More aid is supposed to be entering the Gaza Strip. Why isn’t it helping?

By JULIA FRANKEL (Associated Press) JERUSALEM (AP) — Under heavy U.S. pressure, Israel has promised to ramp up aid to Gaza dramatically, saying last week it would open another cargo crossing and surge more trucks than ever before into the besieged enclave. But days later, there are few signs of those promises materializing and international officials say starvation is widespread in hard-hit northern Gaza. Samantha Power, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, said this week she accepted “credible” reports that famine is now occurring in the area and urged Israel to take further steps to expedite humanitarian aid shipments. Power’s remarks echoed those of U.S. President Joe Biden, who said on Wednesday that Israeli efforts to increase aid were “not enough.” While Israel says it has dramatically increased the number of aid trucks entering the territory, U.N. workers report only a slight uptick — possibly because they count trucks differently. Here’s what we know about the aid entering Gaza, and why discrepancies in reporting persist: HOW MUCH AID IS ENTERING GAZA? Israel says that since Sunday it has transported an average of 400

Sharks coach says having NHL in Utah would be ‘a great situation’

Coach David Quinn and the San Jose Sharks were only in Salt Lake City for a few hours in October when they played at the Delta Center for a preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings. But in the short time he was there, Quinn sure got the impression the city was ready to host an NHL team. “To me, when you left there, you felt this would be a great place to have an NHL franchise,” Quinn said Thursday. “You just felt the excitement in the building and around the arena.” Indications are the Sharks could be back in Salt Lake City as soon as this fall, with the NHL, per multiple reports, working on one contingency plan that would have the Arizona Coyotes relocate to Utah in time for next season. While nothing has been finalized, an announcement from the league could come later this month, per ESPN and other outlets. Daily Faceoff first reported Wednesday that the league is preparing two schedules for next season, one with the Coyotes in Arizona, playing at 4,600-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe, and the other with

49ers add veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to competition

SANTA CLARA — Five years after cornerback Rock Ya-Sin battled in one-on-one matchups with wide receiver Deebo Samuel at the Senior Bowl, they’ll be doing so again in 49ers practices. Ya-Sin was signed Thursday to a one-year deal, the 49ers announced. Drafted in the 2019 second round by the Indianapolis Colts, Ya-Sin moved on to play with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and the Baltimore Ravens last year. His experience (66 games, 40 starts) will bolster a still-young cornerback corps that is led by incumbent starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, each of whom are entering their final season under contract, pending potential extensions. Ya-Sin, 27, is listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. He has two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 passes defended and 193 tackles in his NFL career, which has seen him appear in just one playoff game. Ankle and knee injuries have hindered his career. Ya-Sin was the second pick of the 2019 draft’s second round; Samuel went two spots later to the 49ers. Related Articles San Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: A 7-round 49ers mock draft with two

Baseball pioneer: Kelsie Whitmore makes her pitch with Oakland’s expansion team

OAKLAND — Kelsie Whitmore’s list of “firsts” just got a little longer. The Southern California native was the first woman to play in the Atlantic League and the Pacific League. Now she will be the first woman to sign a contract with a Pioneer League team as the Oakland Ballers announced on Wednesday that they were adding the trailblazing pitcher after a successful tryout last weekend. She was part of the three signings the Ballers announced, which also includes St. Francis High grad Andrew Martinez and Vacaville’s Connor Caporale. While Whitmore’s ultimate goal is to become an immediate impact player for the Ballers, she is also hoping her journey inspires more women to play baseball. “​​I’m gonna do my best and whatever I can to encourage and inspire other women and young girls to continue playing the game,” Whitmore said. “I know some were told they couldn’t, but hopefully I can motivate and encourage them through the way I play on the field for them to continue doing what they love.” Kelsie Whitmore, the first woman to appear in a game in the independent Atlantic

Locals look for lowest gas prices as they continue to increase

KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — As we head into the warmer months and people are hitting the road more often, gas prices are also on the rise. According to AAA, the average cost in California is up 20 cents from last week and 53 cents from last month. In Kings County, drivers there are saving a little money while fueling up. There are two spots in Lemoore where they prefer to buy gas because it’s cheaper. One of them is the station at Tachi Palace casino and the second spot is at the local Fastrip. The cheapest is just over $4.80, that’s still 60 cents below the state’s average. “$88.95,” said Nancy Royer while holding her receipt and card in hand. Royer called the trip to fill up ‘another fun day at the pumps.’ It cost nearly $90 to fill up her 18-gallon Ford Explorer. Thursday’s total for Nancy is a few bucks more than the last time she pumped. “I don’t know how people do it with families, I’m almost 80 years old so I am beyond that, but I don’t know how people

