Matthew Stafford suffers lateral ankle sprain and Rams add former first-round pick

Quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a “little” lateral ankle sprain in the Rams’ victory over the New Orleans Saints, but the injury is not expected to affect his preparation for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, coach Sean McVay said Monday. “Nothing that’s going to change his weekly rhythm as far as practice,” McVay said during a video conference, adding that Stafford ran Monday as part of the team’s day-after lifting program. “Got it banged up a little bit. He’s tough. He pushes through and he should be good to go.” Stafford was injured during the second quarter of Sunday’s 21-14 victory in New Orleans when he was taken to the ground while throwing an incomplete pass. Stafford limped immediately after the play but stayed in the game and passed for two second-half touchdowns. “I need to be faster,” he joked afterward, “and get away from those guys.” Receiver Demarcus Robinson, who caught a touchdown pass, suffered a hand avulsion, but with a protective pad he should be ready to play against the Bills, McVay said. Also on Monday, the Rams moved to bolster their secondary

Why Syria’s civil war is reigniting

Why Syria’s civil war is reigniting – CBS News Watch CBS News The Syrian military and the Kremlin conducted joint airstrikes Monday on parts of Syria that rebels took control of over the weekend. Fighters seized Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, after a battle with troops loyal to dictator Bashar al-Assad. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D’Agata joins “America Decides” to discuss why the civil war is reigniting after a yearslong stalemate. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Biden pardons son Hunter after months of saying he wouldn’t do so

Biden pardons son Hunter after months of saying he wouldn’t do so – CBS News Watch CBS News With major changes looming at the Justice Department, President Biden has wiped away the prosecution of his son, Hunter Biden. Plus, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of Kash Patel for FBI director is sending shockwaves through Washington, D.C. CBS News’ Nancy Cordes and Ed O’Keefe have the latest. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

What is a presidential pardon?

Biden faces backlash for granting pardon to son Biden faces backlash for granting pardon to son Hunter 03:17 President Biden on Sunday issued a sweeping pardon of his son Hunter, who was convicted earlier this year on federal gun and drug charges, and pleaded guilty to tax charges in California.  The presidential pardoning process is one that has long courted controversy, especially since many presidents issue pardons when they are leaving the White House.  One of the most famous —and controversial— pardons in history happened less than one month into President Gerald Ford’s term. On Sept. 8, 1974, Ford announced from the Oval Office that he would “grant a full, free and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed.” Ford’s own press secretary resigned over the pardon, and Ford’s approval rating dropped 20 points over the following days. His approval rating never recovered and he went on to lose the 1976 presidential election.  What is a presidential pardon? Presidents are granted the authority to issue pardons under Article II, Section

Convicted murderer from L.A. County escapes custody during transport

California authorities are searching for a man convicted of first-degree murder who jumped out of a prison van and escaped custody while being transported for a court appearance. Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, escaped Monday morning shortly after arriving at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hernandez jumped out of a prison transport van and took off on foot around 10:45 a.m. As of 3 p.m. Monday, he has yet to be located. Special investigators from nearby CDCR prisons are currently searching for Hernandez, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Delano and McFarland police departments. Cesar M. Hernandez, 34, is shown in this CDCR mugshot on Sept. 20, 2024. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) Hernandez is described as 5 feet 5 inches, weighing about 160 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and was last seen wearing an orange prison outfit. He’s been in state prison since June 2019 after being convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison with the

California Democrats open special session to Trump-proof state priorities

California lawmakers kicked off a special session of the state Legislature Monday. The reason? To fund a $25 million war chest for anticipated legal battles with incoming President Donald Trump’s administration. As nearly 30 new state lawmakers were sworn into office at the state Capitol in Sacramento, legislative leaders gaveled in a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom that’s geared toward protecting undocumented immigrants, reproductive rights, climate policy and more from Trump’s second administration. The regular, two-year legislative session also began Monday, but the special session will allow for a speedier lawmaking process. Newsom has requested the funding for the state Department of Justice and other agencies, which are expected to file a flurry of lawsuits challenging Trump policies — as California Democrats did during the president’s first term. The governor’s ask was introduced in bills Monday by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, an Encino Democrat who chairs the body’s budget committee. “We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans,” Newsom said in a statement. “But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms

Harry and Meghan ‘have not lived up’ to their lofty image of themselves, German documentary will show

