Trump weighing executive order to protect gas stoves: Report
President-elect Donald Trump is considering an executive order to protect gas-fueled appliances like stoves and heaters. The executive order would shield the appliances from regulations designed to phase them out of American homes and businesses, according to what two sources familiar with Trump’s plans told Reuters on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Republican leaders including President-elect Trump have criticized local Democratic efforts to reduce the use of gas-powered appliances in construction projects over concerns about climate change and people’s health.
At least one federal study looked into a potential link between respiratory conditions such as asthma and gas-fueled appliances.
Dozens of Democrat-run cities, including San Francisco and Berkeley, California, have tried to limit the use of gas stoves in new buildings in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
New York state also approved a law in December that bans natural gas stoves and furnaces from most new buildings.
However, those efforts have faced legal challenges.
Berkeley, the first city to pass such a ban, was blocked from enacting the rule by a federal court in 2023 and repealed the law last year.
In protest of the regulations, at least 20 Republican-led states have passed legislation outlawing local governments from banning natural gas appliances in buildings.
Meanwhile, details of Trump’s potential executive order are still unclear.
The sources told Reuters that the order may be similar to efforts in Congress to limit federal dollars going toward state and local measures to limit or impose regulations on gas-powered devices that increase their cost.
According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than 75 million American households use natural gas for at least one appliance. Natural gas is used mostly for heat and hot water.
The survey by the administration also found that 2 out of every 5 American homes have a gas stove.
San Francisco has highest rate of million-dollar jobs in US: Report
Where are the most million-dollar jobs in the U.S.? They’re not in New York, nor Los Angeles, but in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
The Bay Area leads in offering the biggest share of high-salary jobs, offering the largest percentage of jobs of any city making $500,000 or more per year, $1 million or more per year and $2 million or more per year. That’s according to new data from the payroll company ADP.
About 1 in every 185 jobs in the Bay Area, about one-half of one percent, pay $1 million or more. That’s a ways ahead of second-place Naples, Florida, where the rate is 1 in every 313 jobs.
Both are well above the national average. Across America, 1 in every 455 jobs pays $1 million or more each year.
Why San Francisco? The short answer is tech.
The Bay Area is heavily reliant on tech jobs and a global hub for both tech’s top employees and companies.
The report noted that tech employees, particularly engineers and executives, can command high salaries from companies. Unlike other high-paying jobs like doctors and lawyers, tech employees don’t have their income limited to how many patients or clients they see.
Beyond the tech industry’s dominance, researchers found two other factors at play. And both relate to the city’s cost of living.
Part of why high earners make up such a large share of the population and San Francisco is a major spike in the cost of living there in recent decades.
Home prices in San Francisco itself have more than doubled since 2012, with the average rising from about $700,000 to $1.65 million. Those prices are growing at a considerably higher rate than home prices nationwide.
Both that and the rise of remote work have pushed lower- and middle-income people elsewhere.
It’s created a big gap between the rental market and the housing market. Data from Zillow and Apartment List shows that in both the San Francisco Bay Area and in neighboring San Jose, it’s now roughly twice as expensive to buy a home at the median home price than it is to rent for 20 years. Nationwide on average, those two options cost about the same.
With fewer lower-income people moving in, million-dollar earners now make up a bigger chunk of the population.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
New details continue to emerge about the man charged with murder in the killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. And wildfires burn out of control in southern California as strong winds are forecast to make matters worse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
Luigi Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York one week after authorities say he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
The murder suspect did not waive his extradition to New York. That means Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania as he has 14 days to challenge the detention.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it will seek a governor’s warrant to force extradition to New York where Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign a warrant for his extradition to ensure he is “tried and held accountable.”
Watch the @ABC7NY interview where Deputy Commissioner of @NYPDCT Rebecca Weiner and Chief of @NYPDDetectives Joseph Kenny discuss the ongoing investigation regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3WH9Y0JkMJ
In court Tuesday, Mangione was denied bail on the felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania.
“He has indicated a plea of not guilty. The only charges that we’ve seen thus far, have been the ones here in Pennsylvania. And we have pled not guilty to those charges,” his attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters.
As the investigation in New York murder continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News they are looking into whether the suspect suffered a back injury and filed any claims with the insurance industry prior to the shooting. Mangione’s roommate in Hawaii told various broadcasts Mangione’s back surgery caused him great pain and he was extremely angry about it.
