Staff of Miramonte replaced pending sex abuse inquiry

L.A. Unified Supt. John Deasy seeks to assure angry parents, who demonstrated at campus over allegations against two teachers. Officials say no other instructors are under suspicion.

A broken heart led LAPD officer to kill woman, prosecutor says

'I'm truly in love with John,' Stephanie Lazarus wrote in a letter to her former boyfriend's mother after he became engaged to Sherri Rae Rasmussen. Lazarus is on trial in Rasmussen's 1986 killing.

Proposed Utah mine expansion reflects politics of coal

An obstacle to greening L.A.'s energy portfolio is the DWP's contract with a Utah plant, which requires the city to buy coal power until 2027. The gritty fuel is now stoking controversy over energy policy, environmental damage and how much consumers should pay to kick the habit.

Detained immigrants with mental illnesses face barriers in court

Schizophrenic man's case shows how, activists say, such defendants are left to fend for themselves. He couldn't afford a lawyer and authorities wouldn't provide one free, so his mother was his advocate.

Suspect in homeless case charged in Oct. 25 stabbing deaths

Itzcoatl Ocampo, a former Marine already accused of killing four homeless men, is charged in the stabbing deaths of his high school friend's mother and older brother in Yorba Linda.

PETA's bid to free SeaWorld orcas may not get far

A federal judge is dubious about a PETA lawsuit that seeks the release of orcas on anti-slavery grounds. He plans to issue a ruling soon.

Sousaphone thieves hit Bell High

The band director says two instruments valued at $6,000 each were stolen over the weekend. The recent rash in thefts is linked to the growing popularity of banda music, instructors say.

Husband held in wife's death

Chenan Bao, 39, was found dead Sunday of injuries from a domestic violence assault. Hongxin Liu is being held on $1-million bail.

Husband of correctional officer slain in 1998 is arrested

Nuzzio Begaren is arrested with two other men in connection with the slaying of Elizabeth Begaren, who was shot on a freeway offramp in Anaheim.

Ruling expected on constitutionality of gay marriage ban

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to decide Tuesday whether California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage, violates the federal Constitution.

Trutanich surprises groups by listing them as backers

Officials with three law enforcement organizations say they have yet to formally decide whom to back, if anyone, in this year's race for district attorney. Trutanich, L.A.'s city attorney, is the obvious front-runner.

Occupy L.A. seeks return of murals painted at City Hall camp

The city is looking for institutions that would store and display the works salvaged after protesters were ousted. But Occupy L.A. says the murals 'were made for the people and they belong to the people.'

Cal State Northridge students stress out under tightened enrollment

Thousands remain in limbo as the over-enrolled campus imposes class and credit limits to avoid a $7-million fine.

Retired sheriff's commander is at center of internal investigation

Robert Olmsted accuses department officials of rigging a probe into excessive force in jails to scapegoat him and shield brass from blame. A department spokesman denies his allegation.

San Onofre nuclear power plant incidents draw attention

A radiation leak, the discovery of tube damage and a worker falling into a reactor pool all happened within days of one another.

Sacrificing the desert to save the Earth

Environmentalists are torn over the high cost of breaking reliance on fossil fuels. Public comment has been sought, but insiders are calling the shots.

LAX facing head wind in international travel

Unlike other big city airports in the nation, L.A. International hasn't seen foreign flights surpass pre-recession numbers. Among factors cited are the economy, changing travel patterns and the Japanese quake.

'The Pact' moves screenwriter further up the Hollywood chain

Nicholas McCarthy's 89-minute film plays to mixed reviews at the Sundance Film Festival. More important than audience reaction was the fact the movie was sold, and that he now has meetings lined up at studios and talent agencies.

Settling school disputes before they escalate

At Charles Maclay Middle School in Pacoima, a program funded by the Center for Civic Mediation teaches students how to resolve conflict and learn to coexist peacefully among their classmates.

L.A. Unified students square off in Academic Decathlon Super Quiz

Based on an unofficial tally, district officials say Granada Hills Charter High scored highest in the Super Quiz event. On Thursday, students will learn which teams advance to the state competition.