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Here's why you should list all your subscriptions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

A newspaper executive once confided in me that the company's goal was to get people to subscribe with credit cards so the paper could automatically renew the subscription annually.It's a business model that applies to virtually all companies that rely on subscriptions for revenue.And a key reason many firms like it is because people often forget they've subscribed and don't pay attention when subscriptions automatically renew.Nowadays, with streaming services on the rise, this is a practice that consumers need to be especially wary of.Researchers at Stanford and Texas A&M used credit card records to spot the pattern.They found that when credit cards were lost or expired, and when card issuers would ask if the cardholder wanted to maintain various regular payments, many people canceled their subscriptions.Which is to say, these subscriptions were largely out of sight and out of mind. But when reminded that they're making monthly or annual payments, many consumers choose to clean ...

Metrolink offers $10 holiday pass for Labor Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

Travelers hoping to avoid traffic congestion and high gas prices can take advantage of the Metrolink holiday pass this Labor Day.Beginning on Sept. 1, commuters can purchase the pass for $10 and can enjoy unlimited rides throughout the Metrolink system on the day of purchase. This is how much California workers spend on their work commutes, study says However, officials said the pass can’t be used to board the Riverside Line. The pass can be purchased here.Metrolink trains will be operating on its weekend schedule due to Labor Day.Officials hope the pass will help ease some traffic congestion as residents head out of town for the holiday weekend.Southern California AAA reported that bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises have all increased compared to 2022. Residents who may need a weekend alternative to the holiday pass can also purchase the $15 Summer Day Pass, which offers unlimited weekday train rides on the day of purchase.  

NorCal prison on generator after fires knock out power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

By Christopher Weber | Associated PressA Northern California prison was on generator power for a second week and inmates were issued masks to cope with unhealthy air after wildfires knocked out electricity and choked the remote region with smoke.Dozens of lightning-sparked blazes have burned for weeks near Oregon, where the largest group, the Smith River Complex, has charred more than 115 square miles (298 square kilometers) of forest.Last week flames came within about 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Pelican Bay State Prison, but firefighters protected communities around the maximum-security lockup that houses about 1,600 inmates in Del Norte County, said Dev Khalsa, a spokesperson at the fire’s command center.“Unfortunately the smoke cover has been pretty thick,” Khalsa said. Air quality was unhealthy in the coastal area Wednesday, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.Lingering smoke infiltrated Pelican Bay housing, where Terri Thompson Jackson’s husband, Jeffr...

Could 49ers trade Nick Bosa? Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch scoff at that suggestion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers may have traded away Trey Lance, but Nick Bosa is definitely not available, coach Kyle Shanahan made clear Wednesday.“No. I haven’t talked to many people about that but I know I feel pretty strongly,” Shanahan said. “I think everyone would agree to that.”General manager John Lynch concurred in an ensuing media session. Asked if there’s a chance they trade Bosa, Lynch replied: “No, there isn’t.”Bosa’s holdout has stretched throughout all of training camp and the preseason while the 49ers negotiate with his agent for likely the biggest contract in NFL history for a non-quarterback.“I thought (a deal) would come probably at this time, looking at the history of those things,” Shanahan added. “I’m really hoping it gets done. I know they’re working tirelessly. Hopefully we can get him in sooner than later.”Can he imagine not having Bosa on this team?“I can imagine anythi...

The nine most expensive homes reported sold in Milpitas in the week of Aug. 21

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

A house in Milpitas that sold for $3 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Milpitas in the past two weeks.In total, nine residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past two weeks, with an average price of $1.5 million, $826 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded from the week of August 14 to the week of Aug. 27 even if the property may have been sold earlier.9. $819,500, condominium in the 1300 block of Highland CourtThe sale of the condominium in the 1300 block of Highland Court in Milpitas has been finalized. The price was $819,500, and the new owners took over the condominium in August. The condominium was built in 1971 and has a living area of 1,155 square feet. The price per square foot was $710. The condominium features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.8. $901,000, condominium in the first block of Bettencourt WayThe 1,253 square-foot condominium in the f...

