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Robin Abcarian: The problematic use of ‘problematic’ to shut down people with whom we disagree

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

My first unpleasant encounter with the current meaning of the word “problematic” occurred a couple of years ago.I was mingling with some 20- and 30-somethings at an outdoor birthday party in San Francisco. It was a bit chilly, as San Francisco usually is, but a distinct and quite different chill fell over my little conversation group as we began to discuss Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder,” the hilarious (in my opinion) movie that spoofed Hollywood careerism and war movies.I don’t remember why, exactly, we were talking about a film that came out in 2008. But all these years later, I said, I was still laughing at Tom’s Cruise surprising role as fat-fingered, balding studio boss Les Grossman, a filthy-mouthed bully who — it was rumored — was based on the producer Scott Rudin and/or Harvey Weinstein, legendary industry monsters who both happen to be Jewish.One woman looked at me and said, “That role was problematic.”“...

Gophers women’s golf: Simley grad Isabella McCauley notches her first collegiate victory

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

One of Isabella McCauley’s goals upon her arrival at the University of Minnesota last fall was to win at the college level. A year into her Gophers career, the Simley High School graduate has officially checked that box.McCauley won The Boilermaker Classic on Tuesday, logging a final-round 3-under 69 to secure the 54-hole title. All three of the sophomore’s rounds were in the 60s in West Lafayette, Ind., as McCauley finished with a 12-under score of 204 for the tournament. That’s five shots better than McCauley’s best tournament score from her freshman season.The 12-under tally was also three shots better than her nearest competition — Purdue senior Kan Bunnabodee. The Boilermakers won the team championship with a gross score of 12-under par. Alabama was second at 6 under, and Minnesota was third after three consecutive rounds of even-par 288 as a team.Hailey Loh finished in a tie for 17th for Minnesota at 3 over, while Sara Tomaszewski came in tied for 22nd ...

Officials helping kids stay cool during high temperatures

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – As temperatures continue to climb, officials reminded people to stay safe in the heat and are taking measures to help kids stay cool. They also warn everyone to look out for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Labor Day is typically the last day the city of Albany keeps its splash pads open but Mayor Kathy Sheehan is keeping them open an additional two days because of high temperatures. Families are excited to get out of the house and keep cool. “We love it, our family loves it. We always come here. We’ve brought a couple of friends here too and gotten them to come back,” said James Gaglio.Gaglio says he brings his daughter Gabby to the Lincoln Park splash pad at least once a week.“I like filling up my bucket and splashing it on the ground and like getting my hair wet,” said Gabby Gaglio.Splash pads will remain open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s through Thursday.“I like getting we...

New detection system for Glenridge Road bridge

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The notorious Glenridge bridge is getting another safety upgrade that will help warn drivers they’re about to strike the bridge. NEWS10 has more on what New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) is calling a first of its kind for Capital Region roads. Glenridge Road Bridge struck again, responding officer injured The Glenridge Road bridge has been struck time and time again and now there is a new detection system in place on both sides of the to help warn drivers of an imminent strike.The new warning system is made up of three sets of infrared detectors. There are two on the westbound side and one set is on the eastbound side. Flash floodlights are to shine on the bridge and electronic message boards that will light up to warn drivers of the bridge ahead.Bryan Viggiani, spokesperson with NYDOT, explains how the new system is designed to work. “What’s going to happen is there’s a pair of infrared sensors, they shoot an invisible beam across the road. ...

Mother of 18-month-old sues daycare over second-degree burns

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A new lawsuit alleges a daycare’s mishandling of an everyday baby product caused second-degree burns on an 18-month-old child.Missouri child care inspectors confirmed the child was able to pull down an infant bottle warmer, which spilled scalding hot contents, back in 2019. The inspection report, from four years ago, says the child suffered second-degree burns to his arm and head.“This is a ‘never-event.’ This should never, ever happen,” attorney Chris Finney said.Finney filed a lawsuit this past August. He says the child will always struggle with the burn injuries that are pictured in his petition. Bottle warmer lawsuit by KevinSeanHeld on Scribd(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();“They bubbled up right away,” he said. “(The c...

