In his San Francisco digs, 'Sutro Sam' is living just as he otter

Since settling comfortably into the historic Sutro Baths near the Golden Gate Bridge, a furry river otter has gone from mild curiosity to outright celebrity. All he lacks is a companion.

Legislators vow to change law on rape by impersonation

The reversal of a conviction based on an 1870s state statute prompts the promise. The Assembly speaker says the issue will be a top priority.

Wendy Greuel issues subpoenas to 3 cellphone firms

L.A.'s city controller, who is running for mayor, accuses AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint of hindering her probe into whether they followed rules on billing procedures.

A second medical marijuana initiative qualifies for L.A. ballot

The measure would allow any dispensary that meets certain requirements to remain. They would have to keep limited hours, conduct background checks and stay a specified distance from schools and parks.

Silver Lake resident told to tear down part of his home

The city says the balcony and garage were built without required permits. But the owner says they were built under a city permit issued in 1923.

$3-billion road repair bond measure proposed for L.A.

The measure would need a two-thirds majority to pass. 'The No. 1 complaint we get in our office is the condition of our streets,' one councilman says.

California's freshman class in the U.S. House is large and diverse

Fourteen new U.S. House members from California are sworn in. It's a diverse group, but some have worked together before.

2 LAPD officers allegedly forced sex acts on women

The department suspects that the men repeatedly used the threat of jail to get women into their unmarked car and drove them to secluded areas to perform sex acts.

Teens drugged parents so they could use Internet

Two teenage girls were arrested in Northern California this week after they used sleeping pill-laced milkshakes to drug one girl's parents because they wouldn't let her use the Internet past 10 p.m.,

In suburbs of L.A., a cottage industry of birth tourism

Companies operating 'maternity hotels' cater to pregnant women from Chinese-speaking nations who want an American-citizen newborn.

Audit of L.A. County assessor's office urges key changes

The audit in the wake of the arrest of Assessor John Noguez and others calls for a requirement that private tax consultants register with the county.

Initiative to keep some L.A. pot shops open qualifies for ballot

The development is likely to make such facilities an issue in the mayoral race. A second initiative that would allow even more dispensaries is being vetted by city officials.

Judge rebukes child welfare agency for withholding data on deaths

The Department of Social Services subverted a law giving access to information on youngsters who died while under its supervision, court says.

Girls accused of spiking parents' milkshakes

A daughter and her friend allegedly put sleeping pills in the drinks so they could break a rule and use the Internet past 10 p.m.

Legislators want Army Corps to explain habitat removal decision

State Sens. Kevin de Leon and Fran Pavley ask the Army Corps of Engineers to explain its decision to plow under 43 acres of wildlife habitat at Sepulveda Basin without prior notice or coordination.

'Fiscal cliff' deal could drain millions from California budget

The deal won't allow California and other states to keep some revenue from the U.S. estate tax. Gov. Brown had included $335 million in such revenue in his budget.

Traffic school can be funny, but the bottom line isn't

Bonding with classmates — and maybe the instructor — over the indignities of 'the system' may be a comfort, but it comes at a cost.

Court voids rape conviction in impersonation ruling

Rape occurs only if the victim is married and the man is pretending to be her husband, appellate panel says. Court urges the Legislature to change the archaic law.

Ex-Irwindale police cadet charges sexual harassment by lieutenant

Woman's lawsuit says Lt. Mario Camacho pressured her to accept his advances in exchange for favorable treatment at work and a reduced rate on a rental condo.

Eric Garcetti invokes Latino-Jewish ancestry in mayor's race

Garcetti prides himself on his ease with L.A.'s diverse cultures. He hopes to weave a multiethnic tapestry of voters in a city that often votes along ethnic lines.

County seeks parcel fee to pay for projects to combat urban runoff

A ballot measure would raise about $290 million a year for clean water programs. The fee would be levied on all 2.2 million parcels in the L.A. County flood control district.

Bieber urges crackdown on paparazzi after photographer's death

The pop star is backed by singer Miley Cyrus. The paparazzo was struck by an SUV and killed Tuesday night after photographing Bieber's Ferrari on the 405 Freeway.

Two beleaguered L.A. county sheriff's captains retire

One is suspected of giving secret information to an alleged drug trafficker, and the other allegedly protected violent jailers.

Greuel faults DWP for bypassing bids on lobbying contracts

Report says the utility had lax control and failed to require firms, one including former Speaker Fabian Nuñez, to submit reports on results in Sacramento.

Son of Clippers owner is found dead at home

Scott Sterling dies of an apparent drug overdose, authorities say. He had been living in a Malibu apartment complex owned by the Donald T. Sterling Trust.

Accused killer of baby pleads not guilty by reason of insanity

Attorney for Sonia Hermosillo, charged with murder after dropping her 7-month-old son from the 4th floor of a parking garage, says she has 'post-partum psychosis.'

Location looms large in pump prices at California gas stations

Known in the industry as zone pricing, the practice helps explain the wild swings in price any gasoline brand has from one location to the next.

Herald-Examiner's last man standing

Chuck Lutz, the caretaker at the newspaper's shuttered office at 11th and Broadway, is retiring 23 years after the last issue hit newsstands.

Brown plans extensive changes for school funding in 2013

He says he wants more of the state's dollars to benefit low-income and non-English-speaking students. ‪‪He would also scale back dozens of rules that districts must abide by to receive state funds.

Ex-Marine general takes helm of state parks agency

Anthony Jackson is charged with managing 280 facilities across 1.3 million acres with a $500-million budget. A Sierra Club official calls him 'the right man at the right time.'