A new documentary by German filmmakers is set to offer a less-than-glowing review of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s efforts to establish them as extremely wealthy global influencers and philanthropists since they departed royal life nearly five years ago. “Harry and Meghan set the bar very high,”  Ulrike Grunewald, the director of “The Lost Prince,” told The Daily Mail over the weekend. The documentary is set to air in Germany on Tuesday. “They want to be global benefactors who bring about tangible change. So far, they have not lived up to this image at all.” For the 45-minute film, Grunewald wanted to look into whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex succeeded in “finding freedom” by leaving the U.K. and moving to the United States. During their exit, the couple also vowed to become financially independent entrepreneurs and world-renowned thought leaders. To answer questions about the couple’s post-“Megxit” life, Grunewald said she did reporting in the couple’s new hometown of Montecito, looked into the work of their Archewell Foundation and Harry’s involvement in the Invictus Games and examined recent reports that they’ve “separated” — at

Berkeley makes progress addressing staff shortages

BERKELEY — More than a year after an audit found substantial staffing shortages were having negative impacts on city services, Berkeley has made progress addressing the issue but still has a ways to go before all recommendations are fully implemented. A July 2023 report on staffing shortages by Berkeley City Auditor Jenny Wong detailed 25 recommendations. So far, three have been implemented, 13 partially implemented, seven started and two have not been started, according to a staff report. Staffing shortages have plagued the city for years and made it challenging for employees to provide services. When compared to eight other Bay Area cities with available vacancy rate data, Berkeley as of 2022 had the second-highest rate with about 19% of its 1,792 funded full-time positions unfilled. “Employee retention is important in government organizations to ensure there are enough staff to deliver services and programs effectively,” the staff report says. “City staffing challenges can therefore impact almost everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Berkeley.” Retention among leadership has also been an issue. Former City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley left her post in July, a year

Best Online Vape Stores for E-Liquids, Vapes, Accessories, and More

Content oversight and quality assurance provided by Bay Area News Group. Bay Area News Group advertising leadership oversees sponsored, native, and paid content on this platform, ensuring its quality, relevance, and helpfulness for our audience. Articles attributed to this byline are authored by paying advertisers. The editorial team did not contribute to these pieces, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editorial staff. Refer to our partner statement to better understand the nature of the relationship. The sponsor retains responsibility for the content and holds the copyright to their material. SPONSORED CONTENT The global vaping market offers a wide range of vape stores, which can make it challenging to find one that matches all your needs and preferences. Thankfully, we can help with that! We carefully searched for the best online shops that sell disposable vapes, mods, and accessories, focusing on those that enhance your overall vaping experience while offering enticing deals and discounts and a wide variety of products. Though all of the featured shops are great, our top pick is  Vaporfi , which sells high-quality disposable vapes that makes

Wayne Northrop, TV actor known for dramas ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Days of Our Lives,’ dies at 77

Actor Wayne Northrop, who was best known for his work in TV dramas “Dynasty,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Port Charles,” has died. He was 77. Publicist Cynthia Snyder confirmed to The Times that Northrop died Friday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund home in Woodland Hills. His wife and “General Hospital” actor Lynn Herring said in a statement that the actor “took his last breath in the arms of his family,” six years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. “Wayne touched so many people with his sense of humor and wit,” said the statement, which also remembered Northrop as a “husband for 43 years, the best dad ever to his two boys, Hank and Grady, and a rancher who loved his cows and was a friend to many.” Northrop, a Washington native, enjoyed a television career that spanned more than 30 years, several networks and multiple hit dramas. An alumnus of the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre, founded by “Waltons” star Ralph Waite, Northrop began his professional career in the late 1970s with minor roles in series including “The Waltons” as well as

‘Wicked’s’ Marissa Bode calls out ‘very gross’ comments about Nessarose’s disability

“Wicked” actor Marissa Bode is speaking out against the ableist discourse surrounding her character, Nessarose, after the movie musical’s debut. The 24-year-old, who makes her feature film debut in “The Wizard of Oz” prequel adaptation, is the first wheelchair user ever to be cast as the “tragically beautiful” younger sister to Wicked Witch-to-be Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo). But her complicated character was met with mixed reactions after “Wicked” was released in theaters last week and broke the box-office opening record for a film based on a Broadway musical. “It is absolutely OK to not like a fictional character,” Bode said in a TikTok posted Saturday, acknowledging her bias toward the “complex” Nessarose. “‘Wicked’ and these characters and the movie wouldn’t be what it was if there weren’t different opinions on the characters and who’s truly wicked or not.” “That being said,” she continued, “aggressive comments and ‘jokes’ about Nessa’s disability itself is deeply uncomfortable because disability is not fictional. At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair. And so, it is simply a low-hanging fruit

Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon Musk

By RANDALL CHASE, Associated Press DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware judge has reaffirmed her ruling that Tesla must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick on Monday denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. McCormick also rejected an equally unprecedented and massive fee request by plaintiff attorneys, who argued that they were entitled to legal fees in the form of Tesla stock valued at more than $5 billion. The judge said the attorneys were entitled to a fee award of $345 million. The rulings came in a lawsuit filed by a Tesla stockholder who challenged Musk’s 2018 compensation package. McCormick concluded in January that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent. The compensation package initially carried a potential maximum value of about $56 billion, but that sum has fluctuated over the years based on Tesla’s stock price.

Trudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister says

By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico. “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends

Woman driving drunk who killed bride still in her wedding dress sentenced to 25 years in prison

By JEFFREY COLLINS, Associated Press A woman who admitted to drinking and who was driving well over twice the speed limit when she smashed into a golf cart, killing a bride who had just got married at a South Carolina beach, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison. Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty at the Charleston County courthouse to reckless homicide, felony DUI causing death and two counts of felony DUI causing great bodily injury before her sentencing. Also hurt in the 2023 crash was the groom, Aric Hutchinson, who cried in court as he recalled the last moments he spent with Samantha Miller — some of their only moments as husband and wife. “On the golf cart, she told me she didn’t want the night to end and I kissed her on the forehead and then the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital,” Hutchinson said. Komoroski, 27, was sentenced to the maximum of 25 years in prison for felony DUI causing death by Judge Deadra Jefferson for felony DUI causing death at the Charleston County courthouse. She also was

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey will go on injured reserve, likely joined by Jordan Mason

The injury news for the 49ers was twice as bad as expected Monday. Running back Christian McCaffrey will go on injured reserve with a posterior cruciate ligament strain that may not need surgery, but is serious enough to sideline him for the season. To make matters worse, Jordan Mason, the 49ers’ leading rusher, will also “most likely” go on IR and could miss the remainder of the season. The 49ers are coming off a 35-10 road loss to the Buffalo Bills and will host the Chicago Bears Sunday at Levi’s Stadium with fading playoff hopes at 5-7 that just took another blow with the loss of two key offensive performers. Also going on injured reserve will be defensive tackle Kevin Givens, who returned from a groin injury but sustained a torn pectoral against Buffalo. Shanahan said in a conference call with reporters that he hasn’t had a chance to speak with McCaffrey, who played in just three games after missing the offseason and training camp with bilateral Achilles tendinitis and had 53 yards on seven carries before being injured on a 19-yard gain in the

49ers tackle Trent Williams, wife mourn loss of newborn son

Heartbreak has struck the 49ers family again with the news that the newborn son of left tackle Trent Williams died on Nov. 24. Sondra Williams, the wife of the 49ers’ tackle, said in an Instagram post the baby had been diagnosed with Trisomy 13 — a rare genetic condition — and that a twin daughter had been lost earlier in the pregnancy. “My Forever Angel, Trenton O’Brien Williams Jr.  It’s been extremely hard trying to process the saddest Hello and Goodbye that I’ve ever had to endure,” Sondra Williams wrote. “My first born and only son, I’ve always wanted you. But God wanted and needed you more . . . I’m at peace knowing you will never have to suffer. Although I will never hear your soft coos and cries or see those beautiful little eyes staring up at me, I am grateful to God for the time I shared with you.” Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the painful news Monday on a conference call with reporters, saying Trent Williams “was at the hospital with her and got to meet him and say bye. Then he had to

Weeknd Sells Out Rose Bowl in an Hour

It took less than an hour Monday for all tickets to be sold for The Weeknd’s one-night-only, in-the-round concert at the Rose Bowl. The concert is scheduled for Jan. 25. According to concert promoter Live Nation, more than 300,000 fans were in the online ticket queue when ticket sales began Monday morning. The show was sold out in less than an hour, according to Live Nation. The Canadian-Ethiopian star (real name Abel Tesfaye) said the one-night-only show will feature a previously unseen production, and the stage will take over the entire floor of the stadium. The concert will mark the release of The Weeknd’s new album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” due Jan. 24. The Rose Bowl performance comes on the heels of The Weeknd’s recent one-night-only stadium show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It also follows his fall tour across Australia, which included multiple shows in Melbourne and Sydney. The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” tour in 2022-23 included more than 60 sold-out stadium shows across North America, Europe, the UK and Latin America, drawing more than 3 million attendees.

