The mysterious life — and questionable claims — of Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter

They were one of the best-known duos in baseball. Wherever star pitcher and slugger Shohei Ohtani went — to practice, to the gym, to Japanese restaurants in Orange County — his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was never far behind. His Beatles-like haircut, self-deprecating attitude and rapport with the new face of baseball made Mizuhara, a 39-year-old from Southern California, a celebrity in his own right. But over the last week, the world learned how little was truly known about Ohtani’s former right-hand man, who was fired by the Dodgers after being accused of stealing more than $4.5 million to cover debts with an illegal Orange County bookmaking operation. Now that Mizuhara’s life is under a microscope, key aspects of his biography have proved difficult to confirm; others are outright false. His whereabouts for nearly a decade after graduating from high school in L.A. County are still largely a mystery. He apparently lied about the college he attended and overstated the nature of a previous job with Major League Baseball, in addition to accusations that he misled Ohtani for months — perhaps even years — about a

Calmes: Is this the worst Congress ever? Let’s count the ways

More than halfway through the current two-year Congress, the “lawmakers” there bring to mind the old schoolyard quip about slacker students: They’re really good at recess. This pre-Easter week is the first of two that the House and Senate are taking off, though it seems like only yesterday they recessed for two weeks to mark Presidents Day. Lucky for them, members of Congress get recesses regardless of how well they perform — just like kids in elementary school. And they haven’t been performing well at all, which explains the quotation marks above: The “lawmakers” aren’t doing much law-making. Opinion Columnist Jackie Calmes Jackie Calmes brings a critical eye to the national political scene. She has decades of experience covering the White House and Congress. This Congress is shaping up as the least productive since the Great Depression. Even the low number of laws enacted is a bit inflated given that the House and the Senate, unable for months to agree on funding the government, repeatedly passed stopgap spending bills to avert shutdowns. The members finally finished the budget measures before dashing out the doors last

A question both Republican job applicants and potential Trump jurors must answer

Politics By Katrina Kaufman , Fin Gómez March 28, 2024 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Gag order restricts Trump in New York trial Gag order restricts Trump in “hush money” New York trial 03:34 There’s one question both prosecutors and Republican hiring bosses want to know: “Do you believe the 2020 election was stolen?”  After a recent purge of the Republican National Committee , when the new leadership backed by former President Donald Trump fired more than 60 staffers , job applicants for positions in key states are being asked about their views of the 2020 election results, according to two Republican sources with knowledge of the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to CBS News. This line of questioning appears to be a test of their loyalty to Trump — and was described as “insane” by a Republican Party source with knowledge of the interviews.  The same question has been raised in Manhattan courtrooms. It was posed to jurors in a recent civil trial in which Trump was a defendant, and may be posed during jury selection in his upcoming

Star-studded Biden NYC fundraiser is expected to bring in over $25 million

Politics By Aaron Navarro Updated on: March 28, 2024 / 5:31 AM EDT / CBS News Biden with advantage over Trump in fundraising Biden with big advantage over Trump in campaign fundraising 02:37 President Biden is expected to raise over $25 million at a star-studded fundraiser in New York City on Thursday with former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.  The campaign has billed it the “most successful political fundraiser in American history.” By Mr. Biden’s recent standards, that is true. For example, during a swing through Texas earlier this month, the Biden campaign raised a combined $7 million from three separate fundraisers. A fundraiser for Biden in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Tuesday raised $2.3 million.  Mr. Biden’s largest single-day haul prior to Thursday came in the 24 hours after his State of the Union address earlier in March, when he raised $10 million, according to his campaign. But Thursday’s staggering sum is a new record for the campaign, and it further illustrates the growing cash gap between Mr. Biden and his presumptive general election opponent, former President Donald Trump.  Trump raised $20 million

Powerball jackpot jumping to $935M after no big winners Wednesday; 3 $1M winners

3 $1M winning tickets were sold in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Texas, according to the Powerball website. By Dalia Faheid, CNN , CNNWire Thursday, March 28, 2024 9:05AM Nobody won Wednesday’s Powerball drawing so the jackpot is climbing to $935 million for Saturday. With no one winning the Powerball jackpot Wednesday, the grand prize for Saturday’s drawing grew closer to the billion-dollar mark, according to the lottery. Wednesday’s winning numbers were: 37, 46, 57, 60, 66 and Powerball 8. The $935 million Powerball jackpot in play Saturday jumped from $865 million after no tickets matched all six numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing. It would be the fifth-largest prize in the history of the game. A jackpot winner in Saturday’s drawing could choose to receive the money in annuitized payments or take a lump sum estimated at $449.7 million. Although no jackpot was won Wednesday, three tickets still won $1 million each by matching the first five numbers. Those tickets were sold in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Texas, according to the Powerball website. This is the first Powerball jackpot to surpass $900 million this year. Powerball’s grand prize

