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Do stagnant California credit scores suggest consumer struggles?

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

”Survey says” looks at various rankings and scorecards judging geographic locations while noting these grades are best seen as a mix of artful interpretation and data.Buzz: The average credit score was stable last year in California – as well as across the nation – after a string of previous improvements.Source: My trusty spreadsheet looked at “FICO” credit scores by state as compiled by Experian, reviewing data for September 2022, September 2021, and 2019’s second quarter. These are estimates of bill-paying ability, scored on a scale from 300 to 850.ToplineCalifornia’s 721 average credit score in 2022 ranked 25th among the states. The same score in 2021 ranked 24th best. The U.S. averaged 714 for both years.Back in pre-pandemic 2019, California’s average score was 208 (No. 27). That 13-point improvement over three tumultuous years tied for eighth-best in the nation. In the same timeframe, the national score was up 11 points from 703.DetailsThere’...

TasteFood: A wholesome grain salad topped with shrimp

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

There is something intrinsically gratifying about a hearty grain salad. Fresh and chewy, brimming with greens and chopped vegetables, it’s nutritious, versatile and satisfying. This bulgur salad is tumbled with lemon, spices and fresh herbs, along with chopped peppers and grated carrot for juicy sweetness and crunch. It’s spread over a bed of greens and topped with shrimp for a light and healthy complete meal.There are myriad iterations of a grain salad. For instance, quinoa or couscous can be substituted for the bulgur. The shrimp may be omitted or switched out for crumbled feta for a vegetarian option. The salad can be arranged on a platter or stuffed into pita pockets. The consistent key is to generously season the grains. Don’t be shy with citrus, spices, garlic and, of course, salt to drive flavor into the dish. Add a combination of crunchy chopped vegetables and greens for texture, nutrients and additional flavor.Don’t be intimidated by the lengthy list...

Is San Ramon parakeet seeking a divorce from her 7-year partner?

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

DEAR JOAN: I have two parakeets, one male and one female, who have lived together in the same large cage for approximately 7 years. They were a gift from my children.They had been getting along with each other very well until this past year, when I started to notice the female becoming a bully. She began to peck at the male in what seemed to be an aggressive manner. It was always short-lived, and he seemed to withstand her aggression, but he would back away from her.Lately, however, she has increased her attacks and his little face has looked bruised, brown and injured. So, I made the decision to house them in separate cages, since I doubted she would return to being civil with him, and I felt badly that he was being battered. They remain in the same room together, and can see and hear each other every day.So far, they seem to be doing OK living in their own cages; they’re eating, drinking and chirping, but I’m sure the first few days they felt confused, wondering, relie...

Mortgage fees to rise for buyers with high credit scores, fall for those with lower scores

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

Heads up, homebuyers! Big changes have arrived in the way mortgage fees are calculated, and they could offer a windfall — or an unexpected surcharge — for your next home purchase.Starting Monday, some fees will rise for homebuyers with higher credit scores, while buyers with lower scores will see a fee reduction. In the Bay Area, the change could shift total mortgage closing costs by thousands of dollars.The move is part of a broader effort by the federal government to “increase support for borrowers historically underserved by the housing finance market.” That includes people of color who have long faced discrimination in homebuying. Still, borrowers with lower credit scores will, for the most part, still pay much larger fees than those with higher scores.Felicia Mares, a real estate agent in Oakland, said the change is a net positive. She said many of her clients with lower credit scores struggle to pay the steep closing costs that come with the Bay Area’s exorbi...

San Jose: Pedestrian killed in early morning collision

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

A pedestrian died early Monday morning after she was struck by a vehicle on San Jose city streets, according to authorities.San Jose police responded to the crash in the area of Tully Road and Lanai Avenue at 4:32 a.m. In a tweet, police said the victim, a woman, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, police said. Street closures were in place around the area as of 6 a.m. Monday.Units are currently investigating a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the area of Tully Rd and Lanai Av. The adult female pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where she was later pronounced deceased. pic.twitter.com/yOdcT7XcZT— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) May 1, 2023Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Fremont: Hit-and-run collision suspect taken into custody Crashes and Disasters | Motorcyclist in Redwood City dies after car crash ...

