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CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news: bird flu was found at four Golden State dairy farms, fake ICE agents harassed a business' workers and customers for social media, and California's wine industry is expected to shrink.

Additionally, federal authorities say they busted five people for running a COVID-19 unemployment scheme, which involved one participant networking from prison while his wife used her law enforcement job to gain access to privileged information.

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

Freebies, Deals And Steals

Did you know Metrolink can connect people to destinations across wide swaths of Southern California — with no freeway headaches required. The transit agency is taking an opportunity to show off what its trains can do by offering free train tickets for rides originating from the Inland Empire. Check out all the details here.

Nordstrom is offering a six-piece gift set with any $42.50 Lancôme purchase. The set, valued at $186, includes toner, moisturizer, eye cream, lipstick and mascara. It's one of several offers Nordstrom is currently running.

And BJ's Brewhouse is continuing to offer an extraordinary value with its $13 Pizookie meal deal, which comes with an entree and personal-sized pizookie Mondays through Fridays. The value piles up when you use other BJ's daily promotions, like $5 beers on certain days.

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

• Fed-Up Restaurateur Busts Serial Dine-And-Dasher
• Newsom Orders State Workers Back To Office 4 Days A Week
• 13-Year-Old Buys Vending Machine On eBay To Pursue Business Dreams
• CA Home To 2 Of Nation's 'Most Lawless' Airports: Study
• Burger Chain's 55 CA Restaurants In Danger Of Closure
• CA Towing Companies Can Sell Your Car — And The DMV Gets To Keep The Profit Without Telling You
• Bird Flu Found At 4 CA Dairy Farms: What To Know
• What Counts As Upper Middle Class In CA? See Income Ranking
• CHP Dispatcher, Her Felon Husband And Mother-Daughter Pair Charged In Unemployment Scheme
• Fake ICE Agents Harassed CA Businesses For Social Media Clout: Police
• Meet Mella, A Cloned Dog At A CA Winery
• CA Makes Slow Progress In Ambitious Fast-Food Regulation Effort

The Bottom Line

• The San Francisco Chronicle declared "this will be the year of California winery closures," following last year's 4.3% decline in West Coast wineries — the first time that's happened in a generation.
• An anti-poverty activist and California investor who frequently spoke of his own rags-to-riches story is accused of bilking investors out of $145 million.
• Mariachi bands, raccoon puppets and cardboard Cybertrucks are just some of the creative ways activists are targeting Tesla showrooms with protests in response to CEO Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration.

More Restaurant News

Iconic LA Diner Shutters After 101 Years On Bitter Note

After 100 years — serving free coffee and never locking its doors for most of those years — The Original Pantry has closed.

Southwest Riverside County Restaurant Month Offers Deals At 25+ Eateries

From well-established family-run joints to hidden gems, the month-long challenge aims to showcase a diverse assortment of local cuisine.

SoCal Pub Named Best Beer Bar In Country: Ranking

Just ahead of St. Patrick's Day, O'Brien's Pub in San Diego ranked as the best beer bar in the U.S. by USA Today.

Man Who Brought Chick-Fil-A To San Diego Opening Another Location

Owner-operator Matt Hughes opened San Diego's first Chick-fil-A in 2006 on Sports Arena Boulevard.

Breakfast Republic To Close San Diego Area Location

The chain has become a staple in San Diego's breakfast scene.

Jordan Parker Winery Opens In Temecula: What To Know When You Go

Owner Jordan Parker focuses on big, bold Syrahs and a delectable Mourvèdre, and a new Malbec blend he calls Orpheum. Step inside to try it.

Macarena Brings The Spirit Of Spain To Peninsula With New Restaurant

Authentic tapas, paellas, and innovative cocktails highlight the debut.

Urbane Cafe To Often First Location In Long Beach, 2nd Planned

Urbane Cafe is opening its first location in Long Beach this week — and already has a second location in the city in the works.

Little Goat Kitchen + Bakery Opens In Temecula: What To Know

The latest in Temecula's "Goat & Vine," "Two Travelers" restaurants has its soft opening this weekend in the Rancho Temecula Town Center.

