On a Friday morning in April, Dan Stein, the founder of Giving Green, a climate philanthropy organization, found some big news in a surprising email. An anonymous donor had given his fund $10 million. “I didn’t quite process the number of zeroes,” Stein said, adding he was “tickled, awestruck, surprised”...
Newsom Says No New Taxes, Yet His Budget Has Billions in New Levies on Businesses
When Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a much-revised 2024-25 state budget this month, he became visibly irritated when reporters pressed him about raising taxes to cover a $44.9 billion deficit, particularly the corporate tax hikes that left-leaning groups have suggested to avoid spending cuts in health, welfare and education programs. “When...
Use of Wegovy and Other Weight-Loss Drugs Soars Among Kids and Young Adults
At 17, Israel McKenzie was so burdened by obesity that he stopped going to high school in person and was embarrassed to speak to people at his restaurant job. “I was in a really dark place,” says McKenzie, whose weight had climbed to 335 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame, despite...
Reparations Proposals for Black Californians Advance to State Assembly
SACRAMENTO — The California Senate advanced a set of ambitious reparations proposals Tuesday, including legislation that would create an agency to help Black families research their family lineage and confirm their eligibility for any future restitution passed by the state. Lawmakers also passed bills to create a fund for reparations...
Ex-Employee Kills 2, Injures 3 in Suburban Philadelphia Linen Company Shooting
CHESTER, Pa. — A former employee armed with a handgun opened fire early Wednesday at a linen company in a Philadelphia suburb, killing two people and wounding three others, police said. The shooting at Delaware County Linen in Chester occurred around 8:30 a.m., and the shooter fled the scene in...
Daily Marijuana Use Outpaces Daily Drinking in the US, a New Study Says
Millions of people in the U.S. report using marijuana daily or nearly every day, according to an analysis of national survey data, and those people now outnumber those who say they are daily or nearly-daily drinkers of alcohol. Alcohol is still more widely used, but 2022 was the first time...
Spain, Ireland, Norway to Recognize Palestinian State: Why Does It Matters?
Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s offensive. The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and...
Search and Rescue Ongoing After Iowa Tornado; 1 Dead
GREENFIELD, Iowa — Authorities in Iowa were continuing their search and rescue efforts Wednesday, a day after a tornado slammed the state. The Adams County Sheriff’s office said one woman died Tuesday when her vehicle was blown off the road during the storms about 3 miles (5 kilometers) north of...
Barbie to Honor Venus Williams and Other Star Athletes with New Doll Line
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Barbie dolls will honor tennis champion Venus Williams and eight other athletes as part of a project announced by Mattel on Wednesday. The others being depicted as dolls are gymnasts Rebeca Andrade and Alexa Moreno, soccer players Mary Fowler and Christine Sinclair, boxer Estelle Mossely, swimmer...
Giants Win Streak Ends as Doval Blows Save Opportunity to Pirates
PITTSBURGH — Nick Gonzales’ run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Gonzales’ leadoff hit up the middle off Erik Miller (0-2) scored automatic runner Connor Joe from second base and ended the...