Tesla recalling more than 375,000 vehicles due to power steering issue

• February 21, 2025

Tesla is recalling more than 375,000 vehicles due to a power steering issue.

The recall is for certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may become overstressed, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again, the agency said.

The loss of power could required more effort to control the car by drivers, particularly at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla isn’t aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the condition.

The electric vehicle maker headed by Elon Musk has released a free software update to address the issue.

Letters are expected to be sent to vehicle owners on March 25.

Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

​ Orange County Register 

Macron’s message to Trump: ‘You can’t be weak in the face of Putin’

• February 21, 2025

By SYLVIE CORBET, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said that he intends to tell U.S. counterpart Donald Trump that it’s in the joint interest of Americans and Europeans not to “be weak” in the face of Russian leader Vladimir Putin amid U.S.-led negotiations to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

Macron will travel to Washington to meet with Trump on Monday, the White House said.

In a one-hour question and answer session on social media Thursday, Macron said that he’ll tell Trump: “’You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest. How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?’”

Trump’s recent statements that echo Putin’s narrative and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow have left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried. But Macron suggested Trump’s strategy to create “uncertainty” in talks with Russia could actually make Western allies stronger in these talks.

Putin “doesn’t know what he (Trump) is going to do, he thinks (Trump) is capable of anything,” Macron said. “This uncertainty is good for us and for Ukraine.”

Macron said that he would seek to persuade Trump that U.S. interests and Europeans’ interests are the same, telling him: “If you let Russia take over Ukraine, it would be unstoppable.”

That means any peace deal must be negotiated with Ukrainians and Europeans around the table, Macron said.

“We want peace. But we don’t want a ceasefire that means Ukraine surrendering, because that’s dangerous. And we know that would lead to Russia going further. We’ve already experienced it,” he said.

Macron also appeared ready to answer Trump’s call to boost defense spending. “Us, Europeans, we must increase our war effort,” he said.

Asked about whether he’s considering sending French troops to Ukraine, he said he wouldn’t send soldiers to fight in Ukraine but rather to be part of a security force meant to bring “guarantees” once a peace deal is achieved.

“We don’t rule out, within a framework planned with our allies, the possibility of having forces which, once peace has been negotiated, could contribute to guaranteeing Ukraine’s security,” he said.

​ Orange County Register 

Airlines at LAX will help disabled passengers get to vehicles picking them up

• February 21, 2025

Q: Now that they have rearranged the pickup locations at Los Angeles International Airport so people in their own vehicles cannot pick up folks from the curb just outside the terminal exit doors, are there special provisions made for disabled people to navigate across the shuttle bus lanes to get to the passenger pickup spots?

– John Sims, Dana Point

A: Yes.

There are ramps for people with disabilities, which can be found via the blue signs showing someone in a wheelchair, to help them get to the outer curb pickup areas; officially, that icon is called the International Symbol of Accessibility. Also, the crosswalks are tailored for the disabled.

Airlines provide wheelchair assistance, from the the gate to the inner and outer curbs on the lower level, and can be arranged ahead of time.

But passengers can ask for wheelchair assistance at any time while at the airport, too, said an official for Los Angeles World Airports, the city department that owns and runs LAX. A wheelchair and assistant, or just an assistant if desired, will help anyone.

Or, if easier, anyone can take an elevator to the upper level, designated for departures, and be picked up there curbside with no lanes to cross.

To recap from a Honk answer a couple of weeks ago: On the ground level, since 2019, the inside lanes that run next to the terminals are only for approved shuttles. Across those lanes are a string of islands, where passengers can wait for personal and other vehicles in the outer lanes to pull over and scoop them up.

Q: Mr. Honk: I read the question from Randy Lubs of Torrance regarding a missing front license plate on his recently purchased 2021 vehicle. California license plates are made of thin metal and when mailed from the Department of Motor Vehicles they can stick together. It might be possible that there are two plates stuck together attached to the rear of Mr. Lubs’ car. Just something that I experienced and wanted to share with you and your readers.

– Anthony Zamora, San Bernardino 

A: Honk thanks you, Anthony.

“I know exactly what he is referring to because that (kind of once) happened to my son on a motorcycle he bought; the real plate was under a temporary paper plate,” Randy said. “(Also) the dealership finally returned my call and said they would order a new pair of plates to remedy my plight.”

HONKIN’ FACT: Over a recent weekend, Honk was in Phoenix and took Waymo — the electric, self-driving car — several times with Mrs. Honk to a store or a restaurant. He felt quite safe and rather enjoyed the jaunts.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. To see him on the social media platform X: @OCRegisterHonk

​ Orange County Register 

Luigi Mangione set for first court appearance since his arraignment in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death

• February 21, 2025

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day manhunt is scheduled to be in court Friday for the first time since his December arraignment on state murder and terror charges.

Luigi Mangione, 26, is set for a hearing in state court in Manhattan. Prosecutors and Mangione’s defense lawyers are expected to provide updates on the status of the case and Judge Gregory Carro could set deadlines for pretrial paperwork and possibly even a trial date.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism, in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. The executive was ambushed and shot on a sidewalk as he walked to an investor conference.

Mangione also faces federal charges that could carry the possibility of the death penalty. He is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside several other high-profile defendants, including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.

Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state charges expected to go to trial first. The maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole. A Feb. 24 hearing in Pennsylvania on charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police was canceled.

In a statement posted on a website for his legal defense, Mangione said: “I am overwhelmed by — and grateful for — everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions.”

Mangione was arrested in a Pennsylvania McDonald’s on Dec. 9. Police said he was carrying a gun that matched the one used in the shooting and a fake ID. He also was carrying a notebook expressing hostility toward the health insurance industry and especially wealthy executives, authorities said.

Defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo argued at his Dec. 23 arraignment that “warring jurisdictions” had turned Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball.”

She accused New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other government officials of tainting the jury pool by bringing Mangione back to Manhattan in a choreographed spectacle involving heavily armed officers escorting him up a pier from a heliport.

Friedman Agnifilo singled out Adams’ comment on a local TV station that he wanted to be there to look “him in the eye and say, ‘you carried out this terroristic act in my city.’”

​ Orange County Register 

UnitedHealth shares dive after report of US investigation into Medicare billing

• February 21, 2025

UnitedHealth Group shares tumbled early Friday on a report that the U.S. Department of Justice has started an investigation into the health care giant’s Medicare billing practices.

The Wall Street Journal said federal officials have launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage plans. Those are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over.

The paper, citing anonymous sources, said the probe focused on billing practices in recent months.

UnitedHealth had no immediate comment on the report.

The company’s UnitedHealthcare business covers more than 7.8 million people as the nation’s largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. The business has been under pressure in recent quarters due to rising care use and rate cuts.

Shares of the Minnetonka, Minnesota, company sank more than 10%, shedding over $52 in pre-market trading to fall below $447. Shares of other prominent Medicare Advantage insurers like Humana were down as well.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. stock has been in a rut since early December, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan on his way to the company’s annual investor meeting. A 26-year-old suspect, Luigi Mangione, faces federal and state charges in connection with Thompson’s death.

Company shares shed more than $100 in value in the weeks following Thompson’s death, as the shooting gave rise to an outpouring of grievances about insurance companies.

​ Orange County Register 

How Trump’s mass layoffs raise the risk of wildfires in the US West, according to fired workers

• February 21, 2025

By MARTHA BELLISLE and CLAIRE RUSH, Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — The termination letters that ended the careers of thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees mean fewer people and less resources will be available to help prevent and fight wildfires, raising the specter of even more destructive blazes across the American West, fired workers and officials said.

The Forest Service firings — on the heels of deadly blazes that ripped through Los Angeles last month — are part of a wave of federal worker layoffs, as President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting measures reverberate nationwide.

Workers who maintained trails, removed combustible debris from forests, supported firefighters and secured funds for wildfire mitigation say staffing cuts threaten public safety, especially in the West, where drier and hotter conditions linked to climate change have increased the intensity of wildfires.

“I’m terrified of that,” said Tanya Torst, who was fired from her position as a U.S. Forest Service partnership coordinator in Chico, California, on Feb. 14. Torst, whose probationary period was set to end in March, worked with groups to bring in nearly $12 million for removing dead trees and other fuels in the Mendocino National Forest.

“This is 100% a safety thing,” she said of her concerns, recalling the deadly Paradise blaze that killed 85 people east of Chico in 2018. “That’s why I’m speaking out.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, said in a statement that Secretary Brooke Rollins supports Trump’s directive to fire about 2,000 “probationary, non-firefighting employees,” which he said was for efficiency’s sake. Rollins is committed to “preserving essential safety positions and will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted,” the statement said.

The statement didn’t address the fired workers who were responsible for removing combustible fuels and other projects aiming to lower a wildfire’s intensity.

The Trump administration has frozen funds for wildfire prevention programs supported by legislation championed by former President Joe Biden, The Associated Press reported. Programs not funded by that legislation can continue, an Interior Department statement said.

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington state Democrat, said on the social platform X that the Forest Service layoffs are already hurting the state, “and it is only going to get worse. Fire season is coming.”

The Washington state Department of Natural Resources said the firings forced them to develop contingency plans to deal with a “degraded federal force this coming fire season.”

Melanie Mattox Green, who was fired from her land management and environmental planning job at the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, said their fire-prevention efforts prioritized areas where towns border forest lands. Staffing cuts put those towns at risk, she said.

“If a fire breaks out now without these projects occurring, that fire is going to be far more dangerous to our local communities,” she said.

The cuts also mean fewer people will keep trails free of fallen trees and other debris, she said. Maintaining trails is critical in remote areas that firefighters access by foot.

“Without those trails being cleared, it means that now firefighters cannot easily and more effectively get to these fires to fight them,” she said.

Many Forest Service workers who don’t occupy official firefighter positions still have firefighting certifications, known as a “red card,” that must be renewed annually. Josh Vega, who maintained 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) of trails as a forestry technician in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana before being fired, said his crew was the first to arrive at a wildfire that broke out in 2023.

For about two days, Vega’s crew monitored the blaze before firefighters arrived. “We spent the next few days keeping an eye on the fire, making sure that the trailheads were all closed and that the public knew what was happening so that they wouldn’t find themselves in a predicament.”

Many Forest Service operations involve supporting firefighters beyond fire season, including surveying areas for prescribed burns or ensuring trail access, said Luke Tobin, who was fired from his forestry technician role in Idaho’s Nez Perce National Forest.

“Everybody helps with fire in some aspect, some way, shape or form,” he said.

Gregg Bafundo, who was fired last week from his post as a wilderness ranger and wildland firefighter at the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, said the staffing cuts came at a critical time.

“This is the time of year when they hire everybody,” he said during a press conference organized by Washington Sen. Patty Murray. “It’s the time of year when firefighters renew their red cards and practice redeploying their fire shelters. This is when they train to be ready to fight next summer’s fires.

“We can’t train while the fire is burning over the hill.”

Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.

​ Orange County Register 

Los Angeles County under a wind advisory until Friday afternoon

• February 21, 2025

Los Angeles County is included in a wind advisory issued by the National Weather Service on Friday at 4:41 a.m. The advisory is in effect until 2 p.m.

The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA said, “Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Local gusts of 40 to 50 mph in the favored hills and mountains.”

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the NWS said. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.”