Mangione had three pages of writing on him when he was arrested inside a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Monday morning, Dec. 9. The NYPD said the notes were addressed to “the feds” and told authorities he acted alone.
Investigators said Mangione may have been inspired by the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and they’re working to determine whether Thompson was the target of “a symbolic takedown” against corporate corruption.
In November, Mangione’s mother had filed a missing persons report for him in San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that came after no one had heard from Mangione since July.
In a statement, Mangione’s family said, “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Fallout from South Korea’s short-lived martial law period
The fallout from South Korea’s martial law declaration widens as the imprisoned former defense minister attempted to take his own life.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently being detained at a facility in Seoul on alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week, attempted to take his own life late Tuesday night.https://t.co/aHM6HP5TUS
Authorities said former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been moved to an isolation room after an attempt on his own life before his formal arrest warrant was issued Tuesday night. Kim was the first public figure to be detained over the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and is accused of being the one to recommend the move.
Separately Tuesday, South Korean police said they sent officers to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office as part of the investigation into the declaration.
Yoon is now banned from leaving the country as police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government as well as the military committed an insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly last week to try to prevent lawmakers from gathering to cancel the martial law decree. They were ultimately unsuccessful; lawmakers voted unanimously to end martial law just six hours after it was put in place.
Investigators have vowed to arrest, or at least detain, Yoon, who is still the country’s president. He refused to resign after an impeachment attempt on Saturday, Dec. 8, failed when members of his party left parliament and boycotted the vote.
The country’s main opposition party says it’s preparing a new impeachment motion and a vote on that is expected as early as this Saturday, Dec. 14.
Malibu wildfire reaches more than 3,000 acres, 0% contained
Firefighters in Southern California are battling a raging wildfire that has prompted evacuations and damaged homes in the affluent beach community of Malibu, northwest of Los Angeles. The Franklin Fire has spread to more than 3,000 acres and was 0% contained as of CalFire’s update at 9:47 p.m. PT Tuesday.
The fast-moving inferno broke out late Monday night and quickly grew, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Some gusts were reported as strong as 90 miles per hour.
Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week.
The Franklin Fire in L.A. County has already consumed over 2200 acres this morning, forcing many evacuations. For… pic.twitter.com/7diQcNdi6B
More than 1,500 firefighters had been assigned to battle the flames and smoke.
Students, teachers and administrators at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place as the fire kept getting closer and closer. Final exams were canceled.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, but officials said the fire has destroyed at least seven homes so far. The National Weather Service forecast days of extreme dry windy weather ahead.
Federal judge blocks sale of Infowars to The Onion
Jones was forced to put the platform up for sale to help pay $1.5 billion in damages that he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for falsely claiming the massacre in Connecticut was a hoax.
Tuesday night, a federal bankruptcy judge said there was a lack of transparency in the auction process, and it failed to maximize value for the victims’ families, even though they had given their approval for Infowars to be sold to The Onion for an undisclosed amount of money.
NJ lawmaker calls for ‘limited state of emergency’ over drones
Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said mysterious drones seen flying over New Jersey in recent weeks should prompt a “limited state of emergency.” Bramnick said in a statement New Jersey should ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.
His statement came after the mayors of 21 New Jersey towns wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy demanding action.
The FBI so far has only said it is doing all it can to figure out what is going on and the public can continue to call in tips.
This comes a year after GM grounded its fleet of driverless vehicles after an accident in California that led to Cruise being fined $1.5 million.
GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, said it intends to buy the remainder of the company and will combine GM and Cruise technical teams. GM cited an “increasingly competitive robotaxi market” as one reason it will no longer fund the business.
Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who left the company in 2023, reacted to the news on X saying, “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.”
New San Francisco program adds ballet and church as part of drug treatment
A California nonprofit is taking an unconventional approach in helping treat people who are struggling with drug addiction, which includes using ballet and church services as a form of rehab. Earlier this year, voters in San Francisco voted to enforce drug treatment for welfare recipients.
The city tapped the group Positive Directions Equals Changes to run the program behind the new initiative. The group’s director told the San Francisco Chronicle treatment isn’t one size fits all.
While the interventions could include residential, outpatient or medication-assisted treatment, extracurricular activities like ballet and attending church could also be incorporated.
