Williams-Sonoma must pay almost $3.2 million for violating FTC’s ‘Made in USA’ order

This marks the largest-ever civil penalty seen in a “Made in USA” case, officials said. Sunday, April 28, 2024 12:04AM This marks the largest-ever civil penalty seen in a “Made in USA” case, officials said. NEW YORK — Home products retailer Williams-Sonoma will have to pay almost $3.2 million for violating a Federal Trade Commission “Made in USA” order. Williams-Sonoma was charged with advertising multiple products as being “Made in USA” when they were in fact manufactured in other countries, including China. That violated a 2020 commission order requiring the San Francisco-based company to be truthful about whether its products were in fact made in the U.S. The FTC said Friday that Williams-Sonoma has agreed to a settlement, which includes a $3.175 million civil penalty. That marks the largest-ever civil penalty seen in a “Made in USA” case, the commission said. “Williams-Sonoma’s deception misled consumers and harmed honest American businesses,” FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said. “Today’s record-setting civil penalty makes clear that firms committing Made-in-USA fraud will not get a free pass.” In addition to paying the penalty, the seller of cookware and home

Fresno native Kendall Milton goes undrafted, signs with Philadelphia Eagles

Milton is fresh off winning the Orange Bowl MVP in Georgia’s 63-3 blowout win against Florida State. Sunday, April 28, 2024 3:50AM Fresno native Kendall Milton and multiple former Bulldogs have signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno’s two-time national champion has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. Buchanan High alum Kendall Milton joins an Eagles running back room headlined by former New York Giant Saquon Barkley after not hearing his name called at the 2024 NFL Draft. His time as a Georgia Bulldog finished with 1,839 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns, 14 of which came this past season. Milton had battled injuries early on in his collegiate career. Milton is fresh off winning the Orange Bowl MVP in Georgia’s 63-3 blowout win against Florida State. After the game his head coach thanked him for overcoming his injuries to make the impact he did. “He’s given so much,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “I still remember going all the way to California, being in his house, seeing him and his parents, and he’s

$2 million in federal aid to improve Madera’s storm drainage and sewage system

Saturday, April 27, 2024 9:15PM The City of Madera is getting $2 million in federal aid to improve the city’s critical storm drainage and sewage system. MADERA, Calif. (KFSN) — The City of Madera is getting $2 million in federal aid to improve the city’s critical storm drainage and sewage system. “The City of Madera has been asking for these funds for four years and thank god that today we’re going to get the system in place to get this done because nobody wants to see flooding in our streets or our sewer system to be backed up,” said Mayor Santos Garcia. The city experiences flooding often in the winter and congressman John Duarte, who helped get the funding, saw that firsthand. “Mayor Santos Garcia sent me a photograph in the torrential floods of January 2023 where the sewer line for Madera just blew a hole in it and he was looking for federal help to get that fixed,” Congressman Duarte said. On Friday, that federal help arrived. The city’s Sewer Trunk Main Project received $1 million to improve and replace up to 1.7 miles

Regulators close Republic First Bank, marking first US bank failure this year

The bank’s failure is expected to cost the deposit insurance fund $667 million. Saturday, April 27, 2024 8:42PM Regulators close Philadelphia-based Republic First Bank, first US bank failure this year PHILADELPHIA — Regulators have closed Republic First Bank, a regional lender operating in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Friday it had seized the Philadelphia-based bank, which did business as Republic Bank and had roughly $6 billion in assets and $4 billion in deposits as of Jan. 31. Fulton Bank, which is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, agreed to assume substantially all of the failed bank’s deposits and buy essentially all of its assets, the agency said. Republic Bank’s 32 branches will reopen as branches of Fulton Bank as early as Saturday. Republic First Bank depositors can access their funds via checks or ATMs as early as Friday night, the FDIC said. The bank’s failure is expected to cost the deposit insurance fund $667 million. The lender is the first FDIC-insured institution to fail in the U.S. this year. The last bank failure – Citizens Bank, based in Sac City

Mexico likely to elect 1st woman president: What does that mean for abortion rights?

