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ARCADIA — Santa Anita begins its 90th-anniversary season of thoroughbred racing Thursday with Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan trying to add to his résumé by winning the Malibu Stakes.Yes, the competition on opening day in Arcadia is so strong that a victory in the main event would enhance the reputation of even the winner of America’s greatest race.“It’s an ideal race for him,” said Ken McPeek, Mystik Dan’s trainer.The $300,000 Malibu, a 7-furlong sprint, is the year’s final Grade I race restricted to 3-year-olds, making it an inviting way for a sophomore to cap the current season and vault into…

For Christians, Christmas is a day of worship, a day of miracle and mystery, the day the baby Jesus arrived in his unique incarnation as God-made-man. This paradox of Jesus’ nature as both fully God and fully human only adds to the sense of mystery, awe, joy and love with which he is worshipped. Philippians 2:6-8 explains the mystery of God-made-man this way: “Although He existed in the form of God he did not consider equality a thing to be grasped, but instead emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. He…

“Swift swings” takes a quick peek at one economic trend.The number: California shoppers seem wary of the upcoming White House switch, as one measurement of consumer confidence has dropped 11% since Donald Trump won another presidential term.The source: My trusty spreadsheet looked at the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index for December, tracking the nation and eight states.The curveConfidence in the very Democratic-leaning state dipped 1% in December after an 10% dive in November following Republican Trump’s victory. The index had been at a 14-month-high in pre-election October, but now sits only 8% above its average score since 2007.Looking inside the…

By Abby Badach Doyle, NerdWalletIt won’t be impossible to buy a house in 2025 — just be prepared to play on hard mode.According to a November 2024 report from ICE Mortgage Technology, the monthly principal and interest payment on an average-priced home is $2,385. While that’s not the highest it’s ever been, it’s still a sharp increase — nearly 80% — from just three years ago. In November 2021, when mortgage rates averaged 3%, the monthly principal and interest on an average-priced home was $1,327 per month.So here’s the key to buying in 2025: Look ahead, not back. Regret won’t…

HONOLULU — Bryce Archie found Keshaun Singleton over the middle to give South Florida the lead in the fifth overtime and Mac Harris batted down a pass in the end zone to give the Bulls a 41-39 victory over San Jose State on Tuesday night in the Hawaii Bowl.It was the longest FBS bowl/postseason game since overtime was established in 1996. Previously four games had gone three overtimes.South Florida (7-6) has won back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2016-17. San Jose State (7-6) was seeking its first bowl victory since 2015.Trailing 27-24, South Florida started its final drive…

LOS ANGELES — Playing in front of their home crowd after consecutive weeks on the road, plus the opportunity to clinch the NFC West and a playoff spot are important motivating factors for the Rams this week.But according to defensive end Kobie Turner, those considerations don’t comprise the main theme of the week.The Rams (9-6), who lost to the Arizona Cardinals 41-10 in Week 2, are preparing for what Turner calls a “get back” game.“I’m sure SoFi is going to be rocking and to have the chance to be able to send us into the playoffs, all of that stuff…

LOS ANGELES — Considering how their seasons have ebbed and flowed so far, and the history between the stars leading their teams, it’s only appropriate that the Lakers and Golden State Warriors match up for a Christmas Day showdown on Wednesday at Chase Center.Just a month ago, the Lakers and Warriors were sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings, opening the season with 10-5 and 12-3 records, respectively, entering Nov. 23.How much a month can change things.The Lakers (16-13) have gone 6-8 since then after dropping Monday’s home game to the Detroit Pistons to end their three-game winning…

EL SEGUNDO — Offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Tuesday referred to Justin Herbert’s touchdown pass this past Thursday to wide receiver Derius Davis as a “zero gravity throw.”Photos and videos indicate Herbert did not have either foot on the ground when he rolled to his left and delivered a throw across his body to a streaking Davis in the end zone.“Have I seen a better one? Perhaps, but I don’t know if I have,” Roman said when asked if he had seen a better throw than Herbert’s 19-yard touchdown strike to Davis in the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ 34-27…

By DIDI TANGThe Associated Press — The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has come to the drone market, where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player.Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of drones from two dominant Chinese manufacturers, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry.A defense bill that passed Congress last week would bar new Chinese drones from DJI Technology and Autel Robotics should a review find them to pose an “unacceptable” risk to U.S. national security.But American users,…

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICONFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions.Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass…