January 1, 2026

BREAKING NEWS: Sprinkles cupcakes fires staff on NY Day - Proving you cannot have your cake and now beat it

Christine Peake, Observer Staff Writer | Jan 1, 2026

Los Angeles, CA – January 1, 2026 – In a bittersweet farewell to two decades of gourmet indulgence, Sprinkles Cupcakes has permanently closed all its company-owned bakery stores across the United States as of December 31, 2025. The chain, renowned for pioneering the upscale cupcake trend and its innovative 24/7 cupcake ATMs, leaves behind a legacy of sweet treats that once captivated dessert lovers from coast to coast. Founded in 2005 by Candace Nelson, Sprinkles grew...

BREAKING NEWS: California Delays Revocation of 17,000 Commercial Driver's Licenses for Illegal Alien Truckers, Despite Outcry Over Deadly Accidents

David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer | Jan 1, 2026

Sacramento, Calif. - January 1, 2026--The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has extended the cancellation deadline for approximately 17,000 non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) held primarily by immigrant truck drivers from January 5, 2026, to March 6, 2026. The delay, announced on December 30, 2025, follows a class-action lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups and aims to provide additional time to verify which drivers remain eligible while...

BREAKING NEWS: Minimum Wage Increase, Police Officers Can't Wear Masks, and All Gender Restrooms on tap for 2026 as California Laws Move Yet Further to the Left

Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

Many new laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2025 take effect in California in 2026, with most starting on January 1, 2026 (unless otherwise noted). Over 800 bills became law, covering consumer protection, health care, labor, education, environment, public safety, and more. Here are some of the most notable ones: Consumer & Environment. Plastic bag ban expansion - Stores can no longer provide thick plastic film bags at checkout; only recycled paper bags (with a fee) or...

BREAKING NEWS: SEIU Collects Signatures for California Wealth Tax to Take %5 of Billionaires Assets for Healthcare

Dick Schvantz, Observer Staff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

The proposed California billionaires tax, formally known as the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act, is a ballot initiative sponsored by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) and health care groups. It aims to impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of California residents (individuals or certain trusts) exceeding $1 billion as of January 1, 2026. Key Details of the ProposalScope - It would apply to roughly 200 billionaires living in...

BREAKING NEWS: Southern California Braces for Week of Rain, Potentially Ending Rose Parade's 20-Year Dry Streak

Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

Los Angeles, December 31, 2025 - As Southern California prepares to ring in 2026, a new storm system is set to bring widespread rain across the region starting New Year's Eve, marking the beginning of a wet week following a brief dry respite after heavy Christmas storms. The National Weather Service forecasts rain arriving in the Los Angeles area between sunset on December 31 and the morning of January 1, with moderate showers likely continuing through New Year's Day. A...

BREAKING NEWS: Stories No One is Talking About: Protests, Turmoil in Iran is So Great it Threatens the Iranian Regime

David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

Tehran, December 30, 2025 – Iran has experienced three consecutive days of protests and strikes, primarily in Tehran but spreading to multiple cities, triggered by a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and high inflation. The unrest, described as the largest since the 2022-2023 "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, began on December 28 with merchant strikes and evolved into broader demonstrations involving students and residents. Triggers and Economic Context The protests...

Developer Defaults on $37.5M Loan for Third Street Promenade Property in Santa Monica

David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer | Jan 1, 2026

Santa Monica, CA - December 30, 2025 Entities linked to Beverly Hills-based developer Leo Pustilnikov and his partners Ely Dromy and Eli Taban have defaulted on a $37.5 million loan secured by a retail building on Santa Monica's iconic Third Street Promenade, according to Los Angeles County records.The five-story, approximately 30,000-square-foot property at 1315 Third Street Promenade was reported past due by about $39 million as of early November. The building currently...

Echoes of Pandemic Fraud: Minnesota's Somali-Linked Scandals vs. California's EDD Billions in Losses

Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

December 28, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - As federal investigators continue to unravel what U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson has dubbed "industrial-scale fraud" in Minnesota, the state's burgeoning scandals - largely tied to the Somali American community - invite stark comparisons to California's massive unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both cases highlight vulnerabilities in hastily expanded government aid programs, but they differ in scale, methods, and...

Tommy Lee Jones' Daughter, Victoria Jones, Found Dead at 34 in San Francisco Hotel

Jan 1, 2026

San Francisco, CA - January 1, 2026Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead early Thursday morning at the Fairmont San Francisco hotel, authorities confirmed.Emergency services responded to a medical call at the luxury hotel around 2:52 a.m., according to the San Francisco Fire Department. Paramedics pronounced an adult female deceased at the scene. San Francisco Police officers arrived shortly after 3:14 a.m. and...

  • What revenue operations actually need to know about dialer software

    Stacker, Alyssa Haeussler for Apollo.io | Dec 31, 2025

    What revenue operations actually need to know about dialer software Your sales team is burning through leads faster than they can convert them, and your cost per acquisition keeps climbing. Reps spend 70% of their time on nonselling tasks, according to Salesforce’s State of Sales research, including manual dialing. Apollo.io explains what revenue operations teams should understand about dialer software. Key takeaways - Manual dialing kills productivity: Reps spend 80% of...

  • Isabel Van Gelder: Is This 22-Year-Old Dutch Girl the Next Taylor Swift?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer STaff Writer | Dec 31, 2025

    In a world where pop music often feels oversaturated with manufactured stars, every once in a while, a genuine talent emerges that stops you in your tracks. Enter Isabel van Gelder, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Amsterdam whose raw emotion, storytelling prowess, and angelic voice are turning heads across the globe. With viral covers that built a massive social media following and original tracks like "Die For You" and "My Silly Boy" that hit straight to the heart,...

  • Psoriatic arthritis medications: A comprehensive guide

    Stacker, Noah W Chung for SaveHealth | Dec 31, 2025

    Psoriatic arthritis medications: A comprehensive guide Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes joint inflammation, skin symptoms, and pain. People searching for psoriatic arthritis prescriptions are often looking for detailed information about medication options, their effectiveness, potential side effects, and ways to manage costs. This guide from SaveHealth, a prescription discount/savings card website, explores the most commonly prescribed medications...

  • How demand for clean skincare products is reshaping the beauty aisle

    Stacker, Michael Sjolie for Sjolie | Dec 31, 2025

    How demand for clean skincare products is reshaping the beauty aisle The cosmetics industry has had its fair share of critics over the decades, meaning that adaptability is built into its DNA. In the past, this took the form of moves away from animal testing and a reconfiguring of marketing around body positivity rather than unattainable, unhealthy standards. Today, there’s quite a different pressure on the market. The intermingled consumer demand for sustainability,...

  • What to eat when you have the flu: 5 foods to eat and 3 foods to avoid

    Stacker, Alan Lucks for Doctronic | Dec 31, 2025

    What to eat when you have the flu: 5 foods to eat and 3 foods to avoid When the flu hits, your body needs more than just rest. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in helping your immune system fight off the virus and recover faster. Eating the right foods can reduce symptoms like fatigue, congestion, and sore throat, while avoiding certain foods can prevent aggravating your condition. Flu symptoms often include fever, chills, body aches, and digestive upset. These symptoms...

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