Los Angeles Times -- California, Southern California News

A look at secret negotiations in Mel Gibson case as detectives wrap investigation

By Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times

As investigators give D.A. the results of their inquiry into alleged extortion, a Times review of e-mails, texts and documents reveals secret negotiations in the case. Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva discussed reconciliation even as lawyers were fighting over settlement terms.

Raids targeting Armenian gang net 74 fraud suspects

By Andrew Blankstein and Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times

Scams by Armenian Power took $20 million from discount store shoppers and the elderly, authorities say.

Council kills Villaraigosa's parking garage plan

By David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times

Council members unanimously vote to drop the mayor's plan to lease out nine public parking garages to help fill city's budget gap.

California lawmakers need to get moving

By George Skelton

Only a few weeks remain for Democrats and Republicans to hammer out a tax compromise. Without tax extensions, much deeper cuts will have to be made in education, social services and the courts.

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

L.A. mayor, UTLA spend most in school board races 02/16/2011, 5:29 p.m.
Nursing home is fined after patient dies after choking 02/16/2011, 5:04 p.m.
Bell 8: Six officials ordered to stand trial for looting city treasury [Updated] 02/16/2011, 5:00 p.m.
Your commute: Live L.A. traffic conditions 02/16/2011, 4:30 p.m.
Rain halts hunt for second body behind Lennox house 02/16/2011, 4:15 p.m.
Reader photos: Southern California Moments, Day 47 02/16/2011, 4:00 p.m.
California Supreme Court will decide key issue in same-sex-marriage legal fight 02/16/2011, 2:48 p.m.
Long Beach woman arrested for allegedly shining laser pointer at law enforcement helicopters 02/16/2011, 2:12 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

Beware of Sacramento's crash tax - February 14, 2011 - Travel tip: if you're thinking about driving to Sacramento, don't. Cancel...

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Sandy Banks

Enthralled and inspired by Egypt's revolt - February 15, 2011 - I'm not Egyptian. I don't have any Egyptian friends. I've never had...

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Hector Tobar

South-Central L.A.'s black and Latino business owners join forces with hope for the future - February 11, 2011 - Bowers and Sons Cleaners on Central Avenue has managed to survive many an...

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Homeboy Industries pins hopes on chips and salsa

More California News

To win support for tax extension, Democrats propose streamlining California regulations

By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times

A one-stop permitting process is planned as part of a measure seeking to build support from business for a tax extension that would help balance the state budget.

Victories by Sharon Runner, Ted Lieu mean status quo for California Senate

By Jean Merl, Los Angeles Times

Runner, a Republican, and Lieu, a Democrat, espouse their party lines toward Gov. Jerry Brown's effort to put a tax-hike extension on the June ballot. Both won solidly in their districts in Tuesday's Los Angeles-area special elections.

Judge urged to throw out plea bargain in sex assaults of disabled women

By Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times

Advocates for the disabled say a proposed 8-year sentence for Juan Fernando Flores, who confessed to sexually assaulting three mentally disabled women, is an injustice.

Im not a pig, ex-Bell administrator says in TV interview [Video]

California Supreme Court will decide key issue in same-sex-marriage legal fight

Long Beach woman arrested for allegedly shining laser pointer at law enforcement helicopters

Six officials ordered to stand trial for looting city treasury

Man who brought drugs into LAX hidden in candy faces up to 40 years in prison

Esteban Galtes, 23, was arrested in December at LAX after federal agents searched his luggage and discovered more than 14 pounds of cocaine, much of it hidden in pastel-colored, egg-shaped candy.

Clemency denied, Marine sergeant ordered back to prison in killing of Iraqi man in 2006

Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins was freed in April from the prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, while appeals courts considered whether he was denied a fair trial at Camp Pendleton.

Judge questions Conrad Murray's hiring of lawyer who once worked for Michael Jackson defense team

Judge questions Conrad Murray's hiring of former Michael Jackson lawyer

Judge Michael Pastor expressed concern Tuesday that the doctor recently hired a lawyer who once worked for a firm that defended the pop star from child molestation charges.

San Diego seeks a mascot to replace Bum and The Chicken

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

Bum, a Spaniel/St. Bernard mix who roamed downtown in the late 19th century, has been gone a long time, so an event-and-tourism website is holding a mascot contest.

Bell corruption case should be dismissed, defense attorney says

By Jeff Gottlieb and Corina Knoll, Los Angeles Times

Ronald Kaye, the attorney for George Cole, argued prosecutors had not made a case and all charges should be dropped.

State bullet train angles for share of $2.4 billion in federal funds

By Rich Connell, Los Angeles Times

More than $600 million was reallocated to California by the Obama administration after new Republican governors in Ohio and Wisconsin turned down high-speed rail money after the November elections.

Long Beach woman arrested for allegedly shining laser pointer at helicopters

By Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times

Kelly Ann Smith, 34, of Long Beach was arrested Feb. 5 for allegedly shining the light at Long Beach police and L.A. County Sheriff's Department helicopters during an intensive police search.