Editorial: Reversal of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction is disappointing, but a fair justice system is important

There’s no question that Harvey Weinstein was a sexual predator who assaulted and threatened scores of women, according to their accounts documented by journalists, during his years as a powerful and tyrannical Hollywood producer. Since 2017, the allegations of more than 100 women whose lives were shaken and scarred by his deeds upended not just the entertainment industry but all workplaces, boosting the #MeToo movement and an overdue examination of sexual misconduct and abuse of power in society. Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault by courts in New York and Los Angeles. The overturning of his conviction in New York’s highest court Thursday is a shock to all who thought justice had been fairly handed down. Although it’s some solace to know that Weinstein still faces a 16-year jail sentence in California. But this latest court action doesn’t change who he is. However, leaving in place a conviction after a trial was found to have been conducted unfairly is very much something that would change who we are — a society with a legal system that applies the law equally to everyone, guilty and innocent.

12 days that rocked USC: How a derailed commencement brought ‘total disaster’

The crowning of Asna Tabassum as USC valedictorian was supposed to be a time of pride for a university that has tried to shed its old image as a playground for the privileged by bolstering academics and diversity. In selecting Tabassum from close to 100 applicants with near-perfect GPAs and impressive extracurriculars, USC put the spotlight on a hijab-wearing Muslim daughter of Indian immigrants for its highest undergraduate honor. A biomedical engineering major with a passion for social justice who minored in “resistance to genocide,” she was just the kind of student USC has aimed to attract and has celebrated in ads for the university, where the annual tab for those without scholarships or financial aid this fall will eclipse $95,000. Instead, the decision by President Carol Folt to rescind Tabassum’s graduation speaking slot after undisclosed threats has catapulted USC into almost two weeks of protest and controversy. The campus gates are closed to the public, police have made 93 arrests, many classes were moved online, and the marquee 65,000-attendee “main stage” commencement ceremony has been called off. Even at a time when swelling demonstrations

How the Cat King in ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ captures a familiar queer dynamic

This article contains spoilers for Netflix’s “ Dead Boy Detectives .” When the Dead Boy Detectives Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland are first summoned by the Cat King, the shape-shifting feline just wants retribution after they break his rules. But after whisking Edwin away to privately discuss his crime and potential punishment, the Cat King is quick to admit that the handsome teen ghost fascinates him. He turns up his seductive charm — while shirtless in a fur robe — and then magically traps Edwin in his small town. “Because Edwin has his walls up so much, it’s suddenly a game to him,” said Lukas Gage, the out actor who portrays the Cat King in the supernatural drama. “Edwin is very guarded and well put together so that entices the Cat King. He wants to rough him up a little bit and see him get angry and get kind of messy.” Based on the comic book characters created by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner, “Dead Boy Detectives,” now streaming on Netflix, follows Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), the show’s solvers of supernatural mysteries.

Carvalho faults alleged actions of school safety worker who failed to stop fatal fight

The Los Angeles school district has removed a campus-safety contractor from Washington Preparatory High School after an adult — who apparently worked for the contractor — refused to intervene before a fight that ended with the death of a student, schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho said Friday. The fight began after an individual, believed to be a school safety worker, was approached by worried students. In a cellphone video of the April 15 incident, which happened a few blocks from campus, an adult can be heard saying, off camera: “Let them … fight. If they want to fight, let the … police [inaudible]. … I’m not breaking up s—. I don’t give a f—.” The allegation — by students and by Nery Paiz, the head of the school administrators union — is that this individual was wearing the yellow vest or jacket that identifies someone as part of “safe passages” — a program to keep students safe on the way to and from school. Less than 10 seconds after the fight began, three shots rang out and Elijah McGinnis III, 15, collapsed. He was pronounced dead

NAMI Fresno preparing for 20th annual ‘NAMI Walks’

NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country. Saturday, April 27, 2024 6:01AM NAMI Fresno is preparing for its 20th annual “NAMI Walks” in May. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Manuel Piceno feels blessed to be sitting here today, hoping his story will make an impact. “I’m living with a mental illness,” he sad. “I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety and PTSD. The diagnosis came after a suicide attempt on January 1, 2022, at 9 pm. Three days later, I regained consciousness and called out for help.” Piceno attended multiple support groups in Fresno County and eventually ended up at NAMI Fresno. There, he learned the 12 principles of support. “The first principle is ‘We will see the individual first and not the illness.’ Imagine if we each saw ourselves first — you talk about stigma. Sometimes, we have the greatest stigma on ourselves,” he said. NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots mental health organization in the country. Here in the Valley, NAMI Fresno works every day to