Mountain View to honor Daniels family as its football season continues in wake of tragedy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW — No one would blame the Mountain View High School football team if it chose not to play its home game Friday against Live Oak.The Spartans will be on the field, though, a week after an unthinkable tragedy rocked their program and ignited an outpouring of community support.They will play in honor of Lucinda Daniels, who collapsed with a brain injury while tending to her injured son, running back and defensive end Dillon, during a game against The King’s Academy last weekend and is on life support. She is not expected to survive.“We’re talking about putting stickers with her initials on our helmets, and with Dillon’s number on it,” said Alex Bocchieri, a senior middle linebacker on the team. “We’re gonna carry this loss with us through the rest of the season, and it’s going to be on our minds.”A GoFundMe fundraiser for the Daniels family had received over 1,000 donations totaling $109,000 as of Wednesday afternoon, more than double the original goal of $50,000.TKA...

‘It wasn’t even aimed at him’: Oakland man charged with involuntary manslaughter after alleged accidental killing of 17-year-old boy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

OAKLAND — A 23-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his 17-year-old friend, just one day after he was arrested on a fugitive warrant, police said.Malik Jelks, of Oakland, was charged with killing 17-year-old Oakland resident Jemilen Enoch in a March 19 shooting. Oakland police and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Jelks on Monday at an undisclosed location in Antioch, and he was charged with involuntary manslaughter the following day, authorities said.Jelks is being held in Santa Rita Jail with no listed bail amount. His next court date has been set for Sept. 6.Police say the slaying of Enoch was investigated as a potential murder, but that after the shooting Jelks was allegedly overheard frantically insisting, “it wasn’t even aimed at him,” referring to a firearm. Enoch was fatally shot March 19 inside his home in the 1000 block of 82nd Avenue in what at the time was the 23rd homicide investigated by Oakland police.Acc...

Vegan Mexican restaurant in Mission closes, says San Francisco has 'deteriorated'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A once-popular vegan Mexican restaurant in the Mission District announced it was closing this week and cited worsening conditions in San Francisco as being among the reasons. Gracias Madre, which was located at 2211 Mission Street near 18th Street, posted a message on its website explaining the closure."The condition of life in San Francisco has deteriorated and made running a small business nearly impossible," the message read. "We thank all of those who worked beside us from the beginning until the end, your devotion will never be forgotten." Owners of Oakland group homes slapped with lawsuit The restaurant, which specialized in plant-based Mexican food, opened 16 years ago. Its mission was "to honor the mothers who give so much to serve, care for and live in hope for their families, especially in Mexico," the message said.The restaurant has two locations in Southern California -- West Hollywood and Newport Beach -- that will remain open.Gracias Madre's a...

Man accused of San Carlos samurai sword beheading will stand trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

(KRON) -- A San Carlos woman's accused killer will stand trial for murder.Jose "Rafa" Solano Landaeta, 34, of Hayward, is accused of beheading his ex-girlfriend with a samurai sword in front of multiple witnesses on September 8, 2022. The victim, 27-year-old Karina Castro, was a mother of two daughters. Landaeta was the father of her youngest daughter. On Tuesday, a San Mateo County judge received reports from two doctors who determined that Landaeta was sane when he allegedly killed Castro. The murder trial is scheduled to begin on October 27.Landaeta has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.On the day of the homicide, Castro's young daughters were inside her apartment when Landaeta confronted his ex-girlfriend outside on Laurel Street, investigators said. A heated argument escalated until he slashed Castro several times with a sword, according to prosecutors. Jose Landaeta is accused of beheading Karina Castro with a sword in San Carlos. (Pool image) Landaeta remains in a Redw...

Air quality advisory issued through Thursday due to wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:10:33 GMT

(BCN) -- The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory through Thursday because of the continued impact of smoke from wildfires in Northern California and Oregon. The air district had issued a Spare the Air alert for Wednesday due to temperatures nearing 100 in inland parts of the Bay Area that were forecast to combine with light winds, vehicle exhaust and the wildfire smoke to create unhealthy air quality in the region. Critical fire weather arrives in Northern California’s interior; PG&E cuts power to 8,400 customers People around the Bay Area reported smelling smoke Wednesday from the fires and that could continue Thursday, but the pollutant levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and there is no Spare the Air alert planned for Thursday, according to the air district. Anyone who smells smoke is advised to stay inside with windows and doors closed, and to set their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-c...