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New Jersey Supreme Court to rule on pandemic-related insurance exclusions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s Supreme Court is expected to consider whether an Atlantic City casino can get payouts from business interruption insurance for losses during the COVID-19 outbreak, potentially providing guidance for policyholders nationwide regarding the scope of coverage for pandemic-related losses.The state’s high court is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday in a case brought by the owners of the Ocean Casino Resort, which had $50 million in business interruption insurance before the 2020 virus outbreak.Three insurers — AIG Specialty Insurance Co., American Guarantee & Liability Insurance Co. and Interstate Fire & Casualty Co. — largely denied coverage to the casino, saying it did not suffer direct physical loss or damage because of the virus.The casino sued and defeated an attempt by the insurers to dismiss the case. But that decision was reversed by an appellate court.The issue has arisen in state and federal courts around the country, incl...

Trump rivals try to make headway and other things to watch during the GOP presidential debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — A growing sense of urgency hangs over Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate as seven candidates fight for momentum on a stage that will not feature the race’s front-runner. Former President Donald Trump says he’s so far ahead that it would only help his competitors if he participated. The former president’s second consecutive absence gives those who do show up more airtime to make their case. But less than four months before Iowa’s kickoff caucuses, they are running out of time to change the trajectory of the primary.Here are some of our biggest questions heading into the debate:IS ANYONE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?For much of the year, the Republican contest has felt much more like a race for second place — or even an audition for a Cabinet position or ambassadorship in Trump’s next administration should he win. Conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was the breakout star of the first debate, but he heaped praise on Trump ...

High school girls soccer: Woodbury holds off White Bear Lake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

The Woodbury Royals girls varsity soccer team defended its home turf on parents night against the conference rival White Bear Lake Bears on Tuesday night, winning 2-1.Both teams came into the game with a lot to lose. Not only did the game have huge implications for who may end up conference champs, with the two squads were tied for first in the conference. Both teams also owned a spot in the top 10 of the state rankings.Woodbury took the lead with 22 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first half thanks to a strike from freshman forward Clara Fedunok, and the Royals went into the break clinging to that lead.Sophomore forward Ivella Barba padded the lead with a score 11 minutes into the second half, and Woodbury sat firmly in the driver seat.White Bear Lake answered with a goal with 24 minutes left in the game, only the fourth given up by Woodbury all season. The Bears applied pressure the remainder of the game, but they didn’t have quite enough time to complete the comeback.White Bear L...

Blackwood has shaky start, but settles down in San Jose Sharks debut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

SAN JOSE – Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood’s first few minutes with the San Jose Sharks didn’t go as planned.Blackwood allowed three goals on the first six shots he faced in what became a 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday in the second game of the preseason for both teams.Blackwood and the Sharks gave up goals to Brett Leason and Olen Zellweger at the 7:26 and 8:08 marks, respectively, of the first period. Leason finished off a Ducks 2-on-1 after the Sharks turned the puck over in the neutral zone, and a shot by Zellweger from just inside the blue line found its way past a screened Blackwood for a 2-0 Anaheim lead.Former Sharks forward Andrew Agozzino scored a power-play goal at the 12:28 mark of the opening frame, collecting a loose puck after it bounced off the back wall and beating Blackwood, who was perfect the rest of the way and finished with 21 saves.Forward William Eklund and defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the Sharks’ only goals.Eklund one-timed a pass from defensem...

SF Giants shut out by Padres, on brink of postseason elimination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Kyle Harrison was scratched minutes before his scheduled start, but his replacements filled in nicely to give the Giants a chance at a win on Tuesday night. But the offense didn’t show in a 4-0 loss to the San Diego Padres.With the loss, slim postseason pipe dreams have been reduced to a near impossibility with four games remaining on the schedule and one loss separating official elimination. They play the Padres once more before a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers to close a disappointing season.This loss was ugly. Padres starter Seth Lugo gave up just two hits heading into the ninth as he vied for his first career complete game — but manager Bob Melvin pulled him two outs into the ninth after Luis Matos drew a walk and Thairo Estrada reached on a ground ball. Closer Josh Hader struck out Wilmer Flores to end the game.One of their three hits against Lugo came at a cost. J.D. Davis’ doubled off the wall and tried to stretch it ...

