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A chatbot to waste the time of telemarketers? Genius!

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

Chatbots and artificial intelligence are clearly the Next Big Thing in Silicon Valley, but many of us, including myself, haven't seen much practical use for the technology.Until now.A Monrovia, California man named Roger Anderson has created an AI-powered chatbot designed to dupe telemarketers and scammers into thinking they're speaking with a real person -- and then wasting as much of their time as possible.Brilliant.The Wall Street Journal shared an encounter between a telemarketer named Kevin and Anderson's chatbot, which he calls Jolly Roger."Thank you for calling card services," Kevin said, even though it was his bank (or scam operation) that called Anderson, not the other way around. "How are you doing today?""Huh," the chatbot replied."What do you think, how much is owed on your credit cards, collectively," Kevin asked."I’ve been having trouble with my television remote," answered the chatbot. "Can you help me figure out how to change the channel to watch my favorite show?""I...

Travis Scott avoids criminal charges in Astroworld crowd crush: Report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

Rapper Travis Scott got some good news Thursday, as a grand jury declined to indict him and others in the deadly crowd crush at his Astroworld festival in November 2021.The incident killed 10 people and left thousands injured. Scott and several others were involved in the criminal probe of the tragedy, which went to a grand jury in Houston, according to Reuters. Houston mourns, investigates deaths at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Scott's lawyer Kent Schaffer told the outlet he expected the decision would be coming down on Thursday. “Nothing Travis did or failed to do fits within the Texas criminal code,” Schaffer said to the publication. Schaffer's prediction proved true later Thursday afternoon, as the grand jury declined to indict his client, the Houston Chronicle reports. However, Scott still faces civil lawsuits related to the Nov. 5, 2021, incident, when a fatal crowd crush took place at the festival founded by Scott, who is from Houston. As the over-capacity crowd pressed forwar...

Long Beach plans to create LGBTQ+ cultural district

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

As Pride Month comes to an end, the city of Long Beach released plans to create an official LGBTQ+ cultural district along the Broadway corridor, a section of the city that has a long history of being a community hub for LGBTQ+ members.The city released a preliminary report on June 23 outlining what the proposed district could look like, initial feedback from about 500 residents and a detailed account of Long Beach’s checkered history with LGBTQ+ individuals dating back to 1914.  L.A. school board approves resolution in support of LGBTQ+ community While the city is now known for its growing LGBTQ+ community, the report outlines that hasn’t always been the case.In 1914, for example, two men were arrested during a raid of the Long Beach 606 Club and the 96 Club, two locations considered safe spaces for community members, according to the report. The situation was a massive media event and garnered much attention for the process of entrapment.It wasn’t until the 1960s when the LGBTQ+...

Horse racetrack hosts 'Grandparents' Race' and hilarity ensues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

You have to give these grandparents props just for participating.Emerald Downs racetrack in Washington state hosted a “Grandparents’ Race” on June 25, with at least a dozen seniors sprinting out of the starting gate for the inaugural event.The race spanned a distance of about 40 yards and, despite several runners wiping out, everyone eventually finished the race.Several runners in Emerald Downs' inaugural Grandparents' Race wiped out. June 25, 2023. (Emerald Downs via Storyful)The winner, Everett resident Steve Butler said he had not participated in a race since 1973 when he raced a lineman at his high school football practice.

California's historic work on possible Black reparations moves to the Legislature

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Members of California's Black reparations task force handed off their historic two-year report to state lawmakers Thursday, beginning the next chapter in the long struggle to compensate the descendants of slavery. The first U.S. panel of its kind met one last time Thursday, urging supporters to press lawmakers into action on more than 100 recommendations. State legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom must agree for any money to be paid or for any policy changes to be adopted.“This book of truth will be a legacy, will be a testament to the full story,” said Lisa Holder, a civil rights attorney and task force member. “Anyone who says that we are colorblind, that we have solved the problem of anti-Black animus and racism, I challenge you to read this document.”The mood was buoyant, but tinged with frustration and anger that hours earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in higher education, programs that have disproportionately helped Black stu...

