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US child care costs at $40,000 force parents to get second jobs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

By Kelsey Butler, Bloomberg NewsA dramatic increase in child care costs since the pandemic is forcing parents to find new ways of making ends meet, from working part time at a daycare for a discount to driving for a ride-share service on weekends.In a sign of how extraordinary the financial pressure has become — at a time when housing, groceries and other everyday items have also grown more expensive — even workers with full-time positions at the likes of big banks and tech firms are among those embracing such solutions, according to interviews with nearly two dozen parents.The measures show how child care costs are shaping the labor market and straining even relatively high earners. Monthly payments for child care were 32% higher in September than the pre-pandemic average, according to an analysis by the Bank of America Institute of the lender’s customer data. There are ripple effects to the wider economy from the child care squeeze: Families shelling out for this service have been...

More rain for Bay Area set to arrive as waves continue to thrash the coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

Powerful ocean waves continued to pound California’s coastline on Friday morning — perhaps with slightly less force than 24 hours earlier — and the National Weather Sercice said the second in a series of storms continued to move methodically toward the region.Rain is expected to begin falling by noon and then get heavy as the afternoon and evening progress, NWS meteorologist Roger Gass said. At least an inch is expected through most of the region, although “slightly less” might fall in the South Bay and “a bit more” could soak the coastal mountains, he said.“In general, it’s going to be heavy everywhere,” Gass said.Related ArticlesWeather | Photos: High surf pounds Monterey coast Weather | Photos: Waves batter Santa Cruz County Weather | Big surf slams Southern California beaches for exciting end to 2023 Weather | Watch: Monster waves crash into streets, cars, pedes...

Barack Obama shares his favorite music of 2023, and it’s an eclectic mix

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

By Lisa Respers France | CNNIf you want to groove like Barack Obama, you can do so from Afrobeats to Reggaeton.The former president shared his list of favorite songs of the year to his official Instagram on Friday, and it was pretty eclectic.Related ArticlesMusic | Elon Musk and these other 9 bosses had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 2023 Music | 8 of 2023’s worst destinations for overtourism. Here’s how to avoid the crowds next year Music | Bay Area theater scene bounced back in 2023 — here were 10 top shows Music | These are some of the strangest crime stories of 2023 Music | 2023: A look back at Bay Area images that made our year Included was “On My Mama” by Victoria Monét, “Crazy Love” by Rita Wilson and Keith Urban, “Water” by Tyla and “La Bebé (Remix)” by Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma.There was also “Cobra” by Megan Thee Stallion, “The Returner” by Allison Russell, and Zach Bryan’s “I R...

Why 49ers’ GM John Lynch is paying close attention to Brock Purdy’s stingers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ will likely take some of their injury concerns up to kickoff Sunday, although it appears quarterback Brock Purdy is in the clear despite shoulder stingers in back to back weeks.Purdy was a full participant in practice Thursday and he didn’t appear overly concerned about his status.“Got a lot of treatment done on it and everything,” Purdy said. “Sort of just worked out the soreness within the whole shoulder area, trap area, but it feels good. I’ll be good for this game.”That doesn’t mean general manager John Lynch isn’t paying close attention.During his weekly appearance on the 49ers’ flagship KNBR, Lynch talked about his own issues with stingers as a hard-hitting safety that led to his exit from Tampa Bay following the 2003 season at age 32.“That was kind of at the core,” Lynch said. “I had gone 11 years in Tampa . . . and they became regular to the point where I had to have neck surgery. I know exa...

Oakland police officer shot, critically wounded along city’s waterfront Friday morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

OAKLAND — An Oakland police officer was shot and critically wounded Friday morning along the city’s waterfront, multiple sources said.The officer, who was working undercover, was taken to Highland Hospital and an update on his condition was not immediately available.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Teen charged with involuntary manslaughter, not murder, in East Bay homicide Crime and Public Safety | Two good Samaritans shot in broad daylight during East Bay gas station robbery Crime and Public Safety | Two youths killed in East Bay late night hit-and-run identified Crime and Public Safety | Once facing life without parole, East Bay man took 11 years in Bay Point homicide Crime and Public Safety | Oakland police ID Antioch man killed in Dec. 4 shooting The incident happened a little before 5 a.m. in the 400 block of Embarcadero near 5th Avenue.As of 7:45 a.m., there remained a large p...