Edison High Peace Garden dedicated to fallen community leader

Saturday, April 27, 2024 4:58AM The Edison High School Peace Garden is now a new location on campus where students can reflect and relax. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A place for peace. The Edison High School Peace Garden is now a new location on campus where students can reflect and relax. It’s all in dedication to the late Ali Shabazz. “The community was always in need of peace efforts and everything, so he was the kind of person that made that happen, and all the work that he did in the community. I just think that it fits the situation,” said his widow, Nia Shabazz. Ali Shabazz was a community leader and head of a local mosque. He was also a civil engineer for Caltrans and died in a car accident on his way to a job site back in 2022. The father of eight, never forgot his days as a proud Edison Tiger, coming back to tutor and volunteer/ That’s why student body president Matthew Pitcher founded the growing garden in his memory. “To create a drought tolerant, native plant garden behind me is

Groundbreaking ceremony held for roundabout replacing dangerous Avila Beach intersection

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for San Luis Obispo County’s latest development the Avila Beach Drive roundabout project. Construction is set to begin next month. The intersection of Avila Beach Drive and Highway 101 will soon be transformed into a roundabout to enhance safety. Public works say this specific intersection has faced congestion and traffic delays. Numerous circulation studies have indicated that the current existing intersection is not adequate at meeting circulation needs for the area, said Aaron Yonker, San Luis Obispo County of Public Works, supervising engineer, Project Delivery Division. When you look at these communities like Avila Beach, Shell Beach, and the City of Pismo, a lot of people are coming and converging in this area, utilizing this area for recreation. Its a beautiful area and its resulting in high traffic demands. Improving safety is also a major goal. For my constituents in District 3, this is a significant intersection where we do have collisions, and we do have safety issues in regards to those who are either hiking, biking, or in their vehicles, said Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County District 3

Allan Hancock’s Lompoc Valley Center celebrates its 25th year

A milestone was hit in Lompoc Valley on Friday. Allan Hancock’s Lompoc Valley Center celebrated 25 years of success with an open house-style event. It included a ceremony at 4 p.m. followed by an open house featuring the college’s mobile planetarium, live chemistry experiments, emergency vehicles from the public safety training programs, and more. KSBY spoke with one recent graduate who said how special it was to be there at the event. “It’s really amazing to be here at this event and to be able to give this perspective,” Oscar Rivera said, who graduated from the school in 2019. “… And so I’m very grateful to this institution and to all those who have been involved in bringing this education here and making this a possibility.” Attendees also enjoyed food trucks, a kid’s fun zone, and opportunities to learn more about the academic programs and student support services. You can learn more about the Lompoc Valley Center on its website.

San Diego lifeguards’ Triton fire boat assists in Oceanside Pier blaze

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – San Diego lifeguards’ newest fire boat was instrumental in the historic fire fight at the Oceanside Pier Thursday. “It’s pretty unique to San Diego County, there is not another vessel that is like this,” said Sgt. Mike Cranston.  San Diego lifeguards’ Triton fire boat joined the lineup just about two years ago, but was truly put to the test Thursday alongside several other agencies. “It’s really nice to see this vessel, this grant-provided vessel showcased in such a regional emergency like this one,” said San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland. Could the Oceanside Pier collapse due to fire? Up until now it’s aided mostly in boat fires, but the Triton has some of the latest technology in fighting maritime fire incidents. It has three “monitors” or points on the boat where water can be dispensed all at once, using water from the ocean. Gartland explained two of the monitors can pump 1,500 gallons a minute and the roof monitor can pump 2,500 gallons a minute. The Triton returned to San Diego Friday after several crews had rotated out during the boat’s longest

SDSU’s Lamont Butler transferring to Kentucky Wildcats: report

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It appears the man who hit the biggest shot in San Diego State men’s basketball history is leaving the Aztecs. Guard Lamont Butler, who entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, is reportedly heading to the Kentucky Wildcats, according to The Athletic. His grassroots coach Ryan Silver told the sports journalism website that “all the big schools reached out,” but Kentucky coach Mark Pope “just really prioritized him.” Pope and his staff traveled to Las Vegas to meet Butler who committed to the Wildcats on the spot, The Athletic reported. Oceanside Pier fire rips through vacant restaurant “Mark Pope just really prioritized him, got on a plane and flew out there to meet with him and his parents. They were very impressed with that, and what he had to say,” Silver told The Athletic. Butler is known for his buzzer beater vs. Florida Atlantic in the 2023 Final Four that sent the Aztecs to their first men’s basketball national championship game. Although this past season they were eliminated by the University of Connecticut in the Sweet 16, Butler took home Mountain

