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Bill that would have provided pay transparency for gig drivers dies in Colorado Senate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

A bill that would have given gig drivers more information about the rides they accept died in a state Senate committee late Tuesday night — a significant blow to labor groups and legions of workers who say they’re nearing a breaking point.A pair of Senate Democrats — Kevin Priola of Henderson and Kyle Mullica of Thornton — voted with the Finance Committee’s three Republican legislators to kill SB23-98 by a 5-2 margin.“Drivers deserve accurate information, and we all worked hard on this bill to find a path forward without compromising the foundational needs of gig drivers and customers but were sadly unsuccessful,” Rep. Stephanie Vigil, a bill sponsor and the first gig driver elected to the Colorado legislature, said in a statement.The bill was on life support over the weekend after committee members expressed skepticism about portions of the legislation, including a state-run review board that would have overseen driver terminations.The tech giant...

Editorial: Who wins with Polis’ property tax relief bill?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

Colorado Democrats have hammered out a plan to bring relief to homeowners from unsustainable increases in property taxes — an average of about $1,000 across the state.What everyone wants to know as the final touches are put on the November ballot question is how will it affect their family budget.As introduced, lawmakers will be asking voters to approve a 10-year reduction in the state-wide assessment rate for residential property, a one-time reduction in the assessed value of residential property, and a small reduction in income tax refunds that are expected under the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. Proponents estimate it will reduce the increase in tax bills by an average of $600.The TABOR refund dollars — an estimated $50 on average per taxpayer — would be used to backfill the reduction in anticipated revenue that school districts, special districts and metro districts suffer from the changes to the statewide assessment rate. The state has always ...

Carjackers who “terrorized” victims in south metro Denver sentenced to federal prison

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

Federal prison terms of more than a decade for a man and woman convicted of carjacking in south metro Denver show that violent crimes won’t be tolerated, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly declared Wednesday.He touted the sentencing of Brian Armando Diaz Montellano, 29, to 14 years in prison and of Alexis Michele Ruder-Iturrino, 27, to 11 years in prison after both pleaded guilty to firing a gun during a carjacking in June 2022 near the intersection of  Broadway Boulevard and C470 in Highlands Ranch.U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan has said they “terrorized their carjacking victims.” United States District Court Judge Raymond Moore issued the sentences on April 17.Douglas County Sheriff deputies chased Diaz Montellano and Ruder Iturrino on June 19 as they were moving in a stolen Dodge truck at speeds around 100 miles per hour, authorities said. Diaz Montellano drove the truck directly in front of a moving Subaru Cross Trek, forcing a stop, court records show. He demanded that the two oc...

Jamie Foxx remains hospitalized following 'medical complication': Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

Jamie Foxx remains in an Atlanta hospital following a "medical complication" he experienced weeks ago. It's unknown what the medical emergency was that landed the actor in the hospital and there are no details as to his condition now. Actress Taraji P. Henson took to Instagram to offer prayers to Foxx."We are praying for you and your family!" the post read. On April 12, Foxx's daughter Corinne posted to Instagram alerting the public of her father's medical issue. "We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday," she wrote on behalf of the Foxx family."Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers," the statement read. "The family asks for privacy during this time."Foxx is the host of the popular game show "Beat Shazam," which was "going into production just days before he was hospitalized," according to TMZ. Production started May 3 and Foxx wa...

What do striking Hollywood writers want? A look at the demands

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

The 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America went on strike Tuesday after negotiations with Hollywood studios that began in March failed to result in an agreement. The guild has billed the issues behind the labor dispute as “an existential crisis." Writers say they're facing a host of new issues brought on by streaming and other recent technological shifts in the industry. Here's a look at the demands behind the first Hollywood strike in 15 years, as the industry braces for a long hiatus: INCREASED PAYThe guild is seeking higher compensation for writers across the board. Though there are more jobs available to WGA members than ever before because of the proliferation of streaming services, pay for most writers is down. Ten years ago, 33% of TV writers were paid the minimum rate. Now, according to the WGA, 49% are. Accounting for inflation, writer pay has declined 14% in the last five years. The median weekly writer-producer pay is down 23% over the last decade, with inflation ...

