State Farm says LA wildfire losses total $7.6 billion

• February 26, 2025

State Farm General said it will pay $7.6 billion to settle claims from last month’s firestorms in the Los Angeles area.

The insurance provider is meeting with state insurance regulators Wednesday, Feb. 26, to push for a rate increase in homeowners insurance premiums.

In a letter sent in advance of the meeting to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Tuesday, Feb. 25, State Farm President and CEO Dan Krause wrote that reinsurance — a type of insurance on insurance in catastrophic events — would cover a majority of the losses. Reinsurance, State Farm said, would lower its losses to about $612 million.

This includes $212 million in retained losses after reinsurance, and State Farm’s special assessment of $400 million that it must pay into the California Fair Plan, an insurer of last resort.

State Farm General requested a 22% emergency rate hike in California on Monday, Feb. 3 to cover losses from the Los Angeles County wildfires and stop its “financial deterioration.” Lara shot down the request, and asked that Krause and other company officials meet with him Wednesday.

The Bloomington, Ill.-based property insurer, the largest in California and a subsidiary of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., said it has received more than 9,500 claims from the Jan. 7-8 fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas. The company said it has paid more than $1.75 billion to customers.

Also, this week, S&P Global placed State Farm General’s AA financial rating on a negative watch, citing the company’s “weakening capital position” as a result of the California wildfires.

​ Orange County Register 

3 dead in 91 Freeway crash in Orange County involving 4 cars

• February 26, 2025

Four vehicles crashed in the Anaheim-Yorba Linda area on the eastbound 91 Freeway early Wednesday morning, Feb. 26, killing three people, possibly including a juvenile.

The California Highway Patrol received a call just before 1 a.m. about an Infiniti sedan stopped east of Coal Canyon Road, which goes beneath the freeway, said CHP officer and spokesman Sergio Rivera.

By the time CHP officers arrived, the crash had already occurred, with at least one vehicle engulfed in flames.

A Honda came to a halt behind the Infiniti, which was subsequently hit by a Hyundai. A Toyota in an adjacent lane was struck, Rivera said.

The Honda, engulfed in flames, had three people inside, all who died at the scene.

The CHP is investigating what exactly happened during the crash.

​ Orange County Register 

Gov. Newsom calls for a ‘risk assessment’ investigation of Menendez brothers

• February 26, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the state parole board to conduct a “risk assessment investigation” of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life-without-parole prison sentences for the shotgun slayings of their parents in Beverly Hills but have petitioned the governor’s office for a pardon or commutation of their sentences.

Newsom described the probe as a common procedure carried out by the state, but he had previously indicated he would defer any decision on the Menendez brothers’ case to local courts and prosecutors. The brothers’ attorneys have filed court motions seeking a new trial or re-sentencing in hopes to have them released.

But Newsom now says he has asked the state parole board to at least prepare the risk assessment as part of their applications for commutation.

“The question for the board is a simple one — do Erik and Lyle Menendez, do they pose a current what we call ‘unreasonable risk to public safety,”‘ Newsom said in videotaped remarks first reported by TMZ. “The risk assessment will be conducted as they are typically conducted — by experts in public safe as well as forensic psychologists.”

Newsom said the findings will be shared with the Los Angeles Superior Court judge presiding over the case, as well as with the district attorney and defense attorneys.

“There’s no guarantee of outcome here,” Newsom said. “My office conducts dozens and dozens of these clemency reviews on a consistent basis, but this process simply provides more transparency, which I think is important in this case, as well as provides us more due diligence before I make any determination for clemency.”

Erik Menendez, 54, and Lyle Menendez, 57, are pursuing a variety of paths in hopes of being released from prison following the killings of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, on Aug. 20, 1989.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced last week that his office will oppose the brothers’ request for a new trial — questioning the admissibility and relevance of “new evidence” defense attorneys have produced in support of their claim the siblings were sexually abused by their father.

Hochman has not yet taken a stance on their motion for re-sentencing. Defense attorneys are asking to have their sentence reduced in a way that would either make them eligible for parole consideration or for release on time already served.

Newsom could also rule on the brothers’ request for clemency or commutation of their sentences at any time.

Relatives of the Menendez brothers are backing their push to be released. They condemned last week’s announcement by Hochman that he would oppose the bid for a new trial.