Baltimore bridge collapse update: Investigators reveal timeline of events leading up to ship crash

BALTIMORE, Md. — Federal investigators unveiled new details about what occurred in the minutes before a hulking cargo ship lost power and slammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, including the pilot’s urgent call for assistance and authorities’ efforts to clear people off the bridge. The first sign of distress came just under three minutes before the crash when the cargo ship’s pilot called over the radio requesting any tugboats in the area to respond to the vessel, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a news conference Wednesday. The NTSB will comb through a voyage-data recorder in an attempt to recreate a timeline of Tuesday’s cargo-ship crash, officials say Within a minute, police officers on either end of the bridge were ordered to stop traffic crossing the bridge, said Marcel Muise, the NTSB investigator in charge of the collapse inquiry – an action several officials have credited with saving lives. RELATED: Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic before Baltimore bridge collapse Investigators had their first full day at the scene Wednesday and witnessed the “utter devastation” of the mangled bridge

Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: What we know about the missing construction workers; 2 recovered

BALTIMORE, Md. — The bodies of two construction workers have been recovered while four others remain missing and are presumed dead after a cargo ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending the workers into the water. Eight workers were fixing potholes on the span when the ship hit the bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The workers plunged into the frigid water, and two were rescued, officials said. Search and rescue efforts for the workers were suspended Tuesday evening, with operations shifting to a recovery phase, officials said. RELATED: Officials stopped traffic onto Baltimore’s Key Bridge before collapse: ‘These people are heroes’ “Based on the length of time that we’ve gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature — at this point, we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath told reporters Tuesday evening. A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Tuesday March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve

California bars and nightclubs getting ready for new “roofie” testing kit requirement

Research has found that around 50% of nearly 1,000 women and men they surveyed have had their drinks or food spiked. Thursday, March 28, 2024 6:15AM California is shaking things up in the roughly 2,400 bars and nightclubs across the state. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — California is shaking things up in the roughly 2,400 bars and nightclubs across the state. Assembly Bill 1013 was passed unanimously in the legislature and signed into law by Governor Newsom last year. It requires all bars and nightclubs to have drink spiking drug testing kits available upon request. “These kits must test for controlled substances commonly used to spike drinks. The licensees can either choose to provide these kits at no cost or they can be sold at a reasonable amount, not to exceed the wholesale cost,” said Devin Blankenship of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The requirements must be met by July 1. It’s something The Howlin Wolf in the Tower District is working on. “I think these are a great idea that these kits will be required to be available because you never know what

Kidnapping Suspect Arrested After Hours-Long Standoff

A kidnapping suspect who had barricaded himself in a house in an unincorporated area bordering Montebello was taken into custody Wednesday evening after an hours-long standoff. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau personnel joined deputies at a home in the 800 block of Muscatel Avenue, near San Gabriel Boulevard, in South San Gabriel around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday after a neighbor called deputies to report that the suspect allegedly stole something from them, KCAL 9 reported. “I felt threatened when he said he was going to shoot me if I didn’t get out of his property,” the neighbor told KCAL. “That’s when I called the cop again and said, ‘Hey, I need you now.’” According to KCAL, deputies learned the suspect had several warrants for his arrest that included kidnapping. The suspect was taken into custody around 9:20 p.m. U.S. marshals assisted sheriff’s department personnel in the suspect’s capture. Anyone with information about the suspect was urged to call the Temple Sheriff’s Station at 626-285-7171. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Judge Unsure if California Law Applies in Sexual, Racial Harassment Suit

