CA asset forfeiture reform fails

After passing the state Senate overwhelmingly, California’s bipartisan attempt to reform asset forfeiture laws ran aground in the Assembly, victim of a powerful lobbying campaign conducted by law enforcement and its allies. Golden State cops teamed with prosecutors to sink the

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Cumulative trauma law bedevils employers, hands fired employees a payday

The Monteleone family opened Barone’s Italian Restaurant in Valley Glen 70 years ago, and has seen its share of employee turnover. But Tom Monteleone got a nasty lesson in California’s employee relations law last week. One of his cooks was

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From L.A. to San Diego, short-term rentals stoke fury

The Internet-fueled rise of short-term vacation rentals is stoking fury in coastal Southern California communities and cities that attract lots of tourists. Opponents say they’re killing neighborhood quality of life by bringing a never-ending series of loud, rude, drunken visitors

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McCarthy poised for House Speakership

In a twist as sudden as it was unlikely, Republicans appear poised to make Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. Though he could face opposition from the House’s conservative caucus, McCarthy’s reputation — and solid positioning

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San Diego school board backs embattled president

Last week, at least one member of the San Diego school board — Vice President John Lee Evans — appeared to be deeply concerned at the least after a series of reports from the Voice of San Diego about school

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Chinese firm plans L.A.-to-Vegas train

For bemused Californians, there’s another bullet train in town, thanks to the Chinese government. More specifically, credit — $100 million worth — goes to China Railway International USA, a venture spearheaded by Beijing’s national railroad, China Railway. The consortium has ponied up

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Planned San Francisco monument pits city vs. revisionist Japan

San Francisco supervisors’ 11-0 vote this week to put up a monument to the approximately 200,000 “comfort women” from Korea, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Burma and elsewhere in Asia who were used as sex slaves by members of the

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CA auditor: Six harsh reports in three months

A new report by the office of State Auditor Elaine Howle knocks the state’s handling of Medi-Cal reimbursements to schools which facilitate some federally funded health care services. It notes little progress made in fixing the Department of Health Care

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Apple stokes buzz with DMV meeting

California was poised to make automotive history again as Apple met with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. As the Golden State grapples with divisive choices over emissions regulations, electric and self-driving cars have emerged as the latest home-grown innovation with

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