SeaWorld hit with safety fine

SAN DIEGO — SeaWorld San Diego has been cited for allegedly failing to train workers to safely interact with its killer whales.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued four citations this week that carry nearly $26,000 in fines.

The citations say the park hasn’t kept employees aware of hazards involving the orcas. They say employees ride and swim with killer whales in the park’s medical pool — although keepers aren’t allowed in the Shamu Stadium pool during orca shows.

SeaWorld plans to appeal. It said the citations show a “fundamental misunderstanding” of what’s needed to safely care for orcas.

Court rules against way players are taxed

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The way Cleveland taxes professional athletes who work for short periods of time in the city is unconstitutional because it violates athletes’ due process rights, the Ohio Supreme Court said Thursday.

The city unfairly imposed a 2 percent income tax on ex-Chicago Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer based on games played in the city as a percentage of total games played, the ruling said.

Hillenmeyer is due a partial refund under the method used by most cities — in which athletes are taxed based on games played as a percentage of the season.