More Retail News

Palm Springs Hotel Debuts Pop-Up For Anthropologie's New Resortwear

The brand's new Celandine pop-up will only be available in Palm Springs through April 7.

San Francisco Businesses Preparing For Financial Impacts Of Tariffs

Tacolicious in San Francisco sent out a notice warning customers about a price hike on their guacamole.

WATCH: Bay Area Opticians Fight Off Armed Robbers

Employees at a Bay Area optician's office fought off four robbers, some of whom were armed with metal tools. One suspect is in custody.

6 New High Fashion Stores Open In Inland Empire Mall

Six new retailers will open in the Spring of 2025. Look for Marc Jacobs, Suit Emporium, Carbonstar and more.

Wells Fargo Reopens Pacific Palisades Branch After Fire

Wells Fargo will reopen its Pacific Palisades branch with services meant to help those recovering from the Palisades Fire.

San Francisco Leaders Explore Options As Pharmacies Struggle To Stay Open

For people in San Francisco, access to a neighborhood pharmacy has become much harder in recent years.

Advance Auto Parts Pulls Out Of CA: Will Close All 138 Locations

The last of the retailer's 138 California locations are closing, and hundreds of employees were told Friday was their last day.

SoCal Grocery Chain Lays Off 63 Clerks: 'We've Never Done This Before'

Blaming tariffs and inflation fears, the grocery CEO said: "It costs $130 to buy what used to cost $100. People didn't get a 30% raise."

Google Store Opens In Santa Monica

Google's latest retail location — the second on the West Coast — opened in Santa Monica recently.

More Business News

Amazon Driver Sexually Assaulted Woman While On Delivery Route: PD

A SoCal delivery driver sexually assaulted two people while on duty — and police say he may have preyed on others yet to come forward.

Free Financial Freedom Conference For Women March 14: What To Know

The conference will be led by members of the state Assembly.

41 CA Hospitals Among Best In The World, New Ranking Says

Newsweek and its data partner Statista recently released their list of the world's best hospitals. Here's how California hospitals did.

Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park Slated To Reopen

The park at 20700 Cereal Street has been shuttered since November.

Thousands Of CA Summer Campsites May Close Amid Trump Cuts: Report

Thousands of CA's National Forest campsites along with trails, visitors centers and other facilities may stay closed this summer.

LA County Sues SoCal Edison Over Deadly Eaton Fire

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but SCE power lines crossing Eaton Canyon are widely suspected in the devastating blaze.

UCSD Study: Vaping Does Not Help Smokers Quit Using Tobacco Products

People who vape daily actually reported 4.1% lower rates of quitting, according to the study.

Report: Lack of Clarity, Oversight Hamper LA's Homeless Programs

Poor oversight and limited accountability, L.A.'s $2.3 billion efforts to combat homelessness, a court-ordered audit found.

America's Finest City To Get Its Own Monopoly Game

San Diego is getting its very own edition of Monopoly, and San Diegans are invited to share their ideas for the board game.

History-Making Showman Serves As Ringmaster At New Circus Vargas Show

Known as the "Last Ringmaster," Johnathan Lee Iverson has worked in the circus business for more than 25 years.

Alleged Anti-Armenian Bank Discrimination Probed in LA

The Los Angeles Civil Rights + Human Rights and Equity Department and law enforcement are encouraging possible victims to file claims.

Bay Area’s First 'Conservation Community' Unveils Its Eco-Friendly Vision

Amenities include trails, a swim and event center, pickleball courts, wildlife habitat conservation, flood mitigation, and wildfire buffers.

Protests Targeting Musk, DOGE Grow In CA, Nationwide

Hundreds gathered at the California SpaceX headquarters to protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for their policies.

Marin County Supervisors Approve Changes To Countywide Plan

Language amendments address multifamily housing and community plans.

Converting Buildings From Commercial To Residential In SF Just Got Cheaper

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors vote will lower costs to each unit by $70,000.

Who Should Pay Billions For Climate Disasters? California And Others Target Big Oil — Will That Work?

California and other states and counties are using a legal strategy that took down Big Tobacco.