“District Attorney Nathan Hochman took us right back to 1996 today,” according to a statement from the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, which includes Menendez family members and supporters. “He opened the wounds we have spent decades trying to heal. He didn’t listen to us. We are profoundly disappointed by his remarks, in which he effectively tore up new evidence and discredited the trauma they experienced.”

The family continued, “To suggest that the years of abuse couldn’t have led to the tragedy in 1989 is not only outrageous, but also dangerous. Abuse does not exist in a vacuum. It leaves lasting scars, rewires the brain, and traps victims in cycles of fear and trauma. To say it played no role in Erik and Lyle’s action is to ignore decades of psychological research and basic human understanding.”

Two members of the coalition had been scheduled to hold a virtual news conference Wednesday afternoon to give an update on the case, but that event has been rescheduled for Thursday.

In a 2023 court petition, attorneys for the brothers pointed to two new pieces of evidence they contend corroborate the brothers’ allegations of long-term sexual abuse at the hands of their father — a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano in early 1989 or late 1988, eight months before the August 1989 killings, and recent allegations by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, that he too was sexually abused by Jose Menendez as a teenager.

Interest in the case surged following the release of a recent Netflix documentary and dramatic series.

During their two highly publicized trials, the brothers did not dispute that they killed their parents, but claimed self-defense, citing decades of alleged physical and sexual abuse by their father. Prosecutors countered that the killings were financially motivated, pointing to lavish spending sprees by the brothers after the killings.

​ Orange County Register 

Ducks come home from tough road trip seeing positives

• February 26, 2025

A whirlwind road trip may have dizzied the Ducks, but they’ll be right back at it Thursday at Honda Center in a tilt with the Vancouver Canucks.

Vancouver won the only prior meeting, 5-1 on Nov. 5, but much has changed for both clubs since with the two franchises being among the most active in the in-season trade market.

The Ducks most recently bookended a slapdash schedule of three away games in four nights by blowing two-goal leads. In Boston, they survived in overtime, but in Buffalo, they staked themselves to an early advantage yet failed to add to it before the Sabres’ three-goal, third-period barrage. In between, they surmounted two different three-goal deficits in Detroit, but earned just one point for an OT loss.

As the Red Wings did that in that game, the Ducks converted twice during a five-on-three opportunity to build a multi-goal lead about five minutes into the match. The Wings have owned one of the NHL’s best power plays, however, while the Ducks had long since planted themselves firmly on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Yet Buffalo’s tenacity – they doubled up the Ducks on shots in the first period and put three times as many pucks on net in the third – won out in the end, as the Ducks came up empty five-on-five and once again relied on goalie Lukáš Dostál to conserve a chance at winning a contest they led 2-0.

“They came out like gangbusters and we were very fortunate that we were ahead in the first. They had multiple grade-A chances, and Lukáš was awesome,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin told reporters. “[In the third period], they came out the first couple shifts and they were buzzing around our [defensive] zone and they got momentum from it, and they deserved it. They deserved to win the game, they deserved the goals. We couldn’t match their pace and we couldn’t match their work habits.”

For captain Radko Gudas, the big picture was still encouraging, even with the Ducks’ five-game points streak ending with a disappointing loss. It was one he said “stung” more because Dostál and the first multi-goal game from the power play in over three months gave them a chance to win and end the road trip in the black rather than breaking even with three of six points.

“I think we’re trending toward the right way, we’re playing some meaningful games and we’re playing well against good teams,” Gudas said. “For us, there are a lot of positives.”

While the Ducks had a sinewy slink through the Eastern Conference, the Canucks have been twisting and turning for much of the campaign.

Last season, Vancouver had the biggest year-over-year gain in the standings and won its first postseason series in a traditional playoff format since 2011, the year the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the Boston Bruins.

This season, they traded mainstay J.T. Miller back to the New York Rangers after his personal leave of absence and reported discord with Vancouver’s other big-ticket center, Elias Pettersson. They flipped the pick acquired in that swap as part of a deal with Pittsburgh for former Duck Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.

Similarly, the Ducks have made multiple moves, most notably bringing in Jacob Trouba and shipping out Cam Fowler soon afterward.

