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Marlboro maker decides grass may be greener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

Marlboro parent Altria Group, the country's largest cigarette maker, says it wants to focus on healthier products.Relatively speaking, that is.In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Altria CEO Billy Gifford said the company learned some lessons after losing more than $12 billion on its investment in vaping heavyweight Juul Labs.It now wants to delve deeper into smoke-free -- but not necessarily nicotine-free -- products that pose less of a risk to users than old-school cigarettes."Previously, we were chasing the market," Gifford said. "You’re constantly watching what the consumer is telling you in the marketplace, but none of them were satisfying the consumer enough to ultimately meet all of their needs and desires."This needs-and-desires thing is apparently at the heart of Altria's strategic planning.Gifford observed that people still like to schmooze during breaks. They like to give themselves a little treat or reward."How do you meet them in that moment and fix their unmet...

Disneyland fans can listen to music played in the theme parks at home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

After a trip to the Disneyland Resort, guests may want to bring a piece of the Disney magic by purchasing Minnie ears, the latest spirit jersey, or even taking a miniature version of their favorite ride home.Fortunately, there is another way guests can experience the “Happiest Place on Earth” at home. Disney has released multiple songs that can be heard in theme parks to streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms. Disney’s reimagined Toontown is an inclusive playground for all Guests can listen to the following: Music from Mickey’s ToontownIt’s Wondrous from Disneyland’s nighttime show Wondrous JourneysFantasmicMarried Life, which guests can hear while walking down Main Street U.S.AThe Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki RoomMore songs can be heard on the Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection for Disneyland on Apple Music and Spotify. Disneyland offers an early look at new ‘World of Color’ show In addition to the theme park songs, D...

Strategies For Building a Business From the Ground Up: How Max Gloeckner Went From $0 to Generating $50k in a Month

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

“I was poor, living in my friend’s houses. I had no shoes on my feet and only one pair of clothes to wear.” This sentence was how Bill Gates began his letter to the graduating class at Harvard University in 2007.These were not mere words or a cliché, but an honest reflection of what he went through when he dropped out of college after two years, because computers caught his attention. He then founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. Today, Bill Gates has been named the world’s richest person by Forbes magazine for 17 consecutive years since 1995 and has amassed an estimated net worth of over US$130 billion as well as being one time the world’s wealthiest man.We all want to live a comfortable life, but not everyone can. It takes hard work and perseverance to achieve the American Dream. The American Dream is a phrase that’s been around for generations, and it speaks to the idea of economic success in America and achieving financial freedom. But how many Americans actually live this dream? A...

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis’ kids still stuck in parents’ nasty custody war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

With a court ruling in New York City Thursday, Olivia Wilde may have scored a “big victory” in her battle with Jason Sudeikis over child custody and child support.But it’s clear that there’s still a lot of disagreement and animosity between the two celebrities over where their 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter will live and which parent has their best interests at heart, with the children stuck at the center of a family war that’s being played out in public and in the tabloids.In Wilde’s victory, a judge in New York City rejected Sudeikis’ request to have the case moved to New York, saying that “it is in the interest of substantial justice that the parties’ child support petition be heard in California,” TMZ reported. It’s not clear if this ruling will have any impact on where the children will end up living — if a California judge will be more sympathetic to Wilde’s plea to have the kids remain in Lo...

Eastbound 580 in Livermore reopened after crews complete work

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

(KRON) -- Work on the eastbound I-580 in Livermore has been completed and four lanes of the five-lane highway have reopened, according to Caltrans. Caltrans crews shifted the highway to the left at a spot where a retaining wall collapsed to open the four lanes. The section of the 580 just east of North Flynn Road has been under repair for several days as crews work to fix a crack in the roadway along with the retaining wall collapse. The shift is temporary until a permanent fix is installed, Caltrans said. Hayward Home Depot employee arrested for allegedly stealing $50K of goods The five-lane highway shifts to four lanes as motorists approach North Flynn Road on eastbound 580. Repair efforts along the section of roadway have been ongoing for several days and have been further complicated by the latest in a series of atmospheric river storms that have struck the Bay Area.

65 catalytic converters reported stolen in one month: Alameda PD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

(KRON) -- There have been 65 reports of catalytic converters in Alameda in the past 30 days, according to the Alameda Police Department. Additionally, there have been 62 reports of vehicle thefts, police said. ‘My heart is crushed’: JV’s wife releases heartbreaking statement Vehicles most impacted by catalytic converter theft according to Alameda PD are:Toyota PriusToyota TundraToyota SequoiaThe most stolen vehicles were:Hyundai ElantraHyundai Santa FeKia SportageThere has been a recent surge in thefts of Hyundais and Kias, due to a social media challenge. According to Alameda PD, the National Transportation Safety Board recently announced the two carmakers will offer free theft deterrent software for vehicles without an immobilizer."This update will extend the length of the alarm sound and add deterrents to restrict a person's ability to start the car without a key," Alameda PD said. Owners of either vehicle can contact the car manufacturers for more information.Measures Alameda ...

Newsom rolls back some water restrictions, stops short of declaring drought over

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

The drought might not be completely done with California, but the state's residents are now free of the strictest water conservation measures put in place by Gov. Gavin Newsom nearly two years ago. Standing at a podium in front of a storm-soaked agricultural field in Yolo County on Friday, Newsom stopped short of declaring the end of the punishing three-year drought but said that while he's not rescinding the statewide drought emergency order, he is eliminating many of its provisions. "To answer the question 'Are we out of the drought?' Mostly but not completely," Newsom said. Another strong storm likely next week After three months of extremely wet weather that lashed the state with nearly 20 major storms, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is now roughly 228 percent of average and most reservoirs are at or above their historical averages for this time of year. In response, Newsom signed an executive order eliminating more than 50 of the 81 drought emergency provisions that he en...

How the Fed raising interest rates again could impact your wallet

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

(KRON) -- The Federal Reserve is defending its decision to raise interest rates again this week, despite ongoing stress on the U.S. banking sector. KRON4's Stephanie Lin talked to Professor Olaf Groth with the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business to break down the impact of the Reserve's actions, as well as some of the other big headlines this week including the status of the banking industry, and TikTok CEO's appearance on Capitol Hill. Taxpayers in these states see the largest refunds Watch the interview in the video player above.

NHL teams balance progress, draft lottery as Bedard in play

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen knows if the season ended today, his team would have the best odds to land who many consider the next generational talent in the NHL.He is also keenly aware that the odds remain higher not to win the NHL’s draft lottery — and the chance to select Connor Bedard on May 8.“Look, there’s a 25.5% chance for the team to finish last, but it’s still a 74.5% chance that you don’t get it. That’s much greater than 25.5,” Kekalainen said recently. “But we’ll see where it takes us. Wherever we end up in the standings, we get the odds the league gave, and then we hope for the best of luck.”While the race for the league’s top record was done by midseason thanks to the Boston Bruins’ potential record-setting run, the chase for the worst mark remains up for grabs in the final three weeks.Columbus is in “first” at 51 points, followed by San Jose (53), Chicago (54) and Anaheim (56).Even though half of the league’s 32 teams...

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.The veteran right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.The new deal replaces his current contract, a four-year deal signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to expire this fall.Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. There are several award bonuses available to Mikolas, including $250,000 for winning a Cy Young.Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis gene...