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California has enough problems without making people endure political stunts.That’s just what the California Air Resource Board did by providing a subsidy up to $2,000 to buy an electric bike, part of the California E-Bike Incentive Project. That’s the average price of a new e-bike, according to REI. The idea is to get people out of gas-guzzling cars and onto bikes to reduce climate change.Costing $3 million for just 1,500 grants, the application deadline was Dec. 18, but the website announced soon there will be new application windows. Applicants must apply online, be a California resident 18 or older and…

By MAE ANDERSONA recent survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election.The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021.The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110.NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty.“Owners are particularly hopeful for tax and regulation policies that favor strong economic growth as…

California Highway Patrol officers will ramp up operations in L.A. and Orange counties and statewide tonight through Christmas night to nab drunken and drug-impaired drivers.The CHP’s annual Christmastime “maximum enforcement period” will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch DUI drivers, speeders and other scofflaws. The MEP will conclude on Wednesday night, lasting about 30 hours.“This time of year is about celebrating with family and friends, but it’s also a time when traffic incidents increase due to poor driving decisions,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “Each of us has a role in making California’s…

 Guadalupe Ruiz, 15, works out with professional boxer Antonia Garcia at the Downtown Youth Center in Anaheim on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. The Garden Grove/Santiago High student recently won her 12th national title at the USA Boxing National Championships in Virginia. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Guadalupe Ruiz, 15, warms up at the Downtown Youth Center in Anaheim on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. The Garden Grove/Santiago High student recently won her 12th national title at the USA Boxing National Championships in Virginia. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Guadalupe Ruiz, 15, works out with professional boxer Antonia…

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports WriterOregon and Ohio State have already produced one heck of a game this season.Now, the top-seeded Ducks (13-0) and eighth-seeded Buckeyes (11-2) are gearing up for a rematch more than 10 weeks later in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.Of course, both teams have had ample time for evolution since that 32-31 Oregon win on Oct. 12 in Eugene. But they also have that game and players’ familiarity with each other, not to mention common opponents in the Big Ten.“Sometimes when you’re playing against a team maybe…

By CLAY BAILEY The Associated PressMEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Clippers wrapped up their three-game road trip with a gritty win.Norman Powell scored 29 points, including four in the final 25 seconds, to lead the Clippers to a 114-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, snapping the Grizzlies’ eight-game home winning streak.Powell’s 15-footer with 25.4 seconds left broke a 110-all tie, and he added two game-clinching free throws with 5.7 seconds to go as the Clippers won for the third time in four games.James Harden had 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Clippers (17-13), and Ivica…

By W.G. RAMIREZ The Associated PressLAS VEGAS — The Ducks likely have to wait until next season to try to solve the puzzle that is the Vegas Golden Knights.Tomas Hertl scored a go-ahead goal midway through the third period, Adin Hill made 31 saves and Vegas beat the Ducks, 3-1, to complete a four-game regular-season sweep on Monday night.After the Ducks tied the score on Mason McTavish’s goal early in the second period, Hertl broke the tie when he took a pass from Jack Eichel in front of Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal and maneuvered to his backhand.Tanner Pearson had a…

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports WriterGREEN BAY, Wis. — Josh Jacobs gained 107 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown for a sixth straight game as the Green Bay Packers clinched a playoff berth while producing the first shutout of the NFL season, 34-0, over the hapless New Orleans Saints on Monday night.Green Bay (11-4) earned its fifth postseason appearance in six years and recorded its first shutout since beating Seattle 17-0 on Nov. 14, 2021. The Saints (5-10) were blanked for the first time since falling to San Francisco, 13-0, on Nov. 27, 2022.New Orleans played without injured quarterback…

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers have had a reversal of excellence over the last couple of weeks.They entered the season with the expectations of being a prolific offensive team. And for a month, they were that.Through their first 15 games, the Lakers had a 118.3 offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) for the league’s fourth-best mark.But their defense lagged, ranking 26th in the NBA in defensive rating (117.4) after the season’s first month.The script has flipped.In their previous 11 games entering Monday night’s home game against the Detroit Pistons, the Lakers ranked No. 8 in defensive rating (108.2), including…

It has been a holiday tradition in This Space, but for some reason, it’s been overlooked for two of the last three years. It is the annual column devoted to readers’ responses to various columns, the readers’ Christmas gift to the columnist – or, as I refer to it internally, the Easiest Column of the Year.(But no, this doesn’t mean I’m choosing from three years worth of emails. I’m a little more selective than that.)As always, I thank you for reading, and for responding – even when you disagree – but the ground rules remain the same as always: The…