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This farm has repeatedly violated federal labor laws. Why does the U.S. continue to grant it foreign workers?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

BRIGHTON — The seasonal workers from Mexico stoop in oppressive summer heat, bending low to cut cucumbers bound for farmers markets and produce aisles at Colorado’s big-box grocery chains.The laborers come to Star Farms every year on temporary visas, part of the federal government’s H-2A program that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for critical agricultural jobs.From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., they till the soil and tie the vines. Others thin, prune, seal, pack and load cabbage, peppers, onions and other vegetables.But despite federal regulations, workers and their lawyers say the farm’s owner does not provide them with clean water, forcing them to buy and bring their own. The bathrooms on-site, they say, sometimes go months without being cleaned. With little option, they allege, workers feel compelled to urinate and defecate in the fields.On top of that, they say the workers at Star Farms haven’t seen a paycheck in seven weeks.“Every year it’s the same,” one laborer told The D...

AR-15 type weapon used in Berkeley robbery to take victim’s belongings: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

(KRON) -- A person was robbed Thursday morning in Berkeley by suspects armed with an AR-15 type weapon, according to the University of California Police Department.The robbery occurred at around 6 a.m. Thursday at 2468 Telegraph Avenue, authorities said. The address shared matches the area of Sliver Pizza and Little Gem Belgian Waffles restaurants. Three suspects approached a victim with the firearm and stole the victim’s wallet and phone, UCPD said.The suspects fled Telegraph Avenue in the northbound direction in a Lexus SUV-style vehicle, according to police.Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Berkeley Police Department at (510)-981-5900 with Case #23-46376.

Portion of Hwy 101 in Redwood City closing on 2 weekends for bridge replacement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

(BCN) -- A portion of U.S. Highway 101 in Redwood City will be closed twice starting next week, according to Caltrans.Caltrans officials said the closures will give way to the planned replacement of the Cordilleras Creek Bridge, stretching between Whipple and Brittan avenues.The first closure is scheduled for the southbound lanes of the highway in the area, from 10 p.m. on Sept. 29 to 5 a.m. on Oct. 2. Motorists using the southbound lanes are advised to exit to Brittan Avenue, take Industrial Road and Whipple Avenue before returning to Highway 101.The second closure for the highway's northbound lanes is planned for Oct. 13 to 16, with the same weekend schedule. Motorists using the northbound lanes are asked to exit to Whipple Avenue, drive through Industrial Road, and take Holly Street to return to Highway 101.The Redwood City Police Department advised motorists to use caution during the closures.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

DC’s Major League Pickleball team signs AARP as jersey sponsor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

AARP is the jersey sponsor for D.C.'s pro pickleball team. (Courtesy AARP) AARP is the jersey sponsor for D.C.'s pro pickleball team. (Courtesy AARP) D.C.’s new professional pickleball team, whose owners include actresses Kate Upton and Eva Longoria, has landed a jersey sponsor. AARP will be featured prominently on players’ jerseys.AARP will also co-host pre-event clinics with DCPT players for those new to the sport, or looking for pointers to improve.Financial terms of the sponsorship weren’t disclosed.DCPT debuts the AARP jerseys when it opens the season Sept. 22 at a pickleball tournament in Atlanta against the Utah Black Diamonds.DCPT joined Major League Pickleball ahead of the 2023 season in...

Zelenskyy is making his case at the U.S. Capitol for more war aid as Republican support softens.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned to Washington on Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit, this time facing the Republicans now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces. Zelenskyy arrived at the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate as the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries escorted Zelenskyy into the Capitol. House Republican leaders, who promised tough questions for Zelenskyy on his plans for the way forward for Ukraine’s war effort, notably chose not to join in greeting the Ukrainian president before the cameras.House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said Zelenskyy’s message for House lawmakers Thursday was “that he’s winning.” ...

