KFC is leaving its ancestral home as parent company moves its corporate office to Texas

• February 18, 2025

By BRUCE SCHREINER

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Fried Chicken is being uprooted from its ancestral home state in a shake up that will relocate its U.S. corporate office to Texas, the chain’s parent company said Tuesday.

The KFC chain — launched by Colonel Harland Sanders and his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices — will be based in Plano, Texas, and about 100 KFC corporate employees will be relocated in the next six months, said Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.

Moving the corporate office from Louisville brought a swift response from the city’s mayor.

“I am disappointed to learn that Yum Brands will move its KFC employees to Texas – especially since the brand was born here and is synonymous with Kentucky,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement.

Yum said the move is part of its broader plans to designate two brand headquarters in the U.S. — in Plano and Irvine, California. KFC and Pizza Hut will be headquartered in Plano, while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain based in Irvine, it said. Yum added that 90 U.S.-based employees who have worked remotely will be asked to eventually relocate to the Plano or Irvine campuses, depending on their work.

Yum and the KFC Foundation will maintain corporate offices in Louisville, the company said.

“I’ve asked to meet with the Yum CEO soon and am heartened Yum will retain its corporate headquarters and 560 employees here,” Greenberg said. “I will work tirelessly with Yum’s leadership to continue growing its presence in Louisville.”

Employees being shifted will receive relocation and transition support, the company said.

Yum said that designating two brand headquarters is meant to foster greater collaboration among its brands and employees.

“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” Yum CEO David Gibbs said in a news release.

Yum also announced it will provide a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business to fund Yum-sponsored scholarships. And the company said KFC will continue its brand presence in Louisville with the goal of building a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant.

KFC’s ties to Kentucky run nearly a century deep. In 1930, at a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, Sanders began feeding travellers and spent the next nine years perfecting his blend of herbs and spices, as well as the basic cooking technique, KFC’s website says. There are now over 24,000 KFC outlets in more than 145 countries and territories around the world, it said. And the goateed entrepreneur’s likeness is known globally, having been stamped on KFC restaurant signs and chicken buckets.

​ Orange County Register 

Supervisor in DC federal prosecutors’ office told to resign after dispute over investigation

• February 18, 2025

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top supervisor in the federal prosecutors’ office in Washington said she was forced to resign following a dispute with her boss over a directive that she scrutinize the awarding of a government contract during the Biden administration, according to a letter reviewed by The Associated Press.

Denise Cheung, a longtime Justice Department official who led the office’s criminal division, wrote in a resignation letter that interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin ordered her to seek a freeze on assets related to the contract and to issue grand jury subpoenas despite her believing there was an insufficient basis for doing so.

Cheung said Martin asked for her resignation after she resisted his demand to tell a bank not to release any funds from certain accounts because of a criminal investigation. Cheung said she “lacked the legal authority to issue such a letter” to the bank, telling Martin that the “quantum of evidence did not support that action.”

Cheung’s letter recapping her dispute with Martin did not describe the nature of the contract or which agency was involved. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment, and a spokesperson for the Justice Department said failing to follow orders “is not an act of heroism.”

The conflict was the latest to roil the Justice Department and to result in the resignation of a career official who was unwilling to follow a Trump administration mandate.

Cheung did not explain the reason for her departure in an email to her colleagues Tuesday morning, but encouraged them to continue to fulfill their commitment to “pursuing justice without fear or prejudice.”

“I took an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution, and I have executed this duty faithfully during my tenure, which has spanned through numerous Administrations,” Cheung wrote in the email reviewed by The Associated Press. “All that we do is rooted in following the facts and the law and complying with our moral, ethical and legal obligations.”

Cheung’s resignation comes a day after President Donald Trump said he would nominate Martin to serve as D.C.’s U.S. attorney on a permanent basis. Martin, who has advocated for Jan. 6 rioters and backed Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, has been leading the office as interim U.S. attorney since last month.

Martin tapped Cheung last month to conduct an internal review of the prosecutor’s use of a felony charge brought against hundreds of Capitol rioters. Calling the use of the charge “a great failure of our office,” Martin ordered attorneys to hand over to Cheung and another supervisor all relevant “files, documents, notes, emails and other information” and directed the supervisors to prepare a report on their findings.

