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Twitter turning into X set to kill billions in brand value

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

By Aisha Counts and Jesse Levine, BloombergIt’s rare for corporate brands to become so intertwined with everyday conversation that they become verbs. It’s rarer still for the owner of such a brand to announce plans to intentionally destroy it.On Sunday, in the middle of a quiet summer weekend, Elon Musk decreed that Twitter’s product name would be changed to “X,” and that he is getting rid of the bird logo and all the associated words, including “tweet.” Musk’s move wiped out anywhere between $4 billion and $20 billion in value, according to analysts and brand agencies.“It took 15-plus years to earn that much equity worldwide, so losing Twitter as a brand name is a significant financial hit,” said Steve Susi, director of brand communication at Siegel & Gale.Musk, whose company has already declined significantly in value since he purchased it for $44 billion in October, announced the change on Saturday night. By Monday morning a new black “X” logo, designed by a fan over the week...

'Weird Al' Yankovic's wife spots potential road hazard

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

Santa Monica officials are preparing to have a crumbling portion of the bluffs above Pacific Coast Highway removed.The crack in the cliff was noticed by passersby, including Suzanne Yankovic, wife of musician "Weird Al" Yankovic.Yankovic posted a video of the bluff, which was then seen by Los Angeles County supervisors who decided to alert the City of Santa Monica. A portion of the Santa Monica bluffs that appears to be in danger of collapsing is seen on July 25, 2023. (KTLA)If the cliffside were to collapse, it would be catastrophic to those driving on the freeway below. It is unclear whether a collapse could occur within days or years, so officials have decided to take action right away. A crane will be brought in to break apart the top portion of the unstable bluff with debris being hauled away in dump trucks. That will require the closure of PCH and a portion of the 10 Freeway approaching the coast. The road closures are expected to begin around 11:30 p.m. and continue until abo...

Vacant townhouse goes up in flames in East Hollywood 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

A three-story townhouse burst into flames in East Hollywood on Tuesday morning. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the fire was first reported around 11:15 a.m. at a vacant townhouse in the 500 block of North Normandie Avenue. The flames spread from the first to the second floor and possibly the attic, fire officials said. “Firefighters are making good progress with the bulk of the fire extinguished,” LAFD said in a release. “However, firefighters continue to...address stubborn pockets of fire which are difficult to access due to building construction and the location of the fire.” A three-story townhouse burst into flames in East Hollywood on Tuesday morning. (KTLA)A three-story townhouse burst into flames in East Hollywood on Tuesday morning. (KTLA)A three-story townhouse burst into flames in East Hollywood on Tuesday morning. (KTLA)Authorities confirmed that two firefighters were transported to the hospital due to heat related illness. Their conditions are no...

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in Fremont the week of July 17

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

A house in Fremont that sold for $3.5 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Fremont in the past week.In total, 18 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million, $1,010 per square foot.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of July 17 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.7 million, single-family house in the 2700 block of Barrington TerraceA sale has been finalized for the single-family residence in the 2700 block of Barrington Terrace in Fremont. The price was $1,660,000 and the new owners took over the house in June. The house was built in 1988 and the living area totals 1,466 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $1,132. The house features two bedrooms and three bathrooms.Barrington Terrace9. $1.7 million, detached house in the 36000 block of Plumeria WayThe property in the 36000 block...

LinkedIn chops nearly 200 Bay Area jobs as local tech layoffs zoom higher

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

SUNNYVALE — LinkedIn has revealed nearly 200 layoffs in a fresh round of Bay Area job cuts, a disquieting reminder that the region’s tech layoffs have yet to run their course.The tech titan disclosed cutbacks that affected 187 of its Bay Area workers, jolting employees in Sunnyvale, Mountain View and San Francisco, according to an official filing with the state Employment Development Department.LinkedIn laid off 102 workers in Sunnyvale, 13 in Mountain View and 72 in San Francisco, the filings with the state EDD show.With these latest disclosures of job cuts, tech companies have now jettisoned well over 26,000 workers in the Bay Area over an 18-month-plus period that includes all of 2022 and the year to date in 2023, according to this news organization’s analysis of the EDD WARN notices.