Few flights at St. Louis Lambert Airport affected by United Airlines glitch

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Technical issues grounded flights from United Airlines at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and around the country. Although the issue was brief, it caused some delays for passengers who were working to get out of St. Louis.Travelers like Maggie Witt, who was trying to get to South Carolina on Tuesday afternoon.“I haven’t flown since I was 15 and I’m 52, and I’ve already had problems here,” she said.United Airlines discovered an unspecified technology glitch, and asked the Federal Aviation Administration to halt the airline’s departures nationwide. Flights that were already in the air were not affected.Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg weighed in on the matter, saying he was aware of the nationwide ground stop at United Airlines due to IT issues. Call for Help closure has East St. Louis mothers crying for aid Flights resumed just before 1 p.m. Central time.“I just heard it through the grapevine on my phone,” Witt said. “That’s where I got the message from a...

Broncos Roundtable: Defining success for Sean Payton’s first Denver team in 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

Parker Gabriel, Broncos reporter: The roundtable is back. So back. And so is the NFL season, y’all. Can you believe it’s Week 1 already? In 18 short weeks, it will be January and we’ll all be headlong into another coaching sear— actually, check that. Probably not. Never say never, but even in a season that seems at the start to have a wide variety of potential outcomes, that would be a shocker. Speaking of outcomes, though, what makes for a successful first year for head coach Sean Payton? I’m saying it’s got to include the postseason. There’s a difference between having a successful season and a productive one. Maybe Denver could go 8-9, get Russell Wilson back on track to some degree and come up short of the postseason because the roster just doesn’t quite hold up to the NFL’s grinding attrition. That could be a productive year that sets up a promising 2024. But the success stamp, given the parity in the league, doesn’t get app...

Man dies in El Paso County Jail

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

A man, who had just been released from a hospital only a couple days prior, died Monday while at the El Paso County Jail.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora man dies after Labor Day weekend crash involving speeding, intoxication Crime and Public Safety | Rescuers find missing climber dead at base of cliff in Summit County Crime and Public Safety | Aurora police arrest 16-year-old boy in fatal shooting, theft of scooters Crime and Public Safety | Aurora Walmart evacuated after upset customer threatens to “shoot up the store” Crime and Public Safety | Colorado trucking company in I-25 crash that killed 5 family members tried to buy insurance hours after wreck Jamin Robertson, 42, died early Monday morning while being housed in the medical unit of the jail, according to an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office news release. Officials found him unresponsive and not breathing in his c...

Video shows car slam into firetruck, killing 2 (warning)

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

A driver and passenger were killed in an apparent street race when their vehicle crashed into a firetruck, injuring four crewmembers, in West Compton Tuesday.The crash was reported around 12:30 a.m. as the engine company was responding to a medical incident, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesperson Craig Little said. The truck was traveling down Avalon Boulevard when it was hit by the civilian vehicle traveling on Compton Boulevard, Little said. Surveillance video obtained by KTLA shows the moment of impact between the two vehicles. Officials investigate a fatal collision in the Compton area on Sept. 5, 2023. (ANG)Four crewmembers were transported to a local hospital with non-critical injuries. “Unfortunately, the two members of the civilian vehicle were fatalities,” he said.The victims were identified by a California Highway Patrol spokesperson as a man and a woman. A woman who said she is a sister of the passenger identified her as 25-year-old Asia Allen-Bookman, the mother...

Landlords start nickel-and-diming tenants with fees

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:00:53 GMT

It's already very expensive to rent in a hot housing market like Southern California. Now landlords have found a way to make things even worse.A growing number of property owners and managers are hitting tenants with extra fees each month -- a nickel-and-diming of people that the airlines, for one, have made a core aspect of their business model.It's been common for years for landlords to charge more for a parking space or having a pet.The new fees being levied -- which might run an additional $5 or $10 each -- cover a wide range of once-gratis services, including trash pickup, pest control, use of a mailbox and routine maintenance requests."A lot of this stuff used to just be called 'rent,'" Mike Vraa, a Minnesota tenant attorney, told the Wall Street Journal.Now, apparently, it's gravy.Just as airlines once doled out pillows, blankets and other amenities as a free service, now these goodies are a revenue source.Landlords, many of whom faced financial challenges during the pandemic...