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USC made its offer to neuroscientists a no-brainer

By Larry Gordon and Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

The school's 'all hands on deck' effort to lure Arthur Toga and Paul Thompson from UCLA included money and the prospect of new collaborations, as well as less tangible personal perks.

The courtship that has riveted the neuroscience world blossomed at a Saturday night dinner in a tony Brentwood restaurant.

Labor group won't back away from campaign mailer

By David Zahniser, Laura J. Nelson and Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:37:00 PDT

Mailer to Latino voters urges support for Wendy Greuel because she 'will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour,' but Greuel does not back that minimum pay level for all workers.

The most powerful labor organization in Los Angeles refused Friday to back away from a campaign mailer in which it urges voters to support Wendy Greuel for mayor because she "will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour."

Ex-Compton fire official charged with arson, theft

By Abby Sewell, Angel Jennings and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:56:00 PDT

Marcel Melanson, once considered a charismatic department hero, pleads not guilty to stealing expensive radios while a battalion chief and denies setting a fire to cover up the theft.

Marcel Melanson was a hero in Compton.

Democrats seeking office have their eye on Sacramento

By Mark Z. Barabak and Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:39:00 PDT

Lawmakers and candidates are increasingly feeling they can accomplish more at the state level than in Washington, where many would be serving in the minority.

WASHINGTON — Early this year, Leticia Perez and her husband flew here for a whirlwind 48 hours. The couple dined at the Italian Embassy, visited the Lincoln Memorial and joined the crowd on the National Mall watching as President Obama was inaugurated for a second term.

In Mexico, immigrants' relatives watch U.S. debate, and hope

By Richard Fausset, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:59:00 PDT

Many are skeptical that Congress will pass immigration reform legislation, but if it happens, they say, it will mean the reunion of countless family members, some separated for 20 years.

TONATICO, Mexico — Armando Guadarrama was navigating his taxi through the narrow streets of this central Mexico pueblo on a recent Saturday morning, some 2,000 miles from the Beltway.

Analyst disputes Brown's budget outlook as too glum

By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:27:00 PDT

Legislature's advisor sees $3 billion more in revenue, which could hamper the governor's bid to curb spending.

SACRAMENTO — California's financial picture is much brighter than Gov. Jerry Brown suggested in his latest spending plan, according to the Legislature's top budget advisor, who said the state will have $3.2 billion more at its disposal than the governor estimated.

California's unemployment rate drops to 9%

By Alana Semuels — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:37:00 PDT

California’s pace of job creation slowed in April, as employers added 10,300 jobs in April, nevertheless pushing the state’s unemployment rate down to 9% from 9.4% the month before.

Cedars-Sinai stands out for steep pricing

By Chad Terhune and Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 PDT

It's the only hospital near the top in every category in a Medicare report. But few patients pay the full amount.

When Medicare disclosed average charges from thousands of U.S. hospitals for 100 common procedures last week, only one hospital was near the top in every category: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

IRS problem started with vague tax exemption rules

By Matea Gold, Washington Bureau — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:44:00 PDT

IRS was ill-equipped to handle the deluge of tax-exempt applications from 'social welfare' organizations and to police their political activities, experts say.

WASHINGTON — In spring 2010, agents in the Cincinnati office of the Internal Revenue Service, which handles applications for tax-exempt status, faced a surge of filings by new advocacy groups, with little guidance on how to treat them.

L.A. mayor's race result may be unknown for weeks after election

By James Rainey, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:10:00 PDT

Mail-in ballots, the apparent tightness of the race and the peculiarities of the City Clerk's counting procedures open the possibility of a delayed outcome.

After a contest for mayor of Los Angeles that has consumed the better part of two years, the two finalists, their staffs, the media and a largely disinterested electorate doubtless would welcome an end to the drama Tuesday, election day.