The city currently has a cash assistance program where participants must take an employment assessment. If they’re not able to work, then they apply for federal disability benefits.
Beginning in January, the new assessment will flag those who have substance abuse issues before being connected with Positive Directions to get placed into the best treatment option.
The measure requires those 65 and younger who are on welfare to agree to treatment if the city “reasonably suspects” the person is taking illegal drugs in order to remain eligible for aid.
Critics of the measure, which includes drug treatment providers and doctors, question if there’s enough treatment space for everyone and said it could increase addiction and overdoses if financial assistance gets cut from drug users.
Those who don’t agree to treatment will no longer get cash from the city.
Officials are also working to incorporate another newly passed city program called Cash Not Drugs. The program will give welfare recipients $100 a week if their drug test comes back negative.
US fugitive on the run for more than 2 decades arrested in Wales
A U.S. fugitive on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Terrorist” list has been caught in the United Kingdom after more than two decades on the run. Authorities in Wales reportedly arrested Daniel Andreas San Diego on Monday, Nov. 25, in an operation involving Britain’s national intelligence agencies and the FBI.
San Diego, who is considered a domestic terrorist by the FBI, now awaits extradition to the United States. He was federally indicted in 2004 on two counts of destroying or attempting to destroy property with explosives and two counts of using a destructive device in a crime of violence.
The FBI accuses San Diego of openly promoting violence in the name of animal rights. The charges San Diego faces are in connection with a bomb blast at biotechnology company Chiron Inc. near Oakland, California, in 2003.
Investigators found a second bomb that they deactivated and believed was to target first responders. Law enforcement also accuses San Diego of planting a third bomb at another California business a month later.
No one was injured in any of the incidents.
The group Revolutionary Cells claimed responsibility for the attacks on a pro-animal rights website, saying that it targeted the companies because of alleged connections to Huntingdon Life Sciences, which has been condemned by animal rights activists over its use of animal testing.
Huntingdon Life Science was part of a merger in 2015 to form what is now Inotiv.
FBI Director Christopher Wray praised the arrest on Tuesday, Nov. 26, vowing that “No matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable.”
NFL waits weeks to levy fine against Bosa for wearing MAGA hat postgame
In late October, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa crashed a live postgame interview with his teammate Brock Purdy after a win against the Dallas Cowboys, showing off his “Make America Great Again” hat in support of now President-elect Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said to reporters after the game when asked why he wore the hat.
The game was played on Oct. 27, and the NFL levied a fine of $11,255 against Bosa on Nov. 9, nearly two weeks after the incident took place.
Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook states that players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or conveying personal messages while they’re visible to the stadium and televised audience. This includes political activities or causes.
Before receiving the fine, Bosa acknowledged he had broken an NFL rule, telling reporters it was “well worth it” to wear the hat.
Why did the NFL delay the fine?
The NFL did not want to interfere with the election, according to new reporting from The Wall Street Journal. The report suggests that issuing a fine against Bosa before the election could have been perceived as the NFL making a statement against Trump just days before Americans cast their ballots.
Trump has been an outspoken critic of the NFL, including in 2017 when he condemned former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality.
The NFL has not yet commented on the new reporting from The Wall Street Journal.
San Francisco Mayor Breed loses reelection in race about crime, safety
San Francisco has elected a new mayor, Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, ousting incumbent Mayor London Breed. Lurie, the founder of the San Francisco anti-poverty organization Tipping Point Community, won 56% of the vote, while Breed trailed with nearly 44%.
Lurie’s foundation focuses on fighting poverty and funding solutions to address it across the Bay Area. During his campaign, he centered on issues of public safety, including homelessness, crime and high housing costs, which he attributed to Breed’s failed policies.
“This mayor lost control of our streets,” Lurie said on the campaign trail. “There is a sense of disorder. There is a sense that you can come to San Francisco and get away with crime. And so, yes, the mayor is now throwing everything against the wall. But for this mayor, it’s too little, too late.”
Voters seemed to agree. San Franciscans face serious challenges, including an open-air drug market, empty storefronts, rising crime and inflation. Many residents say the city has been struggling and they are ready for change.
“Homelessness, drug problems downtown suffering the doom loop. So, it’s probably going to take time to turn it around. But, you know, San Francisco’s a great city. Eventually it’ll come back,” San Francisco resident Moneeb Mellem said.
