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Walgreens aims to cut more costs amid weaker demand for COVID vaccines, uncertain economy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

Lisa Schencker | Chicago Tribune (TNS)Walgreens Boots Alliance is raising its cost-savings goal by 17% to $4.1 billion after a disappointing quarter — a move that comes just weeks after it said it was eliminating 10% of its corporate workforce.The announcement Tuesday follows a weaker-than-expected quarter marked by less demand for COVID-19 tests and vaccines, a slow respiratory illness season, and consumers facing inflation and an uncertain economy. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company slashed its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance Tuesday to $4 to $4.05 from $4.45 to $4.65.“Our performance in the third quarter did not meet our overall expectations and we are disappointed to have to change our fiscal 2023 guidance,” CEO Roz Brewer said during an earnings call.She said Walgreens administered 800,000 COVID-19 vaccines during the third quarter, down 83% from the third quarter of last year.Consumers are also being more cautious in their spending, she said.“Our customer is ...

What to watch: Indy, Idris star in pulse-pounding weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

One of cinema’s most iconic action characters – Indiana Jones – rides off into the sunset this week, but does his final gallop match his formidable talents? We have thoughts on that. Also in theaters this week comes one of 2023’s best documentaries, while Netflix delivers one of the best animated features of the year.Other excellent streaming options abound, including Idris Elba taking on hijackers and a thoughtful documentary on the writing of a new American anthem.And of you’re in the mood for an addictive series, check out Netflix’s “Glamorous,” with Kim Cattrall.Here’s our roundup.“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”: The first 20 minutes of what’s purported to be (I’ll believe that when I see it) the final chapter in the Indy franchise are a travesty — a soulless CGI orgy that creepily de-ages Harrison Ford and reduces what should be a derring-do opening act into a jacked-up “Polar Express” experience. Afterwards, when director James Mangold and company settle do...

Detached house sells for $1.8 million in San Jose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

1178 Rhinecastle Way – Google Street ViewA 2,213-square-foot house built in 1971 has changed hands. The spacious property located in the 1100 block of Rhinecastle Way in San Jose was sold on June 6, 2023, for $1,775,000, or $802 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a garage. There’s also a pool in the backyard and two parking spaces. The unit sits on a 9,792-square-foot lot.Additional houses have recently been sold nearby:A 2,204-square-foot home on the 6000 block of Paseo Pueblo Drive in San Jose sold in August 2022, for $1,620,000, a price per square foot of $735. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 2,153-square-foot home on Strada Almaden in San Jose sold for $1,585,000, a price per square foot of $736. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Zinfandel Way, San Jose, in June 2023, a 2,085-square-foot home was sold for $1,715,000, a price per square foot of $823. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

Disneyland closing 3 popular rides during peak of summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

Disneyland is shuttering two of the most popular Disney California Adventure attractions along with a temperamental ride at the Anaheim theme park during the peak of summer for several weeks of seasonal refurbishment.Soarin’ Around the World and Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA and the Monorail that ferries riders between Disneyland and Disney’s hotels will temporarily close for standard refurbishments in July.Soarin’ Around the World will close July 5-14, according to the Disneyland website. The Disneyland Monorail will also close on July 5 while Toy Story Midway Mania will close July 17. Reopening dates for Midway Mania and the Monorail have not been set and both attractions will remain closed through at least Aug. 8, according to the Disneyland website.Soarin’ and Midway Mania are among DCA’s most popular rides and part of Disney’s upcharge Genie+ line-cutting service. Both rides have clocked wait times over 3 hours — some of the longest wait times in DCA history, according to Thril...

The Whitney Plantation outside New Orleans shows the reality of slavery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

There are a dozen restored antebellum mansions and plantations along the west bank of the Mississippi River, on the River Road outside of New Orleans, and they are among the most popular tourist day trips from the city.Most of them spin the same fantasy — allowing visitors to imagine themselves as the master and mistress of the manor, strolling beneath the magnolias in hoop skirts and top hats, and then pulling a cord to summon a slave to bring a mint julep when it’s hot.Such places are popular wedding venues, where would-be Scarlett O’Hara’s can marry under old oaks, in front of white mansions built with the money from sugar cane, rice and indigo fields worked by enslaved people.Only one plantation goes out of its way to flip the story entirely.The “Big House” plantation home built from cypress trees hewn by slaves, at the Whitney Plantation slavery museum near New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Marla Jo Fisher/SCNG) The Whitney Plantation, also along the River Road, tells the same ta...