288 'digital drug lords' busted selling fentanyl online: Feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Tuesday that nearly 300 people selling fake pills and other fentanyl products on the dark net have been busted."The drug traffickers are confident that operating anonymously on the dark web, they can operate outside the bounds of law," Garland said. "They are wrong."Garland said the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team had been working on various cases since the fall of 2021, ultimately arresting 288 people from Boca Raton, Florida, to Cerritos, California, in a federal operation called Operation SpecTor. In addition, eight foreign nations cooperated with the U.S. government to break up internet deals for drugs, some of the narcotics bought with cryptocurrency."The clear and direct message is that the FBI will never rest until we shine a light on the digital drug lords," Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate said at the press conference.Abbate noted his agency used undercover agents and acted on information from in...

Daria Maksimova: The Creative Mind Behind Branded Immersive Experiences

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

Daria Maksimova next to the Barbie Dreamhouse and fountain, World of Barbie.Imagine stepping into a world filled with vibrant colors, whimsical characters, and engaging stories that transport you to another realm. For Daria Maksimova, a renowned lead designer for immersive and interactive experiences, this is her everyday reality. With a decade-long career working alongside giants of the entertainment and consumer industry, Daria has designed large-scale (10,000+ sq. foot) experiences visited by hundreds of thousands across North America and many of them set in Los Angeles.This spring, Daria has hit yet another milestone with the opening of “World of Barbie,” an immersive and interactive touring experience in Santa Monica, California. As the lead designer, she has brought to life the iconic toy brand owned by Mattel just in time for the premiere of the Barbie film this summer.“I have always dreamt of a show that I designed to open in Santa Monica, and it feels natural for Worl...

Crafting Visuals for the Music World: Erick Cancela’s Impact on Music Videos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

Music videos have become an essential component of modern music. From the early days of MTV to the current era of social media, music videos have been an effective way for artists to promote their music and showcase their creativity. However, crafting a visually stunning music video is no easy task. It requires a team of talented individuals who can turn someone’s creative vision into reality. Erick Guillermo Cancela Flores Verdad is one such individual who has significantly impacted the music video world as a Steadicam and camera operator.With just over a year of experience, Erick has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Soulja Boy, Blueface, and Redbull. Erick worked as the camera operator for the music video for Chuheejah’s song “Blue Racks,” featuring Blueface, which was directed by Daniel Curtis Lee. He notes that this was a big project to be a part of that was filmed in a mansion in Beverly Hills. Erick’s use of the camera and Steadicam ...

Gwendolyn Brooke Garcia Killed in Crash near 83rd Avenue [Tolleson, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

19-Year-Old Woman Killed in Vehicle Collision near Buckeye RoadTOLLESON, AZ (May 3, 2023) – Friday night, police responded to a two-vehicle collision that claimed the life of Gwendolyn Brooke Garcia.The incident occurred at around 9:00 p.m., April 28th, near 83rd Avenue and Buckeye Road.Upon investigation, the investigators have learned that 19-year-old Garcia was traveling westbound on Buckeye Road at high speed while a semi-truck was stopped at the intersection.Furthermore, Garcia failed to yield at the red light at struck the rear of the semi-truck. The vehicle of Garcia burst into flames where it was put down by fire deputies.Unfortunately, Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene as she was inside the fiery vehicle and the semi-truck driver did not obtain any injuries, per police report.At this time, it was unknown if Garcia was impaired and police are still investigating what caused the crash.Consequently, the deputies blocked the intersection during the duration of the i...

BeachLife for Foxies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:47 GMT

BeachLife for Foxies: The Foxies play the BeachLife Festival this weekend, so we spoke to frontwoman Julia Lauren Bullock about what we can expect…For the newbie, tell us how the band got started…It’s funny, I actually started the band. It was gonna be a solo project. I started it in 2014 in Phoenix, AZ, and I wanted this resurgence of Joy Division, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper – I wanted all of these influences to come together and make this new kind of glitter punk sound. I started writing the first EP with my co writers at the time – Sean Silverman and Alex Silverman. I started realizing that I didn’t want to be solo, I wanted a band, because I always wanted to have that while performing and while writing music. Then after a couple of years in Phoenix, I got a chance to move to Nashville, and I met Jake [Ohlbaum] through the friend of a friend. Jake plays guitar for the Foxies. A year later, I found Rob [Bodley] who plays drums and builds all of our Ableton tracks in our liv...