Driver With Prior DUIs Charged With Fatally Striking Teen Walking to School

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A California man with two DUI convictions has been charged with murder in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 13-year-old boy as he walked to school, authorities said. Bradley Gene Funk, 59, who was on probation for a 2021 DUI conviction, allegedly struck a curb early Tuesday in Dana Point and plowed into Luis Adrian Morales-Pacheco as the boy headed to Niguel Hills Middle School with his older brother, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Funk, of Dana Point, allegedly fled the scene after striking the teen, whose brother was not injured. He was arrested a few miles away after his white GMC pickup lost a tire and witnesses helped deputies track him down, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said. Luis, of San Juan Capistrano, suffered serious injuries in the collision and died at a hospital. “The death of a child leaves a hole in the heart of our entire community,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement Thursday. “Luis did not have to die and the driver who killed him was told over and over again of the lives he would be risking if he got behind the wheel intoxicated, and he did it anyway. And now Luis’ family is forced to live without their little boy whose smile could light up a room-all because a stranger made a selfish decision and Luis and his entire family paid the ultimate price.” Funk, who pleaded guilty to DUI in two separate cases, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury. He remains in custody as of early Friday, jail records show. In California, motorists convicted of DUI are required to receive a Watson advisement-informing them they could face a murder charge if they kill someone while driving under the influence. Funk received that instruction in both of his cases, Spitzer said. Funk, who was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI, murder and hit-and-run, was on probation in connection with his prior convictions, sheriff officials said. Funk had been convicted in DUI cases in November 2020 and January 2021, according to court records cited by the Los Angeles Times. In July 2020, Funk was booked on suspicion of DUI in two separate incidents within three days after hitting two cars near Capistrano Union High School before fleeing. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run with property damage and DUI in one incident and DUI in the second, the Times reported. Funk was sentenced to five years’ probation, including a stipulation that he couldn’t drive a vehicle with alcohol in his system. His license was suspended in July 2021 and reinstated in February 2023, DMV records cited by the newspaper show. Funk remains held without bail ahead of his arraignment scheduled for December 10. His court-appointed attorney, Joel Garson, said he didn’t have enough evidence Thursday to seek bail in the case, KTTV reported. An online fundraiser for Luis’ family had eclipsed $59,000 as of early Friday. “Luis Adrian was a bright light in the world known for his smile,” the GoFundMe listing reads. “He was generous, he loved to protect younger kids, he also loved his family and God with all his heart. He was always happy, loving and hungry.” Classmates of the charismatic sixth-grader are also struggling to process Tuesday’s deadly crash, KABC reported. “He was a very kindhearted person,” classmate Harper Waters told the station. “He didn’t make just me, but he made a lot of kids smile. I’d walk into that class with such a bad attitude, and I’d come out with a smile because of him.”.
https://www.newsweek.com/driver-with-prior-duis-charged-with-fatally-striking-teen-walking-to-school-11088883

