Sidewalk food vending is out of control in California; One city is about to implement new rules

Tech billionaire and advisor to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk said that he “Will check with the President” on a $5,000 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dividend for every American taxpayer.

Dollar General plans to close 96 stores across the U.S. sometime during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the company announced. Additionally, 45 pOpshelf-branded stores will shut down, with six of those being converted into Dollar General locations.

A lucky lottery player in Colorado has reason to celebrate after scoring a $1 million prize in Wednesday's (March 12) Powerball drawing. According to the Powerball website, the winning ticket sold in Colorado was one of two nationwide that matched five numbers, earning the substantial prize. The other $1 million ticket was sold in West Virginia.

A cruise vacation didn't go exactly as planned for Jason and Tammy Merritt when their luggage never showed up at their cabin on Carnival Magic. According to news reports, the incident resulted in a lifetime ban for another passenger and a complex legal situation.

Northern California is bracing for another round of severe weather, with heavy snow, rain, and strong winds set to impact the region, according to the NWS Sacramento office. According to the National Weather Service Sacramento, a powerful shortwave is bringing moderate to heavy snowfall to the Sierra today, with scattered showers extending across the southern Sacramento Valley, Delta, and northern San Joaquin Valley.

Bill’s Hamburgers in Van Nuys has been crowned the best hole-in-the-wall burger joint in California, according to Cheapism. This unassuming spot has captured the hearts of locals and tourists alike with its straightforward, delicious approach to burgers.

Frozen lasagna can be a quick and convenient meal option, but many store-bought varieties are packed with unhealthy ingredients. From excessive sodium and unhealthy fats to added preservatives and artificial flavors, some frozen lasagnas can be a nutritional nightmare. If you're trying to make healthier food choices, it's essential to be cautious about which frozen lasagnas you buy. Below, we explore some of the worst frozen lasagna brands for your health.

My mom married my Texan stepdad two years ago after splitting with my dad (who moved to Florida). My stepdad’s ultra-conservative—he hates that I’m applying to art school (“useless degree!”), shames me for dating (my boyfriend’s 25 and a mechanic!), and constantly trashes my mom’s “California parenting.” Now that Mom’s pregnant, he’s pushing me to leave our Arizona home by August when I graduate. Mom says she’s “too stressed” to stand up to him, even though I planned to live here while working part-time.

Regional offices assisting U.S. citizens with Social Security benefits are being closed by the Trump administration. The Department of Government Efficiency has terminated leases for five of Georgia’s 34 Social Security offices.

Strong winter weather is set to impact eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota late tonight into Saturday, with significant snow and ice accumulation expected, according to the National Weather Service Grand Forks ND.

I recently dove into some updates about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, and let me tell you, there’s a lot going on. First of all, don’t worry – Section 8 isn’t affected by any temporary federal funding freezes, so if you're relying on this program, you're still covered. The Trump administration never had a valid reason to cancel it, and it’s still going strong.

Julii Johnson was a hardworking single mother, loved by many, with a beautiful spirit that radiated around her. In January 2017, the 34-year-old mother from Oak Park, Michigan, was dating 44-year-old Jim Terrell Latner. Jim’s ex-girlfriend, Marcie Griffin, is also the mother of two of his children.

According to WalletHub's recent study, California cities are among the happiest in the U.S., with Fremont, San Jose, Irvine, San Francisco, and Huntington Beach all making the top 10. Fremont took the top spot as the happiest city overall.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, has cautioned the Trump administration against implementing cuts to Medicaid, emphasizing that a significant portion of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base relies on this program. In a recent episode of his "War Room" podcast, Bannon stated, "Get into Medicaid. Medicaid, you got to be here because a lot of MAGAs on Medicaid. I’m telling you, if you don’t think so, you are dead wrong. Medicaid is going to be a complicated one. Just can't take a meat axe to it, although I would love to."

My wife and I are struggling to agree on tithing. She’s been attending church regularly for years, and while I respect her faith, I don’t participate. Recently, she asked to start giving 10% of our joint income to her church, which is a significant amount for us financially. I told her I’m uncomfortable donating that much to an institution I’m not involved with, and it turned into a heated argument. She says tithing is non-negotiable for her faith, and my refusal feels like a rejection of her values.

Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), a top fast-casual lobster roll brand, is ramping up its presence across Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse by launching a second food truck just nine months after entering the region. Owners Cindy and Pete Sztankovits, who oversee the Upstate New York territory, invested in the new truck to meet increasing demand for high-quality seafood in Syracuse and surrounding areas.