WNBA reportedly finalizing Bay Area expansion; Warriors confirm ‘productive’ talks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

The Bay Area may soon be awarded a WNBA expansion team.The league is “finalizing” a deal to add a team in the region, according to The Athletic, which reported Tuesday night that the team would be owned by Warriors owner Joe Lacob.A team spokesperson said Tuesday evening that the Warriors have had “productive conversations” with the WNBA, but no actual deal has materialized.Ever since the WNBA announced in 2022 its plans to expand in the coming years, the Bay has been seen as a legitimate target market to be the home of a new franchise, with the Warriors appearing to be a frontrunner between the two Bay Area-based ownership groups vying for a team.Golden State has spent the last year meeting with WNBA executives about potentially being part of the league’s plans to expand. This news organization previously reported the Warriors even hosted the WNBA on a site visit in San Francisco within the last 12 months.“[The Warriors] look forward to the possi...

Lake Merritt's Rotary Nature Center catches fire Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

(KRON) -- Oakland's Rotary Nature Center, located at Lake Merritt, caught fire Tuesday night, the Oakland Fire Department said. OFD responded to the building at 7:25 p.m. The fire affected about 10-15% of the building's exterior wall and roof but was contained there, per the fire department. The blaze was brought under control at 7:45 p.m. The cause is under investigation. The nature center is located at 600 Bellevue Ave., on the northern shore of Lake Merritt. It holds educational displays and exhibits.This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

Stanislaus deputy arrested for sex crimes against a minor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

(FOX40.COM) -- Stanislaus County Deputy Matthew Dessert was arrested Tuesday for allegedly committing multiple sex crimes against a teenager over a span of nearly five years.Stanislaus County detectives say they were contacted by a school counselor at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday regarding a student who disclosed sexual abuse. The teenage victim said they knew Dessert and explained to detectives that the abuse began at the age of nine years old. Rancho Cordova man, who used Tinder to torture and murder in Rocklin, convicted Officials say Dessert voluntarily came to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview on Tuesday and was subsequently arrested for alleged continual sexual abuse of a child, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor 14 or 15 years of age, penetration with a foreign object of a victim under the age of 18, sexual battery, and physical abuse of a child.Dessert was booked into jail with $425,000 bail. He posted bail and was released a few hours after being booked, according to...

Column: Chicago Cubs’ blown game in Atlanta is a blast from the past — the 1998 Brant Brown ‘Oh no’ drop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

Seiya Suzuki’s missed eighth–inning fly ball that sent the Chicago Cubs to a crushing 7-6 loss Tuesday will no doubt go down in infamy.The immediate reaction from Cubs fans watching at home was one of horror, as many flashed back to a similar play on Sept. 23, 1998, at County Stadium in Milwaukee.Like Suzuki, Cubs outfielder Brant Brown had been a key player in their wild-card race. But when a fly ball by Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins bounced off his glove with two outs in the ninth inning, bringing home three runs in an 8-7, walk-off loss, Brown felt like his world caved in.“Basically my whole philosophy all year, no matter if I’m starting or coming off the bench, is just to try to contribute,” Brown said that day. “Today wasn’t the best contribution. You just have to go on. Life goes on. It’s not the worst thing that’s ever going to happen to me. Hopefully it is, but you know, it’s just something that happene...

San Diego shop makes Yelp's 'most unique paletas in US' list

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:03 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Paletas are a frozen treat on a stick made from fresh natural fruits.Yelp recently highlighted the Mexican dessert during Hispanic Heritage Month, creating a list of the 25 most unique paletas in the U.S.A downtown San Diego ice cream shop called Pop Pops Paleta, located at 1740 India Street in Little Italy, was recognized for its Guava Cheesecake paleta."Guava cheesecake is sooo good and I got hazelnut chocolate dip and pistachio toppings. The guava jam inside compliments the creaminess/richness of the cheesecake outer layer so well! A must try!" Yelper Vivi L. said. 2 San Diego spots rank among top pan dulce places in US: Yelp Other popular flavors on Pop Pops Paleta's menu include Passion Fruit, Cappuccino, Mangonada, Belgium Chocolate Wonder and Cotton Clouds. "Lots of bases to choose from - from ice cream to frozen fruit based and even a vegan option. Topped off with your choice of sprinkles and chocolate dips. Great dessert or treat," Yelper Mary Ann C. added.O...