Latest news with #SacramentoState
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sac State professor hosts screening of climate documentary on Greenland ice melt
Kathy Kasic, a scientist filmmaker and professor at Sacramento State, will host a free screening and panel discussion for her new documentary, 'The Memory of Darkness, Light, and Ice,' at 6 p.m. Monday at the Crest Theater, 1013 K St., in downtown Sacramento. The film examines the history of environmental research tied to Cold War military projects and how early studies predicted the decline of the Greenland Ice Sheet due to carbon dioxide emissions. The 60-minute documentary shows how the ice sheet has melted over decades and considers what steps are needed to slow or reverse the trend. Belgian glaciologist Jean-Louis Tison, featured in the film, explains three astronomical influences on Earth's natural climate cycles: its orbit, axial tilt and wobble. But Tison said human activity is changing the climate faster than any natural cycle. 'We are in an astronomical phase where the climate should cool down, but because of human activity, we are going fast into a warming of the climate system,' he says in the 60-minute film. Kasic served as the film's producer, director and cinematographer. She said her interest in polar environments and climate science began decades ago. 'I am originally a biologist, from my time when I was studying nocturnal frogs in the Amazon,' Kasic said. 'I have been a science documentary filmmaker for 20 years, though I have been interested in climate-related science for more than 30 years.' The film has screened more than 20 times in the past three months, including at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in February. It won the John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival and was named 'Best Feature Documentary' at the Raw Science Film Festival in New York. It was also shown at a Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Task Force briefing at the U.S. Capitol. 'In terms of the science, I am fascinated by how these potentialities are tied to human decisions thousands of miles away,' Kasic said. 'I believe in the strength of the human spirit and our human ingenuity, if we are all working together toward the same goal. And so my goal is that this film helps align us in understanding climate science, so we can all come together.' Kasic said the fossil fuel industry has driven carbon dioxide levels to a historic high, accelerating the melting of ice sheets. 'We are driving toward a cliff and accelerating,' she said. 'When you look at the carbon dioxide levels of that time when the ice was gone, they were half of what they are today. So we have double the carbon dioxide now, and we've put it in the atmosphere at a rapid rate. That is extremely concerning.' She hopes the film inspires governments, planners and the public to act now to reduce future melting. 'Our children and grandchildren will suffer. It is that simple,' Kasic said. 'The more we do now, the easier it will be for those to whom we are handing over our planet, but it is even clearly affecting us now. And so we need to make it easier for people and businesses today to make changes, to become carbon neutral and carbon zero.' Monday's free event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. The film screening starts at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion at 8 p.m. with Kasic; Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica; SMUD Board Director Heidi Sanborn; and UC Davis geologist Dawn Sumner. Free registration is available through Eventbrite and the Crest's website. The film will be released later this year by Arte Distribution and Gravitas Ventures.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California State students protest aid blockade in Gaza with hunger strike
Around two dozen California State University students began a hunger strike last week to protest starvation in Gaza due to Israel's aid blockade, marking the latest act of political protest on college campuses. The strikers – students from San Jose State, Sacramento State, San Francisco State and CSU Long Beach – began their fast on 5 May 'We, the students of San Francisco, Sacramento, Long Beach, and San Jose State Universities, are beginning a united hunger strike in solidarity with the two million Palestinians at risk of starvation in Gaza,' Students for Justice in Palestine wrote in a press release. They are also pushing the university system to divest from weapons manufacturers, among other stated goals. Related: Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after Columbia calls in police The hunger strikes come as Israel's aid blockade in Gaza passes its second month, and is facing mounting international criticism for the millions of Palestinians pushed toward famine, as well as Israel's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich's, recent assertion that 'Gaza will be entirely destroyed.' Max Flynt, a hunger striker and undergraduate student at San Francisco State University, cited the aid blockade as a decisive factor for organizing the strike. Flynt sets up daily on the campus quad with other organizers and strikers under a 'Hunger Strike for Gaza' canopy. Organizers hold educational workshops and strikers have their vitals taken every few hours, but do not stay overnight. 'Many of the forms of protests that were used last year, specifically the encampments, have become effectively illegal in the United States,' Flynt said. 