MEXICO CITY — If a woman wins Mexico’s presidency on June 2, would she rule with gender in mind? The question has been raised by academics, humans rights organizations and activists ahead of the voting that will likely elect Mexico’s first female president for the term 2024-2030. Out of three candidates, the frontrunner is Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promised to keep President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s legacy on track. Next comes Xóchitl Gálvez, representing several opposition parties, one of which is historically conservative. The triumph of Sheinbaum or Gálvez, however, would not guarantee their support for certain gender-related policies. In a country of more than 98 million Catholics, neither of the two leading candidates has shared specific proposals on abortion. Both have suggested equality and protection measures for women amid a wave of violence and femicide. Here’s a look at some of the challenges that Mexico’s next president would face regarding abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. WHAT’S THE CURRENT ABORTION LANDSCAPE? Twelve of Mexico’s 32 states have decriminalized abortion, most of them in the past five years. One more will join them after its legislature complies

Kurtenbach: Grading the 49ers’ Day 3 picks, overall draft

Let’s all take a deep breath and grab a beer. The draft is over — we have ourselves a roster in Santa Clara. Here’s who the Niners took on Day 3 and what I think of the picks. And ultimately, what I think of the team’s 2024 draft: Round 4 No. 124 overall: Malik Mustafa, S, Wake Forest The No. 3 safety on my board, Mustafa is the kind of instinctual playmaker that can change a defense at all three levels. A powerful hitter, Mustafa will be great in the run game. But don’t sleep on his coverage ability — he’s one of the best in this class at turning his hips and covering the deep routes. If someone gets behind him, the play isn’t over. I’ll plant my flag: Mustafa will challenge for the starting strong safety spot in Week 1. Grade: A Round 4 No. 129 overall: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville Related Articles San Francisco 49ers | 49ers draft recap: Shanahan, Lynch embrace better depth for NFC title defense San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ 2024 NFL Draft capsules San Francisco 49ers | Menlo-Atherton’s

A’s allow three homers, are stymied by ex-teammate in loss to Baltimore

BALTIMORE — Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay has already seen these impressive performances from left-handed starter Cole Irvin. Irvin, who won a combined 19 games in 2021 and 2022 with Oakland, was at his best again Saturday. He allowed just four hits over seven scoreless innings to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 7-0 win over the A’s to even the three-game series. “His location was great today,” Kotsay said of Irvin, who, with pitching prospect Kyle Virbitsky, was traded to the Orioles in Jan. 2023 for infielder Darell Hernaiz. “The front door two-seamer was locking the righties up a lot. He was jamming guys with his cutter. “He had a good mix. Pitched great. Sometimes you’ve got to tip your cap.” Meanwhile, A’s starter JP Sears gave up home runs to Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle on successive pitches in the fifth inning. Gunnar Henderson also went deep for the AL East-leading Orioles, who emphatically bounced back from a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Oakland in the series opener Friday night. Baltimore has now gone 100 straight regular-season series of at least two games without

Tehama County residents arrested in alleged Redding sex trafficking sting

REDDING — A Redding Police Department operation to bust alleged sex trafficking resulted in the arrest of several individuals, including two people from Tehama County. RPD said their detective, over the last week, conducted an undercover operation within city limits.  The goal of the operation was to investigate possible human trafficking suspects and target those who negotiated to meet with juveniles for sexual acts. Detectives worked in an undercover capacity to pose as an underaged juvenile on different internet platforms. The following individuals were arrested for charges related to arranging to meet a minor to engage in lewd or lascivious acts: – Anthony Stefani, 33, of Gerber -Saul Padilla Garcia, 55, of Corning -Lo Saelee, 44, of Anderson -Darin Vasquez, 54, of Redding -Tyson Bellach, 35, of Willow Creek RPD said these individuals were transported and booked into the Shasta County Jail. The agency added it has zero tolerance for human trafficking and will investigate those who attempt to target and victimize juveniles.

