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Mailbag: Chips for the Pac-12’s future, media rights timing, SMU’s value, Colorado replacement options and more

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

The Hotline mailbag publishes each week. Send questions to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com and include ‘mailbag’ in the subject line. Or hit me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline.Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.What does the Pac-12 need to do in order to survive long term, meaning 20 years into the future? — @josephkirkpatriTo a certain extent, the fate of the conference is tied to the future of the Power Five structure itself. If the Big Ten and SEC opt to become mega-leagues with 20 or more schools, the Pac-12 as we know it will cease to exist.But let’s imagine a scenario in which Big Ten and SEC membership remains fixed through the next two media contract cycles — it’s status quo for both conferences into the late 2030s.How can the Pac-12 ensure competitive success and membership stability (e.g., prevent schools from departing for the Big 12) through the next 15 or 20 years?Obviously, commissioner George Kliavkoff must craft a satisfactor...

San Jose Sharks add big forwards on second day of NHL Draft

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

The San Jose Sharks took a pair of big-bodied forwards with their first two picks on the second day of the NHL Draft on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.The Sharks selected Finnish-born winger Kasper Halttunen with their second-round selection at No. 36, then traded the 94th and 100th overall pick to the Carolina Hurricanes for the No. 71 slot where they took center Brandon Svoboda, who has committed to attend Boston University.Halttunen, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 207-pounds, had 18 points in 14 games for Finland’s U18 team this past season.Still just 17, Halttunen struggled when playing against men in Finland’s top professional league, with just one assist in 27 games. He has to work on his skating, but he plays a heavy brand and possesses a big shot.“I’m satisfied with how he played for the team, and how he makes smart decisions with the puck,” Finland U18 head coach Lauri Merikivi said of Halttunen in April, per Elite Prospects. “I see h...

Hawaii man loses bid to keep license plate that was deemed offensive

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

The recall of a Hawaii man’s personalized license plate FCKBLM was constitutionally permissible, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.Edward Odquina argued that his rights of free expression were violated when Honolulu officials ordered him to return the plate they said had been issued in error. The appellate panel, however, said the restriction focused on the content — that is, vulgar language — rather than the viewpoint of the message, and as such was constitutionally valid.The ruling issued Wednesday in San Francisco upheld a federal judge’s denial of Odquina’s request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against the recall of his plate.Odquina, 49, had requested the license plate in January 2021. When a Honolulu city services employee contacted him to ask its meaning, Odquina claimed it was an acronym for his business’s name. The employee approved the plate, though he later acknowledged that he shouldn’t have,...

Safe fireworks shows announced by Contra Costa Fire Protection District

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

(BCN) -- The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has released a list of safe locations to watch an explosive Independence Day in Contra Costa County. The Richmond Marina Bay fireworks are set for Monday with live music, food and family activities (info at Richmond.ca.us). The San Pablo Multi-Cultural and Aerial Drone Light Show will feature food, live music, carnival games and entertainment. The fun starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the San Pablo Community Center at 2450 Road 20. For info, go to https://sanpabloca.gov/1454/4th-of-July-Multi-Cultural-Celebration. Bay Area fireworks shows for 4th of July 2023 Pleasant Hill will set off its annual 4th of July fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. A viewing party at College Park High School at 201 Viking Drive, starts at 6:30 p.m. with $4 the suggested donation per person. The skies above Pittsburg Marina will light up with fireworks at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. The marina is at 51 Marina Blvd. Go to pittsburgca.gov for more info...

Cities with the most expensive homes in California

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers. High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of June 15, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.69%.Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value. $100K a year is low-income in the Bay Area, according to new report Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in California using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes as of May 2023. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib.Metros with the most cities in the top 30 in California#1. San Francisco-Oakland-B...

