Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Tuesday, Dec. 10, and I’m writing from Los Angeles. Newsletter Get our Essential California newsletter On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Orange County’s storied alt weekly abruptly announced its own demise in a tweet. After nearly a quarter-century raising hell behind the Orange Curtain, OC Weekly would be no more, effective immediately. Advertisement In keeping with the broader narrative (read: slow demise) of alternative newspapers around the country, OC Weekly’s story had been far from rosy for a while. But even in its reduced form, the paper had remained a leading alternative voice in the region.The closing of any regional outlet — particularly one that exposed misconduct at the local Sheriff’s Department and district attorney’s office, and held a mirror to the culture, chaos and complexities of a metropolitan area that is home to more than 3 million people … [Read more...] about Newsletter: Why the death of OC Weekly matters
National infertility awareness week
Lavish bday party for DJ Khaled closes Art Basel party week
In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, photo, DJ Khaled gives a thumbs up after the Christian Dior pre-fall 2020 men's fashion show during Miami Art week, in Miami. In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, photo, DJ Khaled gives a thumbs up after the Christian Dior pre-fall 2020 men's fashion show during Miami Art week, in Miami. Photo: Brynn Anderson, AP Photo: Brynn Anderson, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, photo, DJ Khaled gives a thumbs up after the Christian Dior pre-fall 2020 men's fashion show during Miami Art week, in Miami. In this Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, photo, DJ Khaled gives a thumbs up after the Christian Dior pre-fall 2020 men's fashion show during Miami Art week, in Miami. Photo: Brynn … [Read more...] about Lavish bday party for DJ Khaled closes Art Basel party week
House Dems eye spending votes this week as negotiations to avoid shutdown hit crucial stage
Washington (CNN)Ten days away from running out of money, a spending agreement on Capitol Hill to continue funding the government is possible. House Democrats want to start moving bills this week, multiple people involved say. A few weeks ago, the idea that a global agreement on all 12 spending bills would be in the cards would have seemed (somewhat) asinine, but as is often the case, when the deadline comes into view, all sorts of things become doable. Multiple people involve say there's a pathway to an agreement that actually allows for all of the bills to move before the end of the year. But they aren't there yet -- and they aren't just inches away, these people say. There are significant items that need to be closed out -- and fast. Bottom line This is the point when House and Senate leadership will have to close out the thorniest issues. The most contentious issues were elevated to the four corners (top Republican and Democrats on Senate and House Appropriations) late last … [Read more...] about House Dems eye spending votes this week as negotiations to avoid shutdown hit crucial stage
Nearly 65% of the US will feel below-freezing temperatures this week
(CNN)It's going to feel more like mid-January than early December this week as extreme cold temps move across the United States. About 65% of the country will experience below-freezing temperatures, according to CNN meteorologists Taylor Ward and Dave Hennen. The system moving eastward has already hit parts of the Midwest, which saw heavy snow and limited visibility in places like Iowa, where about 50 cars were involved in a pileup Monday morning. Multiple car pile up on I-80 westbound lane. Conditions continue to improve in central Iowa but same winter conditions will impact eastern Iowa through the early afternoon. https://t.co/3qi2aouUoA pic.twitter.com/YfzwRzuyVH— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) December 9, 2019 The crash took place around 11 a.m. CST on Interstate 80 westbound near Altoona, according to CNN affiliate WHO-TV. A snowsquall, or a sudden heavy snow fall, hit the region and caused slippery roads, the affiliate said. One person was seriously injured in the … [Read more...] about Nearly 65% of the US will feel below-freezing temperatures this week
The NHL is taking steps to combat abusive behavior in hockey weeks after a coach resigned for using a racial slur
(CNN)The National Hockey League announced new steps to combat "inappropriate, unlawful, or demonstrably abusive" behavior in the sport after a Board of Governors meeting Monday. This announcement comes in the wake of an incident of racial abuse that lead to the resignation of Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters last month. Under the new rules, teams must report any troubling conduct immediately or face "severe discipline," a statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. Bettman said the "Bill Peters situation was a complete surprise" and gave that as an example of why teams must make the league aware of any incidents as soon as they hear about it. Bill Peters will not coach the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres amid investigation "Going forward, our clubs are on notice that if they become aware of an incident of conduct involving NHL personnel on or off the ice that is clearly inappropriate, unlawful or demonstrably abusive, or that may violate … [Read more...] about The NHL is taking steps to combat abusive behavior in hockey weeks after a coach resigned for using a racial slur