Woman struck and killed in Northeast DC intersection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

A woman died in Northeast D.C. Wednesday morning after being struck by an SUV.The incident happened just before 4 a.m. in the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Sheriff Road, near the Maryland border.Police said a man driving a 2001 GMC Yukon was crossing the intersection and had a green light when he hit the woman. She died at the scene.Officers said that the man driving the SUV stayed at the scene of the crash.Police ask that anyone with information call them at 202-727-9099.Below is a map of where the incident took place: Source

Home sales fell again in August as homebuyers grapple with rising mortgage rates and prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell for the third month in a row in August, as higher mortgage rates, rising prices and a dearth of properties on the market discouraged many would-be homebuyers.Existing home sales fell 0.7% last month from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.04 million, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s below the 4.10 million pace that economists were expecting, according to FactSet.Sales slumped 15.3% compared with the same month last year. The national median sales price rose 3.9% from August last year to $407,100, marking the third month in a row that the median price remained above $400,000. “Home prices continue to march higher despite lower home sales,” said Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist. “Supply needs to essentially double to moderate home price gains.”The shortage of homes for sale has kept the market competitive, driving bidding wars in many places, especially for the most affordable ...

Murray returns to China and wins 1st-round match at Zhuhai. Linette advances to Guangzhou semifinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

ZHUHAI, China (AP) — Returning to China for the first time in four years, Andy Murray won his first-round match at the Zhuhai Championships on Thursday, beating local wild card Mo Ye Cong 7-5, 6-3.Murray, bidding for his fifth tour title in China and the first there since the Beijing Open in 2016, edged a tight first-set by breaking in the 12th game. The seventh-seeded Brit then overpowered his 23-year-old opponent in the second set to take the match in 1 hour and 42 minutes.The 36-year-old Murray next plays 63rd-ranked Aslan Karatsev, who defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-2.Fifth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry beat Australian Luke Saville 6-4, 6-4.Other winners included Kimmer Coppejans, Cristian Garin and qualifiers Marc Polmans and Alex Bolt.Top-seeded Karen Khachanov faces Australia’s Bolt in the second round, while second-seeded Cameron Norrie plays Polmans on Friday. At the Chengdu Open, American Marcos Giron defeated fifth-seeded Alexander Bublik 7-6 (6), 6-3,...

Stock market today: Stocks slump worldwide as allure grows to buy a Treasury bill and chill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is falling again Thursday as stock prices slump worldwide on expectations that U.S. interest rates will stay high well into next year.The S&P 500 was 0.9% lower in morning trading. That follows a 0.9% drop from Wednesday after the Federal Reserve indicated it may cut interest rates next year by only half of what it had earlier predicted. The Fed has already hiked its main interest rate to the highest level since 2001, which helps slow inflation but at the cost of hurting investment prices.Big Tech stocks again took the brunt of the pain because they’re seen as some of the biggest victims of high rates. The Nasdaq composite was 1.3% lower, as of 10:15 a.m. Eastern time, as Amazon fell 3.2% and Nvidia dropped 1.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 121 points, or 0.4%.Stock prices tend to fall when rates rise because stocks are historically risky investments. Why stomach the chance of their big swings when Treasurys are paying more in interest t...

Chicago-based Portillo's may be coming to Denver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:49 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver may be getting a taste of Chicago. In late September, Portillo's announced Denver as a possible new location for its fast-casual restaurant.The restaurant started out as a small hot dog stand in Villa Park, Illinois called "The Dog House." It originated in a trailer with Dick Portillo's investment of $1,100. 2 Denver restaurants make The New York Times’ best restaurant list Now, there are 77 restaurants across 10 states, and it's eyeing Denver as its next location.Mostly known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers and chocolate cake, Portillo's claimed Chicago's heart in less than 60 years. Most of the locations are either in or around Chicago, but the restaurant has a national fan base. Portillo’s delivers favorite menu items to all 50 states. Coloradans may not have to wait much longer. This Colorado city has one of the longest commutes in the nation According to Portillo's account director, the restaurant is loo...