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Colorado can expect “soft landing” from inflation spike without a recession, state forecast predicts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

Colorado can expect a “soft landing” from the recent inflationary spike and a lower chance of a recession in the near future, state economists predicted in a forecast released Wednesday.They also expect required tax refunds to remain high, amounting to hundreds of dollars per taxpayer through the next several years as Colorado returns collections that come in above a constitutional limit.In all, the economists who produced forecasts for the legislature and the governor’s budget office predicted the state would return to more typical budgetary and economic conditions after years of wild fluctuation stemming from the pandemic.“We are back to a very normal budget cycle,” Mark Ferrandino, Gov. Jared Polis’ budget director, told lawmakers Wednesday morning. “In the last three years, we’ve had COVID, with very tough cuts, and then two years with the influx of money from the federal government that is not there anymore.”The separate legislative economic forecast anticipates individua...

Altercation over female student leads to stabbing at Mt. San Antonio College, official says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

A student was detained Wednesday after an altercation at Mt. San Antonio College resulted in a another student being stabbed, officials said.The incident was reported around 11:35 a.m. at the campus located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut.Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a call about two men fighting and one possibly stabbed in the neck.Police and fire officials respond to a stabbing at Mt. San Antonio College on Sept. 20, 2023. (KTLA) The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition and one person was taken into custody, authorities said.Initial reports indicated that the altercation was between two male students apparently fighting over a female student, an official at the scene said.The female student’s ex-boyfriend was the initial aggressor and the new boyfriend pulled out a knife and stabbed the ex-boyfriend, the official said.There was no threat to the campus and no further disruption, officials said.Campus counselors were at the sc...

California restaurant owner apologizes for 'F--- the locals' video

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

A central California restauranteur is apologizing for a video in which he used profanity to disparage local customers.“F**k the locals,” Roger Sharp said in a TikTok video posted by his social media team earlier this month, which has since been taken down.Sharp, who owns Tortilla Town and Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ in Paso Robles, Blue Sky Bistro in Morro Bay and Tito’s Red Tacos in Pismo Beach, was discussing the nature of his business and, specifically, those who complain about his prices.“[Locals] aren't going to be the ones that make us money, right? They're not who this place is designed for,” he said.California restaurant owner Roger Sharp posted a video on TikTok apologizing for disparaging locals. Sept. 15, 2023. (TikTok @restaurantmillionaire)After the video was removed, copies were widely shared on Facebook, YouTube, Nextdoor and elsewhere on TikTok. (Watch the video)While Sharp claims his comments were taken out of context, the backlash was swift and severe with many calling for...

Beverly Hills outlaws Silly String, shaving cream on Halloween night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

In an effort to crack down on Halloween pranks, the city of Beverly Hills has officially banned the personal possession of some favorite tools of late night vandals.During a Tuesday council meeting, the Beverly Hills City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a new ordinance that prohibits the possession of Silly String, "hair removal products" and shaving cream on Halloween.The ordinance was passed, city officials said, in order to create a "safe family friendly environment."This file image shows three can of multi-colored aerosol spray string cans and a can of shaving cream. Both items are prohibited in Beverly Hills city limits on Halloween. (Getty Images)In a news release issued Wednesday, city officials said the Beverly Hills Police Department has been asking for the items to be prohibited for the last several years."When used improperly, the products outlined in the ordinance may cause harm to individuals, property and/or the environment," the news release states.Anyone under the age of ...

Palm Springs-based pharmacy must pay nearly $1M for alleged Medi-Cal fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

A Palm Springs-based pharmacy will pay the state and federal governments almost $1 million for allegedly defrauding California's Medicaid program.LASR Enterprises must repay $925,000 after allegedly seeking and receiving reimbursement from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release.Between 2015 and 2017, "LASR and its owners sought and received a total of $155,709 in reimbursement from Medi-Cal for drugs dispensed without a valid prescription, and a total of $22,177 in reimbursement for drugs that were over-dispensed per an authorized prescription," the release said.Now, the pharmacy must pay back more than five times what was taken, Bonta said. “The Medi-Cal system supports our communities by providing access to free or affordable healthcare services for millions of Californians,” Bonta said in the release. “When providers wrongfully claim reimbursement from Medi-Cal, they are misappropriating vital resources meant to protect the healt...

