Business & Tech

$40 Hot Dog | Celebs Flee U.S. Under Trump | Flying Cars: CA Business News

Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week's best sales and freebies.

Portia de Rossi, left, and Ellen DeGeneres arrive at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Portia de Rossi, left, and Ellen DeGeneres arrive at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news: Canadians are pulling back on travel to California in reaction to President Donald Trump, several Bay Area companies are competing to bring flying cars to the market, and an employee at a Southern California store died after trying to confront shoplifters.

Additionally, Dodger Stadium is charging $40 for a hot dog — and at 16 inches long, it comes with its own carrying case.

But before getting to the biggest business stories in the Golden State, here are some of the best consumer deals of the week:

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Freebies, Deals And Steals

Coinciding with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Riverside County animal shelters are waiving adoption fees for two weekends in April. So if you're looking for a new furry family member, it's worth it to check out who may be waiting for you at a shelter.

Shake Shack is offering free crinkle cut fries with any purchase of $10 made through the app or online. The offer, available for pickup or delivery, is valid through the end of the month and only between 2 and 5 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating April with a special reward for Cheesecake Rewards members all month. The choices include $10 off a $40 purchase, buy-one-get-one free cake slices, and more.

Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:

Novato’s Moylan’s Brewing Company Will Close, Owner Says

Established in 1995, the award-winning brewery announced March 26 it would close.

San Francisco Legislation Proposes Creation Of New "Entertainment Zones"

"Our city's recovery depends on neighborhoods, people and bringing joy and life back to our streets--block by block," Mayor Lurie said.

Dean Norris Dishes On Favorite SoCal Hot Spots

Actor and long-time Temecula resident Dean Norris shares some of his favorite haunts.

Lazy Dog Unveils New Spring Menu And Seasonal Promotions

The restaurant is offering fresh dishes, Sip + Share Program, and special offers for Mother’s and Father’s Day.

Salt & Straw Brings Back Popular Ice Cream Series

Find out how to get a free waffle cone on Earth Day.

Food Safety Scores Soar In Napa County

The achievement is seen as a significant milestone and comes under new leadership for the county's Environmental Health Division.

More Retail News

Laguna Beach's Oldest Music Store To Reopen With New Ownership: Report

After closing in 2024, the Sound Spectrum in Laguna Beach will reopen under local ownership, The Orange County Register reported.

Driverless Taxi Gets Stuck In Busy Chick-fil-A Drive Thru

A Waymo got stuck in a busy drive thru in Santa Monica this week.

Bay Area Hardware Store Owner Expecting Huge Hit To Business With Trump Tariffs

"This is absolutely crazy. There's no sense in it, and we don't know if it's permanent," said hardware store owner Jeff Leopold said.

Goodwill Closing 2 Bay Area Locations, Cutting 90 Jobs

Both locations will close June 7, according to state records.

11 California Bookstores Worth A Visit: Pilgrimage Through The Pages

Patch dug through the stacks to find these must-see bookstores from the Bay Area to the shores of San Diego. What's your favorite?

More Business News

FedEx To Close 3 Bay Area Facilities, Lay Off At Least 174 Workers

Affected workers were notified several months in advance, according to FedEx.

Santa Monica Will Not Host 2028 Olympics Beach Volleyball

A study found Santa Monica would incur a net loss of $1.45 million as an Olympics venue city.

The Little Temecula History Museum Is Raising Money For AC: Report

After one too many unbearably hot community events, the museum is working to raise $25,000 to make visitors and volunteers more comfortable.

Man 'Angry With Pharmacies' Fatally Shoots CA Walgreens Worker: Report

A 30-year-old was seen waving at a surveillance camera before he shot the camera out and opened fire in the store.

Who Will Pay The $3B Cost To Fix Miles Of Delta Levees At Risk Of Floods?

The Delta faces a funding crisis to repair and maintain an aging network of 1,100 miles of levees.

Alameda Hospital Nurses Ratify New Contract

"This new contract enables us to provide the best possible care to the vulnerable communities we serve at Alameda Health."

Woman Pulls Knife From Store Packaging, Uses It To Rob Shop

A NorCal shopper took a kitchen knife off the shelf, loaded a shopping cart with merchandise and headed out of the store, police said.

Boat Quarantine Required At 2 NorCal Lakes

All motorized and trailered vessels must be inspected for highly invasive golden mussels, then undergo a 30-day sealed quarantine.

Marin Offers $100K In Artist Grants

As part of Arts, Culture and Creativity Month in Marin, applications are now open to artists seeking financial backing.

Palo Alto Councilman Looking To Pass Ordinance Limiting Light Pollution

Palo Alto City Councilman Greer Stone is one of the officials spearheading a new Dark Sky ordinance for the city.

Here's How Much An iPhone Could Cost With Trump's Tariffs On China

The iPhone accounts for about half of Apple's revenue. Most of its smartphones are manufactured in China.

LA County Target Of Corruption Probe Into Homelessness Spending

A federal Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force will investigate the handling of billions spent to combat homelessness in the region.

World Cup Committee To Support 26 LA Community Groups

The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee and the Play Equity Fund will honor each selected organization with a $26,000 grant award.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.