Ahead of Vancouver’s matchup with the Kings on Wednesday, the front end of the back-to-back set they’ll complete against the Ducks, the Canucks had slipped out of playoff position after being leapfrogged by Calgary. The Flames won each of their past two games while the Canucks dropped consecutive decisions.

Vancouver at Ducks

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Honda Center

How to watch: Victory+, KCOP (Ch. 13)

​ Orange County Register 

Boots in the Park 2025: What’s new, what’s next, and why fans keep coming back

• February 26, 2025

Boots in the Park continues to grow, bringing country music and more to new markets.

Since its inception in 2018, Boots in the Park has evolved from a single event in Norco into a powerhouse festival brand, expanding into multiple cities while maintaining its core mission: delivering top-tier country music experiences. With an impressive lineup for the 2025 Norco edition, featuring country icons Brooks & Dunn alongside rising stars like Parker McCollum, Jackson Dean, and Bryce Leatherwood, the festival continues to strike a balance between legacy acts and fresh talent.

“The brand for Boots in the Park has been expanding greatly,” said Steve Thacher, founder of Activated Events. “We carefully curate each lineup to make sure we’re giving fans the best of both worlds—iconic artists they’ve loved for years and exciting new talent making waves in the industry.”

The upcoming Norco edition, set for March 8, holds a special place in the festival’s history. The event first launched in Norco with Billy Currington in 2018, drawing around 5,000 attendees. Now, it welcomes nearly 20,000 fans, and the festival has become a must-attend destination for country music lovers across Southern California.

But Boots in the Park is more than just music, Thacher notes, it’s “a full-day experience.”

This year, the festival is rolling out its largest-ever line dancing tent, tripling in size to accommodate more dancers. The new Whiskey Barrel Saloon, featuring 101 different whiskeys, adds another layer to the festival’s immersive feel. Fans can also enjoy a car show, a cornhole tournament, interactive art installations, and expanded food and beverage options.

“We want people to come for the music but leave talking about the overall experience,” Thacher said. “It’s about creating memories, whether that’s through music, dancing, or just hanging out with friends in a great atmosphere.”

While the Norco edition remains a key stop, Activated Events is rapidly expanding into new markets. The company has plans to produce 20 to 30 events annually, reaching cities like Las Vegas and Albuquerque while continuing to grow in existing locations. Activated Events also produces food-and-music hybrid festivals like Taco Fest and The Smoke Show, further diversifying its offerings.

“We’re always looking for unique venues and ways to enhance the customer experience,” Thacher said. “Country music fans are everywhere, and we want to bring Boots in the Park to as many of them as possible.”

Despite industry challenges, including rising costs and an uncertain festival landscape, Thacher remains confident in the future of Boots in the Park. The festival’s ability to balance expansion while maintaining an intimate and high-quality experience sets it apart. Younger audiences are also embracing country music’s rich history, with Brooks & Dunn’s return to California—after performing at last year’s Coastal Country Jam—serving as a major draw for fans of all ages.

“Seeing the growth of these events, from small beginnings to massive productions, has been incredibly rewarding,” Thacher said. “The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.”

With even more announcements on the horizon and more markets on the radar, Boots in the Park is proving that country music—and the experiences that come with it—is in high demand.

As for what’s next, even Thacher is eager to see where the journey leads.

“The exciting part is that there are just so many possibilities, so many opportunities,” he said with a laugh. “We have endless ideas, creativity, passion, and drive. We’re just grateful for the chance to keep building and see where it takes us.”

​ Orange County Register 

You think you have adult ADHD. Now what?

• February 26, 2025

By Elena Cox, Stacker

When asked to picture someone with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the common stereotype is a child, usually a young boy, who is disruptive and has a lot of energy. However, as medical professionals and the community at large become more aware of adult ADHD, the CDC now estimates that 15.5 million U.S. adults have it, making up 6% of the population.

ADHD presents differently in adults, particularly women. While all adults with ADHD may become less hyperactive as they get older, they can still experience impulsivity and difficulty staying focused. Symptoms typical in women can be less noticeable, including being easily distracted and failing to pay attention to detail. They can also involve excessive talking or speaking before thinking. Cultural norms and a lack of understanding of the disorder have led many of these women to be written off as being “spacy” or “chatty.”

