Latest news with #EricPeterson
San Francisco Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: National cemeteries are hallowed ground. They face a threat to their survival
The National Cemetery Administration manages 156 cemeteries with more than 4 million graves. It has more than 1,000 employees assisted by tens of thousands of hours of volunteer service each year. Burials are conducted by these volunteers in full dress uniforms. I have two relatives from the World War II generation buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and last year, a close friend of 70 years was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Dixon. Like many Vietnam veterans, my friend had battled cancer from exposure to Agent Orange. After his service, he used the G.I. Bill to earn a doctorate in astrophysics and taught at a university for three decades. I encourage everyone to visit one of these sacred places and walk among the white marble headstones. Each tells a story — name, rank, service, sometimes a religious symbol or a few words of farewell. They reflect a deeply human chapter of our nation's history. My friend's headstone reads ' sic itur astra,' Latin for 'reach for the stars.' The National Cemetery Administration and the Veterans Affairs Department face deep funding cuts. We owe it to all our veterans to ensure they receive the respect, care and dignity they have earned. Eric Peterson, Santa Rosa Don't raise dam Regarding 'California's largest reservoir could see controversial dam enlargement under Trump' (California, May 12): It's incumbent to recognize that the area near Shasta Dam was brutally stolen from the indigenous Winnemem Wintu beginning in the 1850s. This area's elected white representatives are not satisfied with the ethnic/cultural genocide that's already taken place; rather, their goal is total eradication of a crucial piece of California history, all to profit the nut agribusiness hundreds of miles away. Supporting this trade-off is a clear demonstration of our skewed capitalistic sense of priorities that ignore science as well as morality. As always, we need to envision how we would respond if the situation was reversed. Take the slow lane Regarding 'A Zoox and an e-bike collided in S.F. Here's what it says about robotaxi safety' (Tech, May 13): These accidents were mostly caused by humans and raise an issue that was developing before driverless taxis hit the streets. Motorized bicycles, scooters and even skateboards can now exceed the speed limit on many city streets. Their newfound speed has not changed old habits. Most bicyclists seldom if ever consider red lights, stop signs or pedestrians as anything more than challenges to navigate without slowing down. They ride on pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and automobile traffic lanes. These riders' cousins on scooters and skateboards have followed suit, scoffing at traffic laws and courtesy. Now, however, they can go as fast as the cars and trucks. The state should consider forcing skateboarders and riders of scooters and e-bikes to pass the same types of driving tests as the rest of us. If a skateboarder hits a frail pedestrian, it can be just as deadly as a truck. I drive in traffic amid countless driverless taxis in the city. I worry about them far less than the humans. Patrick W. Andersen, San Francisco Acting inspirational I acted in some plays in high school and was amazed by the level of fluency I found onstage. To this day, whenever I have to give presentations in front of large audiences, I pretend that I am acting in a movie and I am totally fluent. The website of the Stuttering Foundation has a biographical story on actor Bruce Willis that describes how he stuttered for the first 20 years of his life until he enrolled in the drama program in college. Acting and speech therapy led him to fluency and a brilliant career.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘I shot my neighbor': Pawtucket murder suspect allegedly confessed to family
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — The man accused of killing another man and wounding a woman in a shooting last week in Pawtucket allegedly called his father to admit to the crime, Target 12 has learned. Police said the suspect, Eric Peterson, 37, pulled a gun on his neighbors and fatally shot 28-year-old Brandon Kjensted after the men got into an argument. He also critically injured a 25-year-old woman, who was holding a 2-year-old child at the time, according to police. When police interviewed Peterson, he recalled various parts of his day, including paying a citation, drinking alcohol, and being visited by his father. He told police he drove to Payne Park and walked over to the Taft Street boat ramp, but did not remember anything that happened from the time he left his apartment to getting to the park. Peterson said he had 'no memory' of the incident and claimed he 'blacked out' after police asked him where the gun was. According to court records obtained by Target 12, detectives interviewed the suspect's father one day after the deadly incident. Peterson's father told police his son appeared to be 'his normal self' and didn't recall seeing or hearing anything unusual before he left. But he told detectives that once he got to his home in Providence a short time later, his son called and said: 'I [expletive] up. I shot my neighbor.' In a second three-way phone call with his parents, Peterson stated again that he had made a mistake. According to police, Peterson's father told detectives he didn't know his son had a gun or how he got one. He also said Peterson claimed he didn't know where he disposed of it. Pawtucket police would not disclose if they've located the firearm used in the murder. 'Progress has been made in this investigation, the details of which will not be made publicly available at this time so as not to compromise our efforts,' Sgt. Theodore Georgitsis told Target 12 on Wednesday. According to court records obtained by Target 12, police said there is video evidence that ties Peterson to the crime. Police also said they seized a projectile, one 9mm Luger cartridge, and a box of ammunition with the same caliber and manufacturer as the spent casings found at the scene. Peterson was charged with first-degree murder, three counts of felony assault, two counts of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and single counts of carrying a pistol without a permit and possession of a firearm prohibited by a person convicted of a crime of violence. He did not enter a plea at his arraignment last week. A judge ordered him held without bail. Peterson is due back in court next Tuesday for a bail hearing. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested, charged with murder in Pawtucket shooting
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Pawtucket. Eric Peterson has been charged with first-degree murder and is set to be arraigned in Providence District Court on Tuesday. BACKGROUND: Man killed, woman injured in Pawtucket shooting Eric Peterson (Courtesy of Pawtucket police) Police were called to the intersection of Arch and Pond streets around 2:30 p.m. on Monday after receiving reports of a shooting. A 28-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds but he was later pronounced dead. A 25-year-old woman was also shot and rushed to the hospital. She is expected to recover. Peterson is also facing multiple assault and firearms-related charges including possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Local Sweden
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Inside Sweden: Why next week is important for Sweden's citizenship reforms
The Local's editor Emma Löfgren rounds up the biggest stories of the week in our Inside Sweden newsletter. Advertisement Hej, The consultation period for Sweden's citizenship reform ends on April 1st, so we've been looking into that, including a guide to how to comment on government bills. This will end one stage of the legislative process and start the next, when the government will process the consultation responses and begin to write up a final bill. We know from speaking with our readers in the past that people are divided on whether the reforms themselves are good or bad. But one thing nearly everyone finds strange is the fact that they look set to affect even those who have already applied for citizenship. Their futures are now essentially in the hands of the Migration Agency's unpredictable waiting times, which were criticised again as recently as this week. It's not the first time new Swedish migration laws has this peculiar kind of retroactive effect – we've seen it with both the work permit salary threshold and spårbyte. So it's perhaps no surprise that the Spotify software engineer who is leading a new campaign of tech workers protesting against the citizenship reforms called the retroactivity a 'trust breaker' which could scare away highly skilled foreigners. We also speak with Eric Peterson, who's behind the campaign, on the latest episode of The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast, which should now be available to listen to. On a somewhat related note, I looked into this week whether submitting a request to conclude to the Migration Agency could speed up applications for citizenship, and the answer appears to be yes – with some exceptions, so it's not a hard guarantee. Advertisement In other news Ever wondered how to swear in Swedish without offending anyone? We've got you covered. Swedish journalists excel at portraying the victims of immigration crackdowns in other countries – but domestic coverage leaves a lot to be desired, The Local's Paul O'Mahony argues. The Swedish krona has grown in value in recent months against major currencies like the dollar and the euro, reaching the highest exchange rate against the euro since the autumn of 2022. What does this mean for foreigners in Sweden? Want to try your hand at growing your own food or flowers but you don't have any outside space? Don't let that stop you. Here are The Local Sweden Deputy Editor Becky Waterton's top tips for what to grow on your balcony in Sweden. Advertisement The centre-left Social Democrats, and not the conservative Moderates, are the long-term 'natural partners' for the far-right Sweden Democrats, a senior member of the populist party's ruling committee has claimed. Why is the party making overtures to its historic arch enemy? The Swedish historian Lars Trägårdh has long courted controversy, so it's little surprise that he has generated tumult in his new job leading the committee developing Sweden's new cultural canon. I really recommend reading Richar Orange's interview with him if you haven't already – it's thought-provoking and fascinating, regardless of whether you agree with him or not. On Tuesday next week we'll know more about the Swedish government's plans to reject and revoke residence permits for foreigners with a 'flawed way of life'. Thanks for reading, Emma Löfgren Editor, The Local Sweden Inside Sweden is our weekly newsletter for members which gives you news, analysis and, sometimes, takes you behind the scenes at The Local. It's published each Saturday and with Membership+ you can also receive it directly to your inbox.
Local Sweden
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
'A trust breaker': Foreign tech workers campaign against new Swedish citizenship law
When Sweden's migration minister told The Local that a new law tightening citizenship rules wouldn't scare away highly skilled foreign workers, Spotify software engineer Eric Peterson decided to collect signatures to prove him wrong. Advertisement The US national reached out to other highly skilled software professionals asking them to sign a joint letter condemning Sweden's new law tightening citizenship requirements, which he hopes to send in as a submission to the consultation on the law. "I've been very surprised and pleased at the volume of signatures that we've received and the feeling behind it," he told The Local. "We're at a little over 130 signatures right now, which is way more than I expected, because I'm not broadcasting this. This is just going through the whisper networks of immigrants in tech in Sweden." He said it had been important to him that the letter only be signed by highly skilled tech workers as this, he believes, will increase its impact. "People who are not highly skilled labourers, quote unquote, have come to me and asked, 'could we open this up to everyone?' which is understandable. But I really wanted this letter to be focused on high-skilled labourers and tech workers, purely to get the attention of the government." "I think if it were a little bit broader, it would be much easier for the migration minister to dismiss the feedback and be like, 'well, naturally, immigrants are going to oppose this tightening'." He said he had tried to get people in senior positions, some of them director level, and also to get signatures from AI-focused people, founders and CEOs. "I've seen some of those job roles come in, so I think it's going to look good," he said. Advertisement The letter, which you can read here, argues that Sweden's current five-year residency requirement for citizenship has been "an invaluable differentiator in the competition for skilled foreign labor", and that extending the wait to eight or even nine years, would make Sweden much less attractive. At the same time, the decision to apply the new rules retroactively, without transitional arrangements, would "substantially harm our relationship with the state", negatively affecting trust in Swedish institutions. Peterson told The Local that he had been moved to gather signatures because "it didn't seem like anyone was really capturing or paying attention to" what he saw as a "general dissatisfaction" among his colleagues in the tech industry at the changes to citizenship and migration law. When he read Migration Minister Johan Forssell claiming in The Local that high-skilled workers would not be deterred from coming to Sweden, he felt compelled to provide evidence to the contrary. "I think you point blank asked him, 'do you think that these changes are going to have a negative impact on attracting foreign talent?', and he said, 'no, that's not what we're hearing'." Advertisement The goal of the letter, which Peterson intends to submit to the government's consultation is "to articulate opposition to the particular rules in a way that will, hopefully, catch the attention of the government by focusing it very narrowly on highly skilled workers". He said the decision to apply the law retroactively was the "number one" issue angering highly skilled foreign workers in Sweden. "All the people that I talked to who would be affected by this, and even those who have already gone through the process and wouldn't even be affected, feel like it's unfair that they came in under one set of rules and now they're going to be judged on this other set of rules. That's a big trust breaker, I think, and long-term I think it's going to contribute to a degradation of that trust in institutions that Sweden is so well known for." READER INSIGHTS: The second issue was the extension of the residency requirement from five to eight years, although he said he was "less hopeful" that this could be stopped. Where he was hopeful, he said, was that highlighting the impact on Sweden's economy of these changes to citizenship would have more influence on the government. "The hope is that by focusing on the economic impact to Sweden and its attractiveness abroad, we'll get some attention," he said. He also hoped that the submission to the consultation would actually be read and have some influence on the process. Advertisement In the US, he said, writing to a Senator or Congressperson was "a futile task". "When you do it, you're effectively just signing up for spam from their campaign," he joked. "I think things feel different here in Sweden. I think from my perspective, there is some hope that the process will be followed, and the process here is, we're submitting feedback about a proposed law, and somebody's going to look at that. And I believe that the argument is fairly compelling, and hopefully something will come of it." Eric Peterson was interviewed by Paul O'Mahony for the Sweden in Focus podcast. Text by Richard Orange.
