West

California Democrats vulnerable after Schiff, LA mayor victims of crime: 'If they’re not safe, who is?'

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2024

California Democrats vulnerable after Schiff, LA mayor victims of crime: 'If they’re not safe, who is?'

Democrats could be more vulnerable in California with the growing crime issue plaguing even the state’s most notable lawmakers.

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that some political strategists are noting how voters are becoming more concerned about crime ahead of the November election. The issue apparently grew after both California Senate candidate Rep. Adam Schiff and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were victims of robbery and burglary, respectfully.

“Voters are thinking: You’ve got to be kidding me,” Darry Sragow, a longtime Democratic strategist, told the L.A. Times. “Adam Schiff isn’t safe, Karen Bass isn’t safe — if they’re not safe, who is?”

Rising crime could affect the more vulnerable swing districts in California, strategists warned. ((Photo By Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images))

Though the report called the crimes “ready-made fodder for Republican critics who often lambast California’s approach to public safety,” Mark Baldassare, the survey director of the Public Policy Institute of California, acknowledged that crime is “definitely one of the top issues on voters’ minds right now.”

CHINESE AMERICANS TURN ON SAN FRANCISCO DEMOCRATS OVER CRIME, EDUCATION: WSJ

Baldassare’s own research found that between December 2023 and February, likely voters considering crime as their most important issue rose from 8% to 12%. The growth was more prominent among independent voters, with 17% of them now rating crime as their top issue.

“The thing about crime is, it doesn’t take much — it just takes one or two things that people notice and makes them scared,” Baldassare said.

Republican strategist Rob Stutzman commented that while some positions, like the open Senate race between Schiff and Republican challenger Steve Garvey, could be safe, some House of Representative seats in swing districts could be affected. He remarked that some Democratic state lawmakers trying to push back against crime show that the issue is “clearly a vulnerability” ahead of the fall.

“The pendulum is swinging, and it’s dragging them with it,” Stutzman warned.

17% of California independent voters ranked crime as their biggest issue in February. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office and Schiff for a comment.

Since 2020, there has been a statewide rise in property crime and theft, with local critics attributing the increase to what they term “soft-on-crime” policies like Proposition 47 and 57. However, the issue has now caused a divide among Democrats in the legislature. Some are joining forces with Republicans to propose bipartisan bills aimed at curbing petty theft, while progressive lawmakers introduced their own alternative measures – dubbed Smart Solutions – that focus on providing additional services for offenders.

SAN JOSE MAYOR’S SECURITY GUARD ASSAULTED DURING ON-CAMERA INTERVIEW

Earlier this week, former L.A. district attorney Steve Cooley pointed out the irony that politicians like Schiff, who have previously enforced soft-on-crime policies, have now been victims of crime.

LA Mayor Karen Bass and Rep. Adam Schiff were victims of high profile crimes over the past month. (Getty)

“If the super majority Democrat legislature wants to really have a positive impact on crime, they should reverse some of their previous previously enacted reckless public safety laws that have dramatically negatively impacted public safety,” Cooley told Fox News Digital. “I just think it’s ironic that Adam Schiff, who endorsed George Gascon, very publicly and very enthusiastically, is a victim of a theft.”

Fox News’ Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.

Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.

Read the full article from Here

Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

Published

13 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.

Source link

Seattle, WA

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

Published

19 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

SEATTLE — Seattle is one of the only host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stadium in the heart of downtown. While that gives soccer fans a wide range of options to get to a match or join a celebration, it also requires intensive planning to meet the varying transportation needs.

Sound Transit, King County Metro, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) laid out how each of their agencies is preparing for the upcoming competition during presentations on Thursday before the Seattle City Council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

RELATED | Seattle leaders mark 100 days until FIFA World Cup with artwork, security plans

The overarching goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere for visitors while limiting traffic impacts to the shortest time period possible for those not participating in the FIFA events. Adding to the challenge is that the international match-ups are scheduled to take place on weekdays while people are trying to get to their jobs.

Extensive street closures will be in effect around the Stadium District on game days, beginning four hours before kick-off and extending two to three hours post-game. That will help accommodate the intense pedestrian traffic that is anticipated, as many as 750,000 visitors try to navigate downtown on foot.

King County Metro plans to add more service during the four weeks of the World Cup. On match days, an additional 60 buses will be in operation, scaling back to an extra 30 buses on non-match days. There will also be a Waterfront service available.

Sound Transit will add more trains and expects to transport up to 2,800 riders per hour. The added capacity will extend from three hours before a match begins and continue until three hours after the match. Service from the eastside will also be available when the Crosslake Connection opens on March 28th.

SEE ALSO | Iran’s participation in Seattle World Cup match up in the air following US strikes

Both systems will now allow payment to be made by tapping a debit or credit card, in addition to the standard ORCA cards that have been used to cover fares. Sound Transit will also introduce a three-day visitor pass available through an ORCA card.

WSDOT will tear down its Revive I-5 construction zone on the Ship Canal Bridge and alternate the express lanes between north- and southbound directions depending on the time of day.

To help in these transit efforts, just this week Congress allocated money $8.4 million for transit service, which is on top of $9 million already promised last year by the state.

Source link

San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

25 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

Source link