High school baseball: Lincoln sweeps Piedmont Hills to pull even atop league standings

SAN JOSE — Lincoln scored 10 runs in the first inning Friday and then held on for an 11-8 victory over Piedmont Hills. A big win for the Lions as they were two games behind Piedmont Hills going into the week, but after sweeping the home-and-home two-game series, has moved into a tie for first place in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division standings. Two weeks and four games remain in the regular-season schedule. “It’s great for the kids to play in a big game, it’s a great feeling to win a big game,” longtime Lincoln coach Stuart Piraro said. “But if we start looking forward to a championship, we’ve just got to worry about what we’ve been doing all year. It’s one game at a time now.” Piedmont Hills (16-6, 12-2) went into the week on a 14-game winning streak, which Lincoln ended Wednesday with an 8-6 win. On Friday the Lions put a quick reversal to a 2-0 lead the Pirates took in the top of the first with the 10-run explosion, on five hits, six walks and an error, in

Prep roundup: St. Ignatius edges No. 3 Serra; Mt. Pleasant routs first-place James Lick

Baseball No. 11 St. Ignatius 3, No. 3 Serra 1 Chase Gordon allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings and AJ Wineinger had two hits and knocked in a run on Friday as host St. Ignatius sent Serra to a second consecutive defeat in West Catholic Athletic League play. St. Ignatius scored two in the bottom of the fourth to break a 1-1 tie and then called on Gordon and Archer Horn, who pitched two-thirds of an inning, to finish off the Padres. Beau Schaffer also had an RBI for SI. Ian Josephson scored Serra’s only run and Ian Armstrong and Josiah Rodriguez had its only hits. Serra fell to 17-5 overall and 8-3 in the WCAL. The Padres are now a game behind Valley Christian for first place. SI improved to 15-6, 6-5. Mt. Pleasant 14, James Lick 3 (6 innings) James Lick is still in great shape to win the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s West Valley Division championship. It just won’t reach the finish line undefeated in league play after Mt. Pleasant turned a three-run deficit after one inning into a blowout victory

Photos: Stanford, Berkeley join nation wide college demonstrations over war in Gaza

By The Associated Press Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up on an increasing number of college campuses following last week’s arrest of more than 100 demonstrators at Columbia University. The students are calling for universities to separate themselves from any companies that are advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza — and in some cases from Israel itself. Protests on many campuses have been orchestrated by coalitions of student groups. The groups largely act independently, though students say they’re inspired by peers at other universities. Stanford University Pro-Palestinian demonstrators listen to a speaker as they protest at Stanford University urging the university to divest from Israel and demanding a permanent cease-fire in the war in Gaza, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Stanford University. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators watch as tents are being pitched at Stanford University’s White Plaza on April 25, 2024. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march at Stanford University on April 25, 2024. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march at Stanford University on April 25, 2024. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators

Three arrested in connection with 11 East Bay robberies

HAYWARD — Three men have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out 11 armed robberies over seven months in the East Bay, authorities announced Friday. The robberies happened in multiple cities between last August and February, the Hayward Police Department said in a news release. Seven were reported in Hayward, one in Castro Valley, one in Fremont, one in Livermore and one in San Leandro. During each robbery, at least one suspect brandished a gun, police said, and in some cases, the suspects moved employees and customers to other parts of the businesses and forced employees to hand over cash from registers and safes at gunpoint. Police said the suspects also forced employees and customers to hand over their personal property. One suspect — identified as a 42-year-old Oakland man — was arrested on Feb. 13 and is believed to be responsible for all 11 robberies, police said. The other suspects — identified as a 24-year-old Oakland man and a 26-year-old Concord man — were arrested on March 11 and April 4, respectively. Police said they are believed to be responsible for two robberies each

Kurtenbach: Grading the 49ers’ Day 2 draft picks Renardo Green, Dominick Puni

On Friday, the 49ers added two more players to their roster, selecting Florida State cornerback Renardo Green and Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni with their second- and third-round picks in the NFL Draft. Alongside first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, the Niners are off to a solid start in their draft, with more picks coming on Day 3. Here are my grades for their Day 2 picks and what the Niners’ moves mean for the overall team. Pick No. 64: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State In my opinion, Green was one of the most underrated cornerback prospects in this class — he’s no flash, all substance, and while we have no idea what the 49ers’ defense will truly be in 2024 and beyond, if they go back to an authentic Cover 3, I like Green as a perfect fit for it. Like with Pearsall, there will be questions about value. If this draft has taught us anything, it’s that every team operates far away from whatever the “consensus” is among draftniks and dorks like me. I thought Green was a viable pick in the third round. Given