SACRAMENTO – After the Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee recently voted 11-0 to support a far-reaching, speech-quelling, lawsuit-promoting bill in the name of protecting “the children,” Assembly member Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, posted this on X: “The most simple bill ever and I was pleased to support it after a lot of heartburn. All the bill says is companies are liable if they don’t ‘exercise ordinary care or skill towards a child.’ Do you disagree?” Well, yes, I disagree, but more on that in a moment. When asked by a reporter about his gut reaction, Patterson&nbs ..read more

Last year, the United States Surgeon General published a report on the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. Social isolation and loneliness are often forgotten social determinants of health for people of all ages. Meaningful social connection is an essential human need for mental and physical well-being. Recent research has revealed a significant link between social isolation and loneliness and worse physical health outcomes. Unfortunately, these issues are more widespread than other public health concerns and they are on the rise. About one in four adults aged 65 and older are sociall ..read more

Q. This may be outside your realm of expertise, but I’m hoping you have a suggestion. Cars speed on our residential street with no regard to residents (or pets). We have neighbors with young children and pets. Who do I contact to see about putting in speed bumps? The City Council? – Mrs. Antonella Bennett, Pasadena A. You came to the right place, Mrs. Bennett, Honk is all knowing – or at least he knows who to call for the goods. Nader Asmar, Pasadena’s principal traffic engineer, told Honk residents can go to the city’s online City Service Center and put in requests. Just Google it. Even if th ..read more

Before the drivers stand atop a championship podium, before the engines roar to life — even before some 200,000 fans flock to downtown Long Beach — there are myriad folks who have worked around the clock to bring the “200-mph beach party” to life. Their goal is not only to put on the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach but also to create a community. And often, it’s women who are working to foster that community — for other women, as well as those new to the sport. Women in Motorsports Throughout the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, we’re highlighting women in the motorsports world, from driving to ..read more

LOS ANGELES — The Kings oh-so-narrowly avoided a matchup with top-seeded Dallas by reaching overtime, where they prevailed, 5-4, against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks in Thursday night’s regular-season finale at Crypto.com Arena. About four hours to the northeast of the arena, the rival Ducks did their part to aid the Kings’ modest last-minute ascent in the standings, beating the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights, 4-1. Vegas had gone 14-6-2 against the other seven playoff teams in the Western Conference – the Kings posted an 8-12-3 mark – but lost three of four matchups with the rebuildin ..read more

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS — Frank Vatrano scored three goals and the Ducks ended their season on a high note, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-1, on Thursday night. The loss knocked the Knights – whose three-game winning streak ended – out of third place in the Pacific Division and into the second Western Conference wild card. Vegas was leapfrogged by the Kings, who rallied to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-4 in overtime. Vatrano’s goals gave him a career-high 37 for the season. It was his third hat trick this season and the sixth of his career. Jackson LaCombe had a g ..read more

Canyon’s Jade Diaz is safe at the plate during the team’s ninth-inning rally against El Modena in a key Crestview League game Thursday, April 18. Diaz was injured on the play. (Photo by Lou Ponsi) ORANGE — The Canyon softball team was ahead by two runs in the seventh inning and an out away from victory in a key Crestview League game against El Modena on Thursday at El Modena High School. Then, with the bases empty, the Vanguards put together a two-run rally that tied the score and sent the contest to extra innings. But the Comanches kept their composure and scored four runs in the ninth inning ..read more

MISSION VIEJO — Mission Viejo’s softball team continued to conjure memories of its magical 2022 season Thursday while competing in another intense South Coast League game. The Diablos scored all their runs with two outs and overcame four home runs by Aliso Niguel to collect a 9-5 victory at Mission Viejo High. Aliso Niguel catcher Tessa Cowsill can’t hang onto the ball as Mission Viejo’s Kaitlyn Sun, right, slides in safe in in a South Coast League softball game at Mission Viejo High School on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer) Mission Viejo ..read more

LOS ANGELES — Eric Gentry will never forget the number 116, because it has been weaponized around USC, a painful trigger pressed over and over and over again as a reminder of the season that was lost. 116. It comes after every defensive workout, one additional set of repetitions, as Gentry described after USC’s final spring practice on Thursday. One more rep for every rung USC dropped in total-defense rankings in 2023. 116 reps. 116th in yards-per-game allowed. A cardinal-red stain on the back of the returning Trojans’ jerseys, the reminder glistening in every drop of sweat. “If you don’t feel ..read more

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now Scores and stats from Orange County games on Thursday, April 18 Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register. The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday. THURSDAY’S SCORES SOFTBALL ORANGE LEAGUE Anaheim 16, Western 3 Santa Ana Valley 10, Magnolia 0 SUNSET LEAGUE Los Alamitos 9, Marina 0 CRESTVIEW LEAGUE Esperanza 12, Villa Park 2 Esp: Ireland 2-3, 4RBI, Page 3-3, 3RBI, Sicard 2-4, 2RBI, Duran (W, 5IP, 10K, 3H, 2R ..read more