Brentwood PD arrests alleged car thief 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

(KRON) – A man on probation for burglary and vehicle theft was arrested for attempted car theft, the Brentwood Police Department announced Thursday. Brentwood officers responded to the 7600 block of Brentwood Blvd for a car burglary in progress on Dec. 26. The owner of the car witnessed a person breaking into his car and was able to describe the suspect to dispatch. Major police activity in Oakland Upon arrival, officers located and detained 37-year-old Agustin Martinez of Brentwood in the immediate area. According to police, the victim identified Martinez as the suspect. The vehicle showed signs of being tampered with. Martinez was placed under arrest and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility for booking.Martinez was also on county probation for burglary and vehicle theft.

What to stream this week: Barbenheimer, ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ and K-pop act TVXQ

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

ABC’s multi-city New Year’s Eve special and new music from the K-pop act TVXQ are some of the new television, movies and music headed to a device near you.Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are a true crime story on Max, a new version of “America’s Got Talent” and a streaming guide to the year’s best films.NEW MOVIES TO STREAM— As the year winds down, most of the movie action is in cinemas. But if you’re not heading out to see “The Color Purple,” “Poor Things” or “Ferrari,” there’s no better time to catch up on some of the year’s best movies. Many of the films that made the top 10 lists of myself and AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr are available in various places to stream.If you haven’t caught up to “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer” yet, you can digitally rent Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, while Greta Gerwig’s pink-hued phenomenon is streami...

Georgia and Florida State to face off for the first time in nearly 21 years at Orange Bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

Orange Bowl: No. 6 Georgia (12-1, SEC) vs. No. 4 Florida State (13-0, ACC), Dec. 30, 4 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)Line: Georgia by 19 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Georgia leads 6-4-1.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Florida State gets a chance to finish 14-0 and potentially lay claim to a split national championship, plus get the last word on those who said the team didn’t belong in the College Football Playoff. Georgia’s senior class would get a school-record 50th win if the Bulldogs prevail, and this would be the third consecutive season of 13 or more wins for the program.KEY MATCHUPFlorida State’s offensive line against Georgia’s defensive front. The Seminoles’ depth chart has been decimated by injuries, opt-outs and players going into the transfer portal, but a decent amount of continuity exists on the offensive line. And since every offensive play starts there, it has to at least give the Seminoles some hope.PLAYERS TO WATCHGeorgia: QB Carson Beck ne...

After missing CFP, Georgia and Florida State reset for a trip to the Orange Bowl

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State and Georgia players have said all the right things this week. They’re happy to be in South Florida. They’re aware of the Orange Bowl’s history. They’re eager for the opportunities that await them on Saturday.What’s unsaid is this: “But.”Let’s be honest: Neither the fourth-ranked Seminoles (13-0, No. 5 CFP rankings) nor the sixth-ranked Bulldogs (12-1, No. 6 CFP) really wanted to be here, for obvious reasons. They’d rather be at the Sugar Bowl or the Rose Bowl, competing in the College Football Playoff, having a chance to make the national championship game. But Georgia lost a game, Florida State lost a quarterback, and here they are, set to face off on Saturday in an Orange Bowl that oddsmakers believe will be a rout for the Bulldogs to enjoy.“There’s going to be times in life where things don’t go the right way or the way that you expected them to go or maybe even what you’ve earned,” Florida...

Falls Church launching first-ever Restaurant Week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:12 GMT

The Falls restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy City of Falls Church) The Falls restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy City of Falls Church) Restaurant Weeks have become ubiquitous around the Washington region, but Falls Church, Virginia, is going all-in on its first ever Restaurant Week.The City of Falls Church said it will give local diners a chance to save while getting a taste of “The Little City.”Falls Church Restaurant Week will include more than 40 participating restaurants in a two-square-mile area. The “week” will actually span 10 days, running from Jan. 19 to 28.Unlike many Restaurant Week promotions, where restaurants offer equally-priced prix fixe menus, resta...