Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Southern California braces for 70 mph winds

By msnbc.com staff and NBC News

Winds reaching up to 70 mph are expected to pummel?parts of southern?California Monday and Tuesday, forecasters told NBC LA.

NBC News reported that?34,000 Southern California Edison?customers?remained without power early Monday as a result of?last week's?wind storms.?A second round is certain to impede cleanup and repair efforts.


Tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without power for a second day on Friday after powerful winds toppled trees and power lines and left debris across a wide swath of Southern California.

High wind warnings will be in effect from Monday morning to Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with gusts as powerful as 60 to 70 miles per hour expected.

The wind will increase the risk of wildfires and make driving difficult and hazardous, the National Weather Service said.

"Northeast winds are expected to increase sharply late tonight across the mountains and valleys of Los Angeles and Ventura counties," the weather service said on its website Sunday. The strongest winds there are expected to hit on Monday, gusting to 70 pmh offshore and 60 mph in coastal and valley areas.

Inland winds will also blow up to 60 mph in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties,?the weather service said.?The gusts will make driving risky for tall vehicles and could blow over trees.

NBC News and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.

Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/05/9220398-southern-california-braces-for-70-mph-winds

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

CA high court tosses gang leader's death sentence (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO ? The California Supreme Court on Monday tossed out the murder convictions and death sentences of a Los Angeles gang leader who authorities believe was the "shot caller" responsible for as many as 60 killings.

Cleamon "Big Evil" Johnson led the 89 Family Bloods during the 1980s and early 1990s. Authorities allege the 80 members of Johnson's gang were responsible for more than 60 slayings on their turf, which stretched for a quarter of a square mile in the heart of South-Central Los Angeles.

Johnson was convicted in 1997, along with Michael "Fat Rat" Allen, of murdering two rival gang members six years earlier. Prosecutors allege that Johnson ordered Allen to kill the rivals with an Uzi.

The rivals were killed at a South-Central car wash before dozens of witnesses, but no one would admit to witnessing the shooting. A task force with the help of federal officials finally got witnesses to come forward and put Johnson behind bars.

A unanimous high court found that the judge presiding over the 1997 murder trial erred in removing a juror accused of deciding the case before deliberations. The juror denied making up his mind before deliberations began, and the Supreme Court said it appeared he was a responsible juror.

Allen's conviction and death sentence also were overturned.

Los Angeles prosecutors will have to seek a new trial if they want to reinstate those convictions and death penalties.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111205/ap_on_re_us/us_big_evil

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Video: Did Sandusky try to influence witnesses?



>>> now to the child sexual abuse scandal at penn state . did former assistant football coach jerry sandusky hurt his case even more by speaking out in a long interview with "the new york times." michael isikoff is in state college , pennsylvania, with more on this story. michael, good morning.

>> reporter: good morning, ann. sandusky 's lawyer says he gave the surprising interview because he wanted the public to learn more about the positive aspects of his life. but a lawyer for one of the alleged victims tells nbc news that some of what he said raises new questions about whether sandusky tried to tamper with witnesses before he got indicted.

>> that he didn't know --

>> reporter: it seems an unusual legal strategy, giving public interviews while facing major criminal charges.

>> these allegations are false. i didn't do those things. i don't know.

>> reporter: accused child molester jerry sandusky wants the world to hear his side of the story, but that carries risks.

>> are you sexually attracted to young boys --

>> reporter: last month sunshine dusky stumbled when nbc 's bob costas asked him if he was sexually attracted to young children. a "new york times" reporter gave him a second chance to explain but he wound up needing help from his lawyer.

>> if i say, no, i'm not attracted to boys, that's not the truth because i'm attracted to young people , boys, girls.

>> reporter: sandusky 's lawyer interrupts and speaks with him off camera.

>> yeah, but not sexually. you're attracted because --

>> right. that's what i was trying to say. i enjoy spending time with young people . i enjoy spending time with people.

>> reporter: many legal analysts say sandusky 's attempts to explain himself in public while facing 40 counts of child sex abuse are an unusual strategy and some of what he disclosed could complicate his defense. sandusky said he has stayed in touch with some of his alleged victims, even inviting him to dinner, just months after it was reported a grand jury was investigating him.

>> i had dinner with one of -- you know, this past summer, whose father and he were in my home in the fall, in the previous fall.

>> reporter: but the lawyer for that alleged victim, known as victim six, tells nbc news that when he got sandusky 's dinner invitation, his client was so nervous he went straight to the police.

>> one of the questions it raises in my mind, was this an effort on his part to tamper with witnesses? was it or wasn't it?