Michael Saylor Reaffirms Bitcoin Commitment as MSCI Scrutiny Continues

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TLDR Michael Saylor defends Strategy’s Bitcoin-backed treasury model amid MSCI scrutiny. Strategy launched TRC, a Bitcoin-backed treasury credit offering with monthly yields. Saylor stresses Strategy is a software company, not a fund or trust, despite MSCI concerns. MSCI may remove Strategy from major indices over Bitcoin treasury classification. 💥 Find the Next KnockoutStock! Get live prices, charts, and KO Scores from KnockoutStocks. com, the data-driven platform ranking every stock by quality and breakout potential. Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy, recently reaffirmed his company’s commitment to Bitcoin as it faces scrutiny from MSCI over its inclusion in major indices. Saylor emphasized that Strategy is not a fund, trust, or holding company, despite MSCI’s classification of firms with large Bitcoin holdings as such. This comes amid concerns that Strategy’s heavy Bitcoin reserves might lead to its exclusion from indices like the Nasdaq 100. Strategy’s Bitcoin-Focused Approach Saylor clarified that Strategy operates as a publicly traded company with a $500 million software business. He explained that the company uses Bitcoin as productive capital, a unique treasury strategy. Unlike passive investment funds or holding companies, which simply hold assets, Strategy actively creates, structures, issues, and operates its business model. Saylor highlighted the company’s achievements this year, including five public offerings of digital credit securities, totaling over $7. 7 billion in notional value. The most recent offering, STRE, raised $704 million to further purchase Bitcoin. Bitcoin-Backed Treasury Instruments Saylor also highlighted the recent launch of Stretch, a Bitcoin-backed treasury credit instrument. This innovative product provides institutional and retail investors with a variable monthly USD yield. Stretch represents a significant step for the company in its goal to integrate Bitcoin into the financial mainstream. With this product, Strategy aims to bring Bitcoin-backed financial instruments to a wider market, distinguishing itself from typical investment vehicles that passively hold assets. MSCI’s Review and Potential Consequences MSCI, a global index provider, has initiated a consultation to review whether companies like Strategy, which hold over 50% of their reserves in Bitcoin, should remain eligible for inclusion in major indices. Investment funds and trusts, which typically hold assets without actively managing them, are not eligible for inclusion in indices such as the MSCI USA and MSCI World indices. If MSCI decides that companies with Bitcoin-heavy reserves resemble investment funds, Strategy may face removal from such indices. Saylor remained confident about his company’s long-term strategy. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), he reiterated that Strategy’s focus on innovation in both capital markets and software is what sets it apart. He also stressed that index classification does not define the company’s mission, which is to build a digital monetary institution based on sound money principles and financial innovation. Stock Performance Amid Concerns Amid these ongoing discussions, Strategy’s stock has seen a decline. Data from TradingView shows that the stock is currently trading around $174, down almost 2% on the day and over 11% in the past five days. Despite this, Saylor remains firm in his stance that the company’s strategy is long-term, with a clear commitment to Bitcoin as a cornerstone of its financial model. MSCI is expected to make a final decision on its review by January 15, 2025. The outcome will determine whether Strategy will remain on key indices or face removal due to its Bitcoin-centric approach.
https://coincentral.com/michael-saylor-reaffirms-bitcoin-commitment-as-msci-scrutiny-continues/

Fortnite’s next live event has Homer Simpson, K-Pop Demon Hunters, the Megazord, and just about anything else you could imagine

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December is right around the corner which means a new Fortnite live event and chapter are rapidly approaching. And this next live event may be the most ridiculous one yet. Epic Games released a teaser image for Fortnite’s latest chapter finale, Zero Hour, and it’s got a mashup of epic proportions when it comes to a very wide array of intellectual properties that the game has been collecting like Pokémon. Speaking of which, when is that collab happening? Anyway, the image is chock full of a variety of collabs if you look closely. All of the characters are heading towards a massive monster that has been teased for some time, but the roster on the players’ side of the event is stacked. Giant Homer Simpson. Godzilla. King Kong. Megazord. Superman. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. K-Pop Demon Hunters. The DeLorean. A Star Destroyer. The Bride from Kill Bill. How does this giant thing have any chance against the squad Epic has assembled? Fortnite’s live events are always such a spectacle to behold. Even if I’m not playing the game actively at the time, I will always find some time to drop in and participate in the latest big event, or at the very least, watch along with streamers. What any of this has to do with what’s going in the game, I’ll never know, so If someone would be so kind as to attempt to explain what’s going on in Fortnite’s overarching plot in the comments, I would be appreciative. Fortnite Seven is the name of the game’s next chapter, and it looks to feature a Hollywood theme with upcoming collabs including Kill Bill, Back to the Future, and more. The new season will begin some time after the live event which takes place next Saturday at 1pm CT.
https://www.destructoid.com/fortnite-zero-hour-live-event-stacked-roster-collabs/

Regulatory Tailwinds: Bitcoin Munari Framework Positioned for Favorable Policy Environment