The Celebrity Influence: Trading Cards on the Rise

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

The ownership of exclusive and rare items, from luxury cars to original art pieces, is a common pastime for many people, including celebrities. Some enjoy the chase, while others see it as a way to express how far they’ve come from the fruits of their labor. And since COVID-19, there’s been an emerging asset that’s beginning to hold newfound prestige in the entertainment world: trading cards.In the age of social media and streaming, the trading card industry has recently seen a resurgence like no other time in its history. From the multi-platinum selling rappers Drake and Snoop Dogg to beloved actors Bryan Cranston and Mark Wahlberg, entertainers from all walks of life are diving head first into the “the hobby”— the term used by collectors, traders, and sellers to refer to the trading cards industry as a whole.At the helm of this resurgence is Dappz Sports: a Los Angeles-based media company and 24/7 live-stream shopping experience for the most passionate enth...

The Reality of Being an Adult Model with ADHD: Yasmina Khan’s Success Story

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

Photo Credit: Nisa MediaYasmina Khan, a 26-year-old self-employed adult model, has emerged as a top Bengali adult entertainment star worldwide. Her journey to success is marked by determination, resilience, and the challenges of living with ADHD. Khan’s inspiring story sheds light on the realities of being an adult content creator while managing ADHD.Growing up in a non-traditional South Asian household in Crawley, Khan faced a difficult upbringing. However, she boldly decided to prioritize her happiness by moving out and embracing a career that allowed her to express herself freely. Khan’s choice to pursue a career in adult entertainment stemmed from her dissatisfaction with a 9-to-5 job that left her depressed and anxious.With her natural hypersexuality and a desire for financial independence, Khan turned to adult content creation. Starting with modest earnings of £200 on her first day, she quickly realized the potential in this space. The positive feedback and sense o...

Empowering Single Mothers: Emily Black’s Generous Christmas Gift Campaign

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

Photo Credit: Nisa MediaEmily Black, a remarkable young woman with a heart for animals and a passion for empowering others, has made a significant impact with her inspiring Christmas Gift Campaign to support needy single mothers. With her incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Emily’s story inspires all.Born and raised in Derbyshire, England, 23-year-old Emily Black has always been deeply connected to animals. She immersed herself in various roles from an early age, including working at a farm auction, a kennel, and even an exotic pet shop. Her love for animals led her to pursue a degree in zoology with entomology at Harper Adams University. Unfortunately, she had to drop out after a year due to unfavourable circumstances, but that setback didn’t deter her determination.Emily’s career path took an unexpected turn when she ventured into the world of online adult entertainment. Starting as a pole dancer and a cam girl, she ev...

Sale closed in Saratoga: $5 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

19611 Montauk Drive – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 19600 block of Montauk Drive in Saratoga has a new owner. The 3,821-square-foot property, built in 1974, was sold on June 13, 2023. The $5,000,000 purchase price works out to $1,309 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garage, and two parking spaces. It sits on a 0.8-acre lot.Additional houses have recently changed hands nearby:On Shadow Oaks Way, Saratoga, in April 2023, a 2,629-square-foot home was sold for $3,850,000, a price per square foot of $1,464. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In August 2022, a 3,402-square-foot home on Shadow Oaks Way in Saratoga sold for $4,850,000, a price per square foot of $1,426. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.A 2,568-square-foot home on the 14000 block of Shadow Oaks Way in Saratoga sold in May 2023, for $4,610,000, a price per square foot of $1,795. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Richmond man found dead outside crashed car after pursuit called off is identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:42 GMT

A person found dead by the side of a vehicle shortly after San Pablo police called off a pursuit has been identified by authorities, more than a week after the chase took place.Joshua Marks, 29, of Richmond, was found dead outside the vehicle when Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of the crash on June 22. The pursuit had started on San Pablo Dam Road toward El Sobrante at 12:20 a.m.It took several days to find Marks’ next of kin, according to authorities.A statement from San Pablo police Lt. Brian Bubar last week said an officer saw a 1997 green Nissan Altima speeding and tried to pull it over. The Nissan instead kept going.Bubar said the officer pursued the Nissan for about 30 seconds, nearly a mile to the 4700 block of Appian Way in El Sobrante. The officer called off the chase when the Nissan started going faster than 90 mph, Bubar said.Less than a half-mile away, deputies found Marks motionless outside the crashed car. Bubar said Thursday af...