Crown Burgers in Denver has earned the top spot on Cheapism's list of the best "hole-in-the-wall" burger joints in Colorado. Tucked at 2192 S Colorado Boulevard, this beloved spot has been serving up flavor-packed burgers for 29 years. Known for its retro yellow booths and a menu full of must-try dishes, Crown Burgers boasts a 4.6-star rating with over 3,000 reviews on Google.

SHASTA COUNTY, CA – A powerful winter storm is set to impact Northern California from Sunday through early Tuesday, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and travel disruptions. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento has issued a Winter Storm Warning for elevations above 4000 feet in Shasta County, predicting 6 to 12 inches of snow, with peaks receiving up to 2 feet. This warning is in effect from 11 AM Saturday to 11 PM Sunday.

Sharing my petty (but effective) HOA revenge story. For years, I lived in a neighborhood where parking in front of your own house was banned. I followed the rule grudgingly… until I got slapped with a $50 fine for a car I didn’t even own. The kicker? The car belonged to a random visitor parked briefly in front of my house.

Northern Arizona is bracing for another round of snowfall, with the National Weather Service reporting snow accumulations for areas above 5,000 feet from Prescott to Flagstaff and Williams, according to the National Weather Service Flagstaff, AZ.

The Trump administration has indicated it may target the food stamp program, also known as SNAP, for deep budget cuts. It also may strengthen the work requirement for SNAP. Many SNAP recipients are already required to work, especially those who are able bodied and under the age of 54. “If you are age 16 to 54 and able to work, you will probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits,” according to the SNAP website. “The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.”

Representatives from the Denver Zoo attended the Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee of the Denver City Council on Tuesday. They made a pitch for eliminating lower admission fees in the winter after this season. The committee agreed to the change. The fee structure still must be approved by the full council.

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a young dog named Coco who is searching for her forever family. This adorable 3-month-old puppy may be small in size, weighing in at approximately 4.5 pounds, but she makes up for it with her endless energy and loving personality. Despite her tiny stature, even smaller than the resident cats in her foster home, Coco approaches life with curiosity and enthusiasm. "She has bounds of energy, loves playing with all types of toys, and then ultimately adores snuggling up on her foster mom's lap to get lots of pets," explains Sandy Paws Rescue.

Panda Express is spicing things up with a new Firecracker Steak and Shrimp dish, now available in California locations through May 27, 2025, the Pasadena company announced. The dish features sirloin steak bites and succulent shrimp wok-tossed with red and yellow bell peppers, onions, string beans, and whole dried chili peppers. What ties it all together is Panda's signature Firecracker sauce, infused with extra heat from fermented black beans and chili peppers. The dish packs 18 grams of protein and offers a bold, flavorful experience with every bite. Get it while supplies last at participating Panda Express locations. (Source: Panda Express Press Release)

Jacksonville sheriff’s officers have made 146 arrests since a new homeless law took effect in Florida to prohibit sleeping in public spaces. The Sheriff’s Office reported the number during a meeting Wednesday with City Council members including Ron Salem, chair of the council’s Finance Committee. The agency said it has given out 631 warnings since the new law began.

The Pacific Northwest is bracing for a series of powerful storm systems that will bring heavy rain and significant snowfall to areas in northwest Oregon and southwest Washington, according to the National Weather Service in Portland.

Okay, let’s get real—expiration dates are more of a suggestion than a hard rule, and we’ve all been there: staring at an item in the fridge thinking, “Is it still good?”

The 101st Airborne Division sent an unspecified number of soldiers to the U.S. southern border in January, and a Thursday press release said about 300 more soldiers are being sent.

Sausages are a popular source of protein, but many traditional varieties are high in saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives. Fortunately, there are healthier options that provide protein without excessive unhealthy additives. Choosing leaner meats, lower sodium content, and natural ingredients can make a big difference in how sausages fit into a healthy diet. Here are some of the healthiest kinds of meat sausages to consider.

You ever feel like you’re just done before the breakup even happens? That was me about a month before my ex and I officially called it quits. We were doing the whole long-distance thing—only 200 kilometers apart, but it might as well have been a world away. One weekend, I just realized… I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t want to drive two hours to see him, and I definitely didn’t care about him not driving to visit me either. Those little things that used to annoy me? I just couldn’t be bothered to even be mad about them anymore. I didn’t want to argue, I didn’t want to make an effort, and I sure as heck didn’t want to be intimate.