>> reporter: the police encouraged victim six to attend the dinner and bug sandusky .

>> they went so far as to inquire if he would be willing to wear a wire.

>> reporter: the alleged victim balked at bugging sandusky , fearing something could go wrong, but agreed to go to the dinner and report back to the police. sandusky 's lawyer told nbc news that two of the alleged victims were actually at that dinner, but nothing improper took place. it was, he said, totally social in nature and pleasant. victim six is now prepared to testify, along with other alleged witnesses, at a crucial hearing in sandusky 's case next week. ann.

>> all right, michael isikoff this morning. michael, thank you.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/45550631/

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Romney, Gingrich proceed carefully in GOP showdown (AP)

MANCHESTER, N.H. ? The once-bursting 2012 Republican presidential field is narrowing to a two-man race, and GOP voters have one month before casting the first votes to winnow it to one. Barring a dramatic new turn, their chief options will be the steady but often bland demeanor of Mitt Romney and the idea-a-minute bombast of Newt Gingrich.

Herman Cain's suspension of his campaign Saturday, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry's continued struggles to regain traction, have focused the party's attention on Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and Gingrich, the former House speaker. They offer striking contrasts in personality, government experience and campaign organization.

Romney has maintained a political infrastructure since his 2008 presidential bid, especially in New Hampshire. Gingrich, whose campaign nearly collapsed several months ago, is relying much more heavily on his televised debate performances and the good will he built up with conservatives as a congressional leader in the 1980s and 1990s.

Gingrich's efforts appear to be paying off in Iowa, which holds first in the nation caucuses January 3.

A Des Moines Register poll released late Saturday found Gingrich leading the GOP field with 25 percent support among likely caucus goers. Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 18 percent support and Romney, who began campaigning in Iowa in earnest only recently, had 16 percent.

Gingrich's and Romney's political philosophies and differences are a bit harder to tease out. Both men have changed their positions on issues such as climate change. And Gingrich, in particular, is known to veer into unusual territories, such as child labor practices.

Gingrich, Romney and the other Republican contenders except former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman sat for interviews at a Fox News campaign forum Saturday hosted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who sought the GOP nomination in 2008. Questioned by three Republican state attorneys general, the candidates described ways they would scale back federal programs.

Cain's announcement in Atlanta offered a possible opening for Romney or Gingrich to make a dramatic move in hopes of seizing momentum for the sprint to the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus. Neither man did. They appear willing to play things carefully and low-key for now.

At a town hall meeting in New York sponsored by tea party supporters, Gingrich declined to characterize the race as a direct contest between himself and Romney. Any of the remaining GOP contenders could stage a comeback before the Iowa caucuses, he said. "I'm not going to say that any of my friends can't suddenly surprise us," Gingrich said.

But once high-flying contenders such as Perry and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota have not managed to bounce back so far, despite weeks of trying.

Gingrich was careful when asked why voters should choose him over Romney.

"I'll let you decide. I think we are very, very different in a wide variety of ways," Gingrich said.

Romney seemed as eager as Gingrich to avoid casting the contest as anywhere close to decided. He repeatedly turned aside reporters' invitations to light into Gingrich, offering only gentle critiques. As usual, he aimed much sharper remarks at President Barack Obama.

"I don't think people have really settled down, in a final way, to decide who they're going to support in the nomination process," Romney told reporters in Manchester, where he held a rally and knocked on a few doors. "I hope they give us a good, careful look."

That was about as much emotion and daring as he showed all day. With the second-tier candidates ramping up their criticisms of Gingrich, Romney stuck to his steady-as-she-goes campaign style of criticizing Obama's economic record, and saying little else.

Cain's once-prospering campaign was undone by allegations of sexual wrongdoing. Gingrich has been the most obvious beneficiary of Cain's precipitous slide. But Perry, Bachmann and possibly others are likely to make a play for Cain's anti-establishment tea party backing. Time is running short for them to establish themselves as the top alternative to Romney, who has long been viewed with suspicion by many conservatives.

Cain said he would offer an endorsement. His former rivals were quick to issue statements on Saturday praising his conservative ideals and grassroots appeal.

Romney seemed loath on Saturday to criticize Gingrich or to stir the political waters. Reporters asked why his background makes him more qualified than Gingrich. "Speaker Gingrich has been a legislator and has worked in government affairs, and he can describe his own background," Romney replied.

Why are his positions better than Gingrich's on issues such as immigration, Romney was asked. "We have very similar views on a whole host of issues," he said. "There are some places, I'm sure, where there are differences." The biggest difference, he said, is "our life experience."