Suspect in assault of Fresno Mattress Firm employee bonds out of jail

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A man is out of jail after being arrested for the assault of a woman working at a store in northwest Fresno. The alleged attack happened at the Mattress Firm on Blackstone near Bullard at about 10:30 am Wednesday. Now, a security guard sits outside of the store. Police say that suspect is 33-year-old Xiang Zhao. It’s believed the employee was alone in the store and does not know the suspect. Police say Zhao did not have a prior criminal history. Police say the victim was able to fight him off, call police and give a description of the suspect. “The victim was very, very courageous, was able to ward off and fight the suspect off of her, was able to run off and call for help,” said Fresno Police Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega. Raquel Garcia, program director at RCS Fresno, the County’s Rape crisis center says even if you are able to escape, sometimes the trauma can still impact you later. “Is really focusing on what is happening after with you and yourself, to be able to feel safe to

VIDEO: Gaza protesters disrupt UC Berkeley dean’s party, triggering responses over free speech

By Tara Campbell Thursday, April 11, 2024 11:05PM Gaza protesters disrupted a dinner party at a UC Berkeley dean’s home, accusing his wife of assault, and drawing questions about free speech. BERKELEY, Calif. — Free speech rights are being called into question after assault allegations and tense moments at a private dinner party at the home of University of California Berkeley faculty. This happened during an annual dinner Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinksy and his wife Professor Catherine Fisk hold for students. Now students are accusing Professor Fisk of assault. Video shows the moments when Professor Fisk tries to take the microphone from a protester voicing support for the people in Gaza. The protester then says “You don’t have to get aggressive,” to which Fisk responds “I’m not being aggressive.” “Please leave our house. You are guests at our house,” Chemerinsky said. The group protesting released a statement, saying in part: “Fisk’s assault was a symbol of the deeper Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and religious discrimination that runs rampant within the University of California administration.” Chemerinksy did not want to speak on camera but responded to

Experience the Community Choir of the Central Valley this weekend

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s a sound like nothing else — dozens of voices joined together in music. You have an opportunity to experience that music live and for free this weekend. We sat down with the conductor of the “Community Choir of the Central Valley,” Ed Cobb, to talk about what you can expect. For news updates, follow Vanessa Vasconcelos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

SF Giants’ slow start? Let’s wait awhile before panic sets in

Venture into the morass of social media or check in with either of the sports radio stations in the Bay Area, including the Giants’ flagship KNBR, and you’d think the Giants were 50-80 instead of 5-8. The Giants managed to beat Washington 7-1 Wednesday to avoid being swept by a team that figures to be one of the National League bottom feeders before taking a day off and playing a pair of three-game series in Tampa Bay and Miami that begins Friday afternoon. And even though the Giants broke out of a dreadful stretch of hitting with runners in scoring position by going 6-for-8 against Washington, getting swept by the Dodgers and an early run of uneven play has alarmed some of the fan base who figured Jorge Soler, Matt Chapman and Blake Snell were the answer to their prayers. There was concern on the airwaves as well as Twitter/X or wherever it is fans choose to access fuel for their skepticism. Where are the home runs? Is it time to part with Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater and go with some new blood? What’s

Lunchables health concerns: What to know

Consumer Reports, a watchdog and advocacy group, is warning Lunchables, the popular snack option for kids across America that consists of prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers, contain troublesome levels of lead and sodium. CBS News’ Nancy Chen reports.