A lawsuit filed against Lizzo by a former employee who accuses the singer of repeated sexual and racial harassment will have to be shored up in the area of whether California law applies to many of her claims, a judge ruled Wednesday. Plaintiff Asha Daniels’ Santa Monica Superior Court suit names as defendants the entertainer, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson; her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc.; Lizzo’s wardrobe manager, Amanda Nomura; and Lizzo’s tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta. Daniels was hired as an assistant to Nomura and held her job for less than three weeks, according to Lizzo’s attorneys’ court papers. On Wednesday, Judge Mark H. Epstein said in a written ruling that it is unclear what events linked to many of Daniels’ claims took place in California and that there even is an inference a portion occurred in Europe while the singer was on tour. “It is true that the complaint never actually alleges that the misconduct occurred in Europe, but at least some of the allegations are Europe-centric,” the judge wrote. “And the timing is such that it would at least

Two bodies recovered from vehicle underwater at Key Bridge collapse site

Local News By Rohan Mattu Updated on: March 28, 2024 / 4:56 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore Two bodies recovered near Key Bridge collapse site Two bodies recovered near Key Bridge collapse site 08:27 BALTIMORE — The bodies of two men were recovered Wednesday from the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, officials said. Four people remain missing and are presumed dead.  Maryland State Police Col. Roland Butler Jr. said divers found the men — identified as 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and 26-year-old Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera — around 10 a.m. in a red pickup truck 25 feet deep in the Patapsco River.  Maynor Suazo, one of the six construction workers recovered at the collapse site.  The search transitioned from a recovery mission to a salvage effort Wednesday because officials believe vehicles are encased in the bridge debris, and divers are no longer able to operate around the debris. Bodies of two people found during recovery at Key Bridge collapse site 02:03 The bridge  crumbled early Tuesday  after a support column was hit by a large container ship that had lost

Three-bedroom home sells for $1.6 million in Fremont

44363 Pomace Street – Google Street View The property located in the 44300 block of Pomace Street in Fremont was sold on Feb. 15, 2024. The $1,601,000 purchase price works out to $1,326 per square foot. The house, built in 1969, has an interior space of 1,207 square feet. The layout of this single-story home includes three bedrooms and two baths. In addition, the home features a garage. The lot size of the property measures an impressive 7,440 square feet. Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include: In June 2023, a 2,252-square-foot home on Night Shade Lane in Fremont sold for $1,810,000, a price per square foot of $804. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A 1,350-square-foot home on the 44400 block of Camellia Drive in Fremont sold in June 2022, for $1,660,000, a price per square foot of $1,230. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. On Lupine Place, Fremont, in February 2023, a 1,960-square-foot home was sold for $1,700,000, a price per square foot of $867. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Prep roundup: Dougherty Valley walks it off in historic win over De La Salle, SRV throws no-hitter 

Baseball Dougherty Valley 6 No. 5 De La Salle 5 Adam DeCampo ended 11 years of futility for Dougherty Valley with one swing.  His single into right field gave the Wildcats the 6-5 victory against East Bay Athletic League opponent De La Salle, giving the San Ramon public school its first win against the Concord powerhouse in 15 meetings since 2013.  “Everyone is on cloud nine, and I told everyone that this is the start of a new program … this is the expectation,” first-year coach Kyle Stewart told the Bay Area News Group on Wednesday night. “I’m trying to build what Mike Hansen has done with basketball.” Dougherty Valley, which had lost its last three league games by a combined score of 41-4, got off to a dream start after scoring twice in the first inning on singles by Luke Duncan and DeCampo.  The Wildcats then tallied three more runs in the second when Ethan Kim singled, Duncan walked with the bases loaded, and then Jayden Rouse drove a ground ball into left field.  Meanwhile, Ahdil Khan kept the potent DLS offense at bay

Stanley cup caper cracked by South Bay authorities

CUPERTINO – A couple suspected of trying to take a coveted cup from a South Bay store by force earlier this year has been arrested following an extensive investigation, according to authorities. The incident happened on Jan. 3 at the Target located at 20745 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino, Santa Clara County sheriff’s Deputy Felicia Segura said in a news release. Customers were gathered at the store for the release of the winter pink Starbucks x Stanley tumbler, according to Segura. Segura said the store declined to sell the limited-edition 40-ounce cup to the couple – a man and a woman in their 20s – after other customers said they had cut the line. In response, the man jumped over the counter of the Starbucks inside the Target, knocking a barista out of the way, and grabbed a box containing one of the cups, according to Segura. The man tried to run past a customer who was blocking the exit and was tackled to the ground, Segura said. The woman punched the customer, which gave the man time to stand up, and tried to snatch

