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Global controversy after AI art-win prompts rule changes at Colorado State Fair

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

After Pueblo-based designer Jason Allen used the artificial intelligence software Midjourney to help create the sci-fi-tinged “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial” last year, the art world took notice.Jason Allen is appealing the second U.S. Copyright Office ruling denying his 2022 artwork copyright protection, with a decision expected in November. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)The twist? Judges for the Colorado State Fair’s annual art competition didn’t learn about Allen’s use of AI until after the piece had won the Blue Ribbon in the amateur division of the digital art category last September. This time around — the fair wraps up its two-week run on Monday, Sept. 4 — the rules will be a little different. Artists will be required to say whether they are using AI.“Last year was new to us, and new to the world,” said Scott Stoller, general manager of the 151-year-old fair. “We got to be ground zero for that debate, because it...

Denver weather: Near-record heat kicks off mostly sunny Labor Day weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

Plenty of sunshine is in store for Denver Labor Day weekend.Highs are expected to be in the 90s through Sunday, with only a few slight storm chances on Sunday and Monday afternoons.September kicks off Friday with near-record heat, as the high of 96 degrees is only two away from the daily record.September starts on a hot note High temperatures on the plains and I-25 Corridor will reach the mid to upper 90s this afternoon. Mountain areas will be a little cooler, with isolated to scattered showers and a few storms developing. #COwx pic.twitter.com/XvClsB6MmT— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) September 1, 2023The north central mountains will have some storm chances in the afternoon that taper off in the evening.On the east side of the state, a Red Flag warning is in effect for most counties on the eastern border.Denver’s low Friday is 65 degrees.Saturday will virtually repeat Friday’s forecast; a high of 96 degrees and a low of 63 degrees is expected in Denver.Some storms c...

Convict disables ankle monitor, disappears from Los Angeles reentry program

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

Officials are searching for a convict who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program in Los Angeles after disabling his ankle monitor Thursday. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials received a tamper alert around 10 p.m. for 30-year-old Marcos Mejia's ankle monitor, the CDCR stated in a news release. Mejia was confirmed missing after staff initiated an emergency count.CDCR officials immediately notified local law enforcement to try to locate and apprehend Mejia. He was described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. Meijia was last seen wearing blue pants, a blue striped shirt, white shoes and a black hat.Mejia was serving a 12-year sentence for second-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and assault with a deadly weapon. Man found stabbed to death at Malibu beach, suspect remains at large Anyone with information about Mejia's whereabouts should contact law enforcement or call 911....

1 arrested after fatal stabbing at Puente Hills Mall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

A man is dead after he was stabbed at Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry Thursday night.The man, believed to be in his early to mid-30s, was attacked just before 11 p.m. in the 1600 block of Azusa Avenue, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release.That address corresponds to the mall, and SGV CityWatch reported that the stabbing occurred at the shopping center.When deputies arrived, they found the man suffering from a stab wound and lying on the sidewalk. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.A person was arrested and a knife was recovered at the scene, police said, though they declined to provide information about the suspected assailant.A motive for the attack has not been released, and no further information was available.Anyone with information is asked to call 323-890-5500.To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

FEMA is running out of money, but these strategies can help survivors of Hurricane Idalia, Maui fires

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

(The Conversation) - As questions loom over the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ability to fund disaster recovery efforts, people who lost homes to recent wildfires and storms are trying to make their way through the difficult process of securing financial aid.Residents in communities hit by Hurricane Idalia, the Maui fires or other recent disasters have a long, tough journey ahead. How well the initial disaster response meets their needs has far-reaching consequences for community resilience, especially for vulnerable residents, as we saw after Hurricanes Katrina and Maria.I am a law professor who focuses on disaster recovery and preparedness and has created several legal clinics to assist survivors. Here’s what anyone facing losses after a federally declared disaster needs to know.Declaring a disasterThe road to recovery starts with state and federal governments identifying damages – both property damage and economic dam...

