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By LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — At a time of heightened political division, Americans’ confidence in their country’s judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year, according to a new Gallup poll.The United States saw a sharp drop of 24 percentage points over the last four years, setting the country apart from other wealthy nations where most people on average still express trust in their systems.The results come after a tumultuous period that included the overturning of the nationwide right to abortion, the indictment of former President Donald Trump and the subsequent withdrawal of…

EL SEGUNDO — What’s done is done, the Chargers said. They cannot go back in time and fix all that went wrong during their 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. They can respond with a better, more polished game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium, though.In fact, at this point, it’s all about the Chargers’ response.“We need to better this next game,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said.Sounds simple.“It’s just going out and doing it for a whole game,” he continued.Sounds easy.“We know where we are, where we stand as a team,” he…

If you’re sitting on a pile of travel or credit card rewards with no immediate travel plans, donating them to a charity is an easy way to have a positive impact. And it’s a popular way to give: In 2021, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members donated around 94 million miles to charities at an approximate cash value of $2.6 million, according to the airline.Beyond the social benefits, miles donations also qualify as activity on your loyalty account and can prevent the rest of your rewards from expiring.But if you’re in the habit of maximizing points and miles, you might also…

Aiming to help San Bernardino police reduce violent crime and theft in their city, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan Monday to have California Highway Patrol officers lend some support.Recent statistics show San Bernardino’s violent crime rate at nearly double the statewide average, and its homicide rate more than three times the statewide average. In addition, the vehicle theft rate is among the highest in the state. Law enforcement officials also have reported increased traffic and street violations, including sideshows, according to a release from the governor’s office.The governor’s plan will add law enforcement units on the ground and in…

By CHRIS MEGERIANWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview that’s being released this week, belatedly weighing in on an issue that has been debated on Capitol Hill for years.“Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while they’re in the Congress,” Biden said.The interview was conducted by Faiz Shakir, a political adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders, and published by A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release.It’s unclear what impact Biden’s…

The Ducks mustered three of eight possible points during a four-game road trip that saw the departure of fixture Cam Fowler via trade right before their sinewy win in Columbus, and now they’ll dive headlong into a daunting pair of home games.First up will be the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night, who entered Tuesday’s docket with the NHL’s best point total despite their four-game funk that unfolded as November faded into December. The Ducks will also take on the high-octane Colorado Avalanche on Friday night at Honda Center.Forward Ryan Strome called the parting with Fowler “emotional” as the club lost…

By DEE-ANN DURBINThe Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday said it will soon require hotels, vacation rental platforms and live event promoters to disclose any fees up front when they list prices.The FTC said consumers often see advertised prices for hotel rooms, short-term rentals, and tickets to sporting events and concerts only to be surprised later by so-called “junk fees,” including resort fees, cleaning fees, processing fees and other extra charges.“People deserve to know up front what they’re being asked to pay without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” FTC…

A new surge operation to combat violent crime in San Bernardino started on Monday.  San Bernardino has a violent crime rate nearly double the statewide average and a homicide rate over three times the average, according to the state. The city is Newsom’s latest target in a year-long push to reduce crime. “We are sending additional CHP support to help local law enforcement aggressively suppress criminal activity and provide this community with a new level of safety and accountability,”  Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. Newsom says illicit drugs, including fentanyl,l have been taken off the streets in previous…

By DAVID BAUDERPresident-elect Donald Trump sued the Des Moines Register and its pollster for “brazen election interference” in publishing a survey the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris with a surprising lead of three percentage points in the state.The Register’s parent Gannett Co. on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit as meritless and said it would vigorously defend its First Amendment rights.The lawsuit continues the president-elect’s campaign against media outlets he feels have wronged him. ABC this past weekend agreed to pay $15 million toward a Trump presidential library in order to settle a defamation lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos…

Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students are putting the final touches on “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs,” their float for this year’s Rose Parade. It will be seen worldwide the 136th Rose Parade — themed “The Best Day Ever” — on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The 55-foot long float made of plant life and animatronics stands at 21 feet and depicts an animated lakeside party featuring puffins sliding down the fin of Scotland’s mythical creature Nessie, beavers crafting with driftwood, a Scottish terrier riding a paddleboat on the loch and a smiling Highland cow spinning in an innertube. The…