In his first six months in office, Lurie vowed to secure 1,500 homeless shelter units. In his first three years, he aims to hire more than 400 police officers, KTVU reports.
Breed, who has served as mayor for six years, conceded to Lurie Thursday, promising a smooth transition of power.
“Ultimately, you know, what I have had as mayor of San Francisco is a real gift. And I appreciate that the people of the city have given me an opportunity to serve,” Breed said during her concession speech. “And it’s been the opportunity of my life. And so I’m grateful. But there have been other very challenging things that have occurred. And now is a time for us to really focus on moving our city forward.”
San Francisco’s new program pays people to stay sober
San Francisco has a new initiative to try to combat the city’s drug epidemic. Officials are preparing to pay people $100 for every week they stay sober.
With six days until the election, former President Donald Trump stumped in Allentown, Pennsylvania as Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her “closing argument.” We have what each said about what’s at stake next Tuesday. Also, details on what happened after a gunman opened fire from a hotel in Atlanta. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.
Harris gives closing argument as Trump addresses Biden’s comments
Some twists on the campaign trail with under a week to go now to Election Day and already more than 50 million ballots cast. Both presidential candidates gave dueling speeches Tuesday night, Oct. 29.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivered what she described as her “closing argument” to the American people near the White House as the Republican nominee former President Donald Trump looked to court Latino voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
During her address at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., the vice president emphasized its significance as the same site where former President Trump spoke to his supporters right before the riots on the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“So tonight, I will speak to everyone about the choice and stakes in this election,” she said. “Look, we know who Donald Trump is. He is the person who stood at this very spot nearly four years ago and sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol to overturn the will of the people in a free and fair election.”
The vice president also told voters she will seek common ground, saying she will give those who disagree with her a “seat at the table.”
“As Americans, we rise and fall together,” she said. “America, for too long, we have been consumed with too much division, chaos and mutual distrust. And it can be easy then to forget a simple truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way. We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms.”
In Pennsylvania, former President Trump reached out to voters during a rally in the majority Hispanic town of Allentown.
“I’m here today with a message of hope for all Americans,” he said. “With your vote this election — oh, do I look forward to this election. We — I’m going to say ‘we’ because we are going to do it as a group. We will end inflation. Wwe will stop the invasion of criminals into our country. And we will bring back the American dream. We’re doing it together, Pennsylvania.”
During his rally, the former president asked his supporters to vote and send in their mail-in ballots early, saying “they’ve already cheated” in the state — a reference to law enforcement in Lancaster County announcing they were investigating around 2,500 voter registration forms for alleged fraud.
Trump turned his attention to President Joe Biden after Florida Sen. Marco Rubio joined him on stage.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but I have breaking news for you Mr. President,” Rubio told Trump. “You may not have heard this: just moments ago, Joe Biden stated that our supporters are garbage, are garbage. He’s talking about the border patrol, he’s talking about nurses, he’s talking about teachers, he’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country and want to dream big again and support you Mr. President.”
“Remember Hillary [Clinton], she said ‘deplorable’ and then she said ‘irredeemable,’ right?” Trump responded. “But she said ‘deplorable.’ That didn’t work out. Garbage, I think, is worse right?”
What they were referring to were comments made by President Biden during a Voto Latino campaign call Tuesday night. Biden spoke about the comedian who made controversial jokes about Puerto Rico during Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally over the weekend.
“Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage,’” the president said. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
The White House issued a statement saying, “The president referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’” President Biden himself followed up on his comments with a post on X saying, “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage…the comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”
During an appearance on Fox News Tuesday night, Trump told host Sean Hannity nobody from his campaign vetted the comedian before the MSG rally.
As it pertains to the alleged voter fraud in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro told CNN there will be safe elections in the state and when asked about Biden’s “garbage” comment, Shapiro said, “It’s certainly not the words I would choose.”
Supreme Court rules RFK Jr. will remain on ballot in 2 swing states
It was unlikely the Supreme Court would have ruled in his favor, because voting is already underway in both states. Kennedy’s name also remains on the ballot in some other states, but he did not ask the Supreme Court to take it off anywhere but Wisconsin and Michigan in an apparent move to secure more voters for his ally Trump.