The full list of affected locations includes:

• Santa Clarita Valley
• Central Ventura County Valleys
• Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area
• Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area
• Calabasas/Agoura Hills
• San Fernando Valley
• Southeastern Ventura County Valleys
• Santa Susana Mountains
• Southern Ventura County Mountains
• Northern Ventura County Mountains
• 5 Freeway corridor near Santa Clarita
• Western San Gabriel Mountains/Highway 14 Corridor

​ Orange County Register 

Best hand blenders

• February 21, 2025

Which hand blender is the best?

From blending creamy soups to mixing up tasty smoothies, a hand blender is definitely one of the most versatile tools you can have in your kitchen.

Unlike a countertop blender, you don’t have to bring your ingredients to a hand blender. Instead, you can place a hand blender in whatever cooking container you’re using, such as a mixing bowl or pot, for plenty of added versatility in the kitchen.

What you need to know before buying a hand blender

When you’re shopping for a hand blender, you should choose a model that’s powerful enough to blend your favorite recipes. Some hand blenders offer just 100 watts of power, while others have up to 800 watts. If you want a hand blender that can chop in addition to blending, look for a more powerful motor. If you’re just mixing up smoothies, a lower wattage hand blender can usually get the job done.

You should also consider how many speeds a hand blender offers. Lower-end models often have just low and high settings, but some models offer up to 15 variable speeds. For whisking, you’ll definitely want a hand blender with more than two speeds to make sure you don’t over mix.

You can also choose between corded or cordless models. Corded models are usually more powerful, though you need to use the hand blender near an outlet. You can use a cordless model anywhere in your kitchen because it features a rechargeable battery.

Nearly all hand blenders come with a container in which to mix or chop your ingredients. Some feature a simple cup-like container that works well for liquid ingredients. High-end models have a bowl similar to a food processor, so it works well for chopping in addition to mixing and blending. The included attachments vary from model to model, too. Most models usually have a whisk and/or blender attachment, but advanced hand blenders may come with a chopper, slicer, and/or grinder attachment, too.

You can find some hand blenders for under $25, but they won’t have many special features. For a more powerful model, expect to pay at least $50, though high-end hand blenders can cost as much as $200.

Hand blender FAQ

Q. Do I need a hand blender if I have a hand mixer?

A. A hand blender and a hand mixer aren’t necessarily suited for the same tasks, so you may need both depending on the recipes you usually prepare. A hand mixer is best for combining ingredients, such as mixing up cake mix, while a hand blender can chop, blend, and liquefy ingredients for smoothies, soups, and other recipes.

Q. What can I make with a hand blender?

A. You can use a hand blender to prepare a wide variety of recipes, including smoothies, soups, milkshakes, salsas, sauces, salad dressings, dips, pancake and waffle batter, cake and brownie batters, whipped cream and eggs.

Best hand blenders

Top hand blender

KitchenAid’s 5-Speed Hand Blender

What you need to know: A longtime favorite of ours, this high-quality, multiuse hand blender is a big hit among experienced home chefs.

What you’ll love: It features a rubberized grip, so it feels comfortable in hand. It comes with a mixing/chopping cup, whisk and chopper attachment. It includes a convenient storage case.

What you should consider: It’s pricier than other hand blenders on the market.

Top hand blender for the money

Hamilton Beach’s 2-Speed Hand Blender

What you need to know: This budget-friendly blender can handle most light cooking chores. We love it as a beginner option.

What you’ll love: It features a durable stainless steel blade and can handle hard ingredients with ease. An ergonomic handle allows for a secure grip.

What you should consider: It can sometimes overheat, depending on the tasks it’s used for.

Worth checking out

Braun’s MultiQuick Hand Blender

What you need to know: Another new entry on our list, this innovative hand blender provides many useful features and blends beautifully.

What you’ll love: It features a bell-shaped top for more complete blending. It offers a TurboBoost function for extra power, and the attachments easily click into place.

What you should consider: Some report that the plastic parts have a somewhat flimsy feel.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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​ Orange County Register