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville faces growing bipartisan ire at defense blockade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

By Lauren Fox and Nicky Robertson | CNNNearly five months after Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced his hold on Department of Defense nominees, the tactic has become a major flashpoint within the US Senate as institutionalists inside the body are voicing concerns the hold could have long-term repercussions and are openly warning an overhaul of the nominations process could be needed.Despite efforts from Republican colleagues, Tuberville’s been resolute, holding up the nomination of roughly 250 military nominees – many promotions that would typically be fast-tracked through the Senate. The dramatic impasse is forcing senators to openly question if it’s time for the body to consider changing the rules or at the very least limit the number of nominations that require Senate confirmation.“Maybe we need another gang to come up with a set of rules changes, but the vast majority of us who understand these tools should be used sparingly, I think we need to raise our voices,” ...

Map: Which Sierra highways remain closed for the July 4 holiday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

Lingering snowpack and winter road damage have kept several highways in the Sierra Nevada closed as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.Following are the status reports of some major routes as of June 28. In addition to the sites linked below, updates for the state highways can be found at the California Department of Transportation website or on its mobile app or by calling (800) 427-7623.Closed (red)1/ Highway 89, Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen Peak Highway remained closed between Sulphur Works and Devastated Area. As of June 22, the park said only 4 miles of highway remained to be plowed, but parking lots and other road preparations will need to be completed before full reopening. Updates: NPS Lassen website.2/ Donner Pass Road. The road (Old Highway 40) has been closed since a rockslide June 9 west of Donner Lake. Updates can be found at the Nevada County road closures site and the county’s public works Facebook page.3/ Highway 120 (Tioga Road). Plowing continued ...

Starbird CEO talks trends in chicken sandwiches, salads, wings. Has spicy run its course?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

Seven years after its Bay Area founding, the premium chicken Starbird chain is taking its vision to Southern California.The inspiration behind Starbird stemmed from the realization by Aaron Noveshen and the innovators at his Culinary Edge consultancy that there were too many burger players in the marketplace. So they decided to focus on chicken — and not just any chicken, but a fresh bird, marinated in a signature brine then fried in rice bran oil to give it a lighter taste and better crunch.With their first Starbird in Sunnyvale, they offered a tech-driven experience too, making it app-convenient. Gone was the drive-thru, replaced by a fast delivery to the customer’s car — four years before the Covid pandemic made friction-free food the industry standard.They were prescient about the chicken too. “Even burger brands are now required to have chicken on their menu to fulfill the consumer demand,” says Noveshen, who is both the CEO of Starbird and the cha...

Bay Area fireworks shows for 4th of July 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The Bay Area, like the rest of America, will celebrate the 4th of July this coming Tuesday. Across the bay region, there will be fireworks shows, parades and other events celebrating America's independence. If you're looking for something to do on Tuesday, here are some of the events taking place across the Bay Area this 4th of July.Bay Area fireworks shows for 4th of July 2023:San Francisco Fireworks at Pier 39The City by the Bay's annual July 4th fireworks celebration will take place at Pier 39 Tuesday. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. as the city will set off fireworks near the pier from barges north of Fisherman's Wharf.Best places to watch the show include Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Aquatic Park, the Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, Coit Tower and Angel Island.Admission is free.Sausalito's 4th of July Parade and FireworksSausalito's annual 4th of July parade begins at 10 a.m. on the corner of Second and Main and will head up Bridgeway to Caledonia, ending at Du...

Wembanyama’s height no longer a mystery: 7 feet, 3-1/2 inches is official, Spurs say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:51 GMT

Victor Wembanyama has grown a little. Or not, depending on perspective.The official height for the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, the San Antonio Spurs said Wednesday, is 7 feet, 3-1/2 inches — and that was measured without shoes, per NBA guidelines.That’s a half-inch taller than Wembanyama said he was back in October, when he was in Las Vegas for a pair of exhibition games. (His official height then was 2.21 meters, he said, and he’s now nearly 2.23 meters.) Which makes sense, given that he was 18 then, has turned 19 since and it’s reasonable to think he might still have a bit of growing left.He has been listed by various sites as anywhere between 7-foot-2 and 7-foot-5, in part because of how he towers over other 7-footers when photographed standing with them. The NBA listed him at 7-foot-4 in the league’s guide for last week’s draft, but that was not based off any official measurement.The 7-3.5 figure puts Wembanyama on pace to be the NBA’s second-tallest player this...