Overstock.com, JPMorgan Chase rise; Lindsay, McCormick fall; Thursday, 6/29/2023

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes on Thursday:JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM), up $4.27 to $142.86Bank stocks rose after 23 of the nation’s biggest banks passed the Federal Reserve’s “stress testing” of their ability to withstand a severe recession. Overstock.com Inc. (OSTK), up $4.07 to $29.61The company will rebrand as Bed Bath & Beyond after buying that bankrupt company’s intellectual property.Visa Inc. (V), up $6.04 to $234.01The digital payments company acquired Pismo, a financial technology company with operations in Latin America, Asia and Europe. Greenbrier Companies Inc. (GBX), up $9.07 to $41.55The maker of railroad freight cars’ results came in far ahead of what analysts expected and raised its annual sales forecast.Wallbox N.V. (WBX), up $0.51 to $3.47The maker of charging systems said its Pulsar Plus EV charger will be available in Costco stores beginning next month. McCormick & Co. Inc. (MKC), do...

Central US is now getting worst of the drought. Corn crops are stressed, rivers are running low

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mike Shane’s Illinois farm got a nice soaking on May 8, shortly after he planted his corn crop. Since then, rain has been hard to come by.Plenty of storms have ventured close only to fizzle out before making it to Shane’s 200-acre spread near Peoria.“It comes across the Mississippi River and then just disappears,” Shane, 47, said. “My corn looks absolutely terrible right now.” Without substantial rain soon, “I just don’t see any hope for it,” he said.Heavy rain over the winter eased the drought in the West, but now the middle of the country is extraordinarily dry. Crops are stressed, rivers are running low, and cities and towns are anxiously hoping for a break in the weather.Experts say the drought in the central U.S. is the worst since at least 2012, and in some areas, is drawing comparisons to the 1988 drought that devastated corn, wheat and soybean crops. This year, although temperatures have been generally mild through the spring and early days of summer, rainfa...

United States winger Weah has medical test at Juventus ahead of potential transfer from Lille

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

TURIN, Italy (AP) — United States winger Tim Weah was welcomed by about 100 enthusiastic Juventus fans as he arrived Thursday for his medical test ahead of a potential transfer to the Italian club.Weah signed autographs and posed for selfies with fans, who loudly chanted his name. Some were also waving American flags.The 23-year-old Weah, who is the son of former FIFA Player of the Year and current Liberian President George Weah, is set to sign a five-year contract with Juventus, according to Italian media reports.His father also played in Italy, for AC Milan.Weah has played for Lille since 2019. Before that he was on loan at Celtic from Paris Saint-Germain.He won three French league titles with PSG and Lille and also helped Celtic to the Scottish title.Weah has played 31 times for the United States, scoring four goals. He was part of the squad that reached the last 16 at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Liverpool great Robbie Fowler heads to Saudi Arabia as coach of Al-Qadisiyah

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was hired as coach of Saudi Arabian team Al-Qadisiyah on Thursday. In a summer that has seen a host of Europe’s top players head to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, Fowler is taking over a team in the oil-rich kingdom’s second tier.The club confirmed the former England striker’s appointment on its Twitter channel. “Robbie Fowler.. one of the most famous players in Liverpool and the English Premier League.. coach for Qadisiyah,” it tweeted. Fowler is one of Liverpool’s most celebrated players, having scored 183 goals in two spells with the Premier League club. Leeds and Manchester City were among the other teams he played for. He has not hit such heights in his managerial career, which has seen him coach Thai team Muangthong United, Australia’s Brisbane Roar and East Bengal in the Indian Super League. Al-Qadisiyah did not state the length of his contract. Saudi Arabia has embarked on an am...

Counting down the best new TV series of 2023

Published Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:47:00 GMT

Are you looking for a new show to watch now that “Succession,” “Barry” and “Ted Lasso” are over?Every day this week, WTOP’s Jason Fraley is counting down the best new TV series in 2023 so far.There’s one rule — the show must have aired episodes of its first season this year, so you unfortunately won’t find return seasons of “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Ghosts,” “Reservation Dogs” or “Yellowstone.”So, without further ado — on with the list!Best New TV Series of 2023:10. ‘Extraordinary’ (Hulu)While we’ve seen evidence of superhero fatigue at the box office this year, the small screen introduced the British superhero comedy “Extraordinary” on Hulu. The eight-episode series follows 25-year-old Jen (Máiréad Tyers), the only one without super powers in East London. That premise may sound a little like “Encanto,” but it’s a funny romp as her best friend Carrie (Sofia...