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By TIM SULLIVAN, Associated PressPresident Donald Trump, who made the deportation of immigrants a central part of his campaign and presidency, said Wednesday that the U.S. will use a detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to hold tens of thousands of the “worst criminal aliens.”“We’re going to send them out to Guantánamo,” Trump said at the signing of the Laken Riley Act.He later signed a presidential memorandum and said he’d direct federal officials to get facilities ready to receive criminal immigrants in the US illegally. Border czar Tom Homan said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would run the facility. Still,…

You soon could be paying even more for gas at the pump. That’s because of a cynical attempt to use the wildfires tragedy to attack California’s oil companies. Sponsored by state Sen. Scott Weiner, D-San Francisco,  Senate Bill 222 would let individual persons or insurance companies sue “a party responsible for a climate disaster or extreme weather or other events,” meaning oil companies. The companies could be charged with “misleading and deceptive practices or the provision of misinformation or disinformation” on how fossil fuel is connected to climate change. Losses as low as $10,000, meaning the thousands of people whose…

By PAUL WISEMAN, Associated Press Economics WriterWASHINGTON (AP) — A humming American economy ended 2024 on a solid note with consumer spending continuing to drive growth, and ahead of what could be a significant change in direction under a Trump administration.The Commerce Department reported Thursday that gross domestic product — the economy’s output of goods and services — expanded at a 2.3% annual rate from October through December.For the full year, the economy grew a healthy 2.8%, compared with 2.9% in 2023.The fourth-quarter growth was a tick below the 2.4% economists had expected, according to a survey of forecasters by…

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — The White House stenographers have a problem. Donald Trump is talking so much, the people responsible for transcribing his public remarks are struggling to keep up with all the words.There were more than 22,000 on Inauguration Day, then another 17,000 when Trump visited disaster sites in North Carolina and California. It’s enough to strain the ears and fingers of even the most dedicated stenographer, especially after four years of Joe Biden’s relative quiet.President Donald Trump stands at a craps table after speaking about the economy at the Circa Resort and Casino in Las…

Rent increases in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties topped historical norms after January’s wildfires. My trusty spreadsheet reviewed January estimates for what renters paid for new leases in 16 large cities for all kinds of rentals in the two counties, as compiled by ApartmentList. Rent swings between January and December were compared to average changes in this one-month period between 2017 and 2024. This early peek at the post-fire rental market shows 10 of the 16 cities started this year with above-average price growth. However, as ApartmentList noted, “We will need to watch the data for another month…

By ERIC TUCKER, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, will encounter deeply skeptical questioning from Democratic senators Thursday about his loyalty to the president and stated desire to overhaul the bureau as he faces a high-stakes hearing that will help determine his path toward confirmation.Patel, a Trump loyalist who has railed against the FBI over its investigations into the president and claimed that Jan. 6 rioters were mistreated by the Justice Department, was picked in November to replace Christopher Wray, who led the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency for more than…

By DAVID KLEPPER, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to be director of national intelligence, is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers Thursday over past comments about Russia and a 2017 visit with Syria’s now-deposed leader.The back-and-forth during Gabbard’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee could reveal whether she has successfully assuaged concerns from lawmakers of both parties — or whether worries about her experience and background will sink her nomination to oversee 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, is a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard who deployed twice…

At last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump mixed compelling pro-growth talking points with his signature streak of aggressive protectionism. It’s safe to say that these two ideas are officially on a collision course.On one hand, Trump insists that “America is back and open for business.” His promises to make America a 15% corporate-tax haven and lower energy costs are signs of this commitment.On the other hand, Trump warns of punishing tariffs and retaliatory measures for Americans who dare to manufacture or source inputs for their products from abroad, or for countries that dare to tax…

SAN BERNARDINO — When the Chaffey and San Bernardino Valley College men’s basketball teams met just before Christmas it took a second-half rally for Chaffey to overcome a 15-point deficit and win at home.No such comeback was needed in Wednesday night’s rematch at San Bernardino Valley College.Chaffey, behind hot shooting in the first half, raced to a 25-point lead and then withstood a Wolverines rally to prevail 96-82. The Panthers now have a two-game lead over both SBVC and Cerro Coso in Inland Empire Athletic Conference play with six games left.“Today we took SBVC’s best shot in that second half and then…

By RAUL DOMINGUEZ The Associated PressSAN ANTONIO — Kawhi Leonard had his best game so far, and the Clippers dominated when it mattered most.Leonard scored a season-high 27 points, Norman Powell scored the same and the Clippers rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 128-116, dominating the final five minutes on Wednesday night.Clippers center Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 22 rebounds in an intense battle with San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama.Wembanyama had 23 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Spurs, who have lost five of their past six games.The Clippers led by two points after three…