It’s the latest departure from a Justice Department that has been rocked by firings, resignations and forced transfers since Trump’s inauguration in late January.

Last week, Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, resigned in protest following a directive from Emil Bove, the Justice Department’s acting No. 2 official, to dismiss corruption charges against former New York Mayor Adams. Several high-ranking officials who oversaw the Justice Department’s public integrity section followed Sassoon in resigning after Bove asked the unit to take over the case.

​ Orange County Register 

Terrier mix Sal will be a loyal, loving friend

• February 9, 2025

Breed: Terrier mix

Age: 5 years

Sex: Neutered male

Size: 11 pounds

Sal’s story: Gentle Sal is the ultimate snuggle buddy who loves to sleep by your side and shower you with affection. This calm boy is house-trained, great with kids and dogs, and polite on a leash. He would be the perfect companion for someone looking for a loving and loyal friend. Rescued from a shelter in September, this little guy has been on a journey of recovery after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament and medial patella luxation surgery in October to fix his knee. Now, he’s on the mend and ready to find his forever family! Sal’s favorite pastimes include leisurely walks, basking in the sun in the backyard, and being your shadow wherever you go. His sweet and gentle demeanor makes him a perfect companion for anyone looking for a loyal, loving friend. Sal’s resilience and kind heart make him an extraordinary pup ready to bring warmth and joy into your life.

Adoption cost: $375

Adoption procedure: Complete the required adoption application online or contact I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

German shepherd Dottie is a super dog, mature but still playful

• February 9, 2025

Breed: German shepherd

Age: 6 years

Sex: Spayed female

Dottie’s story: Dottie is a friendly, mature girl who would benefit from regular exercise. She is still playful, but would love nothing more than a comfy place to call her own. She likes cats and other dogs, too. She is up-to-date on vaccines and microchipped.

Adoption donation: At least $315

Adoption procedure: Contact German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County at 714-974-7762 or go to gsroc.org to fill out an application.

Adoption procedure: Contact German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County at 714-974-7762 or fill out an application online.

​ Orange County Register 

Lakers’ trade for Mark Williams rescinded

• February 9, 2025

LOS ANGELES —The Lakers’ trade for center Mark Williams has been “rescinded” because of a “failure to satisfy a condition of the trade,” the team announced on Saturday evening.

The Lakers on Wednesday night acquired Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a deal that was officially announced on Thursday night for rookie wing Dalton Knecht, veteran wing Cam Reddish, their 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap.

But the trade was voided, with no elaboration on what condition of the trade wasn’t met.

The Lakers’ full statement from Saturday night read: “The trade between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers has been rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.”

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

Santa Anita horse racing consensus picks for Sunday, February 9, 2025

• February 9, 2025

The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Eddie Wilson, Kevin Modesti and Mark Ratzky. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

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​ Orange County Register 

Alexander: Lakers’ role-players carry the day against Pacers

• February 9, 2025

LOS ANGELES – At first glance, the Lakers’ appointment Saturday afternoon against Indiana represented the calm before the storm.

No Luka Doncic, yet. No LeBron James, resting a sore ankle. No Mark Williams, the center obtained from Charlotte having been listed as unavailable with the notation, “(trade pending),” with no confirmation but a suspicion that the hangup was on the Hornets’ end of the deal.

Monday against Utah, then, is expected to be the great unveiling of the Luka-LeBron combination. Which meant ESPN went to the trouble of adding Saturday’s game to its schedule only to see it become a playground for complementary players, understudies and G-League callups.

Maybe so. But boy, did those others have fun in the national TV limelight.

Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ featured player on this afternoon, had a career game in the Lakers’ 124-117 victory: 45 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, 4 for 9 from 3-point territory and 13 for 13 from the foul line, this after some question whether he’d be able to play with an elbow that he’d banged on the floor against Golden State the other night.

But this was a game where a lot of people stepped up. Rui Hachimura finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and also perfect from the foul line (6 for 6). Jaxson Hayes was 4 for 4 from the field and had 12 rebounds, Gabe Vincent had seven assists and Dorian Finney-Smith six. Even Jordan Goodwin scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points one day after signing a two-way contract and moving up from the South Bay Lakers’ roster to the big club for, at least, the day.

It was a rousing start – the Lakers led 44-22 after a period and by as many as 25 midway through the second quarter – and a nervous finish after Indiana pulled within five with 1:10 to play.

But it was also a statement, if an unexpected one: There are a lot of role players on the Lakers’ roster capable of asserting themselves when necessary.

“This is a game for guys like me or guys like J. Good … (or) like Doe (Dorian Finney-Smith),” Hayes said. “All of us come out and just play our games and, like, just play, like, aggressive. I mean, that was a defensive game.

“I feel like just a lot of people forget about the rest of us guys on the team. Like, I mean, we have a bunch of guys who can go. Everyone on this team can go. Everyone is really talented, like a smart basketball player. So I mean, I feel like (a game) like tonight just kind of goes and shows everyone like what all the rest of us can do.”

And maybe the effects will linger, even after Doncic and Williams are cleared to play, LeBron returns and the team is back at full strength. Too many capable players can never be a bad thing.

“I think we’re just trying to build this connection,” Vincent said. “You know, I think JJ (Redick, the coach) mentioned the connection throughout the year and you’re starting to really see it, I think, now, especially when you have key guys that are out and we kind of just have a next man up mentality. Guys are kind of there for each other. It builds a lot of trust with one another.

“It was great. It was well timed, I guess, for us to see where we are. It’s a good check point to see how we’re doing with our foundation of who we are as a team and who we are as an organization at this point.”

And more than anything, this was a measuring stick for Reaves, accustomed to being the No. 3 threat on a team of stars but given the keys to the vehicle on this afternoon.

“I think the biggest growth for him has been his leadership,” Redick said. “So I’ve challenged him on it. I mean, he wants that responsibility. He’s accepted it. He’s embraced the challenge. I joked with him before the game. I said, ‘LeBron talk to you?’ He said, ‘Yeah, Bron called me last night. He told me he was gonna be out. (And) we probably need a 38, eight and eight game from you.’

“Forty five, seven and seven will do. He played awesome.”

It’ll do?

Consider that in the storied history of the Lakers, the only guys before this to have a 45-7-7 game were Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. In other words four Hall of Famers and a fifth who is almost certainly bound for the Springfield, Mass., shrine.

And, now, a sixth who, in essence, staked it all on a basketball career when he was a teenager in Arkansas, landed with the game’s most glamorous franchise as an undrafted player and eventually worked his way into a position of trust.

“You know, the path that I took is not conventional,” Reaves said. “There’s probably only a handful of people that thought I would be in this position, if any. And it wasn’t it wasn’t really the popular thing to do to continue to chase my dream. You know, I didn’t really do anything in high school but go to the gym.

“I know I had teachers in high school telling me I needed to figure out a plan B because plan A wasn’t going to work. I’ve been told that a million times. And I maybe wasn’t smart enough to understand that because, you know, it’s a very small percentage that makes it to this level. So I was probably naive when they were telling me that and was like, ‘Ah, screw y’all. I’m gonna figure it out.’ “

You think any of his teachers were watching Saturday?

“They all love me now,” he said.

[email protected]

​ Orange County Register 

Experience how the American Revolution began

• February 9, 2025

The Huntington Beach Historical Society is bringing to life the stories of the American Revolution this weekend.

This year’s reenactment marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the war for our independence. The two-day event features battles, music, demonstrations, lectures and more.

Activities continue Sunday, Feb. 9, with a 9 a.m. church service and will also include the reenactment of two battles, the Yorktown Campaign of 1781 at 11 a.m. and the Florida Campaign of 1779 at 2 p.m.

There will be programs on Sunday highlighting the contributions and lives of the Native American population and the role of Spain and France in American independence.

See sword demonstrations and learn about how ladies dressed and how people danced and more. See hbhistory.org/revolution for the full schedule.

If you go

When: Activities start with a 9 a.m. church service on Sunday and the last activity of the day is the 2 p.m. battle

Where: Huntington Beach Central Park, behind the library

Cost: Free to attend

Information: hbhistory.org/revolution

​ Orange County Register