Los Angeles Times -- California, Southern California News

Fiscal mess fuels crisis in Montebello

By Jessica Garrison and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

Two off-the-books accounts and alleged misuse of millions have city officials seeking answers.

NFL stadium deal could be a tricky call for Los Angeles

By Rich Connell, Seema Mehta and David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times

A cash-strapped Los Angeles could be bargaining partly in the dark with Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz's AEG, which is privately held. Most of how the conglomerate performs financially is kept secret.

State senator proposes restructuring leadership of California's high-speed rail system

By Rich Connell and Dan Weikel, Los Angeles Times

State Sen. Alan Lowenthal's legislation would place the California High-Speed Rail Authority under the executive branch of state government and recast the make-up of the board.

California lawmakers give initial OK to Jerry Brown's budget plan

By Anthony York, Los Angeles Times

The Legislature and the governor are still at odds on some healthcare spending and a proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies.

L.A. Now
Southern California -- this just in

Gambling habit led San Diego probate trustee to steal from clients 02/19/2011, 9:06 a.m.
If Gov. Brown wins, plans for sports venues in Escondido and San Diego lose 02/19/2011, 9:02 a.m.
Another rainstorm Saturday afternoon could drop snow level to 3,500 feet 02/19/2011, 7:36 a.m.
U.S. considers military action after pirates seize Orange County couple's boat 02/19/2011, 7:19 a.m.
Fugitive in L.A. County rape case captured in Florida 02/18/2011, 10:44 p.m.
Somali pirates seize boat with four U.S. citizens aboard; one couple has Southland connections 02/18/2011, 9:17 p.m.
Los Angeles regional weather forecast 02/18/2011, 9:00 p.m.
Former court spokeswoman sues Sheriff's Department 02/18/2011, 7:20 p.m.

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Steve Lopez

Some of L.A. County's most vulnerable vets to get badly needed care - February 16, 2011 - White male, age 69. Homeless for 15 years and three months. Usually...

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George Skelton

California lawmakers need to get moving - February 17, 2011 - When you're in a bad spot, where you can only lose no matter what, the...

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Sandy Banks

A life ends, but lessons will live on - February 19, 2011 - My heart sank when I saw the phone number on my caller ID. That Toledo,...

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Hector Tobar

Wide-ranging roots, multicolored leaves - February 18, 2011 - Several years ago, the L.A. artist Toni Scott created a self-portrait for...

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San Diego seeks a mascot to replace Bum and The Chicken

More California News

Los Angeles judge finds confession was coerced, frees murder defendant

By Joel Rubin and Jack Leonard, Times Staff Writers

The jurist says 'it wasn't even a close call' whether LAPD detectives coerced the man, 19 at the time, into changing his story, his lawyer reports. The teen had denied involvement dozens of times.

Somali pirates hijack yacht of U.S. couple on Bible mission

By Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times

Jean and Scott Adam have been roaming the world for six years, using Marina del Rey as their mail drop.

Los Angeles firefighter dies of injuries

By Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times

Glenn Allen, a veteran of more than 36 years with the LAFD, was to have retired in less than two years.

Jerry Brown's plan to cut redevelopment agencies could sink Escondido, San Diego stadium plans

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

Escondido wants to build a minor league baseball park, and San Diego wants a new home for the NFL's Chargers. Redevelopment funds would probably be needed to make either a reality.

A life ends, but lessons will live on

By Sandy Banks

A beloved relative is gone, but her gritty, loving spirit endures

Through meditation, she makes happiness an inside job

By Nomi Morris, Special to the Los Angeles Times

Sharon Salzberg, 58, a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, has spent more than three decades helping Westerners access a daily spiritual practice that originated in Buddhism but is not confined to that faith.

Ex-high school principal gets 8 years for molesting four girls

By Shan Li, Los Angeles Times

'This man has stained my childhood forever,' one victim says of the former head of Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, who also coached the school's volleyball teams.

Road debris means a commute paved with peril

By Mike Anton, Los Angeles Times

Debris is just one more thing for commuters to fear on the road. Just ask the family of unlucky little Emily Sumaya.

Montebello investigates why nearly $1 million is missing from city bank account

Wrong patient got kidney at USC

By Alan Zarembo and Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times

USC University Hospital shut down its kidney transplant program last month after realizing the error. The hospital said transplants may resume as early as Friday.

LAPD: 2002 execution murders tied to Wall Street scheme, stolen jewelry

Cash to fight blight paying city salaries in California

By Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times

Strapped for money, some municipalities in the state are skirting the law to draw on redevelopment funds.

L.A. firefighter gravely injured, others hurt while battling fire at Hollywood Hills home

By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times

Fire crews use a chain saw to cut their way to the injured firefighter, who was engulfed by debris when a ceiling collapsed. Water collecting from a damaged sprinkler line may have caused the structure to fail.

Four killed as speeding BMW slams into pole on San Bernardino freeway connector

Los Angeles students meet a civil rights hero: Desmond Tutu

By Carla Rivera, Los Angeles Times

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and anti-apartheid activist speaks at Santee Education Complex for Black History Month.

Woman's grandnephew and his Navy buddy found guilty in her 2007 slaying

By Shan Li, Los Angeles Times

Sonia Rios Risken was being investigated in the killings of her two husbands when she was shot to death at her Lomita home. A jury convicted Eric Delacruz and his friend, Fernando Romero, in her death. They face 50 years to life in prison.

Stricken reporter Serene Branson recalls her on-air terror

By Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times

KCBS-TV's Serene Branson returns to the newsroom and views her report from the Grammys in which she begins speaking incoherently. Doctors tell her the medical cause: 'migraine with aura.'

3 L.A. men held in Mexican cartel murder-for-hire case

Judge's decision to bar accused Bell council members from City Hall complicates city's problems

By Jeff Gottlieb, Los Angeles Times

Bell's City Council election is March 8, but state law requires the current council to ratify the results, a procedure that's impossible under the judge's order.

Wide-ranging roots, multicolored leaves

By Hector Tobar

With help from an uncle, L.A. artist Toni Scott built her family tree into a three-dimensional work of art that brings together a seemingly unlikely cast of American characters.

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