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Regulatory developments across the global digital-asset sector have placed new emphasis on transparency, predictable issuance, and operational traceability. Jurisdictions are moving toward structured rules for disclosures, token lifecycles, and user protection in both early-stage and mature networks. These shifts are influencing how projects present their economic models and organize participation roles across multi-chain environments. Bitcoin Munari operates within this landscape through a fixed-supply system, predefined emission schedule, and unified participation mechanics spanning its Solana SPL deployment and upcoming Layer-1 chain. These characteristics align with regulatory directions that favor stable, documented frameworks over variable or inflation-based designs. Regulatory Context Shaping Project Conditions Several regulatory milestones define the environment in which Bitcoin Munari operates. In the European Union, the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has been fully in force since January, establishing uniform requirements for token issuers, disclosure practices, and crypto-asset service providers across all member states. This framework reduces fragmentation across the bloc and sets clear expectations for operational transparency. International oversight contributes additional momentum. The Financial Action Task Force continues to stress alignment in virtual-asset service-provider requirements, highlighting the importance of traceability and consistent documentation standards across jurisdictions. In the United States, proposed legislation and oversight initiatives aimed at formalizing the regulatory treatment of digital-asset activities demonstrate a broader shift toward structured rulemaking. These developments create tailwinds for systems built around predictable issuance, defined participation roles, and clear lifecycle documentation. Bitcoin Munari’s economic and operational structure operates within these themes, reflecting characteristics increasingly emphasized by regulators. Unified Participation Model Across Two Environments Bitcoin Munari begins as a Solana SPL token before migrating to a dedicated Layer-1 chain. The project’s design ensures that participation mechanics remain constant throughout this transition. A 1: 1 migration bridge preserves all holdings, and users interact with the same economic model on both networks. This includes the project’s fixed 21, 000, 000 BTCMsupply, the 6, 090, 000 BTCM validator reward pool, and the ten-year emission schedule. This unified structure removes the fragmentation that often appears when projects transition between chains. Many networks modify staking mechanics, introduce new issuance parameters, or replace tokens during migration. Bitcoin Munari avoids these shifts, retaining the same supply logic, participation thresholds, and reward definitions across both environments. The system therefore aligns with policy direction favoring stable asset behavior throughout a token’s lifecycle. Tiered Participation Framework Under Fixed Conditions Participation is organized into three tiers full validators, mobile validators, and delegators each offering a defined entry point within the same fixed-supply environment. Full validators require 10, 000 BTCM and operate on server-grade hardware, including an 8-core CPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a reliable 1Gbps connection. These nodes handle block production and transaction verification, with reward output linked to uptime and stake proportion. Year-1 emissions generally range from 18% to 25% APY, drawn exclusively from the capped validator pool. Mobile validation functions as an intermediate tier. A 1, 000 BTCM stake and a modern Android device with sufficient memory and stable connectivity enable users to participate in lightweight validation tasks without maintaining full node infrastructure. Reward levels are set at half the full validator rate, providing an accommodation for users who cannot manage server environments. Delegation establishes the lowest threshold for user participation. A minimum of 100 BTCM can be delegated to an existing validator, with proportional rewards issued after commission. Delegators do not manage hardware and rely on validator performance, allowing for passive involvement within the same emission framework. These participation tiers operate identically during the SPL phase and after the platform transitions to its Layer-1 chain. The consistency supports regulatory preferences for clear user categories and traceable role definitions. Supply Distribution and Presale Parameters Bitcoin Munari distributes its fixed supply across public presale allocations, validator rewards, liquidity reserves, team vesting, and ecosystem development. The presale follows a ten-round schedule beginning at $0. 10, with a benchmark launch level of $6. 00 and a modeled 5, 900% ROI for Round-1 allocations. All presale tokens include no vesting, enabling immediate availability during the Solana phase and continuity through the 1: 1 migration process. Because no inflation is introduced and distribution categories are fully defined in advance, the project maintains a predictable economic model consistent with regulatory expectations surrounding supply transparency. Moreover, Bitcoin Munari undergoes several external reviews that align with the sector’s movement toward verifiable documentation. These include the Solidproof smart-contract audit, the Spy Wolf security audit, and Spy Wolf’s KYC verification. These assessments contribute to the project’s documentation footprint under regulatory conditions where transparency is increasingly important. Regulatory Dynamics and System Alignment The alignment of supply control, documented participation roles, and consistent lifecycle design places Bitcoin Munari within regulatory conditions that emphasize structured economic models and clearly defined user categories. The transition from Solana to the dedicated Layer-1 chain does not alter how users interact with the system, which reduces procedural risk and supports portfolio planning across multiple networks. These characteristics match regulatory expectations built around predictability and stable operating conditions. Purchase BTCM at the $0. 10 Round 1 price to participate in a fixed-supply system designed for consistent involvement across both the SPL and mainnet environments. Website: official Bitcoin Munari website Buy Today: secure your tokens here Telegram: join the community.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/regulatory-tailwinds-bitcoin-munari-framework-positioned-for-favorable-policy-environment/

