Baca shifts course on compliance with deportation program

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department will not detain suspected illegal immigrants arrested in low-level crimes. The state attorney general's directive is cited as the reason.

Two more ex-Coliseum employees face criminal charges

A former warehouse worker and a former payroll clerk are accused of stealing Coliseum funds by cashing falsified payroll checks. Eight people now have been charged in corruption scandal.

L.A. affirms drivers who park at broken meters will be ticketed

The City Council overrides state law that limits issuance of tickets for drivers who use malfunctioning meters. City revenue from tickets at non-working meters is $5 million a year.

L.A. council votes to regulate valet parking operators

The rules would require valid California driver's licenses for all workers, permits, liability insurance and proof of off-street spaces.

Expect Democrats to be robust, not reticent, in wielding power

They promise caution, but the party's legislative leaders are also keen to exploit their supermajority status. The opportunity may not last.

Republican Kevin James makes an outsider run for L.A. mayor

James, a lawyer and talk-show host, says he'll aim to win the support of voters tired of City Hall cronyism. He's already garnered the support of former Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and a 'super PAC' is helping him raise funds.

Deal brings end to L.A., Long Beach ports strike

Union workers will return today to the L.A. and Long Beach terminals. The accord must still be ratified.

4 arrested in Las Vegas in Northridge slayings

Authorities say two men and two women wanted in the shooting death of four people outside a Devonshire Street home were taken into custody at a casino. The attack allegedly was sparked by a dispute over personal property.

California's gay-conversion ban up in air after 2 judges disagree

A federal judge says the state's new law banning gay-conversion therapy for minors may infringe on free speech rights, but another judge disagrees. A higher court may have to get involved, an expert says.

L.A. fire chief blames slower response times on budget cuts

Chief Brian Cummings was summoned to the City Council to explain the department's failure to produce a plan to improve service and cut response times. Instead, he says cost cuts increased response times.

School names can be lessons in recognition

Celebrities? Historical figures? Neighborhoods? As L.A. Unified replaces temporary generic campus names with permanent monikers, the process has become political, controversial or just plain wacky.

Secure Communities is optional, Harris says

Attorney general says the U.S. program, intended to deport illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, had swept up too many non-criminals.

Supreme Court hears arguments in L.A. storm water runoff case

The Supreme Court justices seem split on how to rule. But they question whether Los Angeles County should be freed from liability for storm water pollution.

Transit tax failure has backers seeking changes to California law

L.A. County's transit tax missed the two-thirds approval needed to pass by less than 1 percentage point. Some blame Proposition 13 for creating too high a threshold.

L.A. Unified says deal on evaluations meets court order

District files brief by judge's deadline, but details remain unresolved in agreement with union on using student test scores to assess teachers.

L.A. police seek owners of 11,000 pieces of stolen jewelry

Valuables taken in hundreds of so-called knock-knock burglaries are recovered. About 70 suspects, including two alleged fences, have been arrested.

Acid bombs left at black woman's home in Orange County probed

Several explosives made from household chemicals were left outside a Rossmoor home. One exploded, but no one was injured. Authorities disabled the others.

UCLA report aims to serve as L.A. road map on environmental issues

The plan includes eliminating the DWP's use of coal to generate electricity and better land use in the city's so-called toxic hot spots.

Fatal incident reflects new boldness among offshore smugglers

The death of a Coast Guard crewman after suspected smugglers rammed a U.S. craft shows the rising popularity of sea routes for marijuana and illegal immigrants.

Santa Monica Nativity scenes to move to private property

After a judge ruled against allowing the scenes on public land, organizers announce the move but say the fight isn't over.

Treating them as victims, not criminals

An L.A. County task force is turning an insight into policy: that many young prostitutes are being sexually exploited, and not simply guilty of making bad choices.

Former Mets star Dykstra sentenced for federal bankruptcy fraud

The Garden Grove native, already serving a three-year state prison term for auto theft, receives an additional 6 1/2 months after pleading guilty to looting his mansion of valuables before creditors could liquidate them.

Democrats take the reins in a reshaped Legislature

State lawmakers are sworn in Monday, with Democrats holding historic two-thirds supermajorities in both houses. The party's leaders call for investment in education and infrastructure after years of retrenchment.

State lacks strategy on alternative energy, report says

The 2020 deadline on using more renewable sources could mean high bills for electrical customers and damage to the environment, study finds.

L.A. voters support pension changes over sales tax hike, poll finds

Nearly 44% of voters surveyed Nov. 6 back former Mayor Riordan's plan to transfer city workers to a 401(k)-style plan. Forty-five percent of voters oppose hiking the sales tax.

Marine special forces squad awarded Navy Cross, Silver Stars

Four members of an elite team receive the medals for their actions during a firefight in July 2010 in Helmand province in Afghanistan. Missing was Posha, a military working dog who died of cancer.

Chino Hills seeks to close home used by pregnant Chinese women

A website that city officials believe is associated with the house describes services such as assistance in obtaining American passports for newborns.

Man serving life term loses bid to overturn murder conviction

The California Supreme Court says that William Richards, 63, had failed to prove his innocence in the 1993 killing of his wife, even though forensic evidence used against him was later discredited.

Northridge home where 4 were killed was 'filthy'

As many has 17 people may have been living in the Northridge house. New boardinghouse rules are urged.

Once on fast track, L.A. fire chief faces tough scrutiny

The City Council, frustrated by the department's slow response times and inability to produce accurate data, has summoned Brian Cummings to appear Tuesday.