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Changes are slowly taking shape as an area of low pressure inches toward SoCal.
Temperatures are slowly turning back to normal, and highs will be near-average by the end of the week.
Rainfall amounts by the end of Sunday are estimated to be light to moderate, with some totals hitting the 1.5″ mark.
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Around SoCal
1. Gas prices could start falling by Thursday due to ceasefire
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County was unchanged Wednesday, remaining at $6.048, after rising four consecutive days to its highest amount since Oct. 6, 2023.
The average price increased 4.8 cents over the past four days, including four-tenths of a cent on Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The Orange County average price is 3.6 cents more than one week ago, 76.5 cents higher than one month ago and $1.103 greater than one year ago. It is 48.3 cents less than the record $6.459 set on Oct. 5, 2022.
Prices were rising slightly in line with seasonal norms before the joint U.S./Israel attack on Iran on Feb. 28 sent oil prices higher and drastically accelerated increases at the gas pump.
The agreement between the United States and Iran reached Tuesday on a two-week ceasefire in their war that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz means “gas prices could start reversing nationally in 48 hours or so — by a few cents every day,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time gas price information from more than 150,000 stations, wrote on social media at 5:24 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time Tuesday.
2. UCI poll: Republicans Hilton, Bianco top OC choices in governor race
Orange County’s trending “purple” politics makes it a good bellwether for the state, and that is reflected in a new poll from UC Irvine regarding the June primary for governor, the dean of UCI’s School of Ecology said Wednesday.
The UCI poll of Orange County residents found that 25% of respondents were undecided on the governor race. The top two gubernatorial candidates will advance from the so-called jungle primary in June to the November election. Some polls indicate Republicans Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will advance because there are so many Democrats splitting the rest of the vote. The UCI poll bore that out — with Hilton leading at 19% and Bianco in second with 11%.
Among Democrats, billionaire Tom Steyer had support of 10% of pool respondents, while 9% backed former Rep. Katie Porter, 7% for Rep. Eric Swalwell and 5% for former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
3. LA28 unveils plan to boost contracts with local businesses
LA28 Wednesday launched a plan to ensure 75% of contracts related to the Olympic Games go to businesses located in the greater Los Angeles region, with 25% specifically going toward small businesses.
The organizing committee is expected to raise awareness of contract opportunities at upcoming events this year, such as forums and planned activities. LA28 will be collaborating with the city and county of Los Angeles and other municipalities to expand its outreach and prepare businesses.
More information about Olympic-related business opportunities can be found through the Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement at RAMPLA.org. The website provides a search feature and displays LA28’s sourcing opportunities.
Business owners are encouraged to register with RAMP and review the website at least every two weeks to stay up-to-date on new requests for information and expressions of interest.
(AP Photo/David Goldman)
Around the Nation
1. Trump’s rhetoric on Iran war sparks wave of calls for his removal from office
2. President’s new budget request for NASA seeks cuts
3. Southwest Airlines, once known for its free bags perk, hikes fees amid higher jet fuel costs
Only on Spectrum News 1
Highest highs to lowest lows: Lakers limp to the finish line
In a new episode of “Lakeshow,” Geeter, Brez and Jovan go over the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury woes and whether that will affect Luka Doncic’s chances at All-NBA.
Plus, they hand out some “Lakeshow Podcast” season awards.
Click the link above to watch or listen to the new episode.