Midtown parking garage explosion injures 2 women, one critically

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Two young women were hospitalized, one with critical injuries, when the cover to an air vent inside a Midtown parking garage mysteriously exploded, sending chunks of debris in their direction, officials said Friday. FDNY officials believe the explosion may have been sparked by a generator malfunction inside the building. The two victims, both 25, were inside the parking garage on E. 53rd St. near Lexington Ave. at about 9 p. m. Thursday when the blast occurred. The cover to an air vent blew off, striking the two women as they walked through the garage, cops said. Witness Carlos Nanez saw the vent fly through the air before crashing into the unsuspecting women. He rushed over and found one of the victims lying on the floor, not moving. “It was scary, it was very scary,” he told WPIX 11 News. “The first thing I did was call EMS, I called 911, for the girls because I saw the girl was not responding, not moving.” EMS took the two women to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where one was initially listed in critical condition, an FDNY spokesman said. No other injuries were reported.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/21/midtown-parking-garage-explosion-injures-2-women-one-critically/

The Best Time to Eat Oranges for Vitamin C and Immune Support

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Oranges are well-known for being an excellent source of vitamin C, which is critical for immune system support. There is no single best time to eat oranges to reap their benefits, though eating them regularly can help you get enough vitamin C to support your immune health. When Is the Best Time to Eat an Orange? When you eat oranges isn’t as important as making sure you eat them and other vitamin C-rich foods regularly as part of a balanced diet. While there’s no “best” time to eat an orange, there are a few factors to consider: Eat them regularly for their vitamin C: Eating oranges can help you get enough vitamin C to support your immune system, especially if you’re sick. Eating on an empty stomach may not be better: No evidence supports eating oranges on an empty stomach for optimal vitamin C absorption. In fact, if you have a sensitive stomach, eating them on an empty stomach may cause some irritation due to their acidity. Eat them with other vitamin C-rich foods: Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, red and green bell peppers, kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, and Brussels sprouts. Avoid eating them at certain times to prevent acid reflux: Citrus fruits, such as oranges, can be problematic for individuals with reflux. If you’re prone to acid reflux, it’s best not to eat oranges right before lying down or after a heavy meal. Oranges for Immune Support Vitamin C is critical for a healthy immune system. It’s a powerful antioxidant that boosts the body’s defense against illnesses and protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. Taking vitamin C is commonly thought to prevent colds, but this hasn’t been proven in research. However, eating oranges and other vitamin C-rich foods regularly can help contribute to your total vitamin C intake, which in turn supports your immune system overall. Some evidence suggests that regularly consuming vitamin C may reduce cold symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold. Vitamin C Content of Oranges Oranges are well-known for their vitamin C content. One navel orange has about 83 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which doesn’t get stored in the body. This means you need to consume vitamin C regularly to prevent a vitamin C deficiency. Fruits and vegetables are typically the best sources, with citrus fruits (e. g., oranges) being considered to be the richest in vitamin C. Eating oranges regularly can help you meet your vitamin C needs. The daily recommended intake of vitamin C is: 75 mg for adult females 90 mg for adult males 85 mg for pregnant females 120 mg for breastfeeding females People who smoke or who are exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of not getting enough vitamin C. Experts recommend that people who smoke get 35 mg per day more vitamin C than those who don’t smoke. How to Get the Most Vitamin C from Oranges Cooking vitamin C-rich foods can reduce their vitamin C content. So, by eating oranges raw, you’re getting the most vitamin C out of them. Keep oranges out of direct sunlight and eat them when they’re most fresh, as prolonged storage and exposure to light can reduce vitamin C content. Vitamin C and Iron Absorption Another key time to eat oranges is with iron-rich foods. This is because vitamin C enhances iron absorption, especially when it’s consumed at the same time as iron-rich foods. Vitamin C particularly helps the body absorb non-heme iron, such as that in legumes, leafy greens, and nuts. Iron supports many key functions in the body, most notably the production of red blood cells. It also contributes to a healthy immune system. The next time you have an iron-rich meal, try following it with an orange to help your body get the most iron from your food.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-time-to-eat-oranges-11844869