Sale closed in Saratoga: $2.8 million for a four-bedroom home

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

13971 Quito Oaks Way – Google Street ViewA 2,109-square-foot house built in 1962 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 13900 block of Quito Oaks Way in Saratoga was sold on July 10, 2023. The $2,750,000 purchase price works out to $1,304 per square foot. This single-story house presents a roomy floor plan, featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace adds character to the home. In addition, the house features a two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs. Situated on a spacious 0.3-acre lot, the property offers ample outdoor space along with the added bonus of a pool.Additional houses have recently changed hands nearby:A 3,230-square-foot home on the 13900 block of Quito Road in Saratoga sold in October 2022, for $3,150,000, a price per square foot of $975. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In October 2022, a 1,757-square-foot home on Raven Court in Saratoga sold for $2,502,000, a price per square foot of $1,424. Th...

Biden impeachment inquiry? House speaker floats the possibility

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

By LISA MASCARO (AP Congressional Correspondent)WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Republican lawmakers may consider an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden over unproven claims of financial misconduct, responding to enormous GOP pressure to demonstrate support for Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election.Speaking Tuesday at the Capitol, McCarthy said the questions House Republicans are raising about the Biden family finances need to be investigated. So far, he acknowledged, the House’s probes have not proven any wrongdoing, but an impeachment inquiry “allows Congress to get the information to be able to know the truth.”An impeachment inquiry by the House would be a first step toward bringing articles of impeachment. Such a probe could be as lengthy or swift as the House determines, potentially stretching into campaign season. “We will follow this to the end,” he said, first floating the idea late Monday on Fox N...

Nick Bosa absent from 49ers training camp amid extension talks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Day 1 of 49ers training camp arrived Tuesday, and Nick Bosa did not.“I have not seen Nick. And I would expect he’s not here, to start off,” general manager John Lynch said at the team’s camp-opening news conference. “We’re working. We’re having really good communication with (his agent) Brian Ayrault.”Bosa, rather than play out his rookie contract’s fifth and final year, is poised to land the richest contract extension in 49ers history and perhaps the NFL’s largest for a non-quarterback.“The interest is mutual,” added Lynch, also noting a desire on both sides to keep negotiation details private.Bosa’s agent, Brian Ayrault, did not immediately return messages seeking comment and confirmation.Bosa could incur a $40,000 daily fine for missing camp, according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement for players on a fifth-year option from their rookie contract, under which Bosa is set to earn a ...

Transgender influencer targeted by disturbing prank call at SF cafe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

(KRON) -- A transgender woman was streaming live at a local eatery near Lower Pacific Heights when someone contacted the owner to say she was speaking inappropriately to a child. There was one big problem with the claim: there were no children in the cafe that day. SF District Attorney files charges in attack on elderly Asian American woman Lilly Contino is a transgender content creator who lives in San Francisco. She was streaming live on TikTok at Crown and Crumpet Tea Salon when the owner approached her after receiving an odd message on July 10. Someone called the eatery three times and sent a text claiming that a transgender person was inside of the restaurant speaking inappropriately to children, the owner said. The owner told Contino that it was a strange complaint, as she didn't remember any children coming into the tea salon. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KRON4 Breaking News...

San Jose firefighters on scene of residential fire on Blue Rock Court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:43 GMT

(KRON) -- Firefighters are responding to a one-alarm fire at a residential structure on Blue Rock Court, according to the San Jose Fire Department. Residents in the area are being advised to use caution around emergency personnel and equipment. Car that veered off Sanchez stairs was carjacked A photo posted to SJFD's Twitter shows at least two fire vehicles at the scene, which appears to be an apartment or duplex complex.There were no initial reports of injuries or displacements.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.