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

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. A Missouri woman has been sentenced to probation and community service for unlawfully collecting government benefits intended for her deceased grandmother. U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk issued the sentence on January 21, 2025, ordering the woman to repay the stolen funds.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

U-Haul® is providing 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to storm victims after a destructive weather system struck several states from Friday to Sunday. Tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and strong winds left numerous families displaced and communities devastated.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When it comes to the best burger in California, Bill's Hamburgers in Van Nuys stands out as the clear favorite. A recent list by Cheapism named this unassuming spot as the top hole-in-the-wall burger joint in the state, with both locals and tourists praising its no-frills, yet mouthwatering burgers.

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.

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.

Some Floridians know that there are several nationally-known restaurant chains that are headquartered in the Sunshine State. Examples are Miller's Ale House, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, and Sonny's Barbecue. Another example is Central Florida's Bloomin' Brands - which is the parent company of several well-known eateries. Unfortunately, it recently announced that it will be cutting Florida jobs.

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.

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.

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.

Burger King is heating up its menu this spring with exciting new offerings available starting March 6, according to Parade. The highlight is the new Steakhouse Bacon Whopper, featuring a flame-broiled burger topped with crispy onions, bacon, Swiss cheese, creamy peppercorn aioli, lettuce, tomato, and A.1. Steak Sauce.

LOS ANGELES – California is expanding its partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to enhance wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles County. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the collaboration aims to monitor air and water quality using cutting-edge technologies.

CLEVELAND, OH — A low-pressure system moving northeast across the Great Lakes will bring wet and windy conditions to Cleveland and surrounding areas today, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected to taper off this morning as a dry slot moves in. However, strong wind gusts, especially in Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania, may reach up to 50+ knots. A High Wind Warning has been issued for these areas.

SAN ANTONIO, March 11, 2025 — Breakfast just got better at Whataburger! Starting March 12, Whataburger fans across its 16-state footprint can enjoy the $5 Breakfast Whatadeal, a tasty combo offering unbeatable value.

Phoenix, AZ – Psycho Bunny, the stylish men’s apparel brand known for its bold and luxury designs, has opened its latest permanent store at the Phoenix Premium Outlets in Phoenix, Arizona. This new location marks a significant milestone in the brand’s expanding retail footprint, which has grown impressively since 2019.

Looking for a picturesque dining experience in California? Look no further than The Marine Room in La Jolla. Voted the most beautiful restaurant in the state by LoveFood, this iconic eatery has been captivating guests with its stunning sea views and elegant ambiance since 1941.

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.

Whether you live in Marietta or more rural sections of Cobb County, that animal howling often heard at night is evidence that the coyote population in Georgia continues to grow.

KISSIMMEE, FL – Jose Perez of Kissimmee is $1 million richer after playing the Florida Lottery's $1,000,000 A Year For Life Spectacular Scratch-Off game. Perez, 53, received a one-time lump-sum payment of $640,000, according to the state lottery authority.