Natalie Arroyo | On traffic-calming in our communities

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Humboldt County has been abuzz lately with discussions about traffic calming and roadway changes designed for all modes of transportation. I don’t pretend to think I will change hearts and minds by writing about it, but if you’re curious and open-minded, I’m excited to share some thoughts and information. One of the top things people contact me about as an elected official is roadway safety. Most of these complaints are, at their core, about people driving too fast. People often advocate for what they think the right solution is to slow down traffic traffic control devices, speed humps, speed limit changes, increased enforcement but once I get the details, it just keeps coming back to vehicle speed. Humboldt County is No. 1 in the state for collision-related pedestrian fatalities at 6 fatalities per 100, 000. We are No. 3 for bicycle fatalities, and we have a very high number of driving under the influence fatalities. Vehicle speeds matter immensely. Research on the severity of injuries to pedestrians in collisions has shown that under 20 miles per hour, injuries are often not severe. Between 21 and 34 miles per hour, injuries steadily increase, and above 35 miles per hour, a pedestrian-vehicle collision is usually fatal. A common refrain I hear is that pedestrians or bicyclists were doing something wrong when they’re hit, and the data shows that about half the time, that’s true. My perspective is that, while pedestrians and bicyclists should certainly be careful and follow the rules of the road, all roadway users make mistakes and that does not mean that they deserve to die or be grievously injured. If we can offer basic protection especially for children, youth, seniors, and other people whose judgement or physical mobility may not be optimal then as a society, we should do it. The U. S. Department of Transportation says that traffic calming’s purpose is to “support livability and vitality of residential and commercial areas” through “self-enforcing or psycho-perception means.” In short, “traffic calming reduces automobile speeds or volumes, mainly through the use of physical measures, to improve the quality of life.” What are these physical measures and self-enforcing means? They are changes to the “built environment” which require or influence people to go slower and make their movements more deliberate. Drivers don’t need someone to tell them to slow down, the environment forces them to do it. That brings us to some of the most colorfully debated new features around our towns. Bulb-outs are the rounded curb extensions that create a place for pedestrians to stand so they are more visible to traffic while slowing drivers’ turns. A. B. 413, enacted on Jan. 1, 2025, requires that drivers slow to a safe speed when turning around a bulb-out, which may be lower than the posted speed limit (note: it is much, much lower). It also disallows parking within 15 feet of a bulb-out and requires 20 feet of distance in parking or stopping from a crosswalk, whether it’s marked or unmarked. That means any intersection! Narrower lanes are another traffic calming approach, and this touches on “psycho-perception” people feel uncomfortable driving fast when lanes are narrower, so they slow down a bit. You may notice this all over the country and certainly all around the state, and it’s not an accident, it’s a new norm. Meanwhile, reducing travel lanes, as we have seen on Eureka’s H and I Streets, means that fewer drivers pass dangerously, there is room for bike lanes, and very importantly, that there are fewer lanes of traffic to cross at intersections. I live in the neighborhood and see local high school and middle school students crossing these busy streets often. Seeing kids run at a sprint with their backpacks across 3 lanes of 40+ mph traffic used to scare the bejeezus out of me. Traffic has slowed and driver behavior has improved with the reduction to two lanes, radar speed signs, additional painting and striping, bright and visible crosswalks, and pedestrian-activated lights at key intersections. Lastly, we are seeing some innovative approaches like the unique C Street Bike Boulevard, which I bicycle on to go to work, errands, and appointments on a regular basis now. The fact that the design is inconvenient for cars while still providing access to residents and emergency vehicles has made it a dream for bicycling, walking, and lots of little kids learning to bike or skateboard in the neighborhood. There are plenty more design changes that I didn’t describe or point out here. While these take some getting used to, the safety data is sobering for Humboldt County. What a joy it would be to reach our “vision zero” for Humboldt of no collision fatalities! Natalie Arroyo is a Humboldt County supervisor representing District 4 (Eureka, Myrtletown, Samoa, and Fairhaven). at Email her at narroyo@co. humboldt. ca. us.
https://www.times-standard.com/2025/11/21/natalie-arroyo-on-traffic-calming-in-our-communities/