Steve Bannon spends first day out of prison stumping for Trump
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon wasted no time showing his support for the former president after being released from prison early Tuesday morning. Bannon just finished serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from Congress during its investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
Bannon’s first order of business was to resume his podcast “WarRoom.” He then held a news conference urging Republicans to turn out in droves to vote for Trump on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“I’ve been empowered by my four months at Danbury Federal Prison,” Bannon said during the news conference.
He added, “Obviously with seven days or six days left, you have to have a convergence of the get out the vote effort. I am not a huge believer in our ability to actually participate in rallies or do rallies because right now I think President Trump does great and he has people long there are going to do rallies in the different states. Our focus is one thing to make sure that we get as many American citizens, either early voting when they can or to the polls next Tuesday.”
He has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. His trial in that case is scheduled to begin in December.
Paul Pelosi attacker sentenced to life term on state charges
A judge sentenced the man who broke into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s northern California home and attacked her husband, Paul, with a hammer to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
David DePape, 44, was already serving 30 years in federal prison for the attack when a San Francisco jury found him guilty of multiple state charges in June.
Both the prosecution and defense said the life without parole sentence will be served concurrently with DePape’s federal sentence. It has not yet been determined where he will serve his punishment.
Suspect in custody after shots fired at Atlanta Four Seasons
A police officer and a suspected shooter are recovering after gunfire broke out at a building that houses a Four Seasons Hotel and residences in Atlanta Tuesday. The Atlanta police chief said the officer was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
UPDATE: Barricaded Gunman turned Active Shooter Situation Zone 5 at 75 14th Street Sound from Mayor Andre Dickens & Chief Darin Schierbaumhttps://t.co/TjSDcj3YTj
Authorities say the man fired at least once from the balcony of a residence on the 33rd floor of the 53-story high-rise building. They say he also shot through walls and doors, but no other injuries were reported.
Police said the suspect lives in the residential portion of the building and was not a guest at the Four Seasons hotel portion.
Yankees deny Dodgers a World Series sweep with Game 4 win
Despite another Freddie Freeman home run — becoming the first player to homer in games 1, 2, 3, and 4 — the Yankees crushed the Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4 Tuesday night in the Bronx, highlighted by three home runs including a grand slam by shortstop Anthony Volpe.
The game also featured an odd moment when Yankees fans tried to pry a foul ball out of the glove of Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. The fans were escorted from their seats by stadium security after that play.
The 11 runs were the most by the Yankees in a World Series game since Game 5 of the 1978 series when they scored 12 against the Dodgers.
Now the Yankees are hoping to do what no other team has done in Major League Baseball history: come back from being down 3-0 in the Fall Classic to win it all.
The Dodgers still just need one more win to claim the championship.
Self-driving vehicle company Waymo gets $5.6B to expand, despite challenges
Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, announced the completion of its largest funding round to date, securing $5.6 billion to accelerate its autonomous vehicle initiatives. The investment aims to expand the company’s robotaxi services and explore new business applications for its driverless technology, although Waymo’s rollout has so far faced its share of challenges.
Currently operating in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, Waymo plans to use the new funds to expand to additional cities like Austin and Atlanta by 2025. The company is also testing its vehicles in places with colder climates and more complex urban areas, including Buffalo, New York City, and Washington, D.C., to prepare for future deployments. Waymo said that this expansion will be accompanied by improvements to its offerings in existing markets.
Since 2020, the company’s driverless cars have been involved in at least 192 reported collisions. While Waymo claims these incidents are statistically fewer than those involving human-driven vehicles, some incidents have raised safety concerns.
In early October 2024, a passenger was reportedly trapped inside a Waymo robotaxi while it was being vandalized. Additionally, over the summer of 2024, neighbors near a Waymo parking lot in San Francisco complained of cars honking at each other throughout the night for several weeks.
Despite these setbacks, investors lauded Waymo’s technology, citing it as the safest and most advanced in the industry. The company’s vehicles have logged over 25 million miles on public roads, equal to the distance from Earth to Venus during its closest approach. As of August 2024, Waymo reported providing 100,000 customer trips every week.
The new funding will not only support the robotaxi business but also enable Waymo to explore other uses for its “Waymo Driver” technology. Potential business applications include food and package deliveries, long-haul trucking, and even privately owned autonomous vehicles.