'If we were to put up a tent today, the police would be called on us almost immediately.' Jaime Jackson, a professor at Sacramento State and member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine who studies non-violent protest, pointed out the hunger strike's symbolic ties with the realities in Gaza. 'The bombing, the killing, the massive violations of human rights have been an ongoing issue throughout,' Jackson said. 'But the recent, really big thing has been the blocking of humanitarian aid and the ongoing starvation of people in Gaza.' The crackdown on college protesters from the police to policy level, began during the Biden administration last year and has only increased under Trump. International students with vocal support for Palestinians have been especially targeted. 'We know that the Trump administration is doing this because they're scared of the student movement, they're scared of what they saw last year, and they're scared that it will come back again,' Flynt said. The divestment demands from Flynt and other protesters include the California State University system's adoption of San Francisco State University's Human Rights IPS Screening, the severance of study abroad programs with Israeli universities, and divestment from companies producing military, weapons and surveillance technology. 'We're aware of where they are sending our money, and we don't want to be used to any of these war efforts, genocide through these companies,' said Amal Dawud, and undergraduate and organizer at Sacramento State University. Two schools in the California State University system, Sacramento State University and San Francisco State University, began some form of divestment last year after meeting with student protesters. San Francisco State University confirmed the offloading of assets in Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Leonardo and Palantir, while some questions remain surrounding the mechanics of Sacramento State's divestment. Questions linger surrounding the mechanics and concrete implications of divestment. A recently killed congressional bill would have expanded penalties for boycotting and divestment. Related: Palestinian student freed after Ice arrest forms group to aid other immigrants Marcus Bode, an undergraduate and hunger striker at California State, Long Beach, cited his university's partnership with Boeing, a major supplier to the Israel Defense Forces, as something that would disappear under divestment. Bode can consume water, powder electrolytes and sports fluid under the conditions of the strike, and said that he is already feeling the physical effects of the strike, including aching joints, muscle cramps and lightheadedness. 'We don't see those increases in tuition and fees, those hikes and prices, being returned as a benefit to the student. It isn't being reinvested into our campus and into our student body,' Bode said. 'It's instead being used to fund war and genocide abroad.' Bode and his fellow hunger strikers face an uphill battle with the university system. Amy Bentley-Smith, CSU's director of media relations, said the system and its campuses will not alter investment policies but honor the right to protest. 'We will continue to uphold the values of free inquiry, peaceful protest and academic freedom,' Smith said to the Guardian in a statement.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Housing needed: 6 stories on projects, solutions in Sacramento
Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization Sacramento's housing landscape is shifting through a range of new policies and initiatives. Sacramento State is considering turning underused downtown state buildings into a mixed-use university village, potentially revitalizing the area and increasing housing options. Placer County has approved developer subsidies, such as the Launchpad Program, to speed construction of multi-family housing and address shortages in key regions. City leaders are pushing for more affordable approaches to homelessness, debating cost-effective solutions like mini-homes and shared facilities. At the state level, lawmakers are advancing bills to cut red tape and accelerate permitting, aiming to reduce construction delays and encourage faster housing production. The state granted the university an exclusivity period to evaluate several downtown properties. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annika Merrilees The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the program Tuesday. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theresa Clift Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, said the bills would 'alter the trajectory of California's housing crisis.' | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kate Wolffe Sacramento is working on a new quick-build safety program. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ariane Lange Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty McCarty asked Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency leaders for cheaper options to build affordable housing. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theresa Clift The new mayor is exploring new shelters for unique populations as funding grows tight. Can Sacramento truly do more with less? | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robin Epley LeBron Antonio Hill Tom Philp The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Newsweek
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Lakers Rival Earns Surprising Amount as College Coach
