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If there is any policy issue on which President Donald Trump has been consistent on, it’s trade. For years, Trump has expressed his view that American greatness and international trade are at odds with each other. Other countries, he asserts, almost inevitably take advantage of America, somehow, through the international trade process. Consequently, as president in his first term, he launched a trade war even with American allies. He declared himself a “Tariff Man” and began slapping tariffs on imports under the mistaken belief that doing so would help American workers. Many of those tariffs were continued and expanded on…

By COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press Education WriterWASHINGTON (AP) — America’s children have continued to lose ground on reading skills in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and have made little improvement in math, according to the latest results of an exam known as the nation’s report card.The findings are yet another setback for U.S. schools and reflect the myriad challenges that have upended education, from pandemic school closures to a youth mental health crisis and high rates of chronic absenteeism. The national exam results also show growing inequality: While the highest-performing students have started to regain lost ground, lower-performing students…

Southern California unemployment fell to a seven-month low at 2024’s end as bosses reported record-high staffing.My trusty spreadsheet, filled with new state job figures that aren’t adjusted for seasonal swings, found that the four-county unemployment rate was 5.2% in December, down from 5.4% in November and the lowest since May.However, unemployment is rising when viewed through a longer lens. This survey of workers showed combined joblessness in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties was 4.8% in December 2023 and averaged 4.7% in pre-pandemic 2015-19.In December, 454,300 people were officially out of work in the four counties, up 38,900…

By BYRON TAU, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — When Tulsi Gabbard returned to Washington from a clandestine sit-down with Syria’s then-president Bashar Assad eight years ago this month, she was greeted with a flurry of criticism.Lawmakers and civil society groups chastised Gabbard, then a Hawaii congresswoman, for her meeting with an avowed U.S. adversary whose administration has been credibly accused of war crimes and major human rights abuses. A Republican congressman even called the meeting a “disgrace.”At the time, Gabbard defended the trip by saying she had gone to try to find a peaceful resolution to a long and bloody conflict.…

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Associated PressJust a little over a week into his second term, President Donald Trump is taking steps to maximize his power, sparking chaos and what critics contend is a constitutional crisis as he challenges the separation of powers that have defined American government for more than 200 years.The new administration’s most provocative move came this week, as it announced it would temporarily halt federal payments to ensure they complied with Trump’s orders barring diversity programs. The technical-sounding directive had enormous immediate impact before it was blocked by a federal judge, potentially pulling trillions of dollars from police…

By LINLEY SANDERS, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine advocacy is outside the mainstream. His previous statements on abortion could alienate Republicans. But a new poll finds that not all of his controversial health goals are unpopular — in fact, at least one has broad support among Democrats and Republicans.As Kennedy’s Senate confirmation hearings begin, his bid to become the nation’s top health official could depend on how staunchly he sticks to these personal beliefs during questioning. He has already softened some of his long-held views.He’s facing some skepticism from the public, according to a new survey…

Ducks right wing Troy Terry, right, celebrates his goal with defenseman Radko Gudas during the first period of their game against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) allows a goal to Ducks right wing Troy Terry (not pictured) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, left, stops a shot from Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson (9) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)…

REDLANDS — The difference remains one point in the race for the Citrus Belt League girls soccer title.Despite producing the only five shots on goal of the match, Citrus Valley was unable to break through against Beaumont in a scoreless draw Tuesday night.“We had our opportunities but we just didn’t capitalize on them,” Citrus Valley coach Cassandra Delgado said. “There were moments where we were very close to the goal and just barely missed.”The league-leading Blackhawks (5-10-3 overall, 5-1-2 in league) are unbeaten in January following a 0-9-2 start to the season.“We’re still figuring it out and I’m always big…

Three former employees of St. John Bosco High School have filed a lawsuit against the Catholic school and Braves football coach Jason Negro, who they allege embezzled funds from the school and had his assistant coaches present “anonymous donations” in cash to pay the tuition of standout players.The wide-ranging lawsuit, filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles County court, also alleges harassment, discrimination and retaliation by the school, which annually fields a national powerhouse football program. The court filing also names the Salesian Society, which helps operate the school, as a defendant.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of former St. John…

“Sheriff’s department, anyone inside? Hello, anyone inside?” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies called out as they hustled through the halls of a senior living complex, knocking on doors, shining flashlights into the rooms as flames and smoke swirled just outside the building’s windows.Deputies Martinez and Alkonis, brought in from the LASD Carson Station, were at the complex the morning of Jan. 8 to search for any remaining residents who had not been evacuated because of the Eaton fire, which the night before started moving rapidly moved towards the area. A woman walking her dog outside the building, urged by the…