Breaking News

Legislature plans to close entrance to public, provide lobbyists special access

John January 18, 2016

Though it brands itself as “the people’s house,” the California State Capitol will soon become less accessible to the public, while continuing to provide lobbyists with “special access.” Beginning February 1, the California state Legislature intends to convert its east entrance

Once-undocumented claim half of new CD drivers licenses

Roiled by immigration fears on both sides, California supplied drivers licenses to big numbers of the otherwise undocumented, further sharpening the statewide debate. “California issued more than a half-million driver’s licenses under a new law granting the identifying documents to

Sen. Huff: People are sick of partisan politics

Matt Fleming January 16, 2016

2016 started with a bit of a bipartisan bump with Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and former Senate Republican leader Bob Huff at center stage. When the Senate reconvened two weeks ago, de León of Los Angeles and other

CA Supreme Court clears Citizens United challenge

James Poulos January 15, 2016

Critics of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case cheered a ruling by the California Supreme Court, which cleared the way for a ballot measure that would express support for an end to the campaign finance regime the nation’s

Iraqi refugee arrested in CA on terror charge

James Poulos January 15, 2016

Two Iraqi refugees, one in California, have been arrested on joint terrorism-related charges. “From his pictures on Facebook, Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab looks like any other millennial with a wardrobe of Nike sneakers, Ray-Ban sunglasses and flannel shirts. But federal officials

SCOTUS hears CA Friedrichs case

James Poulos January 14, 2016

After years of mounting controversy over compulsory unionization, public pensions and other labor issues, California has sent the Supreme Court a case that could change the power of unions in America overnight. As the court hears oral arguments, the challenge has made

Huge CA Powerball sales sharpen lottery debate

James Poulos January 14, 2016

Californians joined in the country’s fever over an extraordinary Powerball prize, leading the nation in ticket sales — but not without raising conflicting feelings about the lottery. “In California, about 80 cents of every $2 ticket sold goes toward education,” as the

L.A. gets Rams, maybe Chargers

James Poulos January 13, 2016

After a frenetic final sequence where NFL intrigue reached a fever pitch, team owners voted to approve the relocation of the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles, with an option extended to San Diego’s disgruntled Chargers franchise. “The Rams’ home will

California giving needed relief on traffic fines, fees

Steve Miller January 12, 2016

Financially strapped motorists are catching a break through the state’s traffic citation amnesty law, which began in October and gives discounts of up to 80 percent on unpaid traffic tickets due before Jan. 1, 2013. In Los Angeles Superior Court,

Feds probe Nestle’s CA operations

James Poulos January 11, 2016

Nestle, which has spent months weathering attacks on its water bottling practices in California, has been targeted by the federal government for investigation. “Under pressure from environmental groups’ lawsuits, the U.S. Forest Service has begun a comprehensive environmental review of Switzerland-based bottled water