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former NBA star guard Mike Bibby recently took on a new role as the head basketball coach for the men's team at Sacramento State. This will be the second head coaching job for Bibby, as he had previously spent time at his old high school, Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. More NBA news: Timberwolves Reveal Big Injury Update on Anthony Edwards Sacramento State will pay the former NBA star $521,004 per year, as part of a five-year contract. This number is a little higher than the original number that was expected, $470,000. The two sides negotiated the price of his deal after Bibby accepted the role. Sacramento State is now looking to heavily compete in the Big Sky Conference, with Bibby playing a massive role in that. According to Sportico, Bibby will receive $300,000 in base salary, $200,004 in supplement compensation and talent fees, and a $21,000 yearly retention bonus. The former star is also eligible to earn up to $335,000 in performance and academic bonuses. In addition to Bibby, Sacramento State also added former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal to take over as the general manager of basketball operations. SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Sacramento Kings stands next to his teammates Chris Webber #4 and Mike Bibby #10 during the game against the Memphis Gizzlies at Arco Arena on... SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Peja Stojakovic #16 of the Sacramento Kings stands next to his teammates Chris Webber #4 and Mike Bibby #10 during the game against the Memphis Gizzlies at Arco Arena on November 19, 2004 in Sacramento, California. More Photo byBibby was the former No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, being selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies. The guard was traded to the Sacramento Kings, and his career fully took off. As a member of the Kings, Bibby averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. In his career, Bibby averaged 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game over 1001 games. More news: Drake Claims Michael Jordan Lost $20K on Ping Pong Because He Couldn't Stop Gambling Bibby was an instrumental part of the Kings' success in the early 2000s, helping them get to the Western Conference Finals one year. Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers were bitter rivals during this time, and Bibby became a thorn in the side of almost every team he faced off against. Bibby was one of the better point guards during the prime of his career, and the Kings were a legitimate title contender because of it. The veteran guard also spent time in his career playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks. More NBA news: NBA Makes Decision on Punishment for Pacers Star Tyrese Haliburton After Wild Post-Win Celebration Steph Curry Reacts to Facing Anthony Edwards Ahead of Warriors-Timberwolves Series Warriors' Jimmy Butler Issues Concerning Message About Injury Status For more Kings, NBA news, and rumors, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shaquille O'Neal to join Mike Bibby's staff at Sacramento State as voluntary general manager
Mike Bibby was hired at Sacramento State earlier this year in what will be his first coaching job at the college level Shaquille O'Neal's son, Shaqir O'Neal, is set to transfer into Sac State, too. () Shaquille O'Neal is following his son to college. Shaq has agreed to become the general manager of the men's basketball program at Sacramento State, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday night. The roll will be a voluntary one for Shaq. Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to become the men's basketball general manager of Sacramento State, sources tell ESPN. It will be a voluntary role for Shaq, whose son, Shaqir O'Neal, also plays for Sac State under Mike Bibby. Shaq and Bibby form a star duo as college GM and coach. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2025 Shaq will join Mike Bibby, who was hired as the program's next head coach earlier this year, at Sac State. Bibby, who spent half of his NBA career playing for the Sacramento Kings, will take over in what will be his first college head coaching job. He recently helped lead his former high school in Arizona to five state titles. Bibby and Shaq will attempt to turn the Hornets program around. The school is set to open a new basketball facility on campus next fall, though the Hornets have had just two winning seasons since they started playing in 1991. They have yet to make the NCAA tournament, and Bibby will be the fifth head coach in the last six seasons. Shaq's son, Shaqir O'Neal, has committed to play for Bibby next year. Shaqir spent last season at Florida A&M, where he averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. The 21-year-old spent three seasons at Texas Southern before that, too. Then on Tuesday, the Hornets landed UCF transfer and former high school star Mikey Williams, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Williams was a social media sensation throughout high school and landed a massive endorsement deal from Puma, but he largely fell off after facing a legal battle following a shooting at his San Diego home in 2023. He later reached a plea deal. He averaged 5.1 points while playing 14 minutes per game last season at UCF. Bibby and Shaq never played with each other in the league, though they squared off plenty of times throughout their careers. Shaq is the latest NBA player to agree to work as a general manager at the college level. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will be the assistant general manager at Davidson, and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is doing the same at Oklahoma. Shaq played in the league from 1992-2011. The Hall of Famer is currently working as an analyst at TNT on "Inside the NBA."