Pedestrian killed in crash in San Jose

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

(KRON) -- The San Jose Police Department is investigating a pedestrian vs. vehicle crash near Tully Road and Lanai Avenue early Monday morning, the department tweeted. The victim, and female pedestrian, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries but was later pronounced dead, according to officials.Officials said to expect delays and avoid the area if possible. Regulators seize First Republic Bank, third bank to fail in two months The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police on the investigation, police said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.This is San Jose's 12th fatal collision, 13th traffic death and the 10th pedestrian death of 2023, officials said.This story is developing and will be updated.

Insider Q&A: Aurora CEO Chris Urmson on self-driving trucks

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Sometime next year, semis with no human in the cab will start carrying freight down Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. The trucks will run on an autonomous driving system called the Aurora Driver, developed by Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation. The company is now making about 50 trips per week with human safety drivers on board.The prospect of a driverless semi is scary to many, but not to CEO Chris Urmson, who helped to build Google’s autonomous vehicle unit. Urmson, 46, co-founded Aurora in 2017.He spoke with The Associated Press about the future of autonomous vehicles. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: Aurora has said its driving system is now “feature-complete.” Does that mean you’re close to putting trucks on the road without humans inside?A: Over a year ago, we laid out how we were going to get from there to actually having these trucks on the road with nobody on board as they drove safely, full of goods for people. Wha...

These shrimp tacos show seafood and cheese can get along

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

If you think seafood and cheese don’t mix, these incredible shrimp tacos will change your mind.Tacos gobernador, or “governor’s tacos,” are a modern Mexican classic. A blend of shrimp and melty cheese is tucked inside tortillas that then are folded and cooked like a quesadilla.The tacos are said to have originated in the coastal state of Sinaloa, supposedly in honor of the governor in the late 1980s. The filling can be as simple as sautéed chopped shrimp with garlic, fresh cheese and green peppers. But in this recipe from our book “Cook What You Have,” which draws on pantry staples to assemble easy, weeknight meals, we boost their flavor with half a cup of fresh cilantro and pickled jalapeños.Shredded mozzarella offers the melty consistency we were looking for, as well as a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the subtle natural sweetness of the shrimp. The recipe calls for medium shrimp, but since they’re chopped, you can use large or extra-large — whatever is most convenient.If you ...

Medvedev overcomes Shevchenko to reach last 16 in Madrid

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Daniil Medvedev had to come from a break down twice in the final set to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open with a 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 win over fellow Russian Alexander Shevchenko on Monday.“He played well. He’s young, so I’m sure he’s going to (move) up the rankings, especially if he plays like in this tournament,” Medvedev said of the 96th-ranked Shevchenko, who was making his main-draw debut in Madrid after coming through qualifying. The victory takes Medvedev to a tour-best 33-4 record this season. He will next face either Alex de Minaur or Aslan Karatsev. The 22-year-old Shevchenko, who appeared to struggle with cramps toward the end of the match, took a 5-1 lead in the first set but went down 5-0 in the second. He then led 2-0 and 4-2 in the decisive set.“I feel like I played pretty well in the second and third sets, and maybe the end of the first,“ the third-ranked Medvedev said. “The thing about clay (is) usually it is tough for me to start matches for whatever reas...

Accionistas demandan a Adidas por su fallida asociación con el rapero Ye, antes conocido como Kanye West

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:29 GMT

(CNN) — Accionistas de Adidas presentaron una demanda colectiva contra la marca, acusándola de no advertir a los inversores sobre el antisemitismo y el “comportamiento extremo” exhibido por Ye, el rapero anteriormente conocido como Kanye West, antes de que terminara su asociación el año pasado.En la demanda, presentada el viernes en un tribunal federal, los accionistas alegan que Adidas “ignoró rutinariamente” su comportamiento que ya exhibía en 2018. Afirman que los altos ejecutivos “ignoraron problemas serios” que afectan a la asociación con Ye, como sus comentarios antisemitas y sus problemáticos comentarios sobre la esclavitud.En un informe de ese año, Adidas “generalmente aludía” a los riesgos “en lugar de afirmar que la compañía realmente había considerado terminar la asociación como resultado del comportamiento personal de West”, según la demanda. Durante ese tiempo, Ye dijo que la esclavitud era una “elección” en una entrevista de TMZ.La demanda...