Local:
- OpenAI announced on X Thursday that it’s temporarily blocking Sora 2 users from using Martin Luther King Jr.’s likeness to make content. The company came to an agreement with King’s estate, run by his daughter Bernice King, after disrespectful images were made of King. [KPIX]
Statement from OpenAI and King Estate, Inc.The Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inc. (King, Inc.) and OpenAI have worked together to address how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s likeness is represented in Sora generations. Some users generated disrespectful depictions of Dr.…
— OpenAI Newsroom (@OpenAINewsroom) October 17, 2025
- A championship-winning, 2,346-pound pumpkin, grown by Santa Rosa’s Brandon Dawson, will take center stage at the Great Pumpkin Parade in Half Moon Bay Saturday. Those interested in growing their own giant pumpkin — instructions included in the article — could win a hefty $21,000 grand prize. [The Press Democrat]
- During the Loma Prieta earthquake — thirty-six years ago today, the East Bay’s Cypress Street Viaduct collapsed, killing 42 people. West Oakland residents worked tirelessly to rescue an unknown number of people who were trapped on the two-deck, multi-lane structure, which was originally part of the Nimitz Freeway. [East Bay Yesterday]
- A 17-year-old boy was arrested Thursday under suspicion of making a false bomb threat at Archie Williams High School in Marin County’s San Anselmo; no evidence of explosions or suspicious materials were found. [Marin Independent Journal]
- The California Highway Patrol is searching for two missing teens — 16-year-old Sir Reed, who was last seen Thursday around 5:28 pm in Benicia, and 16-year-old Jovanni Haley, last seen Thursday around 7:10 pm in San Jose. [KRON4]
National:
- Prince Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles, including Duke of York — but not “prince” since he’s son of the late queen, due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The prince was also allegedly affiliated with a Chinese spy who attended business meetings on his behalf. [CNN]
- Former Republican congressman George Santos, who was serving seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft, has been commuted by Trump. Santos admitted to selling the identities of 11 people, including family members, and was the sixth Congressperson expelled in US history. [BBC]
- Boston-based comedian Rob Potylo, who goes by Robby Roadsteamer, plans to sue the Trump administration over his arrest outside the Portland ICE detention center Thursday. Potylo said he was hit by pepper paintballs in the groin and chest while protesting — and heckling — ICE agents before being taken into custody, all while wearing a giraffe costume. [Daily Beast]
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