Bay Area high school sports events impacted by wildfire smoke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

The three massive fires in far northern California near the Oregon border that are sending unhealthy air down into the Bay Area have impacted several high school sports events on Wednesday.Two cross country meets were cancelled on Wednesday afternoon. The West Catholic Athletic League canceled a league-wide cross country race at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The Peninsula Athletic League cancelled a cross country race which was scheduled to be held at Half Moon Bay high school, according to San Mateo high school.The decision has been made to cancel today's WCAL I Center Meet at Golden Gate Park due to poor air quality.— WCALSports (@WCALSports) September 20, 2023Other WCAL schools have said they are canceling or postponing several events, including Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco, Archbishop Mitty in San Jose.Update on today’s Monarch athletic contests. pic.twitter.com/KhoKSr7ehY— AMHS Athletics (@AMHSAthletics) September 20, 2023  Due to the un...

Ray Epps pleads guilty to Capitol riot misdemeanor charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

By Ashraf Khalil | Associated PressWASHINGTON — Ray Epps, a onetime Donald Trump supporter who was the target of a right-wing conspiracy theory about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack that forced him into hiding, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot.Epps, appearing remotely for a hearing in Washington’s federal courthouse, entered his plea on a charge of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds a day after the case was filed in the Justice Department’s massive Jan. 6 prosecution.The judge scheduled his sentencing for Dec. 20.After the riot, he became the focus of a conspiracy theory — echoed by right-wing news outlets — that he was a secret government agent who incited the Capitol attack.Driven from his Arizona home, the former Marine and ex-member of the Oath Keepers extremist group filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News Channel this year, saying the network was to blame for spreading the baseless claims that led to death...

Palo Alto: The Good Salad opens a second Peninsula location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

Just weeks after expanding to Los Altos, the popular Santa Clara concept called The Good Salad has opened a second Peninsula eatery, in Palo Alto.The new location is open weekdays for takeout at 2051 El Camino Real. Both the original (takeout only) and the State Street Market stand (with sit-down dining at the massive food hall) are open daily.The Good Salad was founded in 2021 by Sanad Al Souz, an engineer who worked with a chef to help create the menu of meal-size salads that feature regional produce, dressings made in-house and 42 customizable ingredients.The top seller is the Blazing Bird, made with Halal Cajun chicken breast, romaine lettuce, black bean and corn pico de gallo, avocado and crispy fried onions, with house-made Chipotle Ranch Dressing and a signature balsamic glaze on the side. Add or subtract toppings as you like. Part of the appeal of The Good Salad is the pricing stricture, which allows customers to delete a topping and receive a commensurate reduction in price...

Man shot at Berkeley bus stop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

BERKELEY — A man was shot in both legs at a Berkeley bus stop Tuesday afternoon, police said.The 26-year-old man got his own transportation to a hospital. His condition was not available Wednesday. Police have not said where he lives.The shooting happened about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at a bus stop on Sacramento Street near Oregon Street, police said.The victim was not there when police responded but physical evidence of a shooting was found, Officer Jessica Perry said.It turned out the man had gotten his own transportation to a hospital, which police were notified of about 3:48 p.m.A motive for the shooting is under investigation. No suspect information has been released and no arrests have been announced.Anyone with information about the shooting may call police at 510-981-5900.

USC football program blocks reporter’s access

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:40 GMT

The USC football program has suspended access to the team for two weeks for Orange County Register and Southern California News Group beat writer Luca Evans.USC coach Lincoln Riley took issue with a story published Thursday, according to Katie Ryan, Director of Football Communications. In the story, Evans wrote about a conversation that two players had while preparing to talk with the media. USC contends that Evans violated its policy prohibiting reporting on anything outside of media availabilities in the practice facility.For related news, see: Alexander: It’s not the job of USC’s Lincoln Riley or any news source to dictate coverageRyan had earlier in the season brought up concerns to SCNG editors about Evans, who is on his first season on the USC beat. They included asking a question when a press conference had been concluded and talking to players and coaches in areas on campus that weren’t designated as media availabilities.The Southern California News Group, a partner of this ...