Imperial Beach City Council holds special workshop dedicated to sewage crisis

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) – The Imperial Beach City Council held a special workshop Wednesday evening dedicated to the sewage crisis. There were a number of topics covered including everything from infrastructure progress to health studies being conducted. The topic that seemed to resonate with the local residents the most was the health risks that come with exposure to the sewage. “My husband has had E. Coli last January. It took two antibiotics. He is sick today, we started coughing three days ago, my dogs have diarrhea,” Cheryl Quinones detailed .  Residents sounded off during public comment on the issue that has long plagued the South Bay and beyond. “We can’t open our windows most days of the year because of the pollution. We are worried about the public health impacts of our community living in basically raw sewage,” said Tom Csanadi, a retired pediatrician. Representatives from the International Boundary and Water Commission as well as the EPA were at the meeting to give updates on projects and funding from both the US and Mexico. “One hundred percent of the pollution impacting Imperial Beach, Coronado, the

Video shows panga wash ashore, dozens run from vessel

SOLANA BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Ten people suspected of entering the U.S. illegally were arrested Wednesday after a vessel washed ashore in North County, authorities said. The vessel was first detected by U.S. Customs Border and Protection’s San Diego Air and Marine Branch traveling northbound toward Solana Beach early in the morning, Michael J. Scappechio with U.S. Customs Border and Protection confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI. It made landfall around 6:50 a.m. near Del Mar Shores. Video obtained by FOX 5/KUSI shows the vessel land on the shore and several people begin to run away from the shoreline and toward the bluffs. Coronado Bridge is built differently than Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Authorities placed ten people under arrest, but CBP is still searching for others who may have escaped. The vessel and a nearby vehicle suspected of being involved in the alleged smuggling event were seized, according to CBP. Anyone with information should contact the San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center at 1-800-854-9834 Ext. 1.

Popular trail in Paso Robles park will be temporarily closed

A popular trail in Paso Robles will be entirely closed as it undergoes extensive maintenance work. The City of Paso Robles announced Wednesday that maintenance work on the Centennial Park trail will start in early April. A sign on the pathway says it will be closed from April 1 to 5. The entirety of the trail will be closed during this period. The closure encompasses the trailhead at the end of Lana Street to Nickerson Drive and from the trailhead at Andrea Circle. The city also said the expected closure date only refers to heavy maintenance work and does not take into account the application of sealcoat by a contractor. That should take an additional three days, according to the city.

Additional developments coming to a popular Santa Maria shopping center

Over the last 30 years, the Crossroads center off Betteravia Road in Santa Maria has transformed into a commercial destination for shopping and dining, but new restaurants, businesses and a hotel could soon be joining the block. I feel like it is a good idea, new opportunities for people to move over here! said Santa Maria resident, Anthony Martines. I think it would be good for the city to grow, added Celestiel Ming. Ming says she moved to Santa Maria just three days ago and is on board with the idea of more development on Betteravia Road. Other locals like Luna Birdsong are less enthused about the plans. My gut reaction to that is, don’t we already have enough? Birdsong asked. I mean, we have so many hotels, so many restaurants, a lot of which are priced out from people who live heres range. This week, Newport Beach-based company, Wester Associates, announced their acquisition of a three-acre property off Betteravia and west of the Highway 101 entrance, that would be home to the final phase of the massive Crossroads development project. Juan Hernandez, a manager

Peta Protests At VCA Desert Animal Hospital

The People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals otherwise known as Peta arrived in the Coachella Valley in full-force Wednesday afternoon. The organization is protesting Mars Inc. which owns BluePearl Pet and VCA Animal Hospitals. The animal rights group is accusing the global pet care organization of using blood from “The Veterinarians Blood Bank.” Peta protestors gathered in front of the VCA Desert Animal Hospital in Palm Springs, holding signs, wearing animal masks, and even participating in what they called a ‘Die-in’ demonstration. The animal rights group told us, this protest comes after an under-cover investigation they did. Peta claims that The Veterinarians Blood Bank obtains blood from animals who are sick, emaciated, and elderly, amongst other things. After reaching out to VCA Animal Hospitals, they left us a statement reading in part “We can confirm we are no longer purchasing products from TVBB.” The statement also adds that VCA is working alongside veterinary partners to make community blood banks the long term solution, while being committed to using blood products that meet the best medical and ethical standards. Peta says, after reaching out to