SFV Man Pleads Not Guilty to Carrying Luggage Containing Meth-Caked Clothing

A San Fernando Valley man pleaded not guilty Monday to possessing two suitcases containing clothing caked in methamphetamine while preparing to board a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Australia. Raj Matharu, 31, of Northridge entered his plea to a federal count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A trial date of Jan. 21 was tentatively set in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “Drug dealers are continually inventing creative ways of smuggling dangerous narcotics in pursuit of illicit profit — as alleged in the facts of this case,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “In the process, they are poisoning communities throughout the world. Law enforcement is committed to fighting drug trafficking, knowing that every seizure saves lives.” According to court documents, on Nov. 6, Matharu attempted to travel from Los Angeles to Sydney. At the ticket counter, Matharu checked two luggage items — one pink suitcase and one gray suitcase. After Matharu checked the suitcases, screening officers X-rayed them. The X-ray revealed irregularities and officers pulled the suitcases for a secondary inspection.

Judge rejects Elon Musk request to reinstate his $56 billion pay package

Ethics concerns over Trump, Musk relationship President-elect Trump’s relationship with Elon Musk raises ethics concerns 03:02 Elon Musk’s efforts to get his massive $56 billion 2018 Tesla pay package reinstated was rejected by a Delaware judge on Monday.  The decision, issued by Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, comes after a majority of Tesla shareholders in August reauthorized the compensation package during the electric vehicle maker’s annual meeting.  After it was initially approved in 2018, the pay package sparked a lawsuit from some Tesla shareholders who accused Musk and Tesla’s board of directors of breaching their duties and unjustly enriching the billionaire. In January 2024, McCormick had ruled that Musk and his company failed to prove that the huge payout was legally warranted, prompting Musk to take the issue back to his shareholders in August. In her Dec. 2 decision, McCormick said that Musk had asked the court “to flip its decision and enter judgment in their favor.” She added, “The motion to revise is denied,” citing what the judge described as “at least four fatal flaws” in arguments from Musk’s attorneys. “The

California teacher dies from suspected rabid bat bite

A central California middle school teacher died after contracting rabies from a suspected bat bite, local health officials said. The victim’s death was reported last Tuesday. The Fresno County Department of Public Health confirmed the victim was exposed to rabies in Merced County. Friends identified the victim as Leah Seneng, 60, an artist and art teacher at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. “We are raising funds for her family after her unexpected death for funeral expenses. We ask for privacy for her family during this difficult time and thank you in advance for any donations. Every little bit helps,” Laura Splotch wrote in a GoFundMe campaign. Leah Seneng is seen in a GoFundMe campaign photo. (Laura Splotch) Splotch told a local TV station that Seneng found the bat in her classroom in mid-October and was bitten after she picked it up to move it outside. “She didn’t wanna harm it,” said Splotch. “But that’s when I guess it woke up or saw the light or whatever – It swooped around a bit, and it took off.” Seneng didn’t experience any symptoms at first, Splotch

Enron returns, promises ‘corporate responsibility,’ ‘commitment to integrity’

One of the most scandal-ridden names in American business history appears to be back, though the seriousness of its reappearance remains to be seen. “We’re back. Can we talk?,” Enron posted Monday on social media alongside a brief video and a press release. The announcement comes 23 years to the day after its Dec. 2, 2001, bankruptcy due to widespread accounting fraud that created perhaps the most notorious corporate scandal in American history. An Enron spokesperson deferred comment back to the Monday press release, though they teased that “a big announcement in the energy space” was on the way. The video also yielded no clues, only presenting generic images and slogans that evoke the Kouchtown parody ads from “30 Rock.” As one might expect, though, the scandal is referenced often in the promotional materials, as Enron promises that its “leadership team is focused on setting a high standard for ethical business practices, transparency, and sustainability, serving as a model for corporate responsibility worldwide.” Additionally, by “acknowledging the past,” Enron’s newest iteration is “founded on a renewed commitment to integrity, with a forward-looking approach that prioritizes