For those who are undiagnosed, shame and feelings of inadequacy are also common, largely due to a lifetime of perceived failure. Guilt over being unable to complete everyday tasks like meeting deadlines or listening to instructions can lead to mistakes at work, exacerbating self-criticism and feelings of low self-worth.

ADHD also impacts executive function, the part of the brain that regulates thoughts and actions to help manage tasks and achieve goals. Executive dysfunction can increase the feeling of being overwhelmed, leading to task paralysis and not knowing where to begin. An August 2024 survey of 1,000 American adults from Ohio State University found that 1 in 4 adults surveyed think they could be experiencing symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD, but only around half of these adults had told their doctor about their concerns.

To help, ADHD Advisor compiled tips for adults who think they have ADHD, along with steps to take to get help and proper support.

1. Research common symptoms and how they manifest

Self-diagnosis is often the first step toward getting support. With ADHD, it’s important to note there are three recognized types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, and a combination of the two.

Inattentive ADHD symptoms typically include disorganization, poor time management skills, and trouble focusing. These symptoms can manifest as daydreaming during conversations or meetings, not paying attention to details, or struggling to finish tasks. People often describe those with predominantly hyperactive/impulsive ADHD as fidgety or impatient. They may frequently interrupt others in conversation and find it difficult to wait their turn. People with combined-type ADHD show symptoms equally from both categories.

2. Arm yourself with knowledge

Once you’ve identified your ADHD type, it’s helpful to go deeper and read the latest research on ADHD.

The online magazine ADDitude offers a compendium of articles written by experts on everything from why people with ADHD are more likely to be defensive to tips on how to reduce clutter, a common problem for people with ADHD.

Books like “A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD” by Sari Solden and Michelle Frank can give insight into how ADHD presents in women specifically, while “The ADHD Effect on Marriage” by Melissa Orlov goes into how ADHD symptoms can impact romantic relationships.

3. Work with a therapist who specializes in ADHD

One approach to treating adult ADHD is through a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, which specifically focuses on changing thinking and behavioral patterns. Life-skills coaching can also help some people with ADHD. By working to recognize and manage their symptoms, people with ADHD can improve their coping skills and overall self-esteem, which may be lower in people diagnosed with ADHD later in life.

Find a therapist who specializes in ADHD using websites like PsychologyToday or through mental health platforms.

4. Search for community

Any new health diagnosis can be scary and isolating. But talking to other adults with ADHD can help.

The nonprofit Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder has online forums for adults with ADHD and local chapters throughout the United States that organize meetups and events. Reddit communities like r/adhd and r/adhdwomen offer an anonymous space to learn tips, vent, or feel less alone.

5. Get an official diagnosis

Talking to a doctor is the first step to getting diagnosed. While this can usually be done through a primary care provider, a psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist can also make the determination.

Remember, you are your own best self-advocate. Harold Meyer, director of CHADD’s New York City chapter, recommends people come prepared and have a vision of the desired outcome.

Before the appointment, list and rate symptoms and provide specific examples from your life. For example, instead of saying, “I’m late to work sometimes,” keep a record of how many times you were late over an extended period. Talking to family and close friends can offer perspective while opening the door to productive conversations.

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, criteria for an official ADHD diagnosis for people aged 17 and older include having at least five of the listed symptoms, which have negatively impacted school, social, or work life over at least six months.

No matter what steps you take and in what order, treating ADHD is a complex process that will take time, patience, and a little self-love.

Story editing by Natasja Sheriff Wells. Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

This story originally appeared on ADHD Advisor and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

​ Orange County Register 

Discussed on Reddit: How to survive a period of unemployment

• February 26, 2025

By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet

A financially-stressed Reddit user recently asked for advice: As the primary earner in their family, which includes two children, how could they keep up with a mortgage and other expenses once severance ran out?

Reddit users offered many helpful ideas. Filing for unemployment, looking for other forms of state assistance and finding a new job — even if it’s not perfect — were among the most popular suggestions.

When we asked financial experts how someone can best survive a period of unemployment, they echoed many of those same tips. They also emphasized the importance of budgeting, even before a job loss occurs.

Here are their strategies:

Cut back on all but the essential expenses

“Focus on your essentials, and cut that budget to as bare bones as possible,” says Danielle Byrd Thompson, a financial advisor with TPS Financial in Washington, D.C.

