West
California escalates its war on plastic grocery bags, banning even ‘reusable’ versions
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Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, grocery, pharmacy, liquor and convenience stores in California will not be able to provide any single-use thin plastic bags or even “reusable” plastic film bags.
The updated law stems from Senate Bill 270, which was first introduced in 2014. It previously allowed the use of reusable bags — which were made of a thicker plastic.
Senate Bill 1053 now “eliminates the distribution of thicker film plastic bags.”
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As opposed to “single use” bags, thicker plastic bags could be reused up to 125 times, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Recycled paper bags may be offered to shoppers in the Golden State, but they must be “sold for not less than 10 cents.” People on specific food programs may be available to get these for free.
California is banning all plastic bags at its grocery stores starting in 2026. (Reuters/Jeenah Moon )
The bill’s text says the bags must “contain a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled materials” to be counted as a paper bag beginning Jan. 1, 2028.
The legislation hopes to “support sustainable and thriving communities and natural environments that are not littered with plastic waste.”
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In 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an investigation into plastic carry-out bags that claimed to be recyclable.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, grocery, pharmacy, liquor and convenience stores in the Golden State will not be able to provide any single-use thin plastic bags — or even “reusable” plastic film bags. (AP)
Officials investigated seven manufacturers to see if the bags were actually accepted and processed by recycling facilities in California.
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A statewide survey of 69 recycling and processing facilities showed that only two claimed to accept plastic carry-out bags, but it could not be confirmed if they were actually recyclable, according to the AG’s press release.
Senate Bill 1053 now “eliminates the distribution of thicker film plastic bags.” (iStock)
Nate Rose of the California Grocers Association told SF Gate the change will not have a very big impact on shoppers or stores.
“We don’t expect a lot of hiccups for either grocers or shoppers,” Rose said.
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Denver, CO
State says video shows Denver assisted living center took 13 minutes to find, begin CPR on resident; “He didn’t have a chance”
A state investigation has found that a Denver assisted living facility took 13 minutes to locate a resident who collapsed and begin CPR — failures regulators say placed all residents in “immediate jeopardy.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment concluded that The Argyle assisted living facility violated multiple rules in connection with the January death of 73-year-old Robert Dutkevitch. The violations were classified at the CDPHE’s most serious level, indicating 125 Argyle residents were at immediate risk of harm, according to the agency.
The findings stem in part from the facility’s own surveillance video system, which captured the events leading up to Dutkevitch’s death. CBS Colorado obtained copies of the same videos reviewed by state investigators.
According to police reports, video footage, interviews and the state investigation, Dutkevitch — who used a wheelchair — went outside to a designated smoking patio at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. Roughly 2 minutes later, the video shows him slumping forward and falling from his wheelchair onto the ground. He remained there for about 8 minutes before another resident noticed him and alerted staff. Surveillance footage shows several staff members arriving at the patio and determining Dutkevitch had no pulse. However, investigators say staff did not begin CPR immediately, waiting approximately five additional minutes before attempting lifesaving measures.
In total, 13 minutes passed from the time Dutkevitch collapsed to the start of CPR.
State investigators cited the delay as a critical deficiency, noting that trained staff are required to provide CPR promptly. According to Denver police call logs obtained by CBS Colorado, one staff member told a 911 operator she did not want to perform chest compressions because she had the flu.
After CPR was finally initiated, Denver Fire personnel arrived and continued lifesaving efforts for approximately 30 minutes before Dutkevitch was pronounced dead.
The death was later classified as natural, with acute coronary syndrome and atherosclerosis listed as the immediate causes, according to the death certificate.
Colorado investigators finds monitoring problems
The state investigation also found problems with how the facility monitored its outdoor smoking area.
A surveillance camera was positioned on the patio, but The Argyle said the video feed was not continuously monitored. State regulations require that designated smoking areas “shall be monitored whenever residents are present.”
According to the report, the facility administrator acknowledged there was “no official process” in place to monitor the area. The administrator told investigators he was unaware of the regulation and said the facility did not have enough staff to continuously monitor the patio.
The department concluded the facility failed to meet CPR requirements because it “failed to require all staff certified in CPR to provide CPR services promptly.”
Investigators found gaps in training and preparedness. One staff member was described in the CDPHE report as “unaware of how to respond,” while others said they had not been trained on what to do if a resident becomes unresponsive.
“I did not respond very well, I’m sorry,” one staff member told investigators.
CPR delay leaves widow devastated
Dutkevitch’s widow, Sharon Dutkevitch, said the delay in care has left her devastated.
“My heart aches. I cry every night,” she said. “Every second that went by, he didn’t have a chance that way. I wish I had been there to help him.”
After watching the surveillance video, she questioned why staff did not act immediately.
“I don’t understand why caregivers stand around and do not give him CPR,” she said. “Those people are standing around him doing nothing to help him. That’s what really hurts.”
She believes her husband might have survived if CPR had been started sooner.
“You’re losing brain cells every second that goes by without CPR,” she said.
Dutkevitch had been a resident at The Argyle since 2022 and, according to his wife, generally liked living there. He had several health conditions, including high blood pressure and cognitive decline.
He also had written directives on file stating that he wanted life-saving measures, including CPR, performed in an emergency.
Anita Springsteen, an attorney representing Sharon Dutkevitch, said the response by staff fell far short of expectations.
“They took so long to respond and didn’t seem to be aware there was an emergency going on,” Springsteen said. “Once they were aware, they lingered around and didn’t do anything, didn’t immediately give CPR, didn’t do the things you would think a facility like that — with trained staff — would do on an immediate basis.”
Springsteen said a lawsuit is likely.
