals with Thomas.Another noteworthy donor is Scaramucci, who served briefly as Trump’s White House communications director. He also donated $100,000 to the pro-Christie PAC, the new filing shows.Super PACs can accept donations of any size from a...

SF Giants add outfield depth in trade with Seattle Mariners

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

SF Giants add outfield depth in trade with Seattle Mariners The Giants are closing in on a deal with the Seattle Mariners that would add veteran AJ Pollock to San Francisco’s outfield and DH mix, the team confirmed on Monday afternoon.The deal also includes minor league utilityman Mark Mathias, a Bay Area native, coming to the Giants’ system. News that the trade was nearly finalized was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.It isn’t immediately clear what the Giants are sending to the Mariners, but Seattle isn’t expected to receive a significant return. (According to MLB.com’s Dean Kramer, the Giants will send a player to be named later to Seattle to complete the deal.) The Mariners entered the season as a trendy pick to win the AL West, but they appear to be in sell mode after also trading closer Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks earlier Monday.The Giants entered Monday night’s game against Arizona with a 58-48 record. They trail the Dodgers by two games in the NL West and are the current leaders for o...

Letters: Wholesale change | More rigor | Letter misunderstands | Elite schools | Supporting Trump | Silent benefactor

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Letters: Wholesale change | More rigor | Letter misunderstands | Elite schools | Supporting Trump | Silent benefactor Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Wholesale changes threatto Twitter’s relevanceRe: “Twitter sign X-ed out at S.F. offices” (Page C7, July 26).From revolutionizing the automotive industry with Tesla to spearheading the SpaceX program, Elon Musk has consistently brought about fascinating changes. While Musk’s propensity for innovation is commendable, the change of Twitter’s name and logo to “X” is a decision that warrants open dialogue.Twitter, since its inception in 2006, has been an integral part of our cultural landscape. It has served as a platform for people to share their thoughts and connect with others. The iconic bird and the concept of “tweets” have become symbols of this digital realm, making Twitter indispensable.With Musk’s Twitter acquisition, changes were inevitable. However, the decision to completely change the name and logo raises concerns about losing the histo...

All lanes reopen on Hwy 101 in Healdsburg after grass fire breaks out

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

All lanes reopen on Hwy 101 in Healdsburg after grass fire breaks out (KRON) -- A grass fire in Healdsburg caused delays on Highway 101 Monday afternoon, according to California Highway Patrol. The fire broke out in the area of Dry Creek Road and Hwy 101.All lanes in both the northbound and southbound directions were blocked, officials tweeted at 3:20 p.m. As of 4 p.m., all lanes in both directions have reopened, according to a Caltrans map.The fire is now 100% contained and grew to approximately 11 acres, Cal Fire said. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.A grass fire north of Healdsburg has caused delays on Hwy 101 Monday afternoon (Image courtesy of PG&E).Another grass fire broke out in Healdsburg around the same time. Crews are working to extinguish a blaze approximately two miles north near the 16900 block of Healdsburg Avenue, Cal Fire said.This story will be updated.

Capitol Corridor trains suspended due to police activity

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Capitol Corridor trains suspended due to police activity (KRON) -- Capitol Corridor trains have been temporarily suspended due to police activity at the Suisun Bay Bridge, according to a tweet from the transit agency. Several trains have been canceled as a result, including trains 536, 540, 543, 544, 545, and 549. ‘X’ sign taken down from atop Twitter building According to Amtrak, the service suspension is due to a "trespasser incident" along the route. There is no word on when service will be resumed.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Missing 83-year-old man found in SF

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

Missing 83-year-old man found in SF (BCN) -- A missing elderly man considered at risk has been located, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Xun Qi Lu, 83, was last seen about 2 a.m. Sunday leaving his residence in the 1800 block of Pine Street in San Francisco. ‘X’ sign taken down from atop Twitter building Lu, whose primary language is Cantonese, is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 113 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. He is considered at-risk because of a medical condition. Mr. Lu's primary language is Cantonese. He was located at around 2:50 p.m. at his home. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No foul play is suspected, police said.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

I Was Just Subpoenaed By Trump's Georgia Grand Jury. Here's What I'll Tell Them.

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:02:56 GMT

I Was Just Subpoenaed By Trump's Georgia Grand Jury. Here's What I'll Tell Them. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sits in a courtroom in the Fulton county courthouse, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Atlanta.Photo: Brynn Anderson/APOn Monday afternoon, I met an investigator from the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in a nondescript parking lot downtown in Atlanta. He handed me two subpoenas to testify before one of the grand juries empaneled here considering charges in the 2020 election interference case with Donald Trump.I’m at Buteco, a bar in East Atlanta. I don’t drink anymore. I’m thinking about it.It’s the second time I’ve been asked to testify. A year ago I sat in front of a grand jury on the third floor of the courthouse – which is now buttressed with orange barricades in anticipation of incipient madness – to describe barging into a semi-clandestine meeting of Republicans pretending to be Georgia’s official electors in December 2020.For more than two years, Fulton County District Attorn...