Uncategorized

The Hotline mailbag publishes weekly. Send questions to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com and include “mailbag” in the subject line. Or hit me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity. And if you missed it, last week’s mailbag …

San Jose is seeking an injunction against the owners of a Willow Glen hookah lounge where a man was fatally shot in December, accusing the business of illegally operating and creating a public nuisance. Related Articles One man shot, another …

For more than four decades, Robert Kaplow has built an unconventional writing career. A novelist, longtime English teacher, radio essayist and East Coast lifer, Kaplow has spent his creative life obsessed with language — not just what words say, but …

By DAVID FISCHER, Associated Press MIAMI (AP) — Winged babies shooting heart-shaped arrows might get most of the credit on Valentine’s Day, but the real magic behind millions of romantic bouquets happens in a cargo warehouse at a South Florida …

By Adam Echelman | CalMatters Laylah Rivers had already been a paratrooper in the U.S. Army and worked at various tech companies across the West Coast. But when she enrolled at a Los Angeles community college at 31, she was …

Federal immigration authorities have repeatedly violated a court order by continuing to “indiscriminately” arrest people in Colorado without warrants and without first checking if they’re likely to flee, attorneys alleged in a new legal filing. Lawyers representing four immigrants arrested …

An elementary school teacher in suburban West Chicago has resigned after being placed on leave for allegedly sharing a social media post apparently supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The West Chicago Elementary School District 33 board announced Thursday during …

Longtime Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his retirement today in a press release published on Toronto’s Rogers Sports & Media Site. Martinez had a 17-year big league career spanning 1969 to 1986, during which he spent six seasons with …

While the Kansas City Chiefs are not playing in the Super Bowl, it’s been a huge week for both Travis Kelce and his fiancée, Taylor Swift. Kelce co-hosted a star-studded “New Heights” party in San Francisco on February 4 before …

The Arizona Cardinals have been busy filling out Mike LaFleur’s assistants. After hiring Matt Merritt and Nathaniel Hackett, the Cardinals are in the market for a quarterbacks coach. Quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork recently left for the Baltimore Ravens, leaving a …

Avex Music Group, the global music company of Japanese entertainment giant Avex helmed by CEO Brandon Silverstein, has partnered with the Orchard for distribution of all future releases in territories around the world. The first new music expected to be …

After federal immigration agents killed Veteran Affairs intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month, President Donald Trump and senior administration officials blamed Pretti’s death on his possession of a firearm. “Certainly he shouldn’t have been carrying a gun,” …

Austin Butler is about to get his Tour de France on, playing Lance Armstrong, the racing legend whose reputation was undone by a doping scandal. The “Elvis” star will portray the cyclist in a new film from Edward Berger, the director of …

The Boston Celtics made one of the biggest trades before the trade deadline of any team. They decided to make a move for another center, trading Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic. It was a move that helped them get under …

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising roster move Friday, designating left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment just days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in Arizona.  The decision came as a corresponding move after …

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled two custom-built studios in the Italian Alps that will serve as the broadcast hub for its European coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The media giant’s main facility, dubbed “WBD House,” sits …

The Atlanta Hawks were dealing at the trade deadline, making a number of changes to try and get the roster where they want it. From moving Trae Young a few weeks back to all the recent action, it’s a whole …

Time is ticking for MLB teams to add to their rosters with spring training beginning next week. All teams will begin their first workouts for pitchers and catchers, including the Baltimore Orioles, early this year, with the World Baseball Classic …

Throughout the offseason, Chargers fans had better get used to hearing rumors about potential candidates to be added to the offensive line. After all, after finishing as one of the worst lines statistically last season, they are looking for any …

The Chicago Cubs have had a relatively quiet offseason, but that could soon change. Chicago is looking to add some more offense and pitching. Meanwhile, the Cubs have also been linked to trading away the likes of Nico Hoerner and …

It is nice to know that, after his reputation had been sullied early in his career, since coming to the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver George Pickens has completely resuscitated his persona as he heads into free-agency. Gone are the whispers …

SAN JOSE — His media obligations having been concluded at the San Jose Convention Center, Sam Darnold can look forward to being in his comfort zone Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. The Seattle Seahawks (16-3)  will be in the 49ers’ home …

U.S. taxpayers preparing to file returns for 2025 — deadline April 15, 2026 — have one fewer free option this year. Related Articles SJ faces up to a $65 million shortfall. Could a hotel tax increase improve city’s finances? Letters: …

Following pressure from advocates and residents over concerns that the Bay Area would be targeted for immigration raids during Super Bowl week, Santa Clara has enacted a last-minute policy ahead of the game to prevent federal agents from using city-owned property for immigration …

With tens of thousand of football fans descending on Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, city leaders have set aside two free speech zones near Levi’s Stadium for those who want to exercise their First Amendment rights around …

For a few sweet hours this week, South Bay fans of the Con Azucar coffeehouse were whooping it up over a Facebook post that appeared to show Bad Bunny ordering java and sitting on the much-Instagrammed swing at one of …

Zayn has announced his biggest solo tour yet in support of his upcoming fifth album “Konnakol.” “The Konnakol Tour,” produced by Live Nation, will span 31 dates and mark the singer’s first time headlining arenas and stadiums across the globe. …

The scenes playing out in Minneapolis in recent weeks offer an object lesson in the dangers of federal overreach. After the killings of two American citizens — to say nothing of the brutal treatment of immigrants, both legal and otherwise …

The new Fast & Furious coaster that has been revving its engines during test runs around the hillside-hugging track will soon get the green flag to officially start racing with thrill seekers on board at Universal Studios Hollywood. Fast & …

The new Fast & Furious coaster that has been revving its engines during test runs around the hillside-hugging track will soon get the green flag to officially start racing with thrill seekers on board at Universal Studios Hollywood. Fast & …

The Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants in the state of Minnesota has caught the attention of not just our nation but that of people across the world. It’s unlikely that until a few weeks ago, for instance, Italian protesters …

The Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants in the state of Minnesota has caught the attention of not just our nation but that of people across the world. It’s unlikely that until a few weeks ago, for instance, Italian protesters …

A suspect was shot to death by police Thursday, February 5 in the parking lot of the science museum in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles after officers responded to a call of a man with a rifle. The …

The Clippers are trading center Ivica Zubac, the team’s longest-tenured active player and cornerstone to their offense, to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday in an unexpected move an hour before the NBA trade deadline. The trade includes Kobe Brown, a …

ZAPOPAN, Mexico (AP) — The Mexican state of Jalisco on Thursday issued a health alert and mandated the use of face masks in schools as a measles outbreak hit the state capital, a key host city for the upcoming 2026 …

Brooklyn is moving on from one of its most recognizable young scorers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday, Feb. 5, that the Brooklyn Nets are waiving Cam Thomas, which will allow the 24-year-old guard to enter free agency. The Brooklyn Nets …

The New York Yankees split their catching duties in the stretch run of the season last year between Ben Rice and Austin Wells. Yet, with the Yankees’ season now days away from opening in Tampa, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic …

Carson Hocevar burst onto the NASCAR Cup Series scene as a rookie in 2024 with Spire Motorsports. Since then, the driver of the #77 has amassed three top-five finishes and 15 top-10 finishes with the organization. Now, as announced on …

The Philadelphia Phillies have not been able to put together the kind of offseason that fans were hoping to see from them so far. To begin the MLB free agency period, the Phillies were able to take care of their …

Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver duo Ja’Maar Chase and Tee Higgins wasted no time on answering who they would add to the Bengals roster. During an appearance on the UpAndAdamsShow, Kay Adams asked Ja’Marr Chase which Pro Bowler he would want …