Brats and Biers in SF Bay! 25+ local Oktoberfest celebrations for 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

Bust out that lederhosen and don your best dirndl, because it’s Oktoberfest time! From Munich munchies to Bavarian bites and Prost parties, there are near-endless ways to celebrate Oktoberfest from right here in the Bay.Woodsfest – Island Oktoberfest: 12 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9, 1 Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco. Celebrate Oktoberfest in the Bay with festive music from Joe Smiell’s German Brass Band and delicious food, including grilled sausages, housemade sauerkraut and soft pretzels, plus breathtaking views of Treasure Island. $25. bit.ly/WoodsfestOktoberfestSchroeder’s Annual Oktoberfest Block Party: 3 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15, Schroeder’s, 240 Front St., San Francisco. Come out for Schroeder’s annual Oktoberfest Block Party featuring live music, beverages and bites, plus games and activities including stein chugging, stein holding and costume contests. Free admission. bit.ly/SchroedersOktoberfestBenicia Oktoberfest & Marketplace: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept....

Scratchers ticket worth $2 million sold at Hayward gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

HAYWARD — A potentially life-changing sum of cash is heading one Bay Area lottery player’s way after a $2 million Scratchers ticket was sold at a Hayward gas station, according to the California Lottery.The player, publicly identified as Miguel Palominos Contreras on Thursday, purchased an “Instant Prize Crossword” scratch-off game from Moa’s Service Center in Hayward.Related ArticlesLocal News | Winning Fantasy 5 lotto-ticket nets over $178,000 in East Bay Local News | Victorious Fantasy 5 ticket sold in San Jose nets more than $330,000 Local News | East Bay man pleads guilty in lottery ticket theft scheme Local News | Mega Millions $1.58 billion jackpot won on single ticket in Florida Local News | Tonight’s $1.58 billion Mega Millions drawing could bring largest jackpot in the lottery’s history The gas station, located at 486 A Street, will also receive a $10,000 bonus from the lotter...

Where to get your classic car smog-checked? Readers share Bay Area options: Roadshow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

Q: I have the answer for reader Bob Lee’s smog test question about his ’94 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. He should call Matt at the 76 Union Station on Meridian at Willow in San Jose. Not only does he have the right equipment to do the testing on older cars, but he’s also a legend in the neighborhood for taking care of vintage vehicles. I should know as I have a ’93 Geo Prizm that passes all of her smog tests and gets great TLC with Matt.Sue AllenA: And…Q: My husband is the original owner of a 1998 Mazda B3000 pickup truck with a little over 100,000 miles on it. For a smog check, he takes it to Fidelity Automotive on Soquel Avenue in Santa Cruz. If Bob can’t find a place in San Jose, the weather is lovely this time of year in Santa Cruz and he could just cruise on over.When the truck “aged out” of regular smog checks, our longtime independent mechanic told us about this option. It’s my understanding that it takes special equipment to deal with th...

San Francisco community grieves beloved store clerk at vigil

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

(KRON) -- A heartbroken San Francisco community gathered together Thursday night to grieve the loss of a beloved store clerk who died after he was brutally beaten by a theft suspect.The vigil was held outside of the Richmond Market. Family, friends and customers left flowers and lit candles for 60-year-old Yohannes Tewolde. During the vigil, some community members spoke on how Tewolde contributed to his community. "I new him as a man who would just smile whenever anyone came into the store. I thought he knew me when I went into the store once," said one community member. "He was a really positive impact on our community. My condolences go out to his family. He was a really great guy," said another community member."He was so kind. He wanted to make that connection with people. He wanted to be a part of our lives," said one woman who attended the vigil.No arrests have been made. This incident is currently being investigated by SFPD’s Night Investigations Unit and Crime Scene Unit. An...

Oakland may lose state funding due to 911 response times

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:47:08 GMT

(KRON) -- The City of Oakland may lose funding from the state for not complying with 911 emergency response requirements.The State of California requires 90 percent of all 911 calls be answered within 15 seconds. During the last 12 months, the Oakland Police Department has been averaging just under 47 seconds to answer 911 calls, according to the California Office of Emergency Management. Shelter-in-place lifted in Novato, suspect still at large “In an emergency, we expect our 911 call to be answered quickly and to speak with a person. Unfortunately, that is often not the case in the City of Oakland," according to an Alameda County Grand Jury Report dated back to 2019.The Grand Jury revisited the issue this year and found many of the suggestions they made years ago failed to be adopted, saying the issue has become worse. The California Office of Emergency Management issued a formal letter requiring the city to submit an improvement plan within 30 days. If operations do not meet fu...