Fast horses, stylish boutiques, tasty bourbon, even a castle are found in this one Kentucky county

Patti Nickell | Tribune News Service (TNS) Where can you taste the world’s best bourbon, make the acquaintance of the world’s most famous Thoroughbred, tour the home of the “Paul Revere of the South,” shop for high-end antiques in a converted schoolhouse, and spend the night in a castle — all in the same small county? If you said Woodford County, Kentucky, go to the head of the class. Located in the state’s scenic Bluegrass Region, Woodford County offers enough to keep a visitor occupied for an entire vacation. Start with the Thoroughbreds. Drive along US 60, and you will quickly discover that you are in an upscale neighborhood where the sprawling farms belong to folks such as the Sheikh of Dubai (Gainsborough at Darley) and Barbara Jackson, widow of California wine magnate Jess Jackson (Stonestreet). Most visitors make a beeline for Coolmore at Ashford Stud where Triple Crown and Breeder’s Cup winner American Pharoah stands at stud. The superstar stallion, along with his stablemate, fellow Triple Crown winner Justified, will happily pose for pictures with adoring fans. These guys preen, prance and mug for

Time for tea in London? Top hotels show how it’s made to perfection

George Hobica | Tribune News Service Afternoon tea in London — whether at a posh hotel such as the Ritz or the Savoy or in a department store like Harrods or Fortnum & Mason — is a special occasion treat for visitors and locals alike. It’s not an inexpensive affair, as you’ll be sitting in elegant surroundings, perhaps dressed up a bit. The freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, the traditional dainty crustless sandwiches, the cakes and pastries are so popular at some venues that you’ll need to book well in advance. But what about the tea itself? Claire Ptak, a Californian now living in London where she writes cookbooks and owns a celebrity-endorsed cake shop, has this to say about afternoon tea at one of London’s luxury hotels: “I will always associate England with tea. The Ritz is a magical experience, having all these little things brought to you. The tea itself is not the most ‘flavour-forward.’” Amen to that. Most people who brew tea, whether at home or as part of their job, don’t know how to extract full flavor

‘I’m gonna break all your records’ — O.J. Simpson rode his speed out of the Bay Area to fame and infamy. It didn’t start that way

Long before he became an NFL legend and the most famous murder suspect in the United States — or even a boastful preteen who once told fellow legend Jim Brown, “I’m gonna break all your records” — O.J. Simpson was a toddler in the projects of San Francisco, with homemade leg braces and shoes worn on the opposite feet. When the time to walk came, Simpson did not. So his parents took him to a doctor at a hospital near the Potrero Hill neighborhood where his mother, Eunice, worked. It turned out “The Juice” had rickets, and his family couldn’t afford the leg braces that were needed to heal him. So his parents made some. And from there, the legend began. Those famous bow legs that developed from the braces turned Simpson into a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the greatest sprinters in the nation; as his athletic career peaked and began to fade in the NFL, he also became a movie actor and one of the top endorsement personalities of the 1970s and 80s. That all went away when he was accused of

Outdoor gear industry facing challenges after “insane” post-pandemic growth

Across 30 years in downtown Golden, Colo., Bent Gate Mountaineering has withstood three economic downturns including the Great Recession of 2008 and the pandemic recession of 2020. The store, at 1313 Washington Ave., attracts customers ranging from serious mountaineers to tourists who buy T-shirts and rain ponchos for shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, but it’s facing increasing competition in the outdoor retail world. A banner that hangs out front hints at the market pressures confronting it and other independent outdoor retail stores: “HUGE HUGE HUGE SALE” it says in big letters and vibrant colors. That sign, a semi-permanent fixture, is an example of fallout from turbulence the outdoor industry experienced during the pandemic and its aftermath. Following boom years in 2021 and 2022, outdoor retail sales saw a 3% decline last year to $27.5 billion, and independent specialty shops got hit hardest. Half of them endured double-digit declines, according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s annual retail sales trends report, and on average they declined 9.7%. A banner touting “huge” sales at Bent Gate Mountaineering in Golden is a sign of the times. General manager Ryan

What to watch: Unsettling ‘Civil War’ is the ultimate what-if movie

War is at the center of three of the best new films/shows to catch this week — be it in the chilling premise of Americans fighting Americans (“Civil War”), in the form of the aftermath of a nuclear attack (“Fallout”) or yet another look at the Vietnam War (“The Sympathizer”). Here’s our roundup. “Civil War”: The joyless eyes and weathered face of photojournalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst) tell her story, one of an entrenched sense of hopeless resignation as she and her colleagues cover a war that pits California and Texas and other states against the government and its supporters. Alex Garland’s intense dystopian “what if” movie — which is far less polarizing than you’d think — serves as a warning of the perils of national disharmony, constant conflict and the human desire to dominate and win at any cost, even when we’ve lost sight of what it is we’re fighting for. Lee has seen these developments play out too many times in other nations, yet she’s never flinched from capturing the savagery — the scorched, bullet-ridden corpses of men, women and children — on camera. Now