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By TOM MURPHY, Associated PressA big shopping deadline is drawing near for some people, and it has nothing to do with the holidays.Millions of people use flexible spending accounts to help pay for health care, and some may lose money left in those accounts if they don’t spend it by year’s end.There are many ways to spend that use-it-or-use it balance — think raiding the local drugstore — but it’s important to understand FSA rules before going on a shopping spree.Here are some things to consider.What are flexible spending accounts?FSAs let you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes…

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY – High surf played a role in a death Monday at a beach in Santa Cruz County.Authorities were called to Sunset State Beach around 11:30 a.m. for a report of a person trapped under debris or a log “due to the high surf,” according to California State Parks spokesperson Marty Greenstein.RELATED: Santa Cruz Wharf partially collapses; 3 rescued from waterGreenstein said rescuers and bystanders freed the person and gave him CPR. He was then taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.The person was identified only as a male resident of Santa…

By JOSH BOAK, MARC LEVY and ASHRAF KHALIL, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel on Monday failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel, leaving the decision to President Joe Biden, who opposes the deal.The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as CFIUS, sent its long-awaited report on the merger to Biden, who formally came out against the deal in March. He has 15 days to reach a final decision, the White House said. A U.S. official…

LOS ANGELES — Jeff Kaufman and Mick Cronin fall into the same healthy debate when the two reconvene. The Coronado High head coach has built a strong reputation of developing offensively gifted guards, while the UCLA men’s basketball head coach builds teams that hang their hats on defense. Their visions may clash, but they wholeheartedly respect one another’s opinions.About three years ago, Kaufman approached Cronin with the idea of selling him on his senior guard, Sebastian Mack.“If you’re in a fight,” he told Cronin, “this is the kid you want on your side.”A Mick Cronin kind of player, Kaufman called him.Mack…

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…