“It seems like there was a window in there where something could have been done — he could have been saved,” she said.
The state issued an immediate $2,500 fine and ordered The Argyle to correct multiple deficiencies related to the case.
A spokesperson for the facility said those issues were addressed by Feb. 12 and that the “immediate jeopardy” designation was lifted that day.
The Argyle challenges some of state report’s conclusions
Since Dutkevitch’s death, the facility says it is no longer accepting residents who smoke and now closes its outdoor smoking patio each night at 10 p.m.
The Argyle administrators declined an on-camera interview request from CBS Colorado. In a written statement, administrators said they take resident safety and regulatory compliance “extremely seriously” and have implemented additional training, communication protocols, and oversight measures.
The facility said some conclusions in the state report are being challenged.
Argyle officials maintained that staff members who were CPR-certified responded promptly once they became aware of Dutkevitch’s condition, contacted emergency services immediately, and followed instructions from 911 operators.
The Argyle also defended its training practices, saying it maintains comprehensive onboarding and ongoing instruction in CPR certification and emergency response procedures, and is reinforcing those processes.
Regarding the “immediate jeopardy” designation, the facility said it does not reflect the overall safety and care provided and noted it was lifted shortly after the state required the addition of an “Unresponsive Resident Policy.”
The facility also disputed findings related to monitoring the smoking area, stating that regulators agreed a camera system could be sufficient for monitoring during discussions about the rule.
A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said the investigation is continuing.
“The investigation of Argyle Living Residence is still ongoing,” said spokesperson Alexandrea Kallin. “Until it’s complete, we cannot provide any additional information. Investigations vary in their complexity and can take some time to complete.”
Sharon Dutkevitch said she chose to speak publicly in hopes of preventing similar incidents.
She said she wants accountability and change — “so no one else goes through this.”
Seattle, WA
The question Jeff Passan has about the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners enter this season with fewer question marks than they’ve had in any year in recent memory.
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The club began spring camp with few open spots on a big league roster set to return many of the same faces from last year’s run to the American League Championship Series. And outside of what are believed to be short-term injuries to shortstop J.P. Crawford and right-hander Bryce Miller, the M’s left their spring training facility in Peoria without much to be concerned about.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan is high on this year’s Mariners, even picking them to represent the American League in the World Series. But there is one question he has about the team as the season begins, he told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Wednesday.
“Cal Raleigh had a once-in-a-lifetime season last year, and while he’s still going to be excellent his year, once in a lifetime is once in a lifetime. So how does the offense make up for – I’m not gonna even say lack of production – but the difference in production from what they got from Cal Raleigh last year?” Passan said.
After leading MLB catchers in home runs during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, Raleigh led all of baseball with a historic 60-homer season in 2026 that nearly doubled his previous career high of 34 hit in 2024. Raleigh’s 60 homers broke Salvador Perez’s single-season record of 48 for a primary catcher, Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle’s record of 54 for a switch-hitter and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners record of 56.
While Raleigh has displayed premier slugging abilities since becoming a full-time starter in 2022, Passan expects a significant drop from the 60 he hit last year.
“I don’t think it would be fair or reasonable to expect 60 home runs again from Cal Raleigh because let’s not forget no catcher in history had come close to that number,” Passan said. “I don’t even know if 50 is a reasonable expectation, frankly. But a 40-plus home run season from Cal Raleigh (is reasonable).”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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San Diego, CA
3 San Diego State players who won’t be on the roster in the 2026–27 season
The San Diego State Aztecs are bracing for some possible serious turnover this offseason and it’s not all going to be via the transfer portal.
Leading scorer Reese Dixon-Waters is out of eligibility, as are Jeremiah Oden and Sean Newman Jr. Newman can petition for another season based on his junior college years, but it’s anyone’s guess if he’d get it.
Obviously, San Diego State’s roster movement is far from complete and the transfer portal doesn’t even open until April 7, the day after the national championship game.
The Aztecs’ once-promising season ended when they were left out of the NCAA Tournament following their loss to Utah State in the Mountain West Tournament championship game.
There are some players we know will not be on the squad next season, which will be the Aztecs’ first in the new-look Pac-12:
Guard Reese Dixon-Waters
After missing all of the 2024-25 season with a broken foot, Dixon-Waters returned for his final season of eligibility and led the Aztecs in scoring at 13.1 points per game. He was a second-team All-Mountain West pick. He scored his 1,000th career point at UNLV on Jan. 24 and finished his career with 1,220 points.
Dixon-Waters played his first three seasons at USC before transferring to SDSU, where he started 23 of 37 games in 2023-24. He was a preseason All-Mountain West pick the next season before breaking a foot. He was so highly regarded that, despite missing all of last season, he was named to the preseason All-MW team in October.
One of his notable accomplishments was attempting more free throws (43) without a miss to start the 2023-24 season than any player in the country.
Forward Jeremiah Oden
Oden started 15 games and played in 30 of 33 games in his final season of eligibility after transferring from Charlotte, where he redshirted in 2024-25. He averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 13.8 minutes.
Oden scored his 1,000th career point on Feb. 3 against Wyoming, where he played his first three college seasons. He finished his career with 1,024 points and 495 rebounds.
Oden didn’t play at all in a blowout home win against Utah State on Feb. 25, when Dutcher shortened his rotation from 11 to nine players. He had started the previous nine games.
Oden also played one season at DePaul.
Guard Sean Newman Jr.
The transfer from Louisiana Tech played in all 33 games and made four starts, including Senior Night in the regular-season finale against UNLV and all three games in the MW tournament, when freshman Elzie Harrington was out with an injury.
Newman averaged 3.3 points, 2.4 assists and 15.4 minutes.
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