49ers draft safety Mustapha via Trey Lance pick; running back Guerendo, receiver Cowing added

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers wrapped up their eight-man draft class Saturday, with five spots reserved for offensive depth and the other three assigned to defensive reinforcements. Safety Malik Mustapha was their first pick on Day 3, and he enters team lore as the player drafted with the fourth-round selection acquired for quarterback Trey Lance in last August’s trade with the Dallas Cowboys. Speaking of trades, the 49ers dealt a pair of fifth-round picks to the New York Jets to move up for Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo, then they closed out the fourth round by picking Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing. The 49ers picked up another interior offensive lineman this draft by deploying their sixth-round pick on Jarrett Kingston, an Anderson native who played at USC last year after five years at Washington State. The 49ers’ final pick (always worth charting, thanks to Brock Purdy) was … linebacker Tatum Bethune, of Florida State, in the seventh round (No. 251 overall. S MALIK MUSTAPHA Mustapha, selected 124th overall, adds depth to a spot needing bodies, including as insurance for starter Talanoa Hufanga as he returns

Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after his return to New York from upstate prison, lawyer says

New York appeals court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction on Thursday By BY LARRY NEUMEISTER Saturday, April 27, 2024 7:28PM ABC7 Bay Area 24/7 live stream Stream local breaking news and original programming, live 24/7, from ABC7 Bay Area. NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction. Attorney Arthur Aidala said Weinstein was moved to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after his arrival on Friday to city jails. “They examined him and sent him to Bellevue. It seems like he needs a lot of help, physically. He’s got a lot of problems. He’s getting all kinds of tests. He’s somewhat of a train wreck health wise,” Aidala said. A message left with the hospital was not immediately returned Saturday. Frank Dwyer, a spokesperson with the New York City Department of Correction, said in an email that Weinstein remains in custody at Bellevue. A message seeking comment with state corrections officials was not immediately returned. On

Man arrested after DUI crash through fence of a Fresno County home

Saturday, April 27, 2024 7:13PM The California Highway Patrol arrested a man for driving under the influence in Fresno County on Friday night. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The California Highway Patrol arrested a man for driving under the influence in Fresno County on Friday night. Officers responded to a home near McCall and Bullard Avenues just after 11:30 p.m., where a man crashed through the fence of the house. CHP says the man arrested was driving a Ford F-150 South on McCall at high speed and tried passing another driver by going into the northbound lane. They say he drove off the road into the fence of a home. He was taken to the hospital with moderate to major injuries. No one else was injured in the crash. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Thousands celebrate “Heroes Among Us” at the 110th Clovis Rodeo Parade

Saturday, April 27, 2024 7:10PM Clovis Rodeo Parade happening Saturday in Old Town Clovis CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — Thousands of people enjoyed watching the 110th Clovis Rodeo Parade in Old Town Clovis, the second largest parade in California. The parade kicked off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday along Pollasky and Clovis Avenues. This year’s theme of the parade is “Heroes Among Us” as a way to honor and celebrate local heroes, including first responders, military personnel, and volunteers. Floats, horses, local marching bands, and much more on the route help celebrate the community’s Western heritage. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Hamas is reviewing an Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, as a planned Rafah offensive looms

CAIRO — Hamas said Saturday that it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a planned Israeli ground offensive into the southern city of Rafah. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya gave no details of Israel’s offer, but said it was in response to a proposal from Hamas two weeks ago. Negotiations earlier this month centered on a six-week cease-fire proposal and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Hamas’ statement came hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation wrapped up a visit to Israel where it discussed a “new vision” for a prolonged cease-fire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the developments. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Israel’s new proposal was directly related to Friday’s visit by Egyptian mediators. SEE ALSO | Northwestern University students continue pro-Palestinian protest with encampment on Deering Meadow The discussions between Egyptian and Israeli officials focused on the first

Housing to crypto to wellness: How California fares in 20 national rankings

We live in a ranking age with lists of “best” and “worst” and “in-between” touching every slice of life, industry and geography. Some of these scorecards are based on polling. Others are data-based, trying to decipher government or business stats. And some are simply opinions – individual or consensus. Yes, these rankings can be discussion starters – whether for policy debate or just plain fun. Before the chats get too intense, be aware that the creation of these grades is far more art than statistical science. I’m bemused at the wave of state-vs.-state rankings that flow into my inbox at work. Most of these scorecards are not created to advance societal conversations. Rather, they’re promoted in hopes of generating online attention for a company that likely paid somebody to create “best/worst state” buzz. Not that these state grades themselves aren’t interesting. So, I waded through my inbox to find 20 rankings for California that might intrigue somebody. 20 scorecards No. 1 spending per capita on clothing and footwear, according to shopping stats tracked for QR Code Generator. No. 2 costliest housing gap – average wage