Asked if he fears that Gingrich will draw more tea party support, Romney said tea party activists "want someone who comes from outside Washington," someone who has spent his life "in the private sector, who has learned the experiences of the American economy."

"Speaker Gingrich is a fine person," Romney said, "but he spent his life in Washington, the last 40 years. That doesn't exactly line up with the tea party."

He also said he differed with Gingrich on child labor laws. Gingrich recently suggested that children as young as nine should work as assistant school janitors, to earn money and learn work ethics.

Romney noted that Gingrich would end taxes on dividends and capital gains for everyone, whereas Romney would keep them in place for the wealthiest Americans.

Romney's generally mild reproofs contrast with the hits Gingrich is taking from rivals such as Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. Paul's campaign is airing a video accusing Gingrich of "serial hypocrisy." It shows Gingrich in a TV commercial with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talking about the dangers of climate change.

Gingrich has called the Pelosi spot a stupid mistake on his part.

Romney's campaign had hundreds of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls Saturday, pushing a slogan that presidential hopefuls must "earn it."

Romney has a vacation home in New Hampshire, where he is well known. His campaign structure there isn't perfect, however.

Aides sent reporters to 827 Chestnut Street in Manchester, where Romney would start some door-knocking of his own. But there was no one home at 827, or the next house he tried, or the three after that. In nearly an hour of door-knocking, Romney met only a handful of voters, and all of them already seemed in his corner.

Asked at the day's end why he was being so gentle with Gingrich, Romney replied: "I think the right course for me is to continue talking about my vision for the country, my experience, and how I'd lead the nation. And Speaker Gingrich will get the chance to do the same thing."

___

Fouhy reported from New York.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politics/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111204/ap_on_el_pr/us_gop_campaign

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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Director of Marketing and Communications (San Francisco, California)

Summer Search seeks a National Director of Marketing and Communications who will have the exceptional opportunity to shape a consistent and unique national brand for Summer Search. Through the development and implementation of a strategic marketing plan, they will position us to raise significantly more dollars by communicating our value proposition and by raising our national reputation and profile. This position reports to the CEO and partners with the Chief Development Officer and with site leadership and development staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop and execute a strategic marketing and communications plan that develops a consistent and compelling national brand for Summer Search.
* Solicit input from key stakeholders across the sites including funders, board members, staff and program partners and participants to identify and articulate what makes Summer Search unique and compelling.
* Use this input to build a brand architecture, with key messages and brand promise.
* Build and implement marketing plans targeted to each of the key stakeholders above including a calendar for electronic and social media communications that effectively supports fundraising goals.
* For all marketing and communications activities, create and track against tangible measures of success.

2. Build and implement a public relations strategy that builds our presence and profile in the philanthropic, corporate, education and non-profit communities.
* Increase media coverage at national and site levels by implementing a media plan.
* Position senior staff as thought leaders on youth development and education through media exposure.

3. Lead communications operations to support effective fundraising nationally and at the sites.
* Build our marketing tool kit including collateral materials for current and potential funders, event management tools and publicity support.
* Oversee the development of all print communications including collateral materials and the Annual Report, and electronic communications including the web site, e-newsletters, and social media.
* Support sites with different marketing needs while maintaining consistency of voice and brand look and feel that supports national and multi-site fundraising efforts.

4. Lead Summer Search's marketing team.
* Leverage strengths and efforts of current staff at our national Support Center and at the seven sites through building collaborative relationships with key leadership and development staff.
* Manage current full-time Support Center communications and design staff member.
* Manage the budget for and relationships with contract and pro-bono marketing, communications and branding partnerships and vendors.

LOCATION
We are headquartered in San Francisco and prefer applicants who can be based from San Francisco. We will consider applicants who can be based from our New York City office. Some travel to all our offices will be required.

Source: http://www.bridgestar.org/MyCareerCenter/PositionDetails.aspx?jobId=10177

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Kazakhs flock to new Almaty subway (AP)

ALMATY, Kazakhstan ? After nearly a quarter-century of waiting, residents of Kazakhstan's largest city are able to ride the subway.

Work on the 8.5-kilometer (5.2-mile) line in Almaty began in 1988, when Kazkhstan was part of the Soviet Union. The USSR's collapse three years later severely delayed the project.

Need for the transit system has risen sharply amid the city's growth. It now has about 1.5 million people.

Thousands of residents flocked to the system on Friday, the day after it was officially opened by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111202/ap_on_re_as/as_kazakhstan_subway

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