California drought hits home: reckless lawn-watering could cost $500
The California water board has passed new restrictions to rein in water use amid the worst drought in state history.
Daniel B. Wood
California leads states in identity fraud and computer hackings, report says
An estimated $30 billion to $40 billion in illicit funds are laundered through the state’s commerce each year, says a new report on transnational criminal activity.
Arizona’s ‘religious freedom’ bill. How much would it cost the state?
Business leaders fear the ‘religious freedom’ bill allowing firms to refuse to serve gay customers could have serious consequences for Arizona. Topping their concerns: the fate of the Super Bowl.
Vergara v. California: Do state laws protect teacher jobs over students?
The case of Vergara v. California takes up whether five state laws make it too hard to fire poor teachers. Students say their education is suffering. Teachers unions say the need is more resources.
California bullet train? How Jerry Brown is at war with himself
Jerry Brown the visionary wants to build the bullet train to stitch California together, but Jerry Brown the ‘cheapskate’ knows (as do his opponents) that the state’s hard-won fiscal health is a fragile thing.
Pint-size parks: Los Angeles turns parking spaces to ‘parklets’
Los Angeles, a city of cars and congestion, is joining a trend to create mini-pedestrian oases on what was once signature auto turf: the parking space.
Gay marriage: With state Senate vote to legalize, Hawaii closes the circle
Hawaii, which has traveled a looping 23-year path on the issue, is on the cusp of becoming, with Illinois, the 15th and 16th states to legalize same-sex marriage after the 19-to-4 Senate vote.
Election 2013: What takeaways from votes on marijuana taxes, GMO foods?
Coloradans voted Tuesday to slap big taxes on their state’s budding recreational marijuana industry, and Washington State’s voters said ‘no’ to labels for GMO foods. Some analysts see lessons as hot-button issues of legal pot and GMO labeling continue to simmer in other states.
Facebook regret? California law lets kids erase embarrassing posts
A first-of-its-kind California law requires social media companies such as Facebook to allow teens to erase posts. But the Internet has no true ‘permanent delete’ button, experts say.
California poised to pass $10 minimum wage. Is now the right time?
California legislative leaders and Gov. Jerry Brown are set to raise the state’s minimum wage to $10 an hour, which would be the highest in the country. Critics say it could harm a recovering economy.
Yosemite Rim Fire: why there’s more optimism about taming it
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and lighter winds are helping those battling the Yosemite Rim Fire, which is now 30 percent contained. Also factors: drones and areas already scorched in the past decade.
Officials discount risk to drinking water from Rim Fire near Yosemite, so far
Officials say there is so far no cause for alarm about airborne ash from the Rim Fire dropping onto Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the source of most of the drinking water for the San Francisco Bay Area. Let them count the whys.
Wildfire policy: Time for US to rely less on shovels, hoses, retardant?
The rising prevalence of mega-fires indicates that policy changes are needed, say critics of prevailing wildfire-prevention strategy. Fire suppression is not always good, they argue, and pouring ever more money into firefighting is not sustainable.
Boy Scouts allow gay scouts, but leave ban on gay leaders in place
The Boy Scouts of America voted to lift a ban on gay scouts, but critics say a decision to maintain a ban on gay scout leaders sends a mixed message and leaves the issue unsettled.
Iran plans to sue makers of ‘Argo’: Could lawsuit succeed?
Iran’s wants to sue the makers of ‘Argo,’ the Oscar-winning film about the 1979 hostage crisis. But legal experts say Iran will have a hard time finding any legitimate court to take the case.
LAPD review of Christopher Dorner firing: why black community wants more
Even 20 years after the Rodney King riots, mistrust simmers between the LAPD and the black community. Some leaders say federal authorities need to investigate Christopher Dorner’s claims.
The Phil Mickelson effect: Do millionaires flee states with high taxes?
Golfer Phil Mickelson said he might move to Florida after California raised tax rates on the wealthy. Studies looking into tax flight have come to mixed conclusions.
Oprah interview: Can Lance Armstrong rehabilitate his image?
Lance Armstrong has a very steep hill to climb to regain any measure of public favor, given his past transgressions. But the Oprah Winfrey interview can be a start, image experts say.
James Holmes hearing: At last, a chance for victims to testify
A weeklong hearing into the shooting attack in Aurora, Colo., began Monday, offering a potential window into the mindset of the suspect, James Holmes, and a chance for victims to unburden themselves of testimony.
Jerry Brown tax hike suddenly on the ropes. Does he have time to save it?
With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, support for Jerry Brown’s tax hike has plunged below 50 percent in two polls. If it fails, $6 billion in automatic cuts kick in.
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