Thompson says using an online budgeting tool or budget app, which can help you stay on top of necessary expenses and uncover where you can freeze spending for the time being.

“What can be pared back without completely blowing up your lifestyle?” asks Lori Gross, a financial advisor at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio.

If you have multiple premium streaming subscriptions, for example, she suggests cutting them all except one basic subscription.

Lean on community resources

Local communities typically offer resources to people in need, Gross says, including food banks, crisis relief services and low-income assistance programs.

She encourages people struggling to pay for essentials to look up these kinds of local resources. The website 211.org can be a valuable resource to find nearby support.

Take advantage of hardship programs

In some cases, Thompson says, mortgage, phone and utility companies offer hardship programs that allow customers to temporarily pause payments when they are experiencing a short-term financial challenge, such as unemployment.

“Typically every provider has a plan,” Thompson says. She suggests calling, explaining your situation and asking about options.

While loan providers may also offer hardship programs, Thompson suggests first waiting a month to see if you really need to use it. After all, the debt continues to grow even if payments are temporarily paused.

“If you can afford to stick to the plan, then you should continue to pay, but if you can’t, pull back immediately,” she suggests.

Essentials like food and housing have to take priority if you are forced to make that difficult choice.

Earn income where you can

“No one is too good to bus tables, be a hostess or do food delivery,” Thompson says.

She suggests taking on these kinds of part-time roles to make money and fill the gaps before your next full-time position.

“It puts cash in your pocket so you’re not totally depleting your savings,” she adds.

If you do earn extra income, Gross says, be sure to keep careful records of both your earnings and expenses. When you file your taxes, it will be easier to make sure you’re paying the correct amount.

At the same time, indicate on LinkedIn and other job-search websites that you are available for work, Gross suggests. That way, recruiters can find you and reach out if they have an opening.

“Be open to your options, even if they’re outside your normal parameters,” she suggests.

For example, perhaps you’ll find a job opening in an industry you worked in many years ago, even if it doesn’t match up with your most recent job experience.

When possible, prioritize emergency savings

Once you find a new job, Thompson says it’s time to begin rebuilding emergency savings. In fact, the period of unemployment might inspire you to shore up savings for next time.

Ideally, she says, everyone should aim to set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account. If that figure is too daunting, then saving a smaller amount can also help.

“Savings are the first line of defense when it comes to unexpected unemployment,” Thompson says. “Even if you start saving only $20 a month, make it a habit, then build from there.”

Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like budgeting and financial hardship, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about surviving periods of unemployment. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer.

​ Orange County Register 

Albano’s Fab 5: Orange County girls basketball standouts last week, Feb. 26

• February 26, 2025

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Dan Albano’s Fab 5 outstanding girls basketball players last week, Feb. 26:

Addison Deal, Mater Dei, Sr.

The Iowa-bound point guard averaged 18.5 points and eight assists as the Monarchs went 1-1 in CIF-SS Open Division pool play. Deal had 23 points and seven assists in a 69-56 win against Fairmont Prep and had 14 points and nine assists in a 63-60 loss against reigning state champion Etiwanda in the semifinals. Mater Dei finished 2-1 in pool play.

Kate Duarte, Rosary, Jr.

The 6-foot forward had 18 points and 12 rebounds to help the Royals beat Oak Hills 53-47 in the CIF-SS Division 2A semifinals and advance to their first section final since 2017. Duarte is averaging a team-high 13.3 points in the playoffs.

Jade McMahon, Tesoro, Sr.

The senior wing scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as the Titans knocked off top-seeded Savanna 53-45 in the CIF-SS Division 4AA semifinals.

Adyra Rajan, Fairmont Prep, Jr.

Rajan averaged 24 points to help the Huskies split games against Mater Dei and Windward in CIF-SS Open Division pool play. She scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 69-56 loss against Mater Dei and had 24 points in a 69-65 win against Windward. The Huskies finished 1-2 in pool play. Rajan has made an Orange County single-season record 149 3-pointers.

Kalleigh Solis, Santa Ana, Sr.

The 5-foot-1 guard scored 25 points in a 45-32 victory against St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in the CIF-SS Division 5AA semifinals. Solis had 20 points in a 48-27 win against Rancho Alamitos in the quarterfinals.

Last week’s Fab 5: Feb. 19

​ Orange County Register