Latest news with #KRON4News
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Authorities seize dozens of venomous snakes in shocking sting operation: 'It's essential to stay vigilant'
If you're an animal lover, getting to own your favorite species may sound like a dream come true. However, when that species is illegal and dangerous to keep, you're much better off seeing it in a zoo. That's where several dozen venomous snakes were sent after being recovered in a sting operation in the Bay Area, according to KRON 4 News. California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers carried out this operation against a wildlife trafficking ring in Northern California. Five people were charged with the illegal sale of live animals after 75 specimens were found during the operation. The total included 66 venomous snakes — from rattlesnakes to Egyptian cobras and Gaboon vipers. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. First, in the case of venomous snakes or other deadly animals, illegal trafficking is risky not only for the participants but for everyone around them. Buyers and sellers could be injured or killed handling these animals — and if they get out, they can also harm innocent bystanders who were likely unaware the animals were even present. There's also the harm that poaching and wildlife trafficking does to the environment. Many of these animals are threatened in their native ranges, so removing them can harm the remaining populations and hurt their ability to recover. Then, when the animals are transported to new places, there is a risk that they'll disrupt those ecosystems if they get loose. "Snakes play a crucial role as both predator and prey," CDFW told KRON 4, noting the threat to both people and the environment. "It's essential to stay vigilant," CDFW added. In this case, the people involved were charged, and the animals were relocated to qualified facilities, including the Fresno, Denver, and Toledo zoos. "They will now serve as ambassadors in raising awareness about the impacts of wildlife trafficking," CDFW said. Authorities are also hard at work stopping instances of trafficking — such as this case in which eels were smuggled by boat or the bizarre instance of a man who illegally cloned giant sheep. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Jose mayor preps for Super Bowl 60, World Cup with New Orleans visit
(KRON) — As New Orleans gears up for the Super Bowl, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is there too taking notes. With Levi's Stadium set to host Super Bowl 60 in 2026, along with multiple FIFA World Cup matches, Mayor Mahan is studying how the South Bay can maximize the massive events. Why are Super Bowl ticket prices down? 'We're looking at security, fan activations, wayfinding, how people experience the event,' Mayor Mahan told KRON4 News. Representing the Bay Area Host Committee, Mahan is preparing for the transition as the region takes the reins after this year's big game. He emphasized that these events are more than just a few hours of sports — they're multi-day spectacles that require careful planning. 'The game itself is three hours, but the event is more like three or four days and we're looking at how people experience the Super Bowl,' he said. San Jose businesses are already buzzing about the potential impact. Bob Cina, head chef at District in San Pedro Square, hopes the events will bring more foot traffic but says the city needs infrastructure improvements. 'I would say more special events and since the street is closed down just more things going on. Farmers market would be great, more events like bands,' Cina said. San Pedro Social General Manager Ja'Vonn Williams echoed the excitement, calling sports gatherings 'a communal thing for San Jose itself is to get together.' Mahan sees the Super Bowl and World Cup as a chance to showcase Silicon Valley's innovation. 'The thing we should leverage is our innovation,' said Mahan. 'We should be showing off our successful companies: Google, we are a stone's throw from Nvidia, Apple, Waymo. These are the kinds of things we should be showing off and I think we will be as we're showing off San Jose and the Bay Area to the world next year.' With just a year until kickoff, Mahan said the focus will be on boosting live entertainment and outdoor events in 2025 to ensure the South Bay is ready for the world stage. 'Next year is def on my mind,' Mahan said. 'It's going to be huge for this area. I'm hoping the Niners are involved. Super Bowl at Levi's is going to be huge for this community for sure.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Questions remain almost 2 years after popular San Francisco drag queen Heklina's death
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — It's been nearly two years since San Francisco drag queen Heklina was found dead in a London apartment. Police said there was no foul play, but her friends are now speaking out about their frustrations with a lack of answers. DUI DJ was going 90mph on Highway 101: SF DA When KRON4 News first spoke to Joshua Grannell in May of 2023, he was planning a giant celebration of life for his friend Heklina. Grannell, whose stage name is Peaches Christ, was in London with Heklina getting ready to premiere their show 'Mommie Queerest' at the Soho Theatre when he discovered his friend and co-star dead in their London apartment. It's been nearly two years and Grannell said the lack of transparency from police has reached its breaking point. 'Landed back in San Francisco and would reach out to them for updates,' said Grannell. 'We would be ignored quite frankly. The emails would just go unanswered and if we did get a response, it would be just almost nothing.' Weeks after the death, Grannell said he was told by the Metropolitan Police in London that there was no foul play suspected but has yet to receive an official cause of death. He said it wasn't until an investigative reporter from The Guardian reached out to police that video evidence was released of three men leaving Heklina's apartment April 3, 2023. 'For us to receive news almost two years later that they've known that three men were in that apartment hours before I found her dead is chilling and terrifying and beyond upsetting,' said Grannell. Grannell believes homophobia is the likely reason why Scotland Yard hasn't taken Heklina's case seriously and said he has heard of similar experiences from LGBTQ+ friends in the U.K. He said answers only seem to come from police when they learn about the fan following of Heklina and Peaches. 'I did not know that there was this rich horrible history of institutional homophobia within this police force,' said Grannell. He said he's spent two years in the dark and just wants answers and transparency from police because that's what Heklina's family, friends and fans have been waiting for. 'When people continuously come to me and say, 'just tell me how did she really die?' and I say, 'I don't know,' they don't believe me, and it's been awful,' said Grannell. Grannell is hoping that local and state politicians will put pressure